Bab 78: Preparing for the Ball
Aldwyn's gaze remained unreadable, the emotionless mask firmly in place. "We'll consider it," he said, his voice as cold as the winter's night that surrounded them.
Sir Riven produced two cards, one for each of them, and handed them over with a flourish. "Please do," he said, his smile never faltering. "My home is the one with the crimson banners, which is located in the noble district, you can't miss it." He tipped his hat again and disappeared into the night, leaving them with the weight of his gaze lingering like a specter.
They walked back to the manor in silence, the cobblestone streets echoing with the distant sounds of the city's nightlife. The gas lamps cast a flickering glow that painted the buildings in a palette of shadows and light, as if the very structures held secrets of their own. Lila clutched her new cloak tighter around herself, the warmth it provided a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones from their encounter with Sir Riven.
"Do you think we should go to his ball?" she asked finally, breaking the silence. "It could be an opportunity to gather information."
Aldwyn was quiet for a moment, his gaze on the cards in his hand. "Perhaps," he said slowly. "But I don't trust that man. There's something about him that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up."
Lila nodded, "I feel it too. But we can't ignore the potential for information. Plus," she said with a sly smile, "It's not every day we get an invitation to a ball hosted by a man who can afford to throw one."
Aldwyn's expression didn't change, but she knew he was considering her words. "We'll speak with Lady Roxanne first," he decided. "Her connections in the city may shed some light on what we're dealing with."
....
The following morning, they were ushered into Lady Roxanne's private study. The room was lined with books that seemed to whisper secrets as they walked by, and a large map of the city dominated one wall, covered in pins and annotations. She was dressed in a crimson gown that made her look every inch the powerful noblewoman she was.
"Ah, Aldwyn, Lila," she said. "How can I help you?"
Aldwyn laid the cards on her desk, his expression unreadable. "Do you know a man named Sir Riven?"
Lady Roxanne's eyes narrowed as she picked up one of the cards, the crimson ink glinting in the dim light. "Sir Riven," she murmured, her tone cold. "A man of questionable tastes and even more questionable affiliations." She set the card down with a deliberate thud. "Why do you ask?"
Aldwyn relayed the events of the previous night, leaving out no detail about the encounter. He watched her carefully, noticing the tightening of her jaw and the way her fingers drummed against the desk. When he finished, she was silent for a moment.
"Sir Riven," she said, her voice measured. "He's a collector of... unique artifacts and information. His invitation is not to be taken lightly. However, his interest in you is concerning. He is not one to extend such an invitation without a purpose."
„I thought so..." Aldwyn added mentally.
"Thank you for the warning, Lady Roxanne," Lila said, her voice tinged with nerves. "We'll tread carefully."
Lady Roxanne leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "Indeed," she said, her eyes sharp. "I would advise you to attend his ball, but with caution. Information is a powerful currency in Vellaris, and he may be willing to part with some if he believes you have something he wants."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "But you must be prepared. The dress code for such an event is quite... specific. I'll have my tailor prepare suitable attire for you both."
....
The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of preparations. The tailor, an eccentric man with a penchant for dramatic flair, measured them meticulously before retreating into his workroom to conjure their outfits from bolts of fine fabric and threads of silver and gold. The manor's kitchen staff, under Lady Roxanne's strict supervision, prepared a meal that was a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. The rich aromas of roast meats and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sweetness of sugared fruits.
As nightfall approached, they were presented with their attire.
Lila looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in a gown that seemed to be made of liquid emerald, clinging to her body like a second skin. The neckline was modest but still revealed the delicate curves of her collarbones, which were adorned with a necklace of gleaming amethysts that matched her eyes. Her auburn hair had been styled into an elegant updo, with soft tendrils framing her face. The dress was a masterpiece of the tailor's art, cut to emphasize the graceful swell of her hips and the soft curve of her waist. The fabric shimmered with an ethereal quality under the candlelight, as if it had been spun from the very essence of the forest itself.
Aldwyn, on the other hand, was a vision of dark elegance. He wore a tailored suit of midnight blue, the material as smooth and rich as a moonless night. The silver threading in the fabric wove patterns that hinted at the shifting shadows of his soul. A crisp white shirt with a crimson tie peeked out from the collar, the color a stark contrast to the rest of his outfit. His shoulder-length black hair had been slicked back, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face and the emotionless silver of his eyes. The charcoal-gray hooded coat was slung over his arm, a constant reminder of his true nature despite the facade of nobility he now presented.
He had left the Nightmare Blade and the Black Elementar revolver in his chambers, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention or cause alarm among the aristocracy. It was a decision that sat uneasily with Aldwyn, the absence of his weapons a stark reminder of his vulnerability. Yet, he knew the value of playing the part, of blending in like a shadow in a room of candles.
Lady Roxanne's eyes swept over them both, her gaze lingering on the tailored suit and the emerald gown. "You both look absolutely... stunning," she said, her voice dripping with the kind of sincerity reserved for those she truly admired. "You will surely turn heads at the ball tonight."
„Great... An assassin who attracts all the attention. I'm really miserable." Aldwyn joked to himself mentally.
Aldwyn felt a peculiar mix of unease and satisfaction at her words. The suit felt like a second skin, molded to his form in a way that both revealed and concealed his true nature. Lila, however, practically glowed in the emerald fabric, her beauty enhanced by the amethyst necklace that nestled in the hollow of her throat.
Lady Roxanne offered them a knowing smile. "Remember, dear friends, appearances are everything in the games of the aristocracy. Keep your eyes peeled for those who might be open to an... arrangement. Information is the currency of the night, and alliances can be forged in the most unexpected of places." Her gaze was sharp, as if sizing them up for the masquerade of deceit they were about to enter.
The carriage that awaited them outside the manor was a gleaming affair, painted in the deepest hues of midnight with gold accents that glinted under the moon's glow. The horses, two stallions as black as ink, pawed at the cobblestones impatiently. Lila's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight, the opulence a stark reminder of the world they were about to immerse themselves in
"Ready?" Aldwyn asked, his voice low and steady. Lila nodded, her hand tightening around his arm.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone