The Mayqueen Gala

The banquet hall of the Imperial Grand in Zean City glittered with chandeliers that spilled light across marble floors. The Mayqueen annual gala had always been a spectacle, but this year felt grander than ever.

The ceiling shimmered, the walls draped in velvet banners marked with the insignias of old families and corporations that had clawed their way into power. Waiters in white gloves glided between tables carrying champagne flutes, and an orchestra in the corner with instruments, their music weaving seamlessly into the polite conversation, laughter, and the clink of wineglass.

Everywhere one looked, prestige shimmered. Dresses that could pay a month’s rent for a city block trailed across the floor, jewels winked on wrists and necks, and smiles masked daggers as the top dogs of industry mingled beneath the chandelier light.

The doors parted as though they had been waiting for him. Rune's tailored black tuxedo fit like a second skin, and draped over his arm was Posy, glittering in an off-the-shoulder gown of shimmering rose gold that caught every light and tossed it back into the faces of onlookers.

Her smile was poised, though her eyes glimmered with triumph as if this night had already crowned her a queen. Together, they walked as though they owned the hall.

Whispers trailed behind them, eyes following the duo in silence.

“...Runes Sterling and Posy Balmero…”

“… thought his family was going through bankruptcy. How did he get an invite?”

“...right? Did you see the talks on WeTalk? The rumours surround the duo? About the cheating rumours?”

“…he still showed up, dragging that socialite with him. Bold.”

“… dangerous, considering his reputation.”

“...they make a cute couple though.”

Runes and Posy walked deeper into the room, picking up a wine glass on their way.

He smirked faintly, as though he heard every word, and held Posy a little closer. She leaned in, murmuring, “They’re looking at us.”

“They always look,” Runes replied smoothly, his eyes scanning the room without a care in the world.

Two days ago was supposed to have been his day, a sealed deal with Blackwood Industries and the Mayqueen Conglomerate, a merger that would tilt the market in his favor. But the meeting had been postponed at the last minute with a message stating that the announcement would be made at the gala tonight.

He knew he had to show up like the new reputation he's about to take on. And with Posy by his side, despite Balmero's plummeting image, he knew he had a chance.

Posy clenching hard to her purse as she scanned the curious glances sent her way.

Runes sips from his wine glass. “Tonight is about the contract I'm about to sign with the two biggest empires in the country. Tonight is about the Sterlings..”

Posy nods, trying to avoid the looks she was getting. The rumours on WeTalk might have died down but they were brought up every now and then. Her credibility was starting to get questioned after an anonymous post detailed her encounter with Thea at the wedding dress store..

The responses to the posts were nasty, ruthless even. Some were starting to question if Posy was as innocent as she claimed but she ignored it. As long as she married Runes, it's all well and good.

“....my goodness! She's beautiful!”

“...my thoughts exactly. Stunning..”

Posy eyes followed the guests gaze to the door to see the one person she least expected to be at the gala…

It was Thea.

She wore the green dress she had chosen with Seth, a gown that dipped elegantly at the waist and caught the candlelight in its folds like living emerald silk. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, and though she carried a diamond necklace and earrings , she carried herself with an air that turned heads. Some are confused. Some in disdain. Some in recognition.

“...is that…?” someone whispered, half-horrified, half-curious.

“...can’t be. She wouldn’t dare.”

“....oh, but look…look at her. She’s really here.”

Thea’s presence rippled through the hall like a dropped stone in a still lake. Memories stirred in the whispers, rumors of her past. People’s gazes sharpened, and just as many turned away, pretending they hadn’t noticed her at all.

But Runes noticed. And so did Posy and her face turned bright red in anger.

Thea pulled a stop in the middle of the room, her eyes scanning as though in search for a familiar face.

Runes got on his feet, taking a stride across the dance floor, dragging Posy with him, his jaw set in a sharp, angry line.

“What are you doing?” Posy asked, whispering and trying to maintain her smile.

Runes said nothing, his eyes fixed on Thea. When he stopped before Thea, his shadow swallowed her in the glow of the chandelier.

“Thea.” Runes said.

Thea turned her attention to him, a small smile on her face. “Runes. Posy.”

He frowned, it was starting to get infuriating, how calm and collected she often seems even when he expects her to be shocked.

“I wasn't expecting you here.” Posy said, eyes scanning her dress in question. Her eyes landed on the necklace, it looked real but was it.

Her gaze met Thea's in silent curiosity.

“How,” he demanded, his voice low but slicing, “did you get into this event?”

Thea’s lips curved faintly. “With an invitation.”

“Impossible.” His eyes flicked over her dress, her calm stance. “Security should never have allowed you past the doors. This gala isn’t for… strays who wander off the street.”

Thea’s eyes flashed, though her voice remained calm. “What?”

Murmurs rose around them. Guests leaned in subtly, drawn to the tension sparking between the two like flint. Runes’ composure cracked into visible anger.

“You’re here to sabotage me, aren't you?” he hissed.

Thea chuckled. “You falter yourself Runes. I'm not here because of you.”

“This is my night, my deal. And I won't allow you to ruin it.” he snapped, ignoring her words.

Thea’s chin lifted. “If your deal is so fragile, Runes, perhaps the problem isn’t me but you.”

A ripple of laughter from somewhere nearby. Posy’s hand tightened on Runes’ arm, her smile tightening into venom.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here,” Posy cut in. “Everyone remembers what you did. The disgrace you brought on yourself. Did you think dressing up would erase the past?”

Thea’s gaze flicked to Posy, cool and steady. “Better to wear the past openly than to hide behind another man’s arm.”

Gasps. Eyes widened. The orchestra stumbled for half a bar before recovering.

“Or you're just jealous I moved on.” Runes cut in. “That's why you're here isn't it? Hoping I would come back to you..”

“Come back?” Thea laughs, scanning Rines dismissively. “You? Keep dreaming. The only person who's ready to marry you is Posy and that's because she loves cleaning up after me. Don't you, little sister? ”

Posy’s face flushed red, her composure shattering. “You—” she spat, “—you ruined lives. You humiliated your own name, and now you crawl back like nothing happened. Pathetic.”

Thea stepped forward, closing the space Posy had tried to claim. Her voice was low but carried, calm in its sharpness.

“You mistake survival for shame. And you know I'm right. You have no dreams of your own.” Thea leans closer, dropping her voice in a whisper. “You will forever be in my shadow, Posy.”

Posy’s mouth dropped, fury choking her words.

Runes’ patience finally snapped. His voice boomed above the murmurs, commanding, “Enough. Security!”

Two guards appeared at his bark, moving with brisk efficiency through the crowd. Whispers swelled into a storm as they approached Thea, who stood unmoving, her hands at her sides, her face unreadable.

“Remove her,” Runes ordered, pointing sharply at Thea. “Throw her out of my sight.”

For a moment, silence fell. Thea’s eyes flickered around the room, catching the mixed gazes; some pitying, some cruel, some uncertain. But none moved for her. None spoke. The weight of shame pressed down, just as Runes wanted.

The guards closed in.

And then the doors opened again.

The sound was subtle at first, drowned by whispers, but it spread, a quiet shift of attention. Heads turned. A new presence entered the hall, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Seth Blackwood.

He stood in the doorway in a tailored black suit, sharp lines softened by the ease with which he carried himself. His hair was brushed back neatly, his expression calm, almost casual, but his eyes burned with quiet fire as they swept across the hall, landing instantly on Thea.

Every whisper stilled. The orchestra faltered once more and then fell completely silent. Even the chandeliers seemed to hold their light a beat too long.

The guards hesitated mid-step.

Thea’s breath caught; not in fear, not in shame, but in something else, something that steadied her spine as Seth began to walk forward.

Runes’ smug expression faltered, and Posy’s fingers clutched his sleeve in sudden unease.

And in that suspended heartbeat before the storm, the gala seemed to realize it was about to become something far more than a night of champagne.