There was no light stronger than the glow of the four.
A quartet so lethal that not even the most veteran of nobles dared to approach without first checking their hair in the reflection of the champagne glass.
The entire hall seemed to lean toward them. The carpet under their heels seemed to stretch by itself, as if saying: "This way, majesties."
And, of course... the men came.
A Count with a white blazer studded with tiny sapphires and a rehearsed smile of a European playboy approached. "Ladies... I never imagined New York could host four goddesses at once. May I know what perfume you wear, Miss Luna? Or is it... the natural scent of divinity?"
Luna only blinked slowly. "It is the aroma of indifference. Exclusive, limited edition."
The count pretended to laugh.
He floated away, dignity in tatters.
Another man, a Duke from England, looking about 43 years old, with the gaze of a wolf in existential crisis, starched to the soul, approached smiling brightly.
"Forgive me for interrupting this female constellation, but I would be a fool if I did not come to pay my respects to the ladies. Lady Luna, your fame precedes your presence."
Luna nodded. "Great. So I don't have to say anything."
Nikoly coughed discreetly to hide her laughter.
The next was a Baron from Japan, serious, composed. But the look... that nerdy sparkle of an RPG player who has dreamed of waifus, approached saying.
"It is an honor to see Lady Nikoly in person. And, of course... the other ladies. Lady Luna, your foundation has impressed even the Asian consortia. I would like to talk later about... partnerships."
Luna tilted her head with a slight fake smile. "Depends. Do you want to talk or show off?"
Kazuo turned red and withdrew as if struck by thunder.
There was even a Prince who approached with his embroidered cape, platinum hair, and a perfume that could kill an elderly asthmatic woman.
"Ladies... what an unspeakable pleasure to see you. But I confess... I can only look at Lady Victória. Don't you think it's destiny, my scarlet flower?"
Victória looked at him as if analyzing a rare insect. "You reek of narcissism, prince. But thanks for the little show."
He laughed. Nervously. And left.
But it was a Count named Henri, brazen, who approached with two glasses of wine and... went straight to Luna.
"Mademoiselle... I would say I have never seen anything so beautiful, but you probably already know. Take this wine. And who knows... my hand afterwards?"
Luna was about to refuse, but the man went too far. Tried to grab her hand. Her gaze turned to ice. The air around dropped about five degrees. She pressed her lips... and was about to explode.
But then Matthew appeared.
With slow, calm, but absolutely certain steps. Wearing a black suit with golden details, and the Solarius House crest embroidered with cosmic threads on the chest. His hair was perfectly aligned, and the smile... was that son of a bitch smile that made even gods doubt themselves.
"Sorry to interrupt," said Matthew, as if not enjoying it inside. "But I believe Miss Luna already has company."
Count Henri froze.
It was not just the beauty. It was the imperial presence that came with Matthew, as if the entire hall should bow.
"Ah, of course... of course... a thousand apologies, Your Highness."
Henri coughed and left. Quickly. As if on fire.
Luna turned her face slowly.
And what was supposed to be an indifferent look... came out somewhat stuck. Her heart was out of rhythm. It was as if she had just done ten sets of squats right on Chanel's runway. But her poker face was intact.
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Matthew. How... casual. Showing up like that. Like an ambulance in double parking."
Matthew smiled lightly. "Just wanted to save the night from a diplomatic disaster."
"Or cause another," Luna retorted, taking a sip from her own glass.
Lumine watched everything, leaning on Victória's arm. "She's pretending so hard not to care I can hear her heart from here."
Victória smiled. "If she crosses her legs three times, it means she's in emotional collapse."
Nikoly added, "The Cold Goddess is boiling inside."
And they were loving it.
Matthew kept smiling while talking to all of them, especially keeping eye contact with Luna, who was desperately trying to maintain a neutral expression.
But his tone, that damn gentleness full of second layers, the way he said "Lady Luna"... it was all affecting her more than she wanted to admit.
Luna looked to the side, avoided his gaze, but her heart insisted on pounding like a tribal drum.
Matthew leaned slightly toward Luna, his voice low enough to sound intimate, but still public enough to catch the attention of the three friends spying like fashionista owls.
"I heard about the legal issue involving your foundation in Africa..." His tone was calm, but there was a genuine spark. "Would you like me to intercede? The Phoenix Empire has a few trade agreements with the central African courts. We can... ease the process."
Luna blinked.
On the outside, she kept her composure: neutral face, half-closed eyes, upright posture and slightly arrogant.
But inside? A parade of unicorns with glitter pom-poms jumping to the sound of a Korean drama orchestra.
She barely reacted when Lumine, fast as lightning, widened her eyes and shot out, "Lawsuit? Africa? What do you mean??"
Nikoly frowned. "Wait… you invested in Africa and got your money stolen?"
Victória tilted her head, visibly surprised. "And you never told us that, you mythological snob creature?"
Luna sighed, defeated. "The Malroth Foundation sent billionaire funds to a set of humanitarian projects in the African continent… and a well-structured corruption network infiltrated the process. They used forged documents, real names, even support from certain local government members. One of my employees fell into the trap."
She crossed her arms. "We're suing. It's going to be a years-long fight."
The friends exchanged shocked glances.
"Damn…" Nikoly muttered.
"This world really is rotten," said Lumine, grabbing another glass of sparkling wine.
"Good thing you have enough money to buy the courts if needed," commented Victória bluntly.
Luna almost smiled at that, but shifted her gaze to Matthew. Outwardly, she replied with polite coldness, "Thank you, Matthew. But it's not necessary. We're handling the case directly with the African courts. Our lawyers are well positioned."
But inside?
Luna wanted to bite a satin pillow. That damn man… how could he offer help so naturally? As if it were normal to want to protect her like that? Her heart was spinning like it was on a carousel possessed by hyperactive cupids.
Matthew simply nodded. "As you wish. But if you change your mind, my diplomatic channel is always open for you."
Luna looked away, as if examining the ceiling of the hall. 'Idiot. Annoying. Wonderful. Arrogant. Damn prince...'
Then, Matthew spoke. "Ah… and I also wanted to congratulate you all on the official creation of the Diamante Tycoon Group. The Phoenix Empire received the registration notification a few hours ago."
The girls, who had their glasses to their mouths, choked.
"You're up to date with everything, huh?" asked Victória, smiling suspiciously.
"Apparently more than we are," commented Lumine, adjusting her hair.
"I thought the company's name had a vibe of female power, relentless shine," said Nikoly.
Matthew smiled. "It has a touch of... creativity, for sure. A bit chaotic, maybe, but striking. It fits you all."
Luna looked at him with half-closed eyes. "Chaotic?"
"Positively chaotic," he corrected, smiling. "Like a hurricane with diamond glitter."
The girls laughed.
Luna gave a forced little smile, but inside… she was trying to remember how to breathe.
Victória, sensing the moment, teased, "I think the prince is fascinated with the specific diamond that shines the brightest."
Matthew kept his diplomatic smile, but looked directly at Luna. "Some shines... are hard to ignore."
Luna nearly choked on her own soul, but simply turned to grab another glass, pretending the comment went unnoticed.
Nikoly, Lumine and Victória exchanged looks with sharp smiles.
The orchestra changed tempo.
The hall lights softened, as if the universe were conspiring to create the perfect setting.
"Luna," said Matthew, with that smile that seemed calibrated by some imperial charm lab. "Will you grant me this dance?"
She could have refused.
She could have said her heels were too tight or that her emotional schedule was full of contempt for idiotic men at the moment.
But no.
Instead, she just raised an eyebrow, swirled the champagne glass in her hand and extended her fingers with a sigh worth gold in refined sarcasm.
"Only if you promise not to turn this into a business meeting."
Matthew laughed.
She hated when he laughed like that, as if he understood something about her that she herself pretended not to.
They went to the center of the hall, and immediately the sound of dozens of muffled sighs surrounded them.
Nobles, ministers, businessmen and even celebrities with aesthetic microimplants watched the two with attention.
Luna and Matthew.
Luna looked sculpted in noble marble.
Matthew was the definition of a prince of diplomacy.
But when they started to dance...
"So," he said, with his hand on her waist, the other leading the rhythm with calculated perfection. "Has Diamante Tycoon chosen a headquarters yet?"
Luna clenched her jaw.
Of course.
The man had his brain plugged into a spreadsheet directory even when the whole world saw them as the most magnetic couple at the party.
"Matthew, we are dancing a waltz. A. Waltz. Do you understand the concept of mood?"
"Of course. And a good corporate climate starts with a solid structure."
She nearly stumbled in disgust. "You know that normal would be asking if I liked the song or how beautiful I look, right?"
"You look beautiful," he answered automatically. "Now, about hiring…"
Luna squeezed his hand with a force precisely calculated. "One more HR phrase and I'll turn you into a live corporate failure case."
Matthew only smiled. "Understood. I'll moderate. So... has the system already integrated any CRM into the foundation?"
"Matthew."
"Right, right," he laughed. "But it's just that you're too efficient, Luna. You created a megafoundation, made it into the billionaire ranks, and now have a company that will definitely go global. My political brain can't handle it without spreadsheets."
Luna spun to the rhythm of the music and, upon returning to his arms, looked directly into his eyes with boredom. "So you dance and think in Excel?"
"Sometimes PowerPoint."
She let out a short, mocking laugh, even against her will.
He was an idiot, but… an idiot in a well-cut suit, deep voice, and who danced like he'd been born in a royal ball.
"You know," Luna said, sighing as if she were a royal martyr. "You have an extremely high IQ, but emotionally... you're stale bread."
"Stale bread?"
"Tasteless. Bland. Hard to chew."
Matthew laughed, and even his shoulders seemed to relax. "And yet you accepted to dance with me."
Luna scoffed. "Out of social charity."
"I'm grateful for your philanthropy," he murmured with that crooked smile that irritated her and, secretly, destabilized her. "But seriously... if you need logistical or diplomatic support for the company, I can talk to my brother. The main headquarters could have legal advantages if installed in one of the Phoenix Empire's domains."
And here we go again.
Luna didn't respond immediately. She just took a deep breath, let the melody fill the silence and spun once more.
When she faced him again, she said with venomous sweetness, "If you don't shut up about work, Matthew, I'll send a quarterly report detailing the level of boredom you're causing me."
"Will it include graphs?"
"It includes 4K graphs and a holographic projection of me ignoring you."
Matthew burst into laughter.
And that broke a bit of the wall she had built with such effort.
Maybe it was the alcohol.
Or the dress.
Or the fact that... he kept looking at her as if she were something precious, even when she wanted him thrown into the ditch of the forgotten.
When the music began to end, Matthew pulled her a little closer and spoke in a low voice, just for her. "You know that even when you pretend not to care... you're listening."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "And you know that even when you seem charming... you're still a functional idiot."
They stopped with the last chord of the waltz, eyes locked on each other.
The hall applauded, and the whispers intensified.
The girls, Lumine, Nikoly and Victória, watched from afar with sharp eyes and muffled giggles.
Luna turned before Matthew could say anything else.
She left the dance floor as if she had just ended a high-level meeting, without looking back.
Inside, however?
Shit.
He got to me again.