The Serpent's Invitation: The Cheater's Audit act 4
The afternoon sun filtered through the expensive stained glass of the capital's high-end shopping district. Selina Vane walked with a skip in her step, her arm entwined with that of her "Merchant Prince."
He was everything the aging Count Vane was not: Tall, with golden blonde hair that caught the light like spun silk and piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold the promise of a distant, wealthier empire. He moved with a refined, athletic grace, looking every bit the man who could spirit a Duchess away to a life of luxury.
"I must say, Selina," the man said, his voice a smooth baritone with a slight, exotic accent. "The way you handled the transfer of the vineyard deeds today was masterful. You have the mind of a queen. It is a waste to see you tethered to a sinking ship like Dirrium."
Selina flushed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "With you by my side, I feel like I finally have the power I was born for, Julian."
As they neared the corner of the Gilded Lily, two women in impeccably tailored maid uniforms stepped into their path. They weren't just any maids; they wore the colors of the most prestigious catering guild in the city.
"Pardon the intrusion, beautiful Lady, handsome Sir," Marielle said, her voice pitched in a loud, bubbly tone that bordered on obnoxious. She performed a flourish that was far too energetic for a common servant. "But my eyes simply could not look away! In all my years hosting events, I have never seen a couple so... aesthetically perfect!"
Selina paused, her ego instantly piqued. "Oh? You have good eyes, girl."
Stacian stepped forward, her expression the picture of demure professionalism. She held a silver tray with two glasses of chilled, golden nectar. "Indeed. My colleague is loud, but she speaks the truth. We are representing the Gilded Lily's upcoming 'Festival of Devotion.' We were looking for a couple to be our 'Diamond Standard' entrants. The prize is... well, it's twenty thousand gold coins, but surely a couple of your stature cares little for such trifles."
"Twenty thousand?" Selina's eyes widened for a split second before she masked it with a cough. "A significant sum for a mere contest."
"It's not just the money," Julian added, looking at Selina with those deep blue eyes. "It's the prestige, darling. Imagine the look on the faces of the local nobility when we are crowned the most devoted couple in the kingdom. It would be a perfect... parting gift to this city."
Selina looked at Stacian, squinting. A flicker of recognition crossed her face. "Wait... you. I feel like I've seen you before. Were you not at the Grand Gala? Near the Auditor?"
Stacian didn't blink. Her hand moved in a subtle, rhythmic gesture beneath the tray—a silent pulse of mana.
"I believe you are mistaken, My Lady," Stacian said, her voice dropping into a hypnotic, soothing frequency. "You likely saw me in your dreams of a better life. A woman of your status meets so many common faces; they all begin to blur into the background of your brilliance, don't they?"
The mana rippled through Selina's mind, neatly snipping the memory of the Gala and cauterizing the edge. Selina blinked, her expression turning vacant for a heartbeat before snapping back into a greedy smile.
"Yes... yes, you're right," Selina murmured, rubbing her temple. "Just another face. Now, tell me more about this contest. How do we ensure we win?"
"It's a test of endurance," Marielle chirped, suppressing a smirk. "The Longest Kiss. With a man like this," she gestured to the blonde, blue-eyed Julian, "I imagine you'd find it quite easy to win, wouldn't you?"
Julian laughed, a rich, confident sound. He pulled Selina closer, his hand resting on the small of her back. "I believe we could go for hours if the prize was right. What do you say, Selina? Shall we show this little kingdom what real passion looks like?"
"We'll be there," Selina declared, her greed for the gold and her lust for the man merging into a single, blinding drive. "Mark our names down."
"It is our absolute honor," Stacian said, bowing low.
As the couple walked away, Julian whispering sweet, fraudulent promises into Selina's ear, Marielle's "bubbly" persona vanished instantly. She spat on the cobblestones.
"She's even easier to play than the Count," Marielle muttered. "I almost feel bad for the illusion. Having to touch that woman for three days? Poor mana."
Stacian watched them go, her eyes cold and calculating. "The Auditor doesn't require us to feel bad, Marielle. He requires us to be precise. The hook is set. Now, we simply wait for the line to tighten."
Stacian tapped her communication earring. "Master. The bird is in the net. She'll be there in three days, greed in hand."
From the other end, the sound of a silver pen clicking echoed in her ear. "Excellent. Ensure the waiter is briefed. I want her to feel like she's winning until the very moment the floor falls away."