THE WALDENT FESTIVAL WAS AN
event, almost every year. It was just one of the few events that provided a free space for businesses and business people to meet and unofficially compete with each other among the crowd.
With the bright lights of the fairground casting a warm glow over the bustling crowd. Executives mingled with performers, and the air buzzed with a blend of strategic conversations and carefree laughter.
Livia moved confidently through the crowd, her sharp eyes scanning the people that were glances after her.
She wore a well-fitting, dark red dress that and her dark hair was elegantly pinned up.
She knew she had made her presence known.

As she turned a corner, she saw James standing near the champagne table where she had gone to get a drink. He was speaking to a small group of people and looked very much like the charming young Beaufort in his expensive suit.
When his eyes met hers, a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.
Liv put her thirst ahead of her plan not to disturb him and approached the table to get herself a glass of champagne.

"Livia." She heard his voice and saw out of the corner of her eye as he broke away from his group and walked towards her.
She raised an eyebrow, not letting him realize that his presence sent a small shiver down her spine.

"Since when are we using first names?" She asked, her voice distant.
James chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I thought because we've gotten so close, the last weeks that it was time to use your first name." He said.

"Close?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"And also because you have a nice name." he said, smiling charmingly at her. Liv chuckled.

"Your compliments mean shit to me." She said, pursing her lips and taking a sip from her glass. She turned around, leaned against the table and looked through the crowd with her piercing blue eyes. She heard James sigh and mumble something that sounded like:

"All right." Then he put his champagne glass down on the table and leaned against the table next to her.

"So, do you want to-.." Livia interrupted him.

"I don't." She said, dryly. knowing that her father would find out if she talked to the boy.
James grunted a laugh.

"You didn't even let me finish." He said and Liv straightened up again.

"You don't have to because I'm not going to do anything for you." She said and was about to walk away when he grabbed her hand and pulled her back softly. She felt her shoulder touch his collarbone.

"You still owe me, remember? For that little favor you asked me?"
Livia wanted to roll her eyes, but instead she grinned.

"Did you take Ruby to the dresses?" She asked and James tilted his head.

"No." He said and Liv pulled the corners of her lips up.

"Then why would I return the favor?" She asked, wanting to walk away again, but James still had his hand on her wrist and was now pulling her towards him with a tighter grip.

"I was planning on doing it tomorrow, but I guess I might as well not! I don't need this gala to go well." he murmured in her ear. Liv felt a shiver run down her spine at how close the boy was to her. His touch seemed to make her skin tingle and she sighed.

"Then what do you want?" she asked, turning to face him fully.  
James took his hand from her wrist and extended it towards the dance floor in the center of the festival grounds. A live band was playing a sultry, rhythmic tune, enticing the couples to dance.

"What?" asked Livia scoffing. He wasn't seriously considering that, was he?

"Dance with me," he said in a low voice.

"No." Liv said, shaking her head. James stepped closer to her and bent his head down to her.

"What are you scared of?" He asked and Livia was still shaking her head as she looked to the dancing people.

"Of losing my image when I'm seen with you." She hissed in a cold reply.

"You know that's not true. It's a win if we're seen together." James said.
Suddenly she felt the back of his finger brush across her temple and push a strand of hair behind her ear. She had pinned it up elegantly for the evening and let a few strands fall out. She felt her heart begin to beat faster.

"Come on, you owe me." James said, standing so close to her that she could feel the warmth of his body.

"My dad would kill me." She said stubbornly.

"Your parents aren't here. Come on have some fun!" the blond boy said, placing a hand around her back and onto her waist.
Livia hesitated, but she knew she had to do it, and as long as her parents didn't see it, there was no harm in playing along with his little game.  So she stepped forward and let him lead her onto the dance floor his hand on her lower back as he guided her through the people.

"But don't expect me to go easy on you."
She said, raising her brows as she grinned.

"Never." James replied, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

The moment they entered the room, the music seemed to change, becoming a little deeper, not slower, but more intimate. They moved together, slowly at first. Livia could feel the warmth of his hand on her waist as he guided her into the rhythm.

"You know," James began, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down her spine.

"I meant it when I said this is like a chess game." He said and Livia rolled is eyes.

"That's so cringe." She said and looked away from him.

"No imagine it for a second. The people around us and is two, we are the chess pieces." He explained.
Livia arched a brow, a small smile playing around her lips.

"Right. And you're the piece that does nothing?" She teased him.
James laughed softly, and Livia had to admit that she liked his laughter.

"You mean the king?" He said and she shook her head.

"Nah, there's no way, you're a king." She said shaking her head.

"Right. The king is too passive for me. Maybe a knight is better fitting. Always on the move." He said.
Livia whirled away from him, before James pulled her back and their bodies came dangerously close.

"You think too highly of yourself. What's the most arrogant piece? That's what you are," she said.

"Knights are expendable." She then added, close to his face.

"Only if you're a bad player," James replied, his voice low and his gaze intense as their eyes met.

"That sounds like a bad movie, Beaufort." She said, shaking her head.

"We're not in a game of chess." She said as they parted a little again, moving the dance steps in sync. She was really impressed with what a good dancer James was.
He twirled her around and then turned her back to face him, his lips close to her ear.

"I think we are." He whispered, pressing his chest into her back.
Liv blushed slightly, but luckily he couldn't see it.

"Why did you want to dance with me? That's just the first part of the favor, isn't it?" she asked and James grinned.

"Yeah." He said as he took her hand to twirl her around again.

"I want you to help me impress a businessman here. Mr. Donovan." Livia's eyes flashed towards his, with understanding.
She knew James too well to be surprised by his maneuver.

Mr. Donovan was a key figure in their industry, and securing his favor would be a major boost for both companies. She had to admit it was a smart move. But two could play at this game.
She leaned closer, her lips almost brushing his cheek.

"You're going to use me to win Donovan over?" she whispered.

"I should have known." She then said and James's grip tightened a little, but his smile was unwavering.

"It's a win-win. I help you with your gala, you help me with Donovan."
They continued to move together, the music seemed to slow down, the world around them fading as they reached the center of the dance floor.
Livia's cheek slightly touched James, as she felt his breath on her shoulder.

They continued dancing, moving across the floor. Livia could feel the eyes that were pinned on them and the strength in James' arms, that attracted her. She enjoyed the exciting feeling of doing a risky thing.
James didn't think it was a bad thing to be physically attracted to Livia Ashwand. He enjoyed the way her movements touched him, the way her words upset him. He also saw how she responded to him and found enjoyment in the whole thing they were playing.

"Okay, I'll do it," Livia finally said.
As the music rose to a crescendo, James pulled her closer to him, his eyes searching hers.

"I knew I could count on you, Livi," he said, his voice barely higher than a whisper.
Before she could react, the music stopped and they stood still, their bodies standing close together. For a brief moment, none of them moved and none of them spoke.
James seemed to awaken from his trance and smiled down at her. Then he took her hand and led her into the crowd, where one man in particular stood out.

"Mr. Beaufort, Mrs. Ashwand," he said, stepping forward. It was the Mr. Donovan James had spoken of.

"Quite the performance you put on there. I'm impressed." He said and James nodded to him with his charming smile.

"Mr. Donovan, what a pleasure. I hope you enjoy the festival." James said, reaching his hand out, so they shook hands.
Donovan nodded, his gaze traveling back and forth between James and Livia.

"I do indeed. I find it quite inspiring to see the younger generation working together. We'd all rather have allies than enemies don't we?" He gave a small laugh.

"I was wondering if we'd have a talk about it over a drink?" He then said and James smiled at the man.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure! See, Mrs. Ashwand and I have great visions for the future of both of our businesses and I see a great opportunity in it, to connect with your company." James spoke and Mr. Donovan nodded at him.

"Yes, yes! We can talk about that too, but I actually was talking to her." He said pointing to Livia.

"I'd like to continue my conversation with Mrs. Ashwand first, if you don't mind." The man nodded politely, but Liv had to suppress a laugh when she saw the look on James' face. She smiled charmingly at Mr. Donovan.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Donovan, I was held up at the champagne table when I wanted to get back to you." She said, but it was a lie.
She actually couldn't wait to find an excuse for getting away from that man. He was annoying but now, that she knew how badly James wanted him on his side, she of course would use that.
The Beaufort boy looked at Livia, a silent question in his eyes. She smiled softly and stepped forward confidently.

"It would be nice to continue our conversation, and I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I left you to find a new dance partner, would you James?"
The boy's smile remained fixed, but she could see in his eyes that he was close to ripping her head off.

"Not at all, Livia," he replied softly.

"I'll wait over there at the tables," Mr. Donovan said, touching Livia's shoulder with his hand, which made her uncomfortable since he was almost twice her age.
He left, and Livia was proud that she had played her hand well. She turned back to James, the tension between them had reached a new high, and she couldn't deny the thrill that ran through her at the thought of what came next.

"Maybe this is a chess game and I'm too many steps ahead of you." She grinned and could see James seething with anger.

"So you've already spoken to Mr. Donovan." He understood the situation and Liv nodded.

"You were too slow, Beaufort." She said and picked up the glass she had placed on the table earlier.
Then she sat down with Mr. Donovan to have a drink, and Livia felt James' eyes on her, a silent promise of the fight that was coming.

And for the first time, she realized she was looking forward to it.

Author's note:
I think this is my fav chapter, I'm so proud of that dance scene! 🥹🤚

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