The air was thick with the scent of perfume, and the soft hum of instruments barely masked the murmuring voices. Automaton waiters, carrying trays of wine and finger food whirred around on wheeled legs, making sure no noble was left empty handed.


    Cassian strode through the great doors of the Ravencourt ballroom, feeling eyes on him from all around.


    "Quite the reception," Emilia said, barely moving her lips.


    Cassian did not reply and kept walking, his arm neatly folded to his stomach, carrying Emilia''s hand on his forearm.


    "I must say I''m honored, my lord," she hummed, amused, glancing around her, "You inviting me to come with you. Never thought I would be waltzing around with high society. Especially not as a Lord''s date."


    "You were not invited," Cassian scoffed, "and you''re not my date. I brought you, to keep up appearances. A noble without a companion, is a noble under scrutiny."


    Emilia''s eyes glinted with amusement. "So, you needed me."


    Cassian exhaled, keeping his gaze forward as they descended the staircase to the central floor. "Needed is a strong word."


    Emilia''s smirk grew. "I like strong words."


    He did not reply, but could feel her eyes watching him—as the other nobles.


    "So the Vaelthorne pup finally decided to crawl out of his cave," a voice murmured.


    Eyes flicked toward him, some curious, some calculating.


    "A shame what happened to his father."


    "I thought that house had gone quiet?"


    "The boy walks as if he owns the place," another voice murmured by a column, "typical Vaelthorne arrogance."


    Cassian did not slow, his expression remained unreadable.


    Emilia''s smirk disappeared as her eyes flicked to Cassian. "Notice that? All the nobles are looking at you, like some puzzle they can''t solve."


    "Let them look," Cassian said, "They will remember the power of my name soon enough."


    Emilia''s smirk returned.


    Noble guests parted slightly as he walked, their bodies shifting like a tide, murmurs as they passed.


    "Nothing like being whispered about while you''re still in the damn room," she murmured under her breath.


    Cassian smirked, adjusting his cuffs. "It''s a noble pastime. Gossip is their second language."


    An automaton carrying a tray of wine, slowed next to them, tilting it''s head. "Valis Red, my lord?"


    Cassian took a glass for Emilia and himself. "Thank you," he said before the automaton whirred away, "machines however, no lies, judgements or ruses. They follow strict rules and patterns. Nothing hidden."


    "So you prefer brass, steam and gears over flesh and blood?" Emilia asked, frowning.


    "Absolutely." Cassian took a sip of his wine, it''s dry bitterness lacing his tongue, but the alcohol soothed his nerves.


    Emilia took a big sip, emptying half the glass in one go. "Not all people are like them, Cassian," her voice now gentle, her sarcastic facade diminishing, "some you can trust with your life. Some would take bullets for you. Not because of duty or obligation, but because of love and loyalty."


    Cassian scoffed. "I have never seen a loyalty without coin. There is always something in return."


    "Let me know the day you want to see the real world, my lord," Emilia''s tone switched, back to her facade, as she finished her wine.


    The conversations around the hall quieted down as Lord Edward Ravencourt stepped onto a brass balcony overlooking ballroom. A wine glass raised in one hand and other on the railing. His golden eyes, cast a sweeping glance across the room, with a forced, but practiced smile.


    ”Esteemed guests, my lords and ladies of Valerian, it is my greatest honor to welcome you tonight!" His voice was smooth, practiced and carried effortlessly over the nobles. "We stand in a time of change, a time of great innovation and progress. A time where we should stand as a unity. Because only together can we ensure that our legacy endures," he said, casting a flickering eye to Cassian. "Let us set aside rivalries and celebrate what makes our grand capitol great!"


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Cassian scoffed quietly to himself, taking another sip of wine. "A bunch of nothing."


    "Quite the performance he''s got here. Very touching," Emilia remarked, as she grabbed another wine from a passing automaton.


    Lord Ravencourt raised his glass higher. "To Valerian. To the noble blood that guides it. And to those brave enough to claim the future."


    A wave of polished agreement rushed through the hall, glasses raised and smiles exchanged. The party resumed, the stringed instruments hummed again as rich conversations and clinking glasses filled the room.


    "Subtle," Cassian said.


    Emilia chuckled. "I thought he was going to be more dramatic, with that suit of gold and all."


    "Lord Edward Ravencourt has always been a man of grand gestures," Cassian huffed, his gaze fixed on Lord Ravencourt who was in a deep conversation with a cluster of nobles.


    "Lord Vaelthorne." A voice laced in smooth, unhurried precision.


    Cassian turned.


    "Lord Dain," he greeted.


    Lucian was dressed in imperial black with a gold trim, just a few steps away. He stood without his usual retinue of inquisitors, attending the ball as a guest. His expression calm, almost polite.


    "A word, if you would."


    Cassian met his gaze, unwavering, studying the High Inquisitor for a moment.


    "Lead the way," Cassian obliged, handing his glass to Emilia who had already finished hers.


    Lucian led him through the corridors of Ravencourt''s estate, away from the main ballroom. Music and laughter become more distant as they walked. The air grew colder and quieter as they stopped by a tall window, overlooking Valerian. For a moment Lucian stood quietly, simply looking out the window, his hands clasped behind his back.


    Cassian exhaled, arms crossed. A lump forming in his throat, but he remained his composure. "This must be important, dragging me so far from the crowd."


    Lucian stood in silence for a moment longer, before he looked at him. "I see the change in you. You''re becoming more unreadable, a handy skill in the court."


    "I doubt you pulled me aside to compliment my mannerisms, Lord Dain. Let''s just skip to the reason you wanted to talk," Cassian spoke, controlled, but tension building in his chest.


    Lucian''s jaw tightened. "I am not your enemy, Lord Vaelthorne," he said, "I came to warn you."


    "Warn me or threaten me?" Cassian asked, tilting his head slightly.


    Lucian ignored the remark, his eyes piercing into Cassian, almost like a plea.


    "I know what you are doing, Lord Vaelthorne, and I urge you to put a stop to this frantic search. Your father was a brilliant man, and his creations and discoveries are the reason we have come this far. But brilliance is not loyalty. He delved too deep, too dangerously, he was a risk. Do not follow the footsteps of your father." Lucian''s eyes softened.


    Cassian''s fingers turned into a fist behind his back. "My father was murdered. Do you expect his son to sit idly by without knowing the reason?"


    Lucian sighed, as if he was prepared for Cassian''s answer. "You think you are different from him, but you are making the same mistakes. You are pushing against a force you can''t comprehend. This force will break you."


    The steel-grey in Cassian''s eyes darkened. "What knowledge is so dangerous it can take people''s lives?"


    "Knowledge that creates chaos," Lucian answered simply, setting a silence between them. "Walk away, Cassian. This is your last chance."


    Cassian met his gaze, unflinching, fire in his eyes. "Nothing can stop me from finding the truth. Not even an empire."


    "You will be forcing my hand," Lucian warned, his soft tone disappearing.


    Cassian stood quietly for a moment, steel-grey on ice-blue. Then a smile stretched on his face. "Then you should sharpen your blade, Lord Dain." He turned, ending the conversation.


    "So be it," Lucian sighed, exhaling slowly.


    Reentering the ballroom, the lump in his throat growing larger, as his breathing became harder to control. The imperials were watching his every move. His mind raced, as he planned for a quiet exit.


    Cassian''s eyes barely had time to meet Emilia''s before she was detained, an inquisitor in black restraining her hands behind her back as another with his weapon drawn.


    Cassian''s chest twisted, as he rushed forward. "Hey! How dare you–"


    Before he could finish his sentence, the music faltered as imperial officers filled the room, circling Cassian, weapons pointing at him.


    The conversations halted to an eerie silence, as Lucian stepped forward calmly. "Cassian Vaelthorne."


    Cassian met Lucian''s unwavering gaze, his nails digging into his palms.


    "By order of the Imperial Court, under the authority of the Crown, you are placed under arrest for crimes against the Empire."


    A slow, deliberate smirk stretched on Cassian''s face. "Crimes, huh? The truth is too much to handle? Your empire is weak."


    Lucian did not react to his threats, his face remaining unreadable. "Your house has fallen, Cassian. Don''t fight it."


    Cassian''s eyes flicked to Emilia, who struggled against the inquisitors grip. Her eyes met his.


    "You leave her out of it, she isn''t part of my house," Cassian said, his facade faltering.


    "Emilia Ravenshade," Lucian started, her name spoken was a dagger into Cassian''s gut. "By order of the Imperial Court, under the authority of the Crown, you are placed under arrest for conspiring with House Vaelthorne and their crimes against the Empire."


    "Lucian!" Cassian screamed as he charged forward, only to be stopped by the guards. "You killed my father, and now you will kill me is that right? Did your friendship with him really die because of money and power? Are you really that easily swayed?"


    Cassian''s voice rang throughout the hall. He noticed a slight twitch in Lucian''s eyes, as silence filled the room for a small moment.


    Lucian stared at him, before he spoke again. "Take him away."


    "Traitor! You fucking coward!" Cassian''s screams echoed eerily in the hall of nobles as they dragged him out, like a wild animal in captivity.