CHAPTER 218: FALL OF VALTAIR [14]

Alaric just stared at her.

What the hell happened to her?

She was still talking. Still swaying against him. Her voice getting more emotional.

"And you smile at them but never at me. And I-I know it’s fake. I know it’s just a job. But it still—"

Her eyes were getting glassy. Not from alcohol. From tears threatening to form.

"It still hurts."

Fuck.

Then she moved, rose up on her toes. Her face tilting up toward his.

Aiming for his lips.

But...

Alaric’s hand shot up. Covered her mouth. Stopped her inches before contact.

Her eyes went wide. Confused. Hurt.

He leaned in. His voice dropping to something cold.

"Don’t. Push. Your. Luck."

Sigh!

"You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing."

His hand stayed firm over her mouth. Preventing any more attempts.

"Understand?"

She stared at him. Those purple eyes searching his face behind the mask.

Then slowly, reluctantly, nodded.

He released her mouth. Stepped back slightly. Creating distance.

But kept his hand on her waist. Kept them moving in the dance. Maintaining appearances.

"When this song ends, we’re leaving." His voice came flat. Final. "You’re going to sober up. And tomorrow we’re going to pretend this never happened."

Delphine’s expression crumpled. Just slightly.

But she nodded again. Quieter this time.

"Okay."

The music played on.

They swayed together. The distance between them somehow wider despite the physical closeness.

And Alaric’s mind churned.

This is getting complicated.

Need to fix this. Before it becomes a problem I can’t control.

The song ended.

Alaric released Delphine immediately and stepped back.

"Come on. We’re leaving."

She nodded. Silent now.

The fire from moments ago completely extinguished.

They moved through the crowd. Arm in arm. Playing the couple leaving together. Nothing unusual.

But Alaric felt the difference in her posturee now.

Stiff. Rigid. Not the comfortable closeness from earlier.

They pushed through the pavilion entrance. Out into the cool and clear night air.

The moon hung high. Stars visible despite the torchlight still burning along the approach.

Other guests were leaving too. Carriages being called. Conversations winding down.

Alaric guided Delphine down the steps. Toward where they’d left their carriage.

She stumbled slightly. Her feet uncoordinated.

He steadied her and kept moving forward.

But her head stayed down. Shoulders hunched. Like she was trying to make herself smaller.

And she was shivering. Just slightly. The night air biting through her dress.

Alaric glanced at her.

Was I too harsh on her?

His mind turned over the calculations. The practicalities.

Subjects need to be treated properly. Loyalty isn’t just about chains and fear.

He sighed. Stopped walking.

Delphine stumbled when he stopped. Nearly fell,, but caught herself quickly.

Then looked up at him. Blinking. Confused.

"My lord?"

Alaric turned toward her fully. His hands came up and cupped her face. His thumbs brushing just below her mask’s edge.

Her eyes went wide.

"You did good work tonight."

The words came quiet. Sincere.

Her breath caught.

Then he leaned in and pressed his lips against her forehead. Just above the mask.

"You earned it."

He pulled back and released her face.

"Now let’s get back."

Delphine stood frozen. Her mouth slightly open. Eyes wide and glassy, but not from alcohol anymore.

Her hand came up slowly. Touched where he’d kissed. Like she needed to confirm it had actually happened.

Her cheeks flushed. Darker than the wine had caused.

"I-Yes. Okay." The words came out stammered.

Alaric turned and started walking again.

She followed. But her steps were different now. Lighter. Less stumbling despite the alcohol still in her system.

And she kept touching her forehead. Over and over.

A small smile forming despite everything.

------

They reached the carriage. Alaric opened the door. Helped Delphine inside first.

She climbed in. Settled onto the bench. Still touching her forehead. Still smiling.

Alaric followed after her and sat across from her.

They waited.

Minutes passed.

But Teyrn didn’t come.

Alaric’s brow furrowed. Where is he?

Delphine didn’t seem to notice. She was lost in whatever thoughts were spinning through her mind.

More minutes passed.

Then finally, footsteps approached their carriage.

The door opened. Teryn climbed in. Breathing slightly heavy. His servant clothes disheveled.

"Sorry. Got held up." He settled onto the bench beside his sister. "Ready?"

Alaric nodded.

Teryn knocked twice on the carriage wall. Signal to the driver they’d arranged.

The carriage lurched and started moving. Wheels crunching over gravel.

They rolled away from the pavilion.

Alaric leaned back against the seat. Let his head rest against the cushion.

Watched the landscape pass through the window.

His mind processing everything. The Queen. The deal. The pieces in motion.

One hell of a night.

Then—

Suddenly a notification flashed across his vision. Sudden.

[ALERT: SUBJUGATION STATUS CHANGED]

[Subjugated Targets: 3/3 → 1/3]

Alaric’s eyes snapped open.

What?

His mind raced. Pulled up the mental interface.

[Current Subjugated Targets:]

[1. Countess Vivienne Valtair - Active]

[2. REMOVED - Target Eliminated]

[3. REMOVED - Connection Severed]

Eliminated? Severed?

His jaw clenched.

Two of them are gone. Just like that?

One eliminated... dead. Had to be. The system wouldn’t say eliminated otherwise.

Other severed, either died or something broke the connection.

His mind cataloged the three he’d subjugated.

If he’s dead...

His fists clenched. Relaxed. Clenched again.

Someone killed him. Or he was discovered and executed. Either way...

He stared out the window. His mind already spinning through contingencies. Backup plans. How to compensate for losing that asset.

Though who could have killed them? And why? They weren’t any easy targets. Or very important ones.

Then he sighed and shook his head.

Now I need to make sure it won’t affect any of my plans in long term.

Across from him, Delphine had finally stopped touching her forehead. Her eyes were closing. Head tilting against the carriage wall.

Falling asleep. Exhausted from alcohol and emotion and the longest night of her life.

Beside her, Teryn was equally exhausted. His eyes already closed. Breathing evening out.

Two targets down. One remaining.

The carriage rolled on through the darkness.

And Alaric’s crimson eyes reflected the moonlight.

Cold. Calculating.

Already planning the next move.

Because the game wasn’t over.

It was just getting started.