Juniper didn’t want to dance in his arms; she knew she would have to plaster a smile against her lips because stepmonstermother dearest would be watching, and if she did anything out of line she’d hear of it in the carriage ride home. Plus the idea of having Cassian Valenduris’ hands skimming against her waist again made goosebumps rise across her skin; she glowered at him as he offered a smile. At least she’d survived that very odd interaction between her father and Mr. Valenduris - she had every intention of telling Alistair that she didn’t like him so he wouldn’t be under the impression that anything would ever come of their meeting.

She tilted her head and laughed quietly. “I wasn’t critiquing you, just merely making an observation.” She stepped forward, although stopped short of her feet pressing against his; then she flicked her gaze up and offered him an almost genuine smile. “Well, if you’re so curious as to who I really am, Mr. Valenduris, my name is Juniper Edevane of London, and this is my first season. I absolutely abhor talking about the weather and my dream career does not involve being a socialite, but I suppose that’s why it’s called a dream, hm?” She moved her hand to tap her chin as if thinking she should add anymore, but then she tucked her hands behind her back and pushed herself onto her tippy toes. “I hope that satisfies your curiosity?” She hummed.

Falling back to her feet a moment later, June’s eyes followed his toward Grace. Her nose wrinkled before his words caught her attention, and she found herself looking at him. “Do you tell your siblings everything, Mr. Valenduris? We are identical but that does not mean we have to share everything.” She glanced at her sister from the corner of her eye. Sharing a face was something most people would never understand; people expected them to be identical in every way and were often disappointed when they were found to be polar opposites. “If there is a single person who I would truly throw a grand departure ball in hopes that they’d never return, it would be her.” Amused, the blonde couldn’t help but smile. There was someone in this room - on this planet - that she despised more than the man in front of her, and she knew he would be able to connect the dots.

The song finally died around them, and Juniper offered her hand to him. This time, she frowned. “Shall we get this over?”

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