CHAPTER 34: THE ANNUAL AUTUMN GALA 2

Aegis stepped into the gala with her hand around Lune’s waist.

The ballroom erupted in whispers.

[Good. Let them talk.]

She’d specifically left her Commoner’s Locket back in the dorm. Tonight wasn’t about blending in. Tonight was about making waves so big they’d drown in gossip for weeks.

"You’re enjoying this," Lune murmured.

"Immensely." Aegis leaned in, speaking over the jazzy music. "Gowns that cost more than villages, expensive alcohol that tastes like disappointment, murder plots being arranged between dance partners. Isn’t this what life is all about?"

"I suppose." Lune scanned the room. At least for once, she wasn’t burning a hole through Aegis’s skull with her stare.

They wove through the crowd. Nobles parted like the sea, some sneering, others openly gawking at Aegis’s dress. Or what there was of it. It was somewhat scarce in strategic places.

"Aegis! Over here!"

Liora waved from a corner table, looking radiant. Her cheeks were already pink from excitement or wine. Probably both.

"You made it!" Aegis pulled out a chair for Lune before sitting herself. "And you look stunning."

"This old thing?" Liora smoothed her dress nervously. "I had to borrow it from a third-year. The bust is too big and the hem’s too long, but—"

"But you’re gorgeous." Aegis caught her hand. "Trust me. Half the room’s already noticed."

"They’re looking at you, not me." Liora’s blush deepened. "That dress is..."

"Scandalous? Inappropriate? Likely to cause fainting?"

"I was going to say beautiful."

"You’re too sweet. I’ll be sure to let Lady Roseheart know what you think, given that she’s the one who bought it and all." Aegis squeezed her hand before releasing it. "So, your mysterious benefactor. Any guesses?"

"None." Liora fidgeted with her glass. "I assume it had to be someone important. Who... at the same time, also couldn’t dare to be associated with me."

[Oh, you don’t know the half of it.]

Across the ballroom, Talia Stone was practically holding court near the orchestra. Yellow eyes locked with Aegis’s over the crowd.

Aegis winked.

Talia’s grip on her champagne flute tightened visibly.

"Is Princess Talia glaring at you?" Liora followed her gaze. "What did you do now?"

"Exist, mostly." Aegis lifted her own glass in a mock toast to the princess. "She takes it as a personal insult."

Lune tilted her head.

"Why does that amuse you?"

"I find it endearing."

"That’s... a strange way of viewing open hostility."

"Ladies!" A cheerful voice interrupted.

Lady Roseheart swept over in emerald silk, beaming like Aegis was her favorite grandchild. Which, considering Aegis had saved her life, wasn’t far off.

"My dear Aegis! You look absolutely divine!" She air-kissed both cheeks enthusiastically. "That dress! Those shoes! You’ll have every eligible bachelor throwing themselves at your feet!"

"Just the bachelors?" Aegis stood to curtsy. "How disappointing."

Lady Roseheart laughed, a tinkling sound that drew more attention.

"Oh, you wicked thing! No wonder my nephew’s been asking about you."

"Your nephew?"

"Third year, Combat Studies." She leaned in conspiratorially. "Quite handsome, if I say so myself. Shall I introduce you?"

"Maybe later. I’m trying to, as they say, settle in for now." She gestured at her friends.

"Of course, of course! Youth should stick together!" Lady Roseheart patted her cheek. "Do visit my table later, though. I have some people dying to meet the girl who saved my life."

She bustled off in a cloud of perfume and silk.

"She seems nice." Liora watched her go. "Very... enthusiastic."

"Speaking of enthusiastic," Aegis nodded toward the garden entrance. "Our friend Varyn looks ready to combust."

Sure enough, Varyn Duskbane stood near the doors leading outside, surrounded by cronies. His violet eyes darted between Aegis and the gardens repeatedly.

[Any minute now, buddy. Just wait for it.]

Before Aegis could really settle in and enjoy watching Varyn sweat, she decided to check her Scandal Shop. Twenty-five points burning a hole in her status screen practically begged to be spent.

[Let’s see what dirt’s for sale tonight.]

She pulled up the translucent menu only she could see, scrolling through the options while Liora chatted beside her.

SCANDAL POINT SHOP

Available Intel:

Upcoming Assassination Attempt (10 Points)

Valdris’s Secret Project (50 Points)

Shadow Empress Identity (150 Points)

Major Timeline Deviation (300 Points)

Lune (500 Points)

Aegis blinked, remembering what each item cost.

[... What in the hell is Lune hiding?]

But the assassination caught her eye first. In the game, the Scandal Shop sold items and spells. This information broker version had to mean the details probably wouldn’t match her memories.

She tapped it casually.

"—and then the girl said if nobles keep staring at my chest, I should charge admission fees. Can you believe her?" Liora said.

"Mmhmm." Aegis nodded absently, reading the information flooding her vision. "Smart business model."

"Aegis! You’re not even listening!"

"I am. Commoner girl. Chest. Capitalism."

The assassination details slowly unfolded.

ASSASSINATION INTEL - 10 SCANDAL POINTS

Purchased!

Scandal Points: 15

Info:

During the Annual Autumn Gala, someone will try to assassinate Talia Stone.

Aegis’s blood went cold.

[Wait. What?]

"Aegis?" Liora waved a hand in front of her face. "You look pale. Too much wine already?"

"No, I—" Aegis forced herself to breathe normally. "Just remembered something."

[This doesn’t happen in the game.]

Talia wasn’t supposed to die. She was a main love interest. The entire second arc of the game revolved around her political maneuvering and it was when that slow-burn romance with her really ignited.

Her death would derail literally everything. And, tonight, she was being assassinated?

"If you need air, we could step outside." Liora touched her arm gently. "The gardens are lovely at night."

Lune studied her with those perceptive pink eyes.

"You saw something." She narrowed her eyes, squinting at Aegis. "Something that worried you." She tilted her head. "Your whole demeanor shifted all of a sudden."

[Damn her artist’s eye for detail.]

The ballroom clock showed 9:59. The gala would officially end at 12:00, though of course many people would still be drinking and dancing long after. But, importantly, the Scandal Shop said the assassination attempt would happen during the gala.

So, at most, Aegis had two hours to figure out who wanted the princess dead and why her game knowledge had failed her.

She spotted Talia near the orchestra, surrounded by her usual noble groupies. Alive, annoyed, and absolutely not aware that sometime soon, someone would try to snuff her life out.

Aegis focused up.

[I have to save her.]