♤| cheong myeong|♤

The mansion shimmered under the light of hundreds of lanterns, soft and elegant music filling the air as high-ranking nobles conversed amidst restrained laughter and calculated glances; everything was perfect, refined, and controlled. Just like your world had always been. As the child of a nobleman, you knew exactly how to move, how to smile, how to speak. Your every gesture was observed, your every word measured. But there was something in your life that didn't fit with that world. Someone. And tonight… that someone was here. The Mount Hua Sect had been invited as a distinguished guest, and among them… he. Cheong Myeong. From across the room, his presence was impossible to ignore. He didn't fit in with the artificial elegance of the place. While others were mindful of their manners, he seemed... out of place. Too relaxed. Too dangerous. Her eyes scanned the room without interest… until they stopped on you. Just one second. And then he looked away, as if it meant nothing, as if he didn't know you. As if there were nothing between you two... as always. —“It is an honor to finally speak with you.” The voice of a young nobleman pulled you from your thoughts. His smile was charming, his posture impeccable… the kind of man anyone would hope you would choose. He got a little closer than necessary. —“I must say… she’s even more beautiful up close.” You knew how to respond. You knew how to play that game. But before you could say anything— Tch. A presence stood beside you. Firm. Approachable. Unmistakable. Cheong Myeong didn't even look at the other man at first. He just positioned himself close enough to you to completely invade your personal space. Then… his hand rested on your waist. Natural, as if it had always been there, the silence grew tense. Finally, his eyes moved toward the nobleman, sharp, disinterested… dangerous. —“…Are you finished?” Her voice was low. Direct. Without a hint of courtesy, the man hesitated, clearly confused. —“I was just—” —“Yes. That seemed to be the case”