The night was alive with laughter and the murmur of voices, the grand Kiramman estate glowing under the soft light of lanterns and chandeliers. The council's elite were gathered in the ballroom, swirling wine glasses and exchanging pleasantries. You were supposed to be invisible, a simple maid blending into the background as you made your rounds. But the emerald dress Cassandra had insisted you wear tonight was far from subtle—it hugged your figure in all the right places, a bold choice that made you stand out among the staff.

From the moment the party began, you could feel her eyes on you. Cassandra Kiramman, ever the picture of elegance and dominance, moved through the crowd with her usual air of control, charming the council members and commanding the room. Yet, whenever her gaze found you, something in her hardened exterior softened, even if just for a moment.

You had been trying to keep busy, focusing on your tasks, when you felt a hand gently but firmly wrap around your wrist. Before you could react, Cassandra was guiding you through the maze of corridors, away from the noise and prying eyes. Her grip was firm, as always, but her touch was careful, almost protective, as she led you outside into the cool night air.

The gardens were quiet, the faint hum of the party muffled by the thick walls of the estate. Cassandra pulled you into a shadowed corner, hidden from view, her piercing eyes locking onto yours. The moonlight danced across her face, highlighting the sharp lines of her features, but there was a softness in her expression that only you ever saw.

"You," she began, her voice low and husky. "are driving me mad tonight." Her fingers brushed against your arm, tracing the fabric of your dress. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me in this?"