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"It's gotten me into trouble more times than I can count."

"Well," Felix says, pulling me slightly closer, "for what it's worth, I hope you never change that about yourself. Then again, you need to stop talking about chocolate," Felix groans, though he's grinning. "You're making me hungry just listening to you."

"Oh, but I haven't told you about chocolate cake yet! There's the perfect chocolate birthday cake for staff celebrations, chocolate lava cake for when we get good news about funding, and chocolate mousse for when I need to bribe the mayor into approving new programs..."

"Belle," Felix says, shaking his head as we continue to waltz, "I'm putting on weight just talking about this with you."

I burst into laughter. "You asked what else I think about!"

"I was expecting maybe books, or community events, or..." He gestures helplessly.

"I don't know, normal things people think about."

"Chocolate is a perfectly normal thing to think about," I insist. "In fact, I bet half the people in this ballroom are thinking about the dessert table right now."

"The dessert table," Felix repeats thoughtfully.

"You know, now that you mention it..." "See? And I bet it's amazing. Probably chocolate éclairs, and petit fours, and maybe even a chocolate fountain..."

"You're absolutely right," he says, spinning me again.

"I can smell it from here. Chocolate and vanilla and... are those macarons?"

"Oh my god, yes! I love macarons. The way they're crispy on the outside but soft inside, and all those beautiful colors..."

As Felix spins me again, we accidentally bump into another couple. The alpha, a large man in an ornate gold mask, stumbles slightly and immediately turns toward us with a low, threatening snarl that makes my blood run cold.

"Watch where you're going," the alpha begins, his voice dangerous.

But Felix steps smoothly between us, his posture shifting into something protective yet respectful. "My deepest apologies," he says, offering a slight bow that somehow manages to be both deferential and commanding. "Entirely my fault. I was distracted by my partner's beauty."

The compliment makes warmth bloom in my chest even as Felix smoothly spins me away from the confrontation, putting distance between us and the alpha with such practiced ease thatI barely feel the movement. His hand on my waist is steady and sure, guiding me back into our dance as if nothing happened.

"That was smooth," I murmur, my heart still racing from the brief encounter.

"I've had practice navigating difficult personalities," Felix replies, but there's a tension in his shoulders that wasn't there before.

We're both laughing now, the formal atmosphere of the ball giving way to something warmer and more genuine.

"I can't believe we're discussing pastries while waltzing in a palace," Felix says.

"I can't believe you brought up the library first and then acted surprised when I wanted to talk about it," I counter.

"Fair point," he concedes.

"Though in my defense, watching you light up when you talk about things you love is... quite something."

The compliment makes heat rise in my cheeks, and I look up at him with new appreciation. Behind his mask, his eyes are warm and genuinely fond.

"You're not so bad yourself, Romano," I say softly.

"Even if you do tease me about my chocolate obsession."

"Who's teasing? I think I might have to revise my dessert preferences after this conversation."

And as the waltz continues, I find myself thinking that maybe this ball is turning out better than I expected.

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