Rain lashed the palace windows that night, casting shadows across the ballroom like ghosts in mourning. The Queen was hosting a masquerade—an annual affair meant to promote unity among the noble houses.
But unity was the last thing Seraphina intended to promote.
She stood at the top of the marble staircase, dressed in obsidian silk. Her mask was carved from onyx and silver, covering the upper half of her face. She looked like a myth—half woman, half storm.
Kaelrith approached beside her, equally masked, wearing a black suit stitched with threads of crimson. Not many recognized him out of armor.
But power clung to him like a second skin.
"You sure you want to do this tonight?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Seraphina murmured. "Because every eye in the kingdom is watching."
---
> System Prompt: High-Risk Event – Masquerade of Crowns
Current Objective: Expose Lord Halrix for treason while maintaining cover.
Bonus Objective: Seduce information from the Crown Prince without revealing identity.
Warning: Failing either task will reduce influence by -15.
---
Lord Halrix was a problem. Loyal to the Crown Prince. Cruel, power-hungry, and recently enriched from an unregistered arms trade.
Tonight, she would ruin him.
And gain the Prince's attention in the same breath.
---
She descended the staircase slowly. Conversations hushed. Nobles turned. Even the Queen looked up from her raised throne with mild interest.
Kaelrith disappeared into the crowd—his role was to disable Halrix's escape route.
Seraphina made her way to the heart of the room, her eyes scanning behind the mask.
Lord Halrix was surrounded by sycophants, laughing too loudly. She approached, offered a soft smile, and raised a glass.
"My Lord Halrix. May I steal a dance?"
He blinked. Then smiled, greedy and pleased.
"Of course, my lady. I never refuse beauty."
As they took to the floor, the music shifted to something slower. Seraphina moved with grace, her voice low.
"You've been busy," she said. "Trading swords to the border rebellions?"
He stiffened—just barely.
"You're mistaken."
"Oh? Because I have the ledgers. And I know about the false manifests routed through Hollowport."
He stopped dancing. "Who are you?"
"I'm the woman who knows you embezzled 20,000 gold from the Crown's war fund. And I'm giving you one chance."
"To do what?"
"To fall."
---
> Skill Activated: Court Intimidation Lv.2
Opponent's composure failing…
---
Halrix paled. "You wouldn't dare."
"I already did," she whispered, just as Kaelrith locked the ballroom doors with a silent spell. "Check your carriage. Your documents are gone. Your funds seized."
A noblewoman nearby shrieked suddenly—Kaelrith had just revealed a forged Royal Seal before a gathering of military officials.
Halrix turned—and saw his ruin unfold.
Seraphina curtsied low and turned away.
---
> System Alert: Lord Halrix – Status: Disgraced. Arrested for Treason.
Political Influence +10
Crown Prince Suspicion: +5
---
Back at the edge of the room, she felt someone approach.
"You move like a queen," a smooth voice said.
It was Crown Prince Caelan, wearing a silver mask shaped like a dragon's wing.
"And you speak like a wolf," Seraphina replied calmly.
They circled one another in silence. A slow, dangerous game.
"I don't know who you are," he said, "but I know you're not just another noble brat."
"Flattery," she said, "from a man raised to lie."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "And yet you danced with a traitor, then watched him fall. You knew, didn't you?"
"I guessed," she lied.
He extended a hand. "Dance with me, mystery woman. I want to know more."
She hesitated—then took it.
The music swelled again.
And the game deepened.
---
> System Notice: Caelan Interest +10
New Romance Route Unlocked: "The Prince's Dangerous Fascination"
Warning: Pursuing this route will trigger future jealousy events with Kaelrith.
---
After the final twirl, Seraphina bowed away and disappeared behind a curtain of veils. She found Kaelrith waiting in the side hallway, arms crossed.
"You danced with him," he said flatly.
"I baited him."
He looked away. "That's worse."
She stepped forward, close enough for her perfume to tease his senses.
"Why do you care?"
Kaelrith's jaw tightened. "Because I don't like sharing knives."
"Then you better keep me sharp," she whispered.