Shadow Betrayal: An Assassin's Story

11 - INTRIGUE, PERFUME AND MYSTERY - 11

Did you guys know that any staircase is a staircase to heaven.....

...if you're clumsy enough.

Enjoy!

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Lucian's POV:

A weary sigh slipped from my lips as I scanned the grand ballroom, the opulence of the setting doing little to alleviate my boredom. The room buzzed with activity—laughter echoed off the marble floors, couples twirled gracefully, and clusters of people engaged in conversations that seemed, to me, insufferably mundane. My gaze drifted over to Keon, who stood nearby with his usual unperturbed demeanor. I shot him a pleading look, silently begging for an escape. For the third time tonight, he shook his head, his refusal as resolute as ever. Why must he subject me to this torment?

I turned my attention back to the throng of guests. My father was engaged in an animated discussion with an elderly man whose name eluded me. Across the room, my mother chatted animatedly with her coterie of friends, her laughter punctuating the air. My sister Raelynn, the heir apparent, was conversing with a strikingly handsome young man, though her expression betrayed her disinterest. Nyx, ever the recluse, had wisely stayed away, opting instead for the sanctuary of her books in her private chambers.

Raelynn was here by obligation, but my presence was a test of sorts—an attempt by my father to instill in me a sense of responsibility by forcing me to endure these social rituals. If he only knew that such measures would do little to change me.

Breaking away from my father's side, I made my way toward the food table, hoping to find solace in something other than conversation. But my escape was thwarted by a young woman who suddenly appeared in my path, her eyes gleaming with a questionable mix of desire and determination.

"Hi, Prince Lucian," she purred, her voice dripping with what I assume was meant to be seduction. Instead, it came across as an overly enthusiastic attempt at charm that only made me shudder.

"Kiera," I acknowledged, trying to sidestep her. Unfortunately, her grip on my arm was firmer than I'd hoped. I winced as the cloying cloud of her perfume enveloped me—an olfactory assault so intense it felt like being smothered by a bouquet of overly aggressive flowers. My eyes began to water as I tried to maintain a polite smile.

"Is there something you need, Kiera?" I asked, my voice strained as I resisted the urge to recoil.

Kiera tightened her grip on my arm, her smile unwavering despite my visible discomfort. "Well, Prince Lucian, I was hoping you might be free for a dinner date sometime. Perhaps next week?"

I forced a polite smile, trying to keep my tone gentle. "I appreciate the offer, Kiera, but my schedule is quite packed these days. I don't think I'll be able to fit anything in."

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with a mix of determination and curiosity. "Oh, surely you could spare just one evening? I've heard such delightful things about you, and I'd love to get to know you better."

I tried to step back, but her grip was surprisingly persistent. "Really, Kiera, I'm flattered, but I'm not much for social engagements outside of these events."

Her smile faltered for just a moment before returning, if anything, more insistent. "Oh, come on. Just one dinner. I promise I won't keep you long. It'll be fun, and you might even enjoy yourself!"

I glanced around, hoping for a distraction, but the crowd seemed to have an uncanny ability to avoid eye contact. "Kiera, I'm really not—"

"Please, Lucian," she interrupted, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "I've heard so much about you and I'm really looking forward to it. Just think of it as a friendly gesture."

I cast a desperate glance at Keon, silently begging him to rescue me from this increasingly uncomfortable conversation. He, however, simply stood there with his arms crossed, watching with an amused smirk. Traitor.

"Kiera, listen—" My words trailed off as something, or rather someone, caught my eye. A certain black-haired beauty, currently locked in a heated argument with a man who appeared blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in front of him. She looked panicked, her gestures sharp and frustrated, while he maintained a dull expression, as if her every word sailed over his head.

Our eyes met across the room. For a moment, I grinned, a reflex I didn't even think about. Her response? A glare so icy, I could practically feel the temperature in the ballroom drop a few degrees. I blinked, my grin faltering. What did I do now?

Kiera's voice cut through my thoughts, but my attention was already elsewhere. "I—uh—I'm terribly sorry, Kiera," I muttered, offering her a rushed, half-hearted smile. "Something urgent just came up. I really must go."

Before she could respond, I turned on my heel and made a beeline for the black-haired woman, leaving Kiera blinking in surprise behind me. As I weaved through the crowd, dodging dancers and overenthusiastic partygoers, my mind raced. What was going on with her? And why was she looking at me like I had single-handedly ruined her night?

Regardless, she was far more interesting than enduring another second of Kiera's perfume assault.

Raven glanced at me, her eyes widening in panic as she quickly turned back to the man she'd been arguing with. Without warning, she began shoving him toward the exit, her movements sharp and frantic. Who was this guy? And why was she so desperate to get him out of sight?

I quickened my pace, determined to reach them, but my progress was cut short by yet another obstacle. A woman in a ridiculously extravagant pink gown, her fiery red hair piled high in an elaborate updo, stepped directly into my path. The combination of colors was so garish, it almost made me stop in my tracks.

"Hi, Lucian," she cooed, batting her eyelashes with a flourish that made me inwardly groan. Not again.

I had no idea who she was, and frankly, I didn't care to find out. Fighting the urge to grimace, I mustered a quick, apologetic smile. "Terribly sorry, but I'm in the middle of something," I blurted, sidestepping her as gracefully as possible before hurrying toward Raven once more.

As I closed the gap, I couldn't help but wonder what—or who—had Raven in such a frantic state. Either way, I was about to find out.

"Raven," I called out, my voice cutting through the noise of the ballroom.

She whirled around, her dark chocolate eyes locking onto mine with a fiery intensity. "Idiot," she snapped, her tone sharp, but it only made me more curious.

I couldn't help the slight grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. There was something about her—something unpredictable, magnetic. She was a puzzle I was dying to solve, and every piece I uncovered only deepened my fascination. I could hardly wait to unravel more of the mystery that was Raven.

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Hope you liked it!

Word Count: 1146