The Predator's Theater : The Cheater's Audit act 3
Leornars leaned back in his chair, the audio feed from the Gilded Lily still humming in his mind. Across from him, Stacian was focused on the meticulous ritual of brewing coffee. The steam rose in elegant curls, mirroring the complex webs Leornars was currently weaving.
"Stacian," Leornars said, breaking the silence. "Tell me... what is your assumption on love and relationships?"
Stacian paused, the silver carafe hovering mid-air. She looked at him, caught off guard by the philosophical detour. She took a moment to finish the pour before smoothing the folds of her dress with practiced grace.
"That is an odd question, My Lord," she replied, her voice calm. "Love is... a volatile variable. Some say it brings peace, a sanctuary from the world. Others say it is a catalyst for pure destruction. There isn't one genuine answer. I suppose it is simply a feeling—one that often clouds better judgment."
"A feeling," Leornars repeated, a small, cold smile touching his lips. "And like all feelings, it can be exploited. It makes people predictable. It makes them sloppy."
He stood up, adjusting his coat. "I'll leave you with the Pollium resource problem for now. I have a rather interesting story to finish, and it requires a specific kind of stagecraft."
With a subtle ripple of space, Leornars bypassed the miles of travel, manifesting within the lush, sun-drenched gardens of Durmount. He moved with a purpose that ignored the shocked gasps of the royal attendants.
He found Natalie Sulina, the newly crowned Queen, lounging under a canopy of white roses.
"Is Marielle around?" Leornars asked, his tone clipped.
Natalie blinked, a playful pout forming on her regal features as he walked right past her. "Not even a hello? I haven't seen you in weeks, and you treat me like a common footman."
"I'm busy doing something important," Leornars replied without looking back. "I'll send you the recording of the fallout later. Consider it a gift."
Natalie's eyes lit up with a mischievous spark. "Ooh, a scandal? If you're involved, it must be delicious. I'm in. Do you need the royal seal for anything?"
"Your Majesty, please compose yourself," a maid whispered, horrified by the Queen's sudden lack of decorum.
Leornars found Marielle Sullivana deeper in the garden, practicing her stance. She froze as he approached, instantly dropping into a deep, respectful bow.
"Lord," she said.
"I have a simple job for you, Marielle," Leornars said, his eyes scanning the greenery. "I need you to be loud, obnoxious, and utterly impossible to ignore. I need you to host a... game."
Marielle looked up, a sharp grin spreading across her face. "A game? To lure out a specific target? I understand perfectly. I'll make sure the entire capital hears about it."
"Good. Stacian will assist with the logistics. We have a greedy bird to catch."
Over the next week, the atmosphere around the Gilded Lily changed. The quiet, dignified street was transformed by a barrage of colorful banners and the booming voice of Marielle. She and Stacian, dressed in elaborate, high-energy outfits, stood outside the establishment, announcing a "Grand Celebration of Romance."
The hook was simple: The Longest Kiss Contest. The prize? 20,000 gold coins.
Inside the Gilded Lily, the original owner was fraying at the edges. The constant noise and the "low-class" spectacle were ruining his reputation. Leornars met him in his office, placing a stack of deeds on the desk.
"You're tired of the noise," Leornars said. "Sell me the building. You get your peace, and I get my theater."
The deal was signed in minutes.
As they prepared for the final day, Marielle pulled Leornars aside, her usual bravado replaced by genuine curiosity. "Lord, why go to all this trouble? You have Dirrium. You have the King's image. Why waste two weeks on a cheating Duchess and a heartbroken Count?"
Leornars looked out the window at the Gilded Lily. "Having a nation's territory doesn't mean I own its people. To truly stabilize Dirrium, I need the aristocracy to move as one. Count Vane is the key to the southern lords. By saving him from this ruin, I don't just get an ally—I get a pawn so loyal he will never question me."
He turned to Marielle, his gaze piercing. "This alliance will be overseen by the Empire of Sulina, making it ironclad. Selina thinks she's going to run away with half a fortune. She doesn't realize I already have full control over the courts of this nation. She isn't running toward freedom; she's running into a cage I built months ago."
Stacian and Marielle spent the following days in maid uniforms, blending into the restaurant's staff to observe the guests. They waited with the patience of spiders.
Finally, the day arrived. The three-day countdown for the contest was over. The "usual spot" was booked. Selina Vane and her lover were walking into the light, blinded by the glitter of 20,000 gold coins—entirely unaware that the man who owned the building was waiting to audit their lives out of existence.
"Three days," Leornars murmured, clicking his silver pen. "Let's see if her love is worth the price of her head."