Twisted Games(Ryeji ver)

YEJI[CHAPTER 23]

I WANTED TO DIE.
If the floor opened up and swallowed me whole, I’d be the
happiest person on earth. Or under earth, as the case would
be.

Sadly, I remained in the drawing room with a whiteboard
covered with pictures of European bachelors, a stone-faced
Ryujin, and an oblivious Chaeryeong.

“It’s the event of the season,” she continued. “The
timing is rushed, but Seoyeon's team is working on it around the
clock and invites went out this morning. Dozens of people
already RSVP’d yes.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “All those
handsome men, all dressed up in one room. I could simply
die.”

Yes, the big idea my grandfather had alluded to the other
day in his office was a thinly veiled matchmaking gala. I’d
protested, horrified at the thought of spending an entire
evening—my birthday, no less—making small talk and
dancing with over-inflated egos disguised as humans.
I’d been overruled.

Apparently, my twenty-fourth birthday was a good
excuse to invite every eligible bachelor in Europe to the
party, and it was coming up in a few weeks, which made for
perfect timing, even if it was, as Chaeryeong had said, rushed.

“I didn’t realize you were looking for a partner, Your
Highness,” Ryujin said so coldly goosebumps erupted on my
arms. The current of electricity running between us froze,
turning to ice.

At the same time, indignation kindled in my stomach. She
had no right to be angry. She was the one who’d left and
insisted on keeping things between us professional after
Costa Rica. She couldn’t possibly think she could waltz in here
again after six weeks because she changed her mind and
expect me to have put my life on hold for her.

“It’s a politics and public image thing,” Chaeryeong said
before I could answer. “Anyway, what were we talking
about? Right.” She snapped her fingers. “Lord Yeosang and
Prince Hans. Never mind about that. Prince Hans ranks
higher, of course.” She moved his headshot to the yes side of
the board.

“I’ll leave you to it then, Your Highness. I was just
checking in.” Ryujin's face shut down, and frustration stabbed
at me, joining the cocktail of emotions coursing through my
veins—excitement and giddiness at seeing her again,
annoyance at her hypocrisy, lingering anger over her initial
departure, and a smidge of guilt, even though we weren’t
dating, we’d never dated, and I was free to dance with every
person in Athenberg if I wanted.

If we do this, it stays here. This room, this night. We don’t talk
about it again.

That was his rule, so why did I feel guilty at all?

“Ms. Shin—”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Highness.”
Ryujin left.
Before I knew what I was doing, I followed her out the
door, my spine hardening with determination.

I would not get drawn into an endless cycle of what-ifs
again. I had enough to worry about. If Ryujin had a problem,
he could tell me to my face.

“Where are you going?” Chaeryeong called after me. “We still
need to figure out the dance order!”

“Ladies’ room,” I said over my shoulder. “I trust you.
Order them how you wish.” I quickened my steps and caught
up with Ryujin around the corner. “Ms. Shin.”,This time, she stopped but didn’t turn around. “The ball was my grandfather’s idea. Not mine.”,I didn’t owe her an explanation, but I felt compelled to give one anyway.

“It’s your birthday, princess. You can do whatever you
want.” I set my jaw even as my stomach fluttered at the word
princess.

“So, you’re okay with me dancing with other men
all night?”
Ryujin finally turned, those inscrutable gray eyes flickering.