Chapter 138: The Master of Deception, Sharon the Stabber

Chapter 139: Hastur and Audrey's First Collaboration

In the Queen's District, within the grand Duke Nigan's residence, a magnificent ball was underway.

The venue was divided into two parts: the ground floor hall was dedicated to dancing, and a surrounding gallery on the upper floor allowed non-dancing nobles to stand with their wine glasses and admire the dance below.

If a nobleman and noblewoman took a fancy to each other, they could join hands and descend the stairs to the dance hall.

Audrey, having completed the opening dance, stood on the second floor of the ballroom, gazing at the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought as she looked at the candles flickering above.

Noticing that many nearby were eager to invite her to dance, she cleverly left the area and headed to the dining section.

Upon arriving at the dining area, she noticed Hastur standing near a corner, leisurely enjoying the evening's feast.

"Does Mr. Hastur have a sweet tooth?" she wondered, observing his plate and discerning his food preferences.

The chocolate cake Mr. Hastur recommended last time was indeed delicious.

Audrey approached with her own plate, glancing at the desserts on Hastur's plate and selecting the same sweets in order.

Then, she moved to a spot not far from Hastur and began to savor the evening's desserts.

True to Mr. Hastur's recommendation, the taste was exceptional.

The dessert melted in her mouth, its rich aroma winning Audrey's favor instantly. She knew that following Mr. Hastur's dessert recommendations was a surefire way to avoid disappointment.

While tasting the delicacies, she engaged in elegant conversations with the nobles who came to greet her, occasionally using her peripheral vision to observe each noble present.

According to Mr. Hastur, AdmiralQilangos of the Hurricane, who possessed a magical, extraordinary item called 'The CREEPING HUNGER' capable of altering one's appearance and form, was expected to infiltrate the ball that evening.

IfQilangos truly arrived, he would undoubtedly assume another noble's identity.

Audrey hoped to uncoverQilangos's disguise through subtle details.

However, she gleaned little of substance, instead uncovering some scandalous insights.

For instance, Mrs. Feder seemed overly intimate with Viscount Borel, especially with her peach-blossom eyes, warm and passionate, a stark contrast to the look she gave her own husband.

Audrey's cheeks flushed slightly; she understood many things, having been exposed to them from a young age.

Just then, she saw Hastur leave the corner and head towards the second floor of the ballroom.

Had Hastur discoveredQilangos's movements?

Audrey excused herself from a conversation with a young nobleman, set down her plate, and with graceful steps, returned to the second floor of the ballroom.

Shortly after arriving, she identified a suspicious figure.

Baron Gramiel appeared quite different that evening, from the scent of his cologne to the look in his eyes during conversations, unlike the usual Baron Gramiel.

Could this man beQilangos, transformed by 'The CREEPING HUNGER'?

"Good evening, Baron Gramiel," Audrey greeted with a flawless smile.

The sparse-browed, pale-eyed Baron Gramiel returned the greeting with a smile, "Good evening, Miss Hall, you are the most beautiful and dazzling gem of tonight's ball."

After a brief exchange, they passed by each other, and at that moment, Audrey was certain that this Baron Gramiel wasQilangos in disguise!

Then, she caught Hastur's glance from across the room.

His look seemed to confirm her thoughts: Audrey, you are right, he isQilangos.

Audrey returned Hastur's smile and, with an unspoken understanding, they each walked in opposite directions.

Audrey made her way through the crowd to Earl Hall, who was conversing with nobles.

Hastur approached Greck, who was casually drinking and chatting.

Audrey excused Earl Hall, and Hastur called Greck away.

"Hastur, do you need something from me tonight?" she asked.

"Yes, and it's a matter of great importance," Hastur replied seriously.

Greck chuckled, "Don't tell me you want to invite Miss Audrey to dance but lack the courage, so you came to consult with me?"

Hastur shook his head, "I've received news that Admiral Qilangos of the Hurricane is secretly lurking in Beckland, and he's here at tonight's ball."

"What!"

Greck's smile faded, and his tone grew grave.

"He must be disguised as Baron Gramiel. Miss Audrey and I suspect he's here to assassinate a high-profile individual."

Greck believed Hastur and immediately rushed to his father, Duke Nigan's location.

This was a matter of life and death!

Upon nearing Duke Nigan, Greck spotted Earl Hall. Their eyes met, and understanding each other's intentions, they both approached the Duke.

After resolving theQilangos matter, Hastur felt much more at ease and prepared to return to the dining area to enjoy the feast once more.

On his way, he saw Audrey, surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic nobles.

Audrey looked at him with a smile that seemed to say: Mr. Hastur, I knew you would come here to enjoy the food.

Hastur, smiling through the crowd, bowed and then made his way to the familiar dessert section to select his favorite sweets.

Qilangos's whereabouts had been exposed, and his assassination attempt on Duke Nigan had been thwarted in advance.

Whether he could leave the ball alive was uncertain for Hastur.

Recent events in Beckland had significantly strengthened its defenses.

For Qilangos to break through and then die at the hands of Mr. Azik would be challenging.

The assassination, already difficult forQilangos, became a nightmare after Audrey saw through his disguise, and with Hastur's involvement, it escalated to an infernal level.

IfQilangos knew the truth, he might exclaim: What have I,Qilangos, done to deserve the attention of two such formidable opponents?

Well, that analogy might be inappropriate, as the Sleeping Dragon and the Young Phoenix were quickly becoming antagonists.

Hastur chuckled, dismissing these fanciful thoughts.

After enjoying the food for a while, Audrey extricated herself from the group of eager nobles and joined Hastur, casually saying, "Good evening, Baron Campbell."

"Good evening, Miss Audrey, you are indeed the most radiant jewel of tonight's ball."

Audrey looked deeply at Hastur, "Baron Gramiel praised me in the same way earlier."

"That just shows that in everyone's eyes, Miss Audrey is the most brilliant pearl, a universally acknowledged fact and the sole truth of this ball," Hastur replied.

Audrey laughed softly, lowering her voice, "Mr. Hastur, do you always flatter others so extravagantly?"

"I'm not adept at praising others."

"That won't do. In noble society, compliments are essential; a well-placed compliment can please both host and guest."

"Miss Audrey seems well-versed in these matters?"

"I've been trained in this knowledge since childhood. Didn't you have the same experience, Mr. Hastur?"

Hastur pondered for a moment, "I always failed that class as a child."

"Is it difficult to praise others?"

"Not difficult, just a bit against my nature."

Audrey feigned a realization, pretending to be displeased, "So praising me makes Mr. Hastur feel uncomfortable."

"…"

Hastur picked up a piece of caramel pudding with his fork and knife, "This dessert is quite good."

Their casual conversation quickly drew the attention of the surrounding nobility.

One was recognized as Beckland's most dazzling gem, and the other's impeccable appearance and strong, lean figure set him apart from some nobles who had begun to show a paunch.

As more and more eyes turned their way, Hastur lost his desire for a quiet meal. Setting down his plate, he bowed and extended his hand with a smile, "May I have the honor of inviting Miss Audrey to dance?"

"Of course, it would be my fortune."

Audrey smiled and placed her hand on Hastur's arm, gracefully departing to the ground floor ballroom.

In the ballroom, the bright candlelight flickered, and pairs of nobles danced freely in the glow, accompanied by a band playing at the outermost edge.

The arrival of Hastur and Audrey once again attracted many gazes.

Although Audrey was known for her elegance in social interactions, few had the opportunity to dance with her. Most of the time, Miss Audrey would decline invitations with a graceful and appropriate excuse.

Like this evening, many young nobles had already been turned away.

Just as Hastur and Audrey began to dance, a sudden gust of wind swept over the dance floor, extinguishing the candles on the crystal chandelier.

In the changing light, as everyone's attention was drawn, thin blades of wind, concealed by the storm, severed the metal chains holding the chandelier.

With a grating sound, the massive crystal chandelier plummeted from above into the dance floor, crashing loudly.

By then, Hastur had already led Audrey to the edge of the dance floor, unaffected by the falling chandelier.

"Is Qilangos making his move?" Audrey asked, her head raised, her emerald eyes sparkling like pure green gems in the shifting light and shadow.

(End of Chapter)