God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World!

Chapter 501: The Eldest Princess

For a moment, Gabriel thought that he was mistaken and the veiled woman was walking toward someone else and not him, but the more she drew closer, the more he realized that it was indeed him.

He remained seated, one hand resting lightly on the table while the other stayed near his glass. Under the shadow of the hat, his eyes followed her calmly. Out of everyone in the hall, he had kept to himself the most. He had not tried to stand out. He had not spoken to anyone. He had done everything quietly.

So why him?

That question stayed in his mind while the woman continued walking across the polished floor, her movements calm and measured. A few nearby guests had already noticed and were beginning to watch more openly. Some slowed their conversation. Others turned in their seats.

But before she could reach Gabriel, another figure stepped into her path.

It was a handsome young noble with sharp features and expensive clothing, his posture straight and his expression confident. The resemblance to General Aston was obvious enough that Gabriel recognized the relation immediately.

He bowed slightly and extended a hand with a practiced smile.

"Your Highness," he said smoothly. "Would you honor me with this dance?"

The veiled princess stopped and looked at him. Her posture remained elegant, and when she replied, her voice stayed calm.

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Darius Aston, but I must decline."

The handsome noble held the smile for a second longer than necessary. He tried to keep his face composed, but the slight tightening near his jaw gave him away. His ego had clearly taken a hit, especially since she rejected him so directly in front of so many people.

"As you wish," Darius replied, drawing his hand back. "Perhaps another time."

He stepped aside with forced grace, but his eyes had already shifted toward Gabriel’s table. The calm look on his face did not fully hide the irritation underneath.

Now even more people were watching.

The princess had rejected General Aston’s son.

And then she kept walking.

Toward Gabriel.

That alone made the atmosphere around his table change. Several nobles were now openly staring. A few women lifted their brows. Some of the men narrowed their eyes slightly, beginning to wonder who exactly this quiet guest at the side table was.

Even Darius Aston’s curiosity had changed shape. The earlier sting of rejection was still there, but now another question had joined it.

Who was this man?

He looked at Gabriel more carefully now. The hat, the calm posture, the silence, the fact that he sat alone and had not tried to speak to anyone. Nothing about him screamed noble, yet he did not carry himself like someone ordinary either.

Hidden big shot?

That thought clearly crossed more than one mind in the room.

Gabriel noticed the attention but did not react. He simply watched as the princess reached his table and stopped in front of him. For a short moment, the two of them looked at each other.

Then she took the initiative.

"Would you dance with me?" she asked.

Her voice was soft but clear enough that the nearby tables definitely heard it.

Gabriel could have refused.

In fact, his first instinct was to do exactly that. But the problem was obvious. Declining her here, after she had already crossed the room and rejected another man to stand in front of him, would only make the attention worse. It would raise even more questions. At this point, accepting was actually the less troublesome option.

So Gabriel stood up slowly and gave a small nod.

"It would be my honor."

A faint murmur moved through the nearby guests.

The princess extended her hand. Gabriel took it calmly, and together they stepped toward the dance floor while the soft music continued to play. The lights in the hall seemed dimmer around the floor compared to the bright tables, and the warm glow from the chandeliers reflected softly against the polished ground.

When they reached the center, Gabriel placed one hand properly and guided the dance without hesitation. His movements were steady, controlled, and smoother than some of the nearby nobles expected. The princess matched him easily, her posture straight and elegant, her veil still hiding most of her face.

For the first few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then the princess started the conversation.

"It seems you were doing your best to avoid eye contact with me," she said, her tone carrying a faint teasing note. "Or am I simply not beautiful enough to hold your attention?"

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed slightly under the shadow of the hat, though his face remained calm.

"That is not the reason," he replied.

She tilted her head just a little. "Then what is?"

Gabriel answered without missing a step in the dance.

"If I set my eyes on anyone for too long, a great misfortune might fall upon them."

For the first time since approaching him, the princess looked genuinely surprised. Her steps remained smooth, but there was a brief change in her breathing.

"A misfortune?" she repeated.

Gabriel gave a small nod. "It is related to my talent."

That made her fall quiet for a short second. Then she nodded slowly as if that answer actually made sense to her.

"I see."

The music shifted gently in the background while the other dancers moved around them.

After a moment, he decided to ask the question that mattered more.

"Then allow me to ask something as well," he said. "Why did Your Highness choose me out of everyone here?"

The princess’s lips curved slightly beneath the veil.

"Because of my talent," she replied.

That answer made Gabriel’s hand pause for a fraction of a second before the movement continued. His brows drew together ever so slightly.

Her talent?

Was she trying to use his words against him, or was she being serious?

Could it be the princess had seen through his intentions?

...

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