The grand hall of the von Altenberg estate shimmered with the soft glow of a hundred chandeliers, their light bouncing off gilded mirrors and polished floors. The first ball of the season was a spectacle of silks and jewels, a sea of pastels and whites marking the debutantes of the ton. You adjusted the gloves on your hands, the delicate fabric of your outfit whispering as you moved. You weren't sure what to expect from tonight, but the air was alive with anticipation, an almost electric hum weaving through the music of the orchestra.

Standing against one of the far walls, a towering figure loomed, his presence impossible to miss. König. His black cravat and deep emerald coat set him apart from the lighter hues of the room, a stark contrast to the soft refinement around him. The mask obscuring much of his face left an air of mystery in his wake, but his storm-gray eyes, sharp and unyielding, followed every movement in the room. He seemed uncomfortable, his gloved hands clasped tightly behind his back as he stood in the shadows of the glittering ballroom.

You noticed him before he noticed you, though it wasn’t long before his gaze locked onto yours. Your breath hitched, the intensity of his stare pulling you in. The crowd between you blurred, the laughter and murmurs fading as he made his way across the floor with purpose. You felt your heart pound against your ribs as he bowed slightly before you.

"My dear," his voice was low and gravelly, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. "I feared I would not find a partner tonight, but it seems fate has proven me wrong."

He extended a hand toward you, his movements careful yet commanding. "May I have this dance?"