Chapter 630

‘What’s with that guy? Staring at Vivianus like he’s in love. Vivianus doesn’t swing that way,’ Henry thought.

He approached and casually rested a hand on Vivianus’ waist. “Who’s this?”

Shirley felt the hand at her waist, raised a brow, and allowed a faint smile to surface. “An admirer.”

Henry glanced over, eyes narrowing slightly. “Henry Jean,” he introduced himself with a polite nod.

Sean’s expression shifted the moment he saw Henry’s hand resting so naturally on Shirley. His face paled, and his voice was taut. “Sean Baxter.”

Henry’s name had gained traction in the Kingdom of Xyperia over the past two years. Now, seeing him in person, Sean immediately sensed the weight behind the name and couldn’t believe Shirley seemed so familiar with him.

Then, Shirley gently removed Henry’s hand. “That’s not something friends do. People might get the wrong idea.”

Henry hadn’t expected the rejection. For a moment, he was at a loss.

Sean, however, looked pleased. Evidently, things between Shirley and Henry weren’t quite what he had feared, which meant Henry and he were love rivals.

Choosing to ignore Henry, Sean stepped forward with a calm smile. “Your Highness, may I have this dance?”

Henry’s expression darkened, while Shirley smiled. “You may.”

Sean’s eyes lit up until she added, “But you’ll have to wait your turn.”

He gave a short laugh. “I don’t mind waiting.”

Shirley nodded and said nothing more.

Henry, however, seized her wrist and pulled her into a quiet corner. Standing close, he leaned in. “Vivianus, don’t screw this up. I’m not cleaning up after you.”

It was obvious Sean was smitten, adoration written plainly in his eyes.

But Vivianus wasn’t Shirley.

Unbothered, Shirley replied, “It’s just a dance.”

Henry’s jaw clenched. He knew it was just a dance, but it still irritated him.

His gaze sharpened. “You have two options. Me or him. Pick one.”

Shirley hesitated, giving no immediate reply.

Henry’s frustration grew. He thought, ‘Seriously? You need time to think? After everything, we’re not even on equal footing?’

Seeing the barely restrained tension in his expression, Shirley finally smiled. “Then I’ll pick you.”

The storm in Henry’s eyes dissipated instantly, replaced by a flicker of contentment. “Smart choice.”

Shirley reached up and ruffled his hair lightly. “Then don’t stay mad.”

The gesture caught him off guard. It only deepened his suspicion that Vivianus might actually like him.

When the ball officially began, Shirley entered with Henry at her side. Their presence was striking, elegant, and commanding. Together, they made an impression that drew countless eyes.

Many paused to watch them dance.

But Jasmine’s fears were already beginning to unfold.

Anna rushed over, breathless. “Martin’s made a move. He brought someone.”

“Who?” Jasmine asked quickly.

“We don’t know yet. He’s keeping them hidden.”

“Find out. We can’t let him interfere.” Jasmine’s mind raced. She suspected Martin might’ve brought someone who could expose Vivianus’ true identity. After all, he had once served in the military and crossed paths with many.

It wasn’t impossible someone could recognize him.

Meanwhile, Shirley and Henry finished their dance. As the final notes of the music softened, Shirley exhaled lightly, her hands resting on his shoulders as they moved with unhurried grace.

When he heard her breath, Henry’s ears twitched slightly. His gaze dropped, lingering on her lips, painted in deep crimson. A stray thought drifted in. ‘What would it taste like to kiss her?’

The moment the idea took shape, he caught himself and recoiled internally.

His expression darkened, disturbed by his own thoughts.

Though Vivianus wore a dress tonight, beneath it all, he was still a man.

Henry clenched his jaw, thinking, ‘There’s something seriously wrong with me.’

The music halted. From the crowd emerged Martin, accompanied by someone.

Vivianus immediately recognized the man. It was an officer he had once encountered at the military camp.

This officer, openly gay, had tried to flirt with him upon his arrival. Vivianus had responded by beating him up.

To see him here now, of all places, was no trivial coincidence.

Their eyes met, and the officer’s gaze wavered. He knew instantly that the person before him wasn’t Shirley. It was Vivianus. The wound on his hand matched perfectly with the one on the impostor’s.

Just as Martin was about to speak, he stopped short, watching as Vivianus tilted Henry’s chin and kissed him.

Henry froze, startled. He instinctively meant to push away, but Shirley pulled back first and whispered, “That officer with Martin knows who I really am. He’s here to expose me. I had to act before he could.”

Henry swallowed hard, realizing the kiss had been deliberate, part of the act.

“Just follow my lead,” she murmured, kissing him again.

Her lips parted his, drawing him in with unexpected boldness. Lipstick stained his mouth with a vivid flush, making her appear all the more striking.

Henry had, in truth, long wanted to kiss her. Now that it was happening, he wrapped his arm around her waist and responded, unreservedly.

She felt soft and sweet, exactly as she had in his dreams. The sensation stirred something unfamiliar but undeniable within him.

The onlookers were stunned. Courtiers stared, speechless.

The kiss deepened, charged with intensity, while Martin’s expression darkened.

The officer beside him had not anticipated such a brazen move from Vivianus. It was shameless but effective.

Jasmine nearly let out a scream. Henry, to her shock, wasn’t just playing along. He was fully immersed.

He held Shirley tightly, kissing her with fervor, teeth grazing her lip. Were it not for the public setting, he might’ve pinned her against the wall and let go entirely.

Only now did he understand why Joshua and Roy always lingered around Shermaine and Molly.

Vivianus might have been a man, but that didn’t stop Henry from wanting more.

After several moments, he finally let go. His eyes were unreadable, voice roughened by emotion. “Your Highness… did I play the part well?”

Shirley, breathless, ran her tongue along her lips. “Perfectly.”

Seeing her expression, Henry leaned in again. “You don’t look quite satisfied yet. Shall we keep going?” Without waiting for an answer, he kissed her again.

Shirley welcomed it, fingers weaving into his hair, holding him gently. Her kiss was slow, teasing, not forceful but dangerously addictive.

Henry was losing himself in it, returning the kiss even more deeply.

When they finally parted, Shirley turned, her gaze landing on Martin not far away. “Mr. Perez,” she said calmly, “you’ve been standing there for quite some time. Was there something you wished to say?”