Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord
Chapter 255: May I have this Dance?

Chapter 255: May I have this Dance?

"They look like a perfect couple, don’t they?"

Lauren couldn’t take her eyes off the king and the princess. Vincent spoke beside her with amusement, and for a moment, she struggled to find her voice. She just brought her glass of lemonade to her lips and took a few gulps.

"As His Majesty’s friend, I am very happy that he’s now willing to open his heart for someone else after the tragic death of his wife."

Lauren brought down the glass and glanced at Vincent.

"You are a friend of His Majesty?" She was surprised.

Vincent nodded with a smile. Lauren stared into his crystal brown eyes and felt an ache somewhere in her heart. It was like she felt that it was a painful memory for him too.

"I think you already know that you resemble her."

"I know..." she said softly.

"I’ve heard of what happened." He smiled, this time the tinge of sadness in his eyes was gone. "Don’t worry, I don’t think you are the same person. King Alec has come to terms with it. He is willing to move on and let the memories of the late Queen rest."

Lauren was now intrigued. She couldn’t help but wonder what really happened back then.

In the distance, sitting at one table were Julian, Edith, Vivian, Ethan, and Darius. They were talking like normal guests, but their eyes were subtly watching Lauren’s every move. Vivian could hardly contain her tears because she wanted to go near her best friend so badly.

However, Lauren remained unaware of the eyes watching her, as her gaze remained glued to the dance floor where the king and Princess Seraphine became the center of attention.

Lauren’s grip on her glass tightened without her noticing when she met the King’s intense gaze as he held the princess in his arms.

His dark gray eyes staring at her as he danced with the princess made Lauren swallow hard.

When she felt her glass being snatched from her hand, only then she realized she had been staring too much.

"May I have this dance?"

Lauren was startled by the invitation. She looked at the man beside her and the few young ladies near them who looked astonished that Vincent invited her to dance.

"Milord, I cannot-"

Before she could finish her word, Vincent leaned to whisper, "Please don’t embarrass this gentleman."

Lauren didn’t want to be on the dance floor, but she thought it would offend the lord if she refused him, especially in public.

Vincent smiled victoriously when Lauren reached for his hand. As he led her to the dance floor, it reminded him of the first time he danced with her. The night of Lauren’s engagement soiree with Peterson Merriweather. Vincent could still remember vividly what happened that night and how his dear friend, Alec Everston, stole the spotlight by stealing another man’s bride-to-be.

The crowd’s chatter slowly died down, and people became quiet when Vincent and Lauren stepped onto the dance floor for everyone to see. Those who had known Lauren back then held their jaws, their eyes wide open as if they saw a dead man rise from his grave.

"What is happening?"

"That girl looks exactly like Queen Lauren!"

"And she’s dancing with Lord Vincent!"

Lauren gasped softly the moment she noticed that she and Vincent had drawn people’s attention. Some couples had stopped dancing, and only a few remained, including the King and Princess Seraphine.

"Don’t like the attention?" Vincent asked as he put his hand on Lauren’s back, drawing her attention to him. He tilted his head with a dashing smile.

"I don’t think you fear being the center of attention, you just feel like you shouldn’t be here because of your status...or maybe," he paused and pulled her closer, "you’re overwhelmed because all these things are familiar to you?"

Lauren’s brows knitted.

"Familiar to me? I don’t think I know what you are saying, milord."

Vincent chuckled. "Never mind. I’m just saying nonsense things to ease you up."

"I appreciate it, but I am perfectly...fine," Lauren said the last word softer, almost inaudible because she had just met the king’s gaze as she and Vincent were dancing near the king and his partner.

Despite how beautiful Princess Seraphine was, Alec couldn’t seem to find any beauty in the woman he was dancing with. His eyes were on Lauren, and he couldn’t help but clench his jaw at how she perfectly danced with Vincent in the elegant burgundy dress he had picked himself.

"You’re so beautiful, Miss Noelle," said Vincent, mischief twinkling in his bright brown orbs.

Before Lauren could say "Thank you," Vincent had let go of her, and the vampire was suddenly next to the king and Princess Seraphine.

"Can we exchange partners, Your Majesty? I haven’t met the famous Princess Seraphine of Bodeville, so I would like to take this chance to get to know her."

Lauren’s jaw dropped as she stood there in the middle of the dance floor, staring at Vincent, who had suddenly dropped her for another woman. She didn’t mind, but he shouldn’t have suggested exchanging partners!

In a heartbeat, the King answered, "Sure, Lord Vincent."

Alec let go of Princess Seraphine, and the woman reluctantly took Vincent’s hand. She had heard so much about the great Vincent Harrington from Acheron, which included his debauchery, so despite the man’s dashing appearance, she wasn’t pleased to dance with him when she was already dancing with Alec.

Lauren just wanted to leave the floor.

How could she, a mere castle maid, dance with the King in front of his people?

But before she could do that, the King made his way towards her, and with every step he took, he fought the urge to step back.

She held her breath for a moment when he stopped in front of her, his sleek shoes clicking softly against the marbled floor.

She looked down at his shoes, refusing to meet his gaze as she feared that she might offend the King.

"Miss Noelle Davis."

For the first time, she felt like the name didn’t belong to her. The King’s voice was rough yet soothing, and she didn’t know why it felt like the name was unfamiliar to her ears now that he called her that.

"Look at me."

She slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes traveling up to his clothed torso, up to his neck, his sharp jaw, and then to his gray eyes that were now mixed with a little red, making them look darker.

She held his gaze for a moment before she noticed his open palm waiting for her hand.

"May I have this dance?"