Flawless.
That was Roy’s assessment of her performance earlier.
Not once in her long career of disguises had she been as nervous as she was earlier. Federo was the most terrifying schemer in the world today, and putting on an act in front of someone like him was far harder than fooling her own deputy.
Of course, Roy’s preparations to fool the old man had been just as close to flawless.
Even the calluses left by years of combat, she’d explained away as part of the impeccable cover of being a collateral branch of the Anderson Family. And only by smoothly shifting between several different emotions had she managed to fool this old man, who’d spent decades steeped in darkness.
Just as the captain had expected, Federo’s piercing gaze slowly faded after the handshake, when he felt the calluses Kain had developed from sword training. He turned to Kain, who hadn’t said a word. “Something this important, and you didn’t discuss it with your father?”
A helpless look crossed Kain’s face. It was hard to tell whether he was helpless in the face of the governor’s question or this absurd, fake marriage. “At the time, there was no way to contact my father. Besides…”
He looked gently at that fair, delicate face. “I’ve already made up my mind. Asking him or not wouldn’t change the outcome. It would only mean whether my father found out sooner or later.”
Feeling the unusual warmth in her deputy’s gaze, Roy silently praised his acting. He’d improved a lot. A hint of relief appeared in the old man’s eyes, as if he’d confirmed something.
“Ah, yes. You and that fellow Naren are cut from the same cloth. Once you’ve made up your minds, not even eight horses could drag you back.”
After a sigh, the governor leaned on his cane and turned back toward his seat. “Then let the ball begin. Don’t just stand around.”
The court ball was now underway. Fine food and wine flowed steadily to the tables, while one well-dressed young couple after another took to the floor. Their dancing was graceful and light. Dozens of nobles drank and toasted or chatted and laughed, their eyes occasionally straying toward the three people seated at the very center of the banquet.
The governor and the officer, reunited after a long time apart, spoke in low voices. The beautiful young lady from the Anderson Family sat quietly beside them, eating with elegant poise. Her gentle gaze rarely left Kain’s face. She looked just like a lovestruck teenage girl, wholly absorbed in her partner.
“Oh… the Manticore?”
As Federo listened to Kain mention that codename, he continued to sip his wine at an unhurried pace, his expression unchanged. You’d think they were talking about a harmless little white rabbit, not a Black Crow Society operative dangerous enough to make your blood run cold.
“Yes. And according to my investigation, they’ve sent as many as 132 assassins to the island this time. They’re clearly here for you. You need to stay on your guard at all times.”
Kain knew that one operative wouldn’t be enough to move the old man. That was why he’d brought up the far more serious news, his tone heavy as he warned him.
“All right, all right, kid. They’re just a hundred or so rats. Do you really think they can slip past all those soldiers and kill me?”
Federo waved a hand, unconcerned. “I’ve got it. For now, let’s just enjoy the ball. Look how well the Crown Prince dances.”
After finishing a dance, Crown Prince Enoch led his partner in acknowledging the nobles, then left to their enthusiastic applause. A brief lull followed. Then, at the suggestion of some count, everyone agreed they wanted to see the Empire’s youngest general dance with Miss Anderson of the Federation.
“Grandpa Federo, can’t you…” Kain hadn’t yet recovered from the crowd’s attention. He gritted his teeth, trying to convince the old man to take the matter more seriously, but Roy’s voice cut him off.
“Kain, I think everyone wants us to go dance.”
His deputy paused, then frowned, ready to make an excuse. But he caught the warning in those dark golden eyes. After a moment’s silence, he said, “All right.”
They rose from their seats and took each other’s hands as they entered the dance floor under everyone’s gaze. They began to turn slowly to the gentle music. Their steps, their timing, their teamwork—everything was perfect. Even the nobles, with their discerning eyes and years of watching dance performances, couldn’t find the slightest flaw. It was as if the dance had been made for the two of them.
Amid the music and the sound of their steps, no one noticed their discreet conversation.
“What is it, Captain? Have you caught their scent?”
“Yeah.”
Roy’s small nose twitched a few times. “I can’t believe there’s an operative hiding among the Empire’s upper-class nobles. Should I say the Black Crow Society really lives up to its name, or that Olan’s system is just too easy to infiltrate?”
Kain pressed his lips together. “The Empire isn’t a pirate ship. Its personnel structure is incredibly complicated and cumbersome. Finding the shell with the biggest pearl in such murky waters is a challenge beyond anything an ordinary person can imagine.”
“Tch. Pirates like us don’t have to worry about these rats sneaking in. The Great Captain has ways of dealing with them. If they dare break the agreement, they’ll make enemies of the Southern Islands.”
Seeing Kain admit the Empire’s shortcomings, Roy proudly boasted about the Great Captain’s wisdom, showing no sign of tension despite their enemies all around them.
“All right, all right. I admit your Great Captain is more capable. So who exactly is the operative?” Kain asked with a wry smile. The music was drawing to a close, and their turns were gradually slowing.
“I don’t know. Nine out of every ten people at this ball are wearing violet perfume. How could I possibly pinpoint the culprit?”
A trace of distaste showed in Roy’s eyes. With her keen sense of smell, the unchanging scent of that aristocratic perfume was simply too overwhelming.
“We left the floor on the left side. I didn’t catch anything unusual from that group, so we’ll return to our seats from the right.”
As Roy finished speaking, the music fell completely silent. The officer’s expression remained cold, while Roy wore a radiant smile. Together, they bowed to the thunderous applause.
As they made their way back to their seats along the right side, the dishes were being changed. Roy’s gaze swept sharply over face after face, each wearing a polite smile, until at last it settled on a middle-aged man slowly wiping the corner of his mouth.
The man looked to be over fifty, but his frame was still lean and strong. His full head of gray hair gleamed, showing no sign of thinning. When Roy’s knife-sharp gaze fell on him, he set down his napkin and returned a warm smile.
It was a gentle smile, just like the image that important man had always presented to the public. But when Roy saw the gesture he made—casual on the surface, yet carrying a hidden meaning—her pupils shrank slightly.
She understood what he meant. It was pirate sign language, and it meant…
“Good to see you, Captain.”
A shrill whistle tore through the hall. The priceless crystal chandelier instantly cracked apart, its fragments falling like snowflakes. In a heartbeat, the hall became a darkened hell.
“Get word to the troops stationed outside the estate! The rest of you, with me!”
Screams and the shattering of crystal rang out all around them. The young general’s commanding shout echoed through the heavy darkness, joined by the countless sounds of swords being drawn and arrows loosed.
