Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Lana stepped forward and stood in front of Aurora. "The girls in our village are all skilled in singing and dancing. I've already sung, so let's compete in dancing. Do you dare?" Justin immediately stepped in front of Aurora, shielding her. "She's not feeling well. She won't compete with you." "Not daring to compete is just that-don't make excuses about not feeling well," Lana sneered.

The villagers began to cheer and encourage the contest. Aurora was known for her exceptional piano skills, and her dancing was no less impressive. Coming from a wealthy family, she'd been professionally trained in music, dance, and even painting since childhood.

Lana smirked, confident in her challenge.

Aurora replied calmly, "Since Miss Lana wishes to compete, I'll gladly accept. However, there's no specific style of dance required, correct? I'm new here and unfamiliar with your local dances. Competing in that would be unfair." "Of course. You can dance in whatever style you're skilled at. Does that mean you agree?" "Yes. Please, Miss Lana, go first." Aurora showed no hesitation.

Justin, however, was worried. Aurora was pregnant. What if dancing harmed the baby? "Aurora, you can't. Think about your body." "Don't worry, Justin. I'll be fine." Aurora reassured him. She wouldn't do anything to jeopardize her baby.

Lana, brimming with confidence, began to dance. Since childhood, she'd been the pride of the village, celebrated for her singing and dancing.

But Lana underestimated Aurora. Aurora had mastered multiple instruments and held professional dance certifications. Her talents were polished to perfection, though this wasn't the right place to fully showcase them. If it were, Lana wouldn't have stood a chance.

Lana performed a traditional folk dance, her movements complementing her vibrant ethnic attire. Aurora couldn't help but admire, "Justin, her outfit is beautiful." Justin, frustrated by Aurora's calm demeanor, muttered, "Aurora, is this really the tto appreciate someone's clothes?" "If not her clothes, then her dancing? From a professional standpoint, it's average," Aurora commented honestly. She wasn't being arrogant-if it were just for fun, skill wouldn't matter. But since this was a competition, standards had to be met. "Are you confident, Aurora?" "If I weren't, what would've been the point of my certifications? Justin, dancing isn't the only skill I've mastered," she replied with a mysterious smile. Even Julian often found himself surprised by her talents.

When Lana finished, the villagers clapped enthusiastically. She descended from the wooden stage with a smug look, turning to Aurora. "Your turn." "Alright." Aurora stood up. "Justin, can you play the flute?" Growing up in this environment, Justin was naturally skilled in music and dance. He nodded. "I can. What dance will you perform?" "The peacock dance." Unlike energetic dances, the peacock dance emphasized grace and fluidity, requiring incredible finger dexterity. Every joint had to move as if it were alive, and the dancer's entire body needed to embody the elegance of a peacock. Though seemingly simple, mastering it was no easy feat.

"She knows the peacock dance?" Lana frowned. The peacock dance was popular among the Dai ethnic group. Justin carefully helped Aurora onto the stage, whispering, "If you feel unwell, don't push yourself." "I know. Thank you, Justin." Aurora was dressed simply-a loose white dress and a flower crown on her head. There were no stage lights, only the glow of fire and moonlight. When she stood on the stage, she appeared like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

The sound of the flute began, and the white figure started to move.

"Such nimble fingers!" the audience gasped. Aurora's fingers seemed to calive, their movements fluid and mesmerizing, alternating between swift and slow.

As her hands danced, her body followed. Aurora focused the intricate movements on her hands, letting her body flow gracefully in accompaniment.

At that moment, she transformed into an elegant white peacock. She spread her wings, played by the river, and preened her feathers, painting vivid imagery with each motion.

Lana's performance had been pleasant but lacked a theme. Aurora's peacock dance, however, told a story, bringing a vision to life.

Each person in the audience imagined their own version of a peacock, and Aurora gave them the freedom to dream.

The competition faded from their minds as they watched her ethereal performance, captivated by her beauty and grace.

Justin couldn't believe what he was seeing. Aurora had never mentioned her dancing skills, let alone that she could dance at such a professional level.

Lana, meanwhile, stared at Aurora in disbelief. "Impossible. There's no way she's this good." When the dance ended, there was a brief silence before the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. It was clear who had won. Lana wished she could disappear.

As the praise for Aurora's performance filled the air, she prepared to step down from the stage. Suddenly, a familiar sound caught her attention-the hum of helicopter blades.

That sound-she knew it well.

Could it be Julian? Aurora looked up and noticed several lights flashing in the sky. More than one helicopter was approaching.

"Helicopters?" "Where did they cfrom?" "My goodness! Are those really helicopters?" "Are we under attack?" The crowd was abuzz with speculation, but Aurora's heart raced with anticipation. She knew her hero had arrived.

Justin noticed Aurora's gaze fixed on the the first helicopter, a mix of surprise armat's when he and joy on her face. That's realized her fiancé had come-faster than he'd expected.

The helicopter hovered overhead, the wind lifting the hem of Aurora's m dress. The cabin door of the first helicopter opened, and a rope descended. In the darkness, Aurora saw a familiar figure slowly approaching. Her heart swelled with excitement and fear. Would he be alright?

Julian had never attempted this before. The last time, he'd watched Nick and Vortex descend from an helicopter, and Nick had taught him the basics. Though risky, Julian couldn't wait another moment to see Aurora. He'd mastered the technique quickly and executed it without fault.

Aurora watched him draw closer, her heart pounding. After so many days of longing for him, he was finally here, in a way that felt almost unreal.

When he was still sdistance away, Julian couldn't contain himself any longer. He let go of the rope and jumped down.

The crowd murmured in confusion, trying to guess who the man was.

Aurora, however, paid no attention to them. She ran toward him, throwing herself into his arms. The firelight illuminated his tall, handsfigure.

Tears streamed down Aurora's face as she clung tightly to Julian.

She buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with emotion. "Julian..." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1