Chapter 9 – The Invitation to the Black Banquet

As the night slowly deepened, Selena caught her breath in a dimly lit corner of the Ashen District, inside a decrepit room with a broken window frame. She had just completed the mission assigned by Lucretia Haren, though the traps and battles she encountered along the way had been both grueling and brutal. However, the ordeal had led her to uncover another major scheme orchestrated by the Shadow Council—a secret aristocratic gathering known as the "Black Banquet."

What sent a chill down her spine was the fact that the banquet would take place within the domain of the Blackwood family.

That night, after tending to her wounds, Selena reported directly to Lucretia. Amid the crumbling ruins of power struggles, Lucretia stood unshaken, exerting her dominance effortlessly. As someone who navigated the Ashen District like her own home, she had already caught wind of the Council's movements.

"So, the Shadow Council is about to hold the 'Black Banquet' for the nobles."

Lucretia examined the documents Selena handed over with intrigue.

"The location is one of Blackwood's estates, and entering without an invitation means courting death. If you want, I can provide more information, but you're already moving dangerously enough. Are you truly prepared to take on even more risk?"

Selena gritted her teeth and nodded.

"At the Black Banquet, I might finally get close to the high-ranking members of the Council. If I'm to find out who was behind my father's murder and my family's downfall, I need to step onto their stage—whether I'm invited or not."

"A determined stance."

Lucretia let out a rough chuckle.

"Then I won't interfere any further. What you need is a plan to infiltrate the ball under a noble's guise. The real question is, will you be able to make it out alive?"

After shaking hands, Selena reunited with Leon before leaving the Ashen District. With the clues she obtained from Lucretia and the ominous revelation of the Black Banquet, they made their way back toward the capital's outskirts, crafting their next move amidst a storm of tension.

"So, in the end, we have to attend this banquet," Leon muttered as he prepared to mount his horse. Disguising themselves was one thing, but sneaking into an event held on another noble family's estate without an invitation was practically a death sentence. Yet, Selena remained unwavering.

"Yes. There's a high chance the Shadow Council will conduct crucial dealings there."

She retrieved a fragment of a document hidden in her belongings.

"It's possible that the fate of the Blanchard family's assets was decided during one of these gatherings. If I want to find the ones responsible, I have to get inside."

She traced her finger over a map, prompting Leon to let out a bitter smile.

"And of all places, it had to be a Blackwood estate. I've heard of the 'Black Banquet' before—it's a gathering so secretive that no one enters without an invitation. It's where the most dangerous conspiracies of this kingdom take place."

Selena turned to him, her voice firm.

"That's why I need your help. If that estate belongs to your family, then you should be invited. And if that's the case, you can bring me in."

"Of course. But I can't just waltz in with an unknown 'companion.' The Council's eyes are everywhere. You'll need to assume a different identity."

Leon was already considering the possibilities.

"Perhaps by taking on the identity of a missing noblewoman. Or even someone presumed dead."

"Catherine d'Albert… A noble lady who vanished years ago, so little is known about her that most have forgotten her face."

Selena murmured the name.

"She's about my build, and since she's been missing for years, people's memories of her must be vague. There's no better candidate for a disguise."

She hesitated briefly, and Leon smirked.

"Of course, this is incredibly risky. If even one person suspects your identity, or if word spreads that you're connected to the Blanchards, you'll be eliminated on the spot."

"I know."

Selena responded calmly.

"The danger makes it worth doing. If I miss this chance, I might never get this close to the Council's leadership again."

Thus, their preparations began. They practiced noble etiquette, perfected their disguises with masks and altered voices, and rehearsed every possible scenario.

A few days later, as Selena received the gown and mask Leon had procured for her, she let out a sigh. She had to elegantly tie up her usually messy hair, suppress every trace of her identity as an outcast, and learn a whole new way of carrying herself. Even with quick training, she could already tell—this aristocratic culture didn't suit her at all.

It was said that in the Black Banquet, the nobles exchanged schemes through whispers woven into their dance steps, all while masking their true intentions.

"You're not entirely unfamiliar with this, are you?" Leon teased as he guided her through the dance. "Your family was once prominent. Surely you had some exposure to high society."

"Even before our downfall, I never cared for it. My father was more interested in research and libraries than social events. I spent my time practicing swordsmanship and studying, not learning to dance."

Awkwardly following his lead, she nearly tripped over herself but slowly adjusted to the rhythm.

As the days passed, an unspoken tension began to build between them. Every time Leon placed his hand on her waist to guide her, Selena felt an inexplicable mix of emotions—uncertainty, wariness, and something else she couldn't name.

'Can I really trust him? No… Why am I even thinking about this?'

Conflicted thoughts swirled in her mind. While she remained cautious, a strange sense of camaraderie also grew between them. Without Leon's guidance, she wouldn't have been able to convincingly play the role of Catherine d'Albert.

The night before the banquet, they stood before a mirror for final preparations. Selena barely recognized herself—the unruly exile was gone, replaced by an elegant noblewoman in a refined gown, her mask concealing her true self.

"This should be enough," Leon assessed.

"But you need to exude more confidence. If you show even a hint of nervousness, the nobles will pick up on it immediately."

"I've grown accustomed to killing, but disguising myself at a ball still feels unnatural."

She frowned at her reflection.

"The grandeur of nobility doesn't suit me."

"Regardless, this banquet will be a battlefield."

Leon's voice darkened.

"The nobles may smile and dance, but beneath it all, they're waiting to tear each other apart. And with the Council involved, it'll be even more treacherous."

As the banquet night arrived, Selena and Leon rode toward the grand estate. The Blackwood manor was dazzling, adorned with golden lanterns, towering spires, and the sound of orchestral music drifting through the night air.

Masked nobles entered in pairs, their identities hidden behind intricate disguises. Selena adjusted her mask once more.

"From this moment on, I am Catherine d'Albert, a noble lady invited to the banquet."

She whispered the words to herself.

"If I make even one mistake, I'll be exposed and executed."

Leon took her hand gently.

"I'm right here. Don't worry. But the more you learn about the Black Banquet, the more you might wish you had never set foot in this place."

Selena scoffed.

"Even if this is your family's estate, it's no ordinary party."

Presenting their invitation, they passed through the gates unchallenged. Inside, masked figures mingled beneath chandeliers, whispering secrets beneath the guise of elegance. It was a battlefield cloaked in finery.

Then, a sharp gaze found her. A tall man with piercing eyes approached, holding a glass of wine.

"It's been a while, Catherine."

Selena's heart pounded. He knew the name.

'Who is he?'

Forcing a smile, she responded smoothly.

"Oh? Have we met before…?"

But the man took her hand and effortlessly guided her into the dance.

"Have you forgotten? It has been some time since we last danced."

As they moved, his grip tightened, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"You should tread carefully. This place isn't one you can simply walk out of. The Council has eyes everywhere."

Selena swallowed hard. She had walked straight into the lion's den.