Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

Grim turned toward the voice that had called his name, his hand instinctively moving toward his sword's hilt before he caught himself. The ballroom was no battlefield, despite how it sometimes felt navigating the treacherous currents of imperial politics.

Standing ten paces away was Mira Luminaris, and the sight of her made his stomach turn.

She was devastating in the way that storms were beautiful. She was dangerous, captivating, and utterly destructive to anyone foolish enough to get caught in her path.

Her dress was midnight blue silk that clung to curves that had launched dozens of political alliances and twice as many scandals.

This was Julius Luminaris's only daughter. The family's secret weapon. The one they sent when swords and gold failed to achieve their objectives.

[By the gods' blessed tits,] Caius's voice erupted in his mind with characteristic enthusiasm. [Now that is a woman worth conquering! Look at those hips, boy. Built for breeding champions and breaking hearts.]

Grim suppressed the urge to respond aloud to his ancestor's commentary. Caius had been dead for a while, but his consciousness remained as lecherous and inappropriate as ever.

"Lady Mira," Grim said with carefully measured politeness. "I didn't expect to see any more Luminaris family members tonight."

She approached with the fluid grace of a predator, each step calculated to showcase the gentle sway of her body beneath the silk. Her smile was warm honey poured over sharp steel, sweet until you tasted the blade beneath.

"Lord Ambrose," she said, her voice was soft and gentle. "Please, allow me to apologize for my family's... recent embarrassments."

The words were perfect. Contrite without accepting full responsibility. Distancing herself from Max's disgrace while acknowledging the damage to the family name. She was good at this game.

"Your brother made his own choices," Grim replied. "I merely ensured those choices had appropriate consequences."

"Max has always been impulsive. Father despairs of ever teaching him proper restraint." She moved closer, close enough that he could smell her perfume. It smelled like lillies and fresh fields. "But not all Luminaris blood runs so thin, my lord."

[She's hunting you, boy!] Caius observed with obvious delight. [Look at that approach. Magnificent technique. She's isolating her target from the herd, establishing herself as different from the rest of her family. Classic predator behavior.]

Grim found himself genuinely curious about her endgame. Was she here for intelligence gathering? Attempting to salvage the family's reputation through seduction? Or was this Julius's idea of damage control?

"Your father sent you," he said, making it a statement rather than a question.

"Father doesn't know I'm speaking with you." The lie rolled off her tongue like silk over skin. "This is my choice, Lord Ambrose. My conscience demanded I make amends for the shame Max brought upon our house."

She was magnificent in her deception. Every word carefully chosen, every gesture perfectly timed. She stood just close enough to be intimate without being improper, tilted her head at precisely the right angle to showcase the elegant line of her throat.

This was why Julius Luminaris had remained a power behind the throne for decades. He wielded weapons like Mira with the same skill other men used swords. He used every means possible to keep his power.

Not to mention the military and finical backing he gave the crown. As soon as Mira blossomed, she was already a weapon to be used.

"Your conscience," Grim repeated with just enough skepticism to make her work harder.

"You think me capable only of court intrigue and political maneuvering." She stepped closer still, close enough that he could see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes. "Perhaps I am more than the sum of my family's failures."

[Oh, she's good,] Caius admitted with professional appreciation. [Making you doubt your assessment of her motivations. Classic misdirection. But look closer, boy. See how she positions herself? Always keeping escape routes open while advancing her position. This girl was trained by masters.]

Around them, the ballroom continued the elegant chaos. Nobles discussed the evening's drama in hushed tones while servants circulated with wine and delicate refreshments. But Grim felt increasingly isolated in this bubble of conversation with Mira, as if the rest of the world was fading to irrelevance.

That was dangerous. She was creating exactly the kind of intimate atmosphere where men made poor decisions.

"Lady Mira," he said carefully, "what exactly do you hope to accomplish with this conversation?"

"Perhaps I hope to convince you that House Luminaris still possesses some measure of honor." Her hand moved as if to touch his arm, then hesitated, creating a moment of apparent vulnerability.

"Or perhaps I simply wanted to meet the man who could accomplish what entire armies have failed to do."

"Which is?"

"Make the elves fear a human name."

The compliment was perfectly delivered. It was specific enough to show she'd been paying attention to his exploits, flattering without being obsequious. She understood exactly which strings to pull.

"The elves should fear all humans," Grim replied. "We're considerably more dangerous than they give us credit for."

"Are we?" She smiled, and for a moment the political mask slipped to reveal something rawer underneath. "Or are you simply more dangerous than anyone gives you credit for?"

[She's trying to make you feel unique and special,] Caius observed. [Standard seduction technique, but executed at a master's level. The question is whether you're going to let her think she's succeeding.]

That was indeed the question. Grim studied Mira's face, noting the way her pupils dilated slightly when she looked at him, the subtle flush across her cheekbones, the barely perceptible quickening of her pulse at her throat.

Either she was the most skilled actress in the empire, or some part of her reaction was genuine.

"Dance with me," she said suddenly, the words carrying just enough command to suggest confidence while maintaining the tone of request.

Around them, couples moved through the intricate steps of a waltz. Despite being in a different world, some things remained the same.

The music was elegant and precisely timed, requiring partners to move in perfect synchronization.

"I'm not much of a dancer," Grim said, though he made no move to refuse.

"I find that hard to believe. A man who moves like you do in combat must understand rhythm and timing." She extended her hand with perfect court etiquette. "Indulge me, Lord Ambrose. Let me show the court that House Luminaris can still attract worthy allies."

There it was. The real hook beneath the bait. She wasn't just trying to seduce him. Shehe was trying to rehabilitate her family's reputation by being seen with him publicly.

Julius Luminaris was even more cunning than he'd given the man credit for.

[Take the dance, boy,] Caius urged. [But keep your wits about you. This one's dangerous enough to make even me cautious, and I bedded half the noble ladies in three kingdoms.]

Grim took her offered hand, noting how her fingers trembled slightly at the contact. Again, either masterful acting or genuine reaction.

"One dance," he agreed.

They moved onto the ballroom floor as the orchestra began a new piece. Something slow and intimate that required close contact between partners. Mira fitted herself against him with practiced ease, one hand resting lightly on his shoulder while the other remained clasped in his.

A pair of eyes were fixed on Grim as he started to dance. And these eyes, were the eyes of a predator.