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"Here, you'll need this," Kaide said, handing you an elegantly designed masquerade mask. You accepted it gratefully, the f/c accessory complementing your ball gown perfectly, completing your alluring disguise.
According to Kaide's plan, your role was to distract the three royal assassins of Nevada - William Quartz, Eret Vangiance, and Lorenzo Hellbringer. Kaide had informed you that Lorenzo was the most cunning of the trio, and thus your primary target for the evening.
Kaide's own task was to locate the orb and determine its exact whereabouts, while Geron and Jeo were stationed outside, tasked with planting diversionary bombs to create the necessary chaos.
"You remember the plan?" Kaide asked, and you nodded in affirmation.
"Good, then I'll be on my way," he said, turning to leave. But before he could take a step, you reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to face you.
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Kaide Ledger
Status: ---
Attraction level: -10%
+25%
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Your actions seemed to have an
unexpected effect, as the notification on your screen indicated a 10% increase in Kaide's attraction level towards you. You couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this shift, but you quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"What?" Kaide asked, a hint of impatience in his voice as his green eyes bore into your (e/c) ones.
"Who do I approach first?" you inquired, "And how can I get a conversation started with them?"
Kaide shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know, try your luck with William," he said. "He's a bit of a 'fuck boy,' so he'll likely take an interest in you." His gaze raked over your form, taking in the curves accentuated by your gown, and you couldn't help but feel a slight flush creep up your cheeks.
"As for getting a conversation started," he continued, "just be your charming self. Flirt a little, bat your eyelashes, and I'm sure he'll be putty in your hands."
You nodded, steeling your nerves as you prepared to enter the lion's den. "Alright, I'll do my best," you said, your voice laced with a newfound determination.
Kaide offered you a rare, almost genuine smile. "Good luck, (Y/N)," he said, before turning and disappearing into the shadows, leaving you to face your daunting task.
Taking a deep breath, you adjusted your mask and stepped out into the opulent ballroom, your eyes scanning the crowd for your first target - William Quartz. The fate of your mission, and perhaps your very survival, now rested on your ability to navigate this perilous social landscape and emerge victorious.
Hesitantly, you made your way inside the bustling ballroom, the clattering of chatter and the glittering of opulent attire creating an overwhelming atmosphere. Feeling a chill run down your spine, you tried your best to blend in with the crowd, your eyes darting around in search of your first target, William Quartz.
Suddenly, as you were walking backwards, trying to avoid the stuffy surroundings, you found yourself colliding with a solid chest. Turning around, you were met with the piercing gaze of a tall, chestnut-haired male, his deep blue eyes locked onto your (e/c) orbs.
A sly smirk spread across his pale features as he tilted his head in a cocky manner.
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A character has appeared!
William Quartz
Status: ---
Attraction scale: 35%
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"Watch where you're going there, sweetheart," he teased, reaching out to help straighten your posture. "My name's William Quartz. What's yours, love?"
You cringed slightly at the pet names, but quickly remembered Kaide's advice to lie about your identity. "Y/- Lilyth, Lilyth Ivy," you responded, the fabricated name rolling off your tongue with practiced ease.
William's smirk widened as he took your hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss, his blue eyes never leaving yours. "Pleasure to meet you, Lilyth," he purred.
The two of you fell into easy conversation, with William asking you a barrage of questions, which you answered to the best of your ability, all the while keeping Kaide's instructions in mind.
"Say, why don't you join me and my mates at our table?" William suggested, gesturing towards a round table where two other males were seated. This could be the perfect opportunity for you to get closer to the royal assassins and carry out your mission.
Mustering your most charming smile, you nodded in agreement. "I'd be delighted," you replied, allowing William to guide you towards the table, your heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
As you approached the table, you took a moment to study the two other men. One had a rugged, intimidating appearance, while the other seemed more refined and composed. These must be Eret Vangiance and Lorenzo Hellbringer, the remaining two targets you needed to distract.
Steeling your nerves, you prepared to put your acting skills to the test, determined to carry out your role flawlessly and secure your and Kaide's plan.
Allowing William to guide you through the bustling crowd, you soon reached the table where the two remaining royal assassins were seated. As you inspected them, you couldn't help but note the stark contrast in their demeanors.
Eret Vangiance, with his pale, bored expression, sat adorned in an extravagant red coat, the black and white fur lining the hood and a shimmering ruby-encrusted crown perched atop his head of unique black and white hair. He was the only one of the three wearing a crown, a subtle display of his royal status.
In contrast, Lorenzo Hellbringer maintained a stoic, poker-faced expression, his long, fiery red hair and golden, almond-shaped eyes giving him an almost ethereal, elf-like appearance. The most striking feature, however, were his extremely pointed, elongated ears, a detail that immediately set him apart from his companions.
As you and William approached the table, the duo's eyes shifted towards you, Eret's gaze blank and unreadable, while Lorenzo's held a hint of annoyance.
"How many times did we tell you not to bring your new side chick's here, William?" Lorenzo said, his tone laced with irritation.
"Woah, woah there, Enz. She's not my side chick," William replied, glancing back at you with a wink. "At least, if she wants to be, I mean..." You couldn't help but glare at him, discreetly pinching his back in retaliation.
"Oh, yes, I forgot about you, dearie," William continued, addressing the two men. "Enzo, Eret, this is Lilyth Ivy, my companion for the night. I hope you don't mind if she joins us."
William pulled out a chair for you, and you gratefully took a seat, with William settling down to your left, Eret to your right, and Lorenzo directly across from you.
Eret, who had remained silent thus far, finally spoke up. "I don't mind," he said, his gaze still fixed on you, a hint of curiosity in his blood-red eyes.
"Good," William turned to Lorenzo. "How about you, Enz?"
"I guess I don't mind. And don't call me that," Lorenzo threatened, his golden eyes narrowing.
William chuckled at Lorenzo's annoyance, and the conversation soon fell into a lull, with you engaging primarily with William, while Eret and Lorenzo remained mostly silent, content to sip their wine and observe the exchange.
As you continued your charade, you couldn't help but wonder if the two assassins were truly as disinterested in your presence as they appeared. After all, Kaide had warned you of their cunning nature, and you knew you couldn't afford to let your guard down, even for a moment.
A sudden sound of a glass being tapped echoed through the room, silencing the numerous chatters of the guests. All eyes turned towards a broad man with light blonde hair styled in braids, who had risen from his throne. Judging from the crown atop his head and the luxurious attire he wore, he must be the king.
Taking the stage, the king addressed the gathered nobility. "Welcome, to all of you my lords, duchesses, dukes, and aristocrats of Las Ventas! I welcome you to my nephew's nineteenth birthday. Eretrillius Svannigan Vangiance, why don't you come up here and give a little speech?"
The black and white-haired Eret sighed and made his way to the stage, leaving you, William, and Lorenzo at the table.
William stood up, causing you to raise a brow in concern. You really didn't want him to leave, as he was the only one with whom you could converse comfortably.
"I hope you can excuse me, Lady Lilyth, for I have to use the restroom," William said, taking your hand and placing a final kiss upon it. "Fear not, for my brother Enzo is still here, and he will keep you company."
With that, William departed, leaving you alone with the intimidating figure of Lorenzo Hellbringer. You spoke no words, your anxiety rising as you recalled Kaide's description of the ginger-haired male - a heartless tyrant who would not hesitate to spread bloodshed to achieve victory.
Nervously, you took a sip of your wine, maintaining eye contact with Lorenzo, who remained silent and impassive, his golden eyes boring into you.
The air between the two of you was thick with tension, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up your spine. Lorenzo's reputation as the most ruthless of the three royal assassins only added to your trepidation, and you found yourself wondering if you had bitten off more than you could chew.
As Eret's speech droned on in the background, you couldn't help but feel increasingly isolated, trapped in the presence of this enigmatic and potentially dangerous individual. Your mission to distract the assassins had suddenly become a perilous game of wits and survival, and you knew you would need to tread carefully if you hoped to emerge unscathed.
Stealing a glance at the notification on your screen, you were relieved to see that Lorenzo's attraction level towards you remained neutral. However, you couldn't help but wonder how long that would last, and what consequences might arise if you failed to keep him engaged and entertained.
Steeling your nerves, you decided to take the initiative, determined to at least attempt to establish some form of rapport with the intimidating figure before you. After all, your very life might depend on your ability to navigate this delicate social landscape.
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