Chapter 1177: Fortune and Calamity [Part 4]

The night came.

Much faster than it would have in the real world.

Time inside the dream apparently had its own opinions about pacing, because afternoon had folded into evening with suspicious efficiency. Lux wasn’t complaining. For once, reality or unreality, had respected his schedule.

More importantly, he was dressed properly.

Black velvet coat.

Gold embroidery.

Crimson silk beneath.

Polished boots, ornamental chains, gemstone cufflinks and enough tasteful excess to communicate three important facts before he even opened his mouth.

I have money.

I have power.

And asking exactly how much of either would embarrass you.

Negotiation mode.

Lux had learned long ago that wealth wasn’t merely something one possessed.

It was theater.

People judged power before negotiations began. Clothes, carriage, posture, attendants, gifts, everything established the opening price of respect.

So Lux had invested.

Apparently Lullaby’s definition of unlocking a little Greed differed substantially from his.

Little Greed was still Greed.

And Lux’s Greed wasn’t particularly little.

The carriage rolling toward House Valessa looked expensive enough to finance a minor war.

Six black horses pulled a lacquered carriage trimmed in gold, its doors decorated with a fictional noble crest Lux had invented approximately twenty minutes earlier. Lanterns burned with warm amber light along its sides.

Inside sat Lux, Yue and Lullaby.

Yue wore a deep crimson gown with golden embroidery winding around her waist and shoulders like sleeping dragons. Her hair had been arranged with jeweled pins, giving her the elegant severity of a foreign princess who might smile politely while ordering someone’s execution.

Lullaby wore lavender.

Soft fabric draped around her figure, silver stars embroidered along the skirt. Her pale hair flowed over one shoulder.

She was also half asleep.

Luxury apparently couldn’t defeat Sloth.

Yue looked through the window at the estate approaching. "Is this necessary?"

"Yes." Lux smiled. "You two used stealth before. And you’ve completed nine attempts."

Lullaby opened one eye. "Ten."

"This is the tenth."

"Oh."

She closed it again.

Lux continued, "You’ve tried hiding, sneaking, observing, manipulating circumstances from the background and approaching Aurelia privately. We’re trying something different."

Yue glanced at his clothes.

"By announcing ourselves to the entire estate."

"Exactly."

"That seems opposite to subtle."

"Because it is."

Lux crossed one leg over the other.

"We go openly. We become interesting. We make Celestine notice us voluntarily."

His smile sharpened.

"And then we see what happens."

The carriage stopped.

A servant opened the door.

Lux stepped out first.

Conversations around the entrance visibly faltered.

He offered one hand toward Yue.

She accepted, descending gracefully.

Then Lullaby.

The moment all three stood together, the surrounding nobles forgot whatever they’d been discussing.

Lux almost felt sorry for them.

Foreign duke-looking bastard in black and gold.

Beautiful crimson-clad dragon woman radiating aristocratic danger.

Dreamy silver-haired woman who looked as though she’d accidentally wandered out of someone’s forbidden fantasy and might fall asleep halfway through destroying a kingdom.

They were memorable.

Exactly as intended.

Lux walked toward the entrance.

The guards straightened.

One opened his mouth. "Invita—"

Lux smiled at him.

The guard stopped.

Lux continued walking.

Nobody asked again.

They entered House Valessa’s mansion like they’d inherited it that morning.

Yue leaned closer. "They forgot to ask for our invitation."

"No." Lux adjusted his cuff. "They decided asking would be socially dangerous."

"That doesn’t make sense."

"Welcome to nobility."

The ballroom beyond was magnificent.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated a vaulted ceiling painted with constellations. Hundreds of candles reflected from gilded mirrors. Musicians played from an elevated gallery while servants circulated with silver trays of wine.

Long tables displayed roasted meats, pastries, glazed fruits, cheeses and elaborate desserts.

Flowers covered nearly everything.

At the far end stood an enormous portrait of Lord Valessa.

Because apparently subtle narcissism hadn’t been invented yet.

Tonight celebrated his birthday.

Nobles clustered beneath banners bearing House Valessa’s crest. Merchants mingled with knights, neighboring lords and richly dressed officials.

Then Lux entered.

Heads turned.

One.

Five.

Twenty.

Soon almost everyone nearby was looking.

Lux pretended not to notice.

That was another rule.

If you wanted people to believe you belonged somewhere, never look impressed that they let you inside.

A herald hesitated near them. "Your Grace...?"

Lux smoothly supplied, "Duke Lux Vaelthorn."

The herald blinked.

"Of...?"

"A neighboring kingdom."

Yue coughed.

Suspiciously.

Lux ignored her.

Moments later, their arrival was announced.

Whispers spread immediately.

Nobody knew him.

Which made everyone desperate to pretend they might.

Perfect.

Then Lux saw the twins.

Celestine stood beside her father.

Aurelia stood slightly behind her in dark blue.

Same face.

Entirely different presence.

One occupied the room.

The other seemed trained to apologize for existing inside it.

Lux’s gaze lingered on Celestine.

She noticed.

A servant approached. "His Lordship will receive your gift."

Lux gestured.

A servant, he just hired out of emergency, carried forward a long lacquered box.

Inside rested silk.

Deep midnight fabric woven with golden thread so fine it shimmered like sunlight on black water.

Lord Valessa’s eyes widened. "Your Grace..." He touched the fabric. "This is extraordinary."

Lux smiled. "A modest birthday gift."

Yue stared at the ceiling.

Lullaby looked suspiciously close to laughing.

Lord Valessa was delighted.

Also confused.

Understandably.

"I must apologize," he said carefully. "Have we met?"

"No."

The lord blinked.

Lux continued pleasantly, "I’m traveling from a neighboring kingdom. I heard tonight was your birthday."

The confusion deepened. "And you came merely for that?"

"Not entirely."

Lux allowed his gaze to travel. Until it landed deliberately upon Celestine.

The Lucky Star noticed.

Her smile remained perfect. But something behind her eyes sharpened.

Lux turned back toward her father. "I’ve heard rather fascinating stories about House Valessa."

The lord visibly brightened.

Lux lowered his voice just enough to make nearby nobles lean closer. "Especially about its Lucky Star."

That did it.

Lord Valessa’s confusion transformed into pride. "Ah." His gaze moved lovingly toward Celestine. "My daughter."

Celestine stepped forward gracefully. "Father."

Lord Valessa gestured.

"Celestine, come. Meet Duke Vaelthorn."

She approached.

Lux watched every movement. Perfect posture. Perfect smile. Perfect daughter. Behind her, Aurelia lowered her gaze.

Celestine stopped before Lux. "So you’re curious about me, Your Grace?"

Lux took her offered hand.

He bowed.

Not too deeply.

Never surrender status during an introduction.

His lips hovered just above her knuckles. "Very."

Celestine’s smile became warmer.

Across the ballroom, Aurelia looked toward them.

And for the briefest instant...

The chandeliers flickered.

Lux noticed.

Celestine didn’t look at the lights. She was looking at Aurelia.

Only for half a heartbeat.

Then back at Lux.

Interesting.

Lux released her hand.

His smile remained charming.

Inside, Greed was already sharpening the knife.

He hadn’t even started seducing information out of this nightmare yet, and something had already reacted.

Good.

Let the audit begin.