The Cursed King

Before they left for the gala, Elise and Loriel had agreed that some skin contact was needed to make it convincing that they were together, but Elise still felt her skin prickle at the contact. Her heart fluttered and she looked at the man with a blushing face.

"I'd like to think that it's the other way around," Loriel said. "The one who's lucky in this relationship is me… I didn't think it was possible that I would have such a sweet and loving girlfriend like Elise."

"You guys are such a dream couple," Sarah gushed.

"I wish my boyfriend would say such things like that." Alana looked obviously jealous.

"Elise, I'd marry the man right this instant if I were you."

The people around the table oohed and aahed at Loriel's smooth words. 

With the two of them together, it really seemed like Elise and Loriel were a match made in heaven. Everyone at the table couldn't get enough of the man's presence and felt incredibly lucky they were eating with them.

Elise wanted to agree with them as they admired Loriel. Right now, she still couldn't imagine that she'd meet someone like him. 

After everything that happened for the past few months, throughout all the struggles and troubles that she encountered… Loriel was always right there with her. How and why did he do such a thing?

Elise didn't know.

Or maybe Elise actually did.

She glanced at Loriel at her side and felt her heart race slightly. Her father's words about Loriel didn't exactly leave her mind and she wondered if that was true. Elise didn't know what to think at the moment.

Her father said Loriel did all those things for her out of love. However, Loriel didn't seem to want to admit it. He replied in diplomatic words when Elise bravely asked him if he was in love in her.

Ahh… Now, Elise didn't know what to think.

Finally, instead of getting caught up in her thoughts, Elise decided to enjoy the night.

"Here, take this. I think you might enjoy this." Loriel offered Elise a creme brulee with a gentle smile. What he wanted for Elise to do was to truly smile tonight and maybe even enjoy her time.

"What is this?" Elise asked.

"It's creme brulee. It's really good. Try it," said Loriel. 

"Ah… okay."

Loriel knew that nothing like this could replace the loss of one's father, but hopefully, soon, Elise would recover from her grief.

He was determined to make her happy and distract her from her grief. Perhaps, they could travel to Japan after Christmas and spent a nice holiday there.

Loriel remembered what she said while at the hospital.

Elise sobbed about the fact that she didn't have anyone else in this world anymore. That wasn't true at all. While Madeline York may have lost her father… Elise still had Loriel and he would do anything to make her feel loved.

Amidst the festivities of the Christmas gala, from the raffles, live performances from well-known and famous people to the delicious banquet available for all of the employees in the Sanderman Group, Loriel stood up.

The music from the live orchestra changed to a harmonious melody.

Loriel offered his hand to Elise and gave her a smile. His gaze was on her, and her alone. "Elise, may I have this dance with you?" 

Behind Elise were the swoons and quick urging from her colleagues. 

The people were usually content to eat and enjoy the atmosphere of the gala night along with the occasional upbeat dances for those willing, but this time, Loriel asked Elise during a slow dance.

Elise stared up at Loriel and wondered if this was what it felt like to be asked and courted by a prince. 

"Of course, Loriel." A soft smile crossed on her lips as she accepted his hand and he pulled her to the center of the grand hotel.

There were several other couples too in the background, encouraged to join in the music and spend their time with their loved ones or colleagues. Office romances were actually quite a thing despite what may have been prescribed by the Sanderman's HR.

Even Marc Sanderman couldn't help but look at the dance floor and wonder if this was what true love actually meant? He thought it was cheesy and silly. The no-strings attached relationships were convenient for someone like him.

But the way that his grand-uncle looked tonight was of someone with genuine joy in their eyes as Loriel and Elise arrived together in the center of the room.

Elise placed her left hand on Loriel's shoulder, while he took care of her right hand. Both of them seemed to have naturally relaxed in this position.

"Do you know how to dance, Elise?" Loriel asked. 

Elise shook her head and smiled awkwardly. "Uhm… I have never danced before." 

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you." 

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for accepting my offer to dance," he whispered.

"It wouldn't be fair for a boyfriend to ask her girlfriend out to dance and for them to refuse," Elise said. There was a small twinkle in her eyes as she said it. "But don't get upset if I step on your foot by accident."

"That won't happen at all. I'll lead."

"Then I'll trust you."

A long time ago, Loriel had never once invited his wife into the ballroom, too focused and readily burying himself in his duties to ever have the time for something like this.

Tonight, Loriel and Elise spent the next song and two together in each other's arms. They immediately attracted the attention of all the gala attendees. Both man and woman were ridiculously good-looking that all eyes couldn't help but get fixed on them.

The other employees who had never seen Elise before were curious to know who she was since she was so beautiful and they didn't see her at the last year's gala.

Whispers were soon heard among the audience.