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No music for today's chapter

Mid Evening - Late Winter - Year 24 : Ampelos | Bahamut

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- Hera Monachikós ~

*Puff-Puff* Landing in the deep pit of snow cupped by the mesh of warm barriers layering the city, I gently let Krystallo down ahead of me, sliding through the wall and giving the guards a startle before shrinking down and following after her.

As with the first time we landed during the blizzard, the security was lax, with the guards clearly not expecting anyone and letting us pass without much trouble.

However, despite them being completely unrelated to those we were going to investigate, Krystallo was all kinds of stressed.

Sticking close beside me from the moment we entered the barriers, she was clearly anxious and forcing her composure, but thankfully, the guards assumed it was just her first time in a big city.

-This won't fly in the estate though...-

Gently draping my wing over her as we walked, I spoke softly and reassuringly.

"Remember, from this point on, you're my daughter, a young noble from western Bahamut.

" Smiling warmly, I pulled her in. "But just because it's an act doesn't mean it needs to be unnatural.

" It was certainly a little different from the dynamic I had tried to cultivate over the years, but not something I wasn't absolutely certain she could pull off.

"Just act like we normally do, but instead of calling me Auntie, call me Mother. You should still be yourself, okay?"

Immediately tensing up and averting her eyes from embarrassment, she mumbled. "Okay, M..Mother."

It was so cute I couldn't hold back my smile. "Good."

But we had to remain serious.

Continuing down the long, warmly lit street, I rehearsed a number of questions with her to ensure she could speak for herself when she was inevitably approached before guiding us to a small boutique near the city's bustling plaza.

Having gathered that the Spathi was throwing a party for the festival, I needed to get Krystallo some new, formal attire—something noble yet modest enough to blend with the rest of the younger group.

And well, it turned out to be good practice for Krystallo to warm up to her new identity.

By the time the shopkeeper finished fawning over Krystallo's adorable fenrir-eared humanoid form and outfitted her with complimenting attire, she had completely meshed with the role.

As we finally emerged from the boutique nearly half an hour later, we returned to our draconic forms and continued toward the Spathi family estate just like a family.

And as it turned out, just like other guests.

Eventually making our way through the Spathi estates towering, open gates with a few other families, we found ourselves walking through a courtyard that even surpassed the excessive extravagance of most high nobles—massive, lush gardens lined with statues of marble and obsidian, each depicting dragons like steps in the path of ancestry, and voluminous pools of steaming water accompanied more dragons than I bothered counting.

Beneath the distant howl of the storm beyond the raised barriers, the place certainly had atmosphere. -These people know how to throw a social event...-

Looking over the numerous maids and butlers delivering food and drinks, I was quite surprised with how genuine it all felt.

However, as we continued toward the lavish estate itself, passing between other families as children scattered about, that genuineness turned stale.

Looking upon the towering statues, each portraying a mighty ancestor dating all the way back to the Great War, something felt off—the proportions varied, with small inconsistencies marking them more like artistic imaginings rather than faithful historical records.

But catching me slowing down, Krystallo gave my sleeve a gentle tug. "Can we continue inside, Mother?"

Finally catching myself, I put on a smile and nodded—continuing through the rest of the courtyard with an observant gaze before smoothly shifting into our humanoid forms and making our way inside.

But despite not passing through any barriers, the change in atmosphere was almost as jarring as entering the city from the blizzard.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Just after being greeted and tended to by some young, beautiful maids, we entered the grand hall, filled with the refined chatter of young nobles and the palpable scent of delicious food.

With lavish tapestries, expertly forged weapons, and remarkably well-known martial trophies adorning every wall like gems on jewelry, the hall was grand but tasteful, reserving the floor for the youth while the adults watched over them from a small balcony above.

-Hm... That must be the patriarch then...- Finding a well-dressed man silently observing from the balcony above, watching over the crowd of youth like a hawk stalking a field, I gently motioned Krystallo by. "Go ahead and mingle, sweetie. I'll be up on the second level."

She immediately swallowed with a silent gulp before nodding and gracefully blending into the crowd—her initial hesitation starting to fade behind her mask of confidence.

"Haah," -Now it's my turn...- Keeping my eye on her as I continued forth, I ascended the grand central staircase, my blue gown trailing elegantly as whispers and admiring gazes followed my figure from both levels.

-Looks like no one is paying attention to their senses.

.. How convenient...- Silently thinning and expanding my aura, I quickly started scanning through the conversations on the second level.

"...quite a surprising rumor, isn’t it? An ore that boils water..."

"...I heard their youngest son was disowned..."

"...some researcher from overseas? Sounds too scholarly for them..."

But as I made it to the top, and asked for a drink from a waiting maid, I noticed an older woman weaving through the crowd below, closing in on Krystallo with an almost predatory elegance.

"Quite striking, my dear," Her voice purred, with eyes curious but slightly narrowed. "We rarely see those of your stature around here."

Catching the murmurs of a few others watching the woman, I discovered she was Eirene, the patriarch's wife. "For her to pick out someone so specifically... How lucky..."

-Lucky, huh?- Turning to keep my eye on her as she spoke with Krystallo, I ran my hand along the balcony's railing with a faint frown before leaning out over the floor, picking up on more chatter about some sort of research the Spathi family was involved with, before storing the whispers away carefully, noting every name and hint dropped.

But then, out of nowhere, a presence drew close—a cold, observing aura brushing mine.

"I don't believe we've met," Alexandros, speaking eloquently, kept his gaze intense and appraising. "I'd certainly hope I'd remember someone like you."

Turning, I lifted my dress to give a courteous bow.

"The name's Hera, from Nkremo." Lifting my head, I offered a polite yet distant smile.

"I've heard quite a bit about your family since I arrived in the city.

It was quite shocking to hear that such a prideful martial family was dabbling in the scholarly arts. "

He instantly tensed, his eyes briefly narrowing before easing.

"Ah, yes. Have the rumors reached so far?

" Continuing up to the railing next to me, he spoke as if purposefully wanting those around him to hear.

"My youngest son developed quite the interest in natural mana studies when he was young.

Quite unusual for us martial types, but my wife wished to cultivate that talent, and now he's studying abroad. "

"How fascinating. I'm the exact opposite—from a family of researchers who hatched one that wished to be a martial artist."

"Haha, how truly fascinating, indeed." Smiling somewhat genuinely, he looked back out over the crowd. "Which ones are yours?"

Keeping my smile to maintain appearance, I motioned toward Krystallo—now mingling with a small group of younger nobles down below. "She's my only daughter. Just old enough to start meeting the world."

Alexandro's cold eyes instantly flicked down to her, lingering on her hair and canine ears with a curious, assessing glint.

"She seems.. unique." He murmured, as though tasting the word, before turning back to me.

"And you say you come from a family of scholars?

Then perhaps we can see if her interests align with my son's. "

Letting out an amused chuckle, I looked him in the eyes.

"She may not look it, but she's quite studious when she needs to be.

" Feigning a thoughtful pause, I gently tilted my head.

"If I may, could I get your son's name? I'd love to have a chance to speak with him once he's returned from his studies. "

"Ah, well..." A faint tension instantly flashed behind his eyes before blocking our voices from those around us. "His name is Xero, however, I can't be certain he will return any time soon."

"Hm.. what a shame. Responsibilities, I suppose?"

He was quick to nod. "He is shouldering the future of the world.

I'd be a terrible Father to pull him from his work for something like arranging a marriage.

.." Lowering his gaze over the crowd, once more, he dispersed the barriers surrounding us.

"In any case, shall we continue this conversation more.

. privately? Perhaps over a drink?" He quickly beckoned for Eirene, still poised at the foot of the staircase, signaling for her to invite Krystallo.

"I suppose." Smiling politely, I inclined my head in acknowledgment, carefully masking my lingering unease.

But Eirene wasted no time, immediately moving through the crowd with graceful purpose and approaching Krystallo. "My dear," she purred again, effortlessly commanding attention. "Come now—your mother and my husband would like us to join them upstairs."

Krystallo hesitated though—a subtle flicker of anxiety crossing her face before she could mask it with forced composure.

"Of course." She answered politely, yet the moment Eirene reached out her hand, Krystallo's expression tightened, forcing a polite smile before firmly declining.

"I apologize, but I'd prefer to walk up myself. "

Instantly, murmurs rippled through the observing crowd, eyes turning to focus sharply on the scene unfolding below.

But rather than being annoyed, Alexandros's gaze sharpened with intrigue—a flash of interest I hadn't expected. "She certainly has a scholar's attitude... Perhaps a meeting with my son wouldn't be out of the question."

My ears perked up instantly, my surprise carefully concealed beneath a graceful smile.

"In any case, please come." Finally breaking the slight tension that settled over us, he gestured toward a private lounge behind us. "We can speak more freely in here."

Maintaining my composed exterior, I nodded gracefully and signaled Krystallo to follow along.

Just like Vasilias had with Espera, it was time for us to lay a trap, but this time, Krystallo would be leading the charge.

Little did I know, she would simply tap into a talent I wished for her to leave alone.

The skill of deception...

A terrifyingly believable deception—one so deep I feared it could change her forever.