As Luskgavl departed, Lockhart settled back into his seat, finishing his meal while glancing at a striking woman in a black dress and a black-and-gold mask. He instantly recognized her as Ophelia Cross-Wise.
As he observed her, he noticed that several guests in the royal palace were looking in his direction, prompting him to wonder why their attention was focused on him. Unbeknownst to many, Lockhart was unaware of his recent mention in an article that had circulated among the attendees.
Ophelia Cross-Wise held a prominent position as one of the strongest organizational leaders in their country, overseeing business permits and tax regulations. Lockhart continued to gaze in her direction.
A young woman nearby noticed Lockhart's interest and approached Ophelia. "Hey, I need to tell you something," she said. Ophelia turned her attention and replied kindly, "Feel free to share your thoughts."
Without hesitation, the young woman leaned in and whispered, "Haven't you noticed?" Ophelia shook her head, confused. "Is there something I should be aware of at this event?" she inquired.
The young woman whispered again, "Do you know Lockhart?" Ophelia looked puzzled. "What about him?" she asked. The girl explained, "He's been in the news lately because of you."
Ophelia's eyes widened in surprise. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. The young woman reassured her, replying, "That's not what I meant. It's because he liked your post on Instagram and commented, 'The view is so nice.'"
"Really?" Ophelia processed the information, her surprise growing. "Yes, and he even followed you back on Instagram. You should check it out. Also—there's one last thing I want to share about him," the young woman added, her excitement palpable. "Okay, tell me," Ophelia urged.
The young lady pointed toward Lockhart, still watching Ophelia. "Look over there, Ophelia. Lockhart has been paying attention to you for a while now. Doesn't it make sense for you to make the first move? I think he's interested in you. Give him a chance."
Realizing Lockhart's gaze was fixed on her, Ophelia suddenly recognized him, despite her earlier confusion due to his mask. She turned back to the young woman, stating thoughtfully, "I'm not really into younger men. I'm 33 years old." Then, she resumed her conversation with her friends, inadvertently causing Lockhart to lose sight of her. The young woman stood in disbelief, surprised by Ophelia's comment about age preferences.
Lockhart stood up and approached the group of men, who were situated near the women, including Ophelia. The men were visibly shocked to see him joining their conversation.
The women also reacted with surprise at his arrival, and as they turned their gazes toward Ophelia, one young lady remarked, "He must have seen your post because he liked it for the first time."
Ophelia, unconcerned, turned to face Lockhart. As he engaged in conversation, he suddenly caught her gaze. The surrounding crowd began to distance themselves, allowing the two of them to share this moment.
Ophelia stepped closer, her height coming just up to Lockhart's chest as she looked up at him and said, "Let's talk."
He smirked and replied, "Alright. What is it that we should discuss when everyone else is getting ready to dance?" His playful tone made Ophelia look at him with intrigue.
"Have you noticed your article circulating on social media recently?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice. Lockhart smiled as he responded, "Honestly, I don't pay much attention to my articles online. It's just part of my routine to maintain discipline. Why do you ask, Miss?"
Ophelia found his indifference surprising. She glanced away and replied, "It's nothing, Lockhart." Lockhart gently tilted her chin up with his right hand and said, "You look stunning tonight, Miss. I'm not joking, and I know you're not usually interested in younger guys. However, I intend to show you that I could be someone special in your life. You've certainly caught my attention." His confidence was evident in his smile.
"I'll be keeping that in mind, Lockhart, and let's see if you truly can win my heart," she responded, amusement playing on her lips. Lockhart smirked, eliciting a playful push from Ophelia with her right hand.
As she turned to leave, Lockhart gently held onto her hand while her palm rested against his stomach. With his right hand, he reached for her left hip, drawing her a little closer and asking, "Why don't we dance, Miss?"
Her heart raced as their bodies were so close; she placed her hands on his stomach, feeling a mix of emotions. "I'm not a good dancer. Please don't ask me to dance with you."
"I can teach you, if you'd let me," he offered. She slowly pushed him back, smiling, "Thank you, but no." With that, she walked away, leaving him with a hopeful expression.