The Third Holmes (𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁 𝘅 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗬/𝗡)

CHAPTER 8

A familiar black carriage pulled up in front of Buckingham Palace, the emblem of a noble family gleaming in the evening light. Y/N Holmes stood nearby, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He recognized that crest anywhere.

From the carriage stepped a brown-haired man, refined in posture and dressed in a tailored suit of deep navy velvet. A mask concealed the upper half of his face, and a matching hat rested neatly atop his head. As he stepped away from the vehicle, Y/N observed him greeting another man—blond, sharp-eyed, and quietly elegant.

"Louis," the elder man said, his voice tinged with warmth. "Be sure to give William my regards."

"I will," Louis replied with a slight bow of his head.

As Albert Moriarty turned to leave, Y/N took that as his cue to approach.

"Well, well," Y/N drawled with a smirk. "Lou Lou, how splendid it is to see you here."

Louis turned at the familiar voice. Though his expression remained composed, surprise flickered in his scarlet eyes. "Mr. Holmes?"

"The one and only," Y/N said with a grin, the silver embroidery of his mask glinting under the palace lights.

"I assume you're attending the masquerade ball?" Louis asked, folding his hands neatly behind his back.

"But of course. Perks of having an older brother who works under Her Majesty's government." Y/N gave a theatrical shrug.

Louis's tone was cool. "I see."

Y/N's gaze sharpened slightly. So, he already knew that. Interesting.

"Why, it sounded like you already knew that, Louis," Y/N said with a lighthearted laugh.

Louis tilted his head in feigned innocence. "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Holmes?"

Y/N's smile turned teasing, though his eyes were calculating. "I suppose it's just another one of your secrets. But I should warn you... I have a habit of unraveling secrets. Comes with being a journalist."

Louis raised an eyebrow. "It's fortunate, then, that I have nothing to hide."

"Are you sure?" Y/N asked, his voice suddenly quiet—serious.

The tension between them was palpable, like a knife's edge drawn across silk. Their eyes locked, one gaze inquisitive, the other impassive.

Then Y/N burst into laughter. "HA! I was just messing with you, Louis."

"I see," Louis replied, though a small smirk betrayed his amusement.

With a flourish, Y/N extended a hand behind his back and revealed a spare mask. "Why don't you join me as my date tonight?"

Louis blinked in surprise. "I must return home to my brother. And I don't have a mask."

"I'm sure William-kun can wait a little while," Y/N said cheerfully, wiggling the mask. "And as for that second excuse—solved."

Louis accepted the mask with a quiet sigh. "Do you always carry a spare mask for the purpose of charming unsuspecting men into being your date?"

"No," Y/N grinned. "I had a feeling you'd be dropping off Lord Albert."

Louis narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

"And I was right. As always." Y/N gave an exaggerated, Sherlock-like smugness.

"Fine." Louis took the mask and tied it neatly behind his head.

Y/N's grin widened. "Glad to hear it. Shall we? The ball awaits."