Beyond the kitchen, the mansion had fully stirred to life.
Soft music drifted through the halls in measured harmony, mingling with the subdued murmur of conversation and the delicate chime of crystal glasses. Chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow across the grand hall, their light glinting off polished marble floors and towering pillars adorned with the crests and sigils of distinguished noble houses.
The gathering had begun in earnest.
Guests occupied the space in carefully ordered clusters, nobles arrayed in refined finery, visiting dignitaries conversing in low, discreet tones, and attendants gliding between them with practiced precision. Here and there, restrained yet genuine laughter rose above the hum, while servants bore trays of wine and exquisitely prepared hors d'oeuvres through the crowd.
Somewhere amid the assembled crowd, the detectives—Declan and Nowa had already taken their places, crystal glasses in hand, making a studied effort to blend seamlessly among the nobility.
Elsewhere within that same gathering, Sil Bernard was engaged in conversation with a member of the Vikii family.
More precisely, he spoke with the lady in her forties. From their relaxed bearing and the genuine smiles exchanged between them, their discourse appeared warm and familiar, less a formal exchange between host and guest than the meeting of old acquaintances.
A handful of nearby nobles cast discreet glances in their direction, well aware that no interaction involving the Vikii family was ever without consequence. Sil Bernard, however, remained entirely at ease. He released a soft chuckle at some remark of the lady's and inclined his head in courteous acknowledgment.
"Do enjoy the evening," he said with genial warmth.
With that, he took his leave, the practiced composure of a seasoned host returning as he made his way toward the center of the hall.
Gradually, the hum of conversation subsided as attendants moved through the crowd, subtly signaling for attention.
Sil Bernard straightened his posture and raised his voice just enough to carry across the hall. With measured grace, he welcomed the assembled guests, offering his gratitude for their attendance, extending formal acknowledgment to the esteemed members of the Vikii family, and expressing his hope that the evening might serve not merely as a celebration but as a moment of unity among all present.
His address was brief, courteous, and free of pretension, spoken not to command attention, but to invite it.
Moments later, Jack at last entered the grand hall, his expression composed and grave.
"What did I miss?" he murmured, his eyes sweeping across the gathering, guests laughing softly, crystal glasses raised, plates filled with the very dishes he had prepared earlier.
It had taken him nearly two hours to arrive. He had used the time to scour the mansion, alert for anything amiss. Only one detail had caught his attention: a platinum ring resting, almost too innocently, upon Sil Bernard's desk.
At first, Jack had assumed Sil Bernard's summons concerned financial matters, his own, or Nyx's. Yet every document he had been able to examine suggested stability.
The name on the documents wasn't simply the alias Jack
But Kevin Maurus.
Surprisingly, his sister's documents were sitting next to his, also containing her real name, Nyx Maurus.
The figures were staggering. Combined, their accounts totaled over eighteen million gold coins and seventy-six million silver, wealth sufficient to eclipse several noble houses outright.
After taking a moment to survey the hall, Jack's gaze finally settled on Declan and Nowa at the far edge, their composure unshaken despite the throng of nobles surrounding them.
A slow grin curved across Jack's face. There you are… I had imagined you would be in a fluster, yet I was mistaken.
He allowed himself a brief, quiet moment of satisfaction, taking in the scene before him.
"Hm?" Jack exclaimed, startled by a sudden tug from behind.
He spun about and beheld Melissa, with her spectacles absent, effortlessly balancing a tray of crystal cups brimming with red wine.
"…It is you again?" Jack murmured, a nervous chuckle escaping him, though the corners of his mouth betrayed a faint smirk.
Melissa offered no smile in reply. Her green eyes met his with clarity.
"Cease lingering and assist me with delivering these refreshments to the guests," she said, her tone flat.
Jack glanced at the tray, then back at her, realizing that she wasn't joking.
Truly? This is the reward I receive for demonstrating my skill?
"Why, me?" he inquired, shrugging with studied nonchalance.
"...Uh?" Melissa breathed in surprise, blinking at his query.
Jack blinked, awaiting her reply, his gaze drifting to the other attendees in the hall. Most, it appeared, were maids rather than butlers.
"Because you do naught but stand idle, and these parcels are far weightier than they appear. Aid me, or—well," she demanded, her eyes fixed unwaveringly upon him.
Weighty? Are they not carried with ease enough? Jack mused, concealing his curiosity behind a calm, neutral expression.
"…I was, in truth, about to attend elsewhere, but…" He paused, allowing his gaze to linger briefly upon Declan. With a subtle roll of his eyes, he added, "I daresay, this is hardly the proper moment," before returning his attention to her.
Melissa's eyes betrayed no hesitation; she blinked slowly, as if appraising him with quiet calculation.
"Very well… take this." She transferred the tray into his hands, then pivoted and departed without another word.
Jack remained momentarily stupefied, watching her recede, still uncomprehending of her abrupt decisiveness.
He exhaled softly, allowing his gaze to wander elsewhere.
A moment later, his eyes fell upon his sister as she made her way through the assembly, accompanied by Vanessa and the young lady Vikii, whose countenance had been so grave upon her initial arrival.
Nyx's presence seized him unawares. Pray… is that Vanessa and the mayor's daughter walking with her?
He parted his lips slightly, astonishment plainly etched upon his features. Naturally, his younger sister was present, for she had received an invitation to the gathering. And, as he now discerned, it was she who had revealed his skill in the culinary arts.
From his vantage point, the trio appeared engrossed in amiable conversation, and by their expressions, they were clearly deriving genuine enjoyment from the company.
"Pray, you there!" called a lady's voice from behind him.
Jack pivoted, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded the newcomer. She bore a composed smile and an elegant posture, unmistakably a member of the Vikii family, the very one Sil Bernard had spoken to earlier. Jack, of course, was unaware of this, having just arrived.
"Do permit me to try that which you carry," she said, her voice both genteel and assured.
This gathering is quite full of strangers…
"…V-very well," Jack stammered, stepping forward. Perfect, he thought. This affords me a chance to approach the detective without drawing undue notice.
A moment later, the lady extended forward and lifted a glass from the tray.
"Pardon me, I shall take one as well," another guest observed, a courteous smile playing upon their lips.
Jack turned to face them, yet his gaze flickered back toward the lady he had just served. There was something vaguely familiar about her bearing and voice, though he refrained from inquiry; she was of noble station, and he, for the moment, was but an attendant.