Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

"You're tenser than I expected," she murmured, her breath warm against his ear as they moved through the opening steps.

"I'm always tense at these functions. Too many people with knives hidden in their smiles."

"Am I one of them?"

"Everyone is one of them, Lady Mira. The only question is what kind of knife they're hiding."

She laughed, the sound was genuine and musical. For a moment, spinning through the elegant steps with her body pressed close to his, Grim almost forgot this was political theater.

Almost.

[Careful, boy,] Caius warned. [She's weaving a web around you with every step. Look how she moves. She's calculated to showcase her assets while making you feel like you're leading. Masterful technique.]

"You're analyzing me," Mira observed, her brown eyes fixed on his face as they turned through a complex sequence.

"I analyze everyone."

"Find anything interesting?"

"You're not what you appear to be."

"None of us are, my lord. That's what makes the game interesting."

They moved through the dance's climactic sequence, her body flowing against his like water over stone. Other couples gave them space, recognizing that something significant was happening between the notorious Lord Ambrose and the beautiful Luminaris daughter.

From the corner of his eye, Grim noticed Princess Liona watching their progress with an expression that could have frozen wine in its bottle.

[Well, well,] Caius observed with amusement. [Looks like our royal friend doesn't appreciate the competition.]

Liona stood near the ballroom's eastern wall, surrounded by her usual retinue of admirers. But her attention was fixed entirely on the dance floor, her blue eyes tracking every movement, every touch, every moment of apparent intimacy between Grim and Mira.

The princess wore a gown of white silk that emphasized her ethereal beauty. Her golden hair arranged in an elaborate style that showcased the elegant line of her throat where she wore a necklacethat Grim had bough her. She looked like something carved from ivory and starlight.

And she looked absolutely furious.

"It seems we have an audience," Mira said, following his gaze toward the princess.

"Princess Liona takes interest in many court proceedings."

"Does she now?" Mira's smile turned predatory. "How... territorial of her."

The dance was ending, couples separating with appropriate bows and curtsies. But Mira remained close, her hand still resting on his arm as if reluctant to break contact.

"Perhaps we could continue this conversation somewhere more private?" she suggested, her voice pitched just low enough to seem intimate. "I have things to share that shouldn't be overheard."

[She's making her move,] Caius noted. [Private meeting, secrets to share. Classic intelligence gathering operation. The question is whether you're going to spring her trap or set one of your own.]

Before Grim could respond, a new voice cut through their bubble of intimacy like a blade through silk.

"Lord Ambrose." Princess Liona approached with the measured stride of someone accustomed to having crowds part before her. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything... important."

The word 'important' carried enough venom to kill a horse.

Mira's grip on his arm tightened almost imperceptibly, but her smile remained perfectly composed. "Your Highness. How lovely to see you this evening."

"Lady Mira." Liona's tone could have turned summer to winter. "I didn't realize House Luminaris was still sending representatives to court functions. After this evening's... revelations."

The barb struck home, though Mira's expression didn't change by even a fraction. "My family believes in facing consequences with dignity, Your Highness. Rather than hiding from our mistakes."

"How admirable." Liona turned her attention to Grim, and he could see the storm brewing behind her composed facade. "Lord Ambrose, I was hoping to discuss your upcoming departure for the Yanyu Dominion. If you have a moment to spare from your... current engagement."

The territorial display was unmistakable. Princess claiming ownership through royal prerogative, reminding everyone present that she had legitimate reasons to monopolize his attention.

Mira's response was equally calculated. She moved slightly closer to Grim, her body language suggesting intimate familiarity while maintaining court-appropriate distance.

"I'm sure Lord Ambrose can spare time for both of us, Your Highness. After all, he'll need all the intelligence he can gather before facing the elven threat."

"Intelligence," Liona repeated with delicate emphasis. "Yes, Lord Ambrose has become quite skilled at extracting useful information from unwilling sources."

The double meaning wasn't lost on anyone listening. The princess was reminding the court of Grim's reputation while simultaneously warning Mira about what happened to those who opposed him.

[This is getting interesting,] Caius observed with obvious pleasure. [Two beautiful women marking territory over you. Though I'd be careful, boy. That princess has steel beneath her silk, and the Luminaris girl has poison in her smile.]

"Ladies," Grim said, deciding to seize control of the conversation before it devolved into open warfare. "I appreciate both your concerns for the upcoming campaign. Perhaps we could discuss this matter when emotions aren't running quite so high."

"My emotions are perfectly controlled, thank you," Liona replied coolly.

"As are mine," Mira added with equal composure.

The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a sword. Around them, other nobles pretended not to watch while hanging on every word of the exchange.

"Lady Mira," Grim said finally, "your offer of private conversation is... intriguing. Perhaps we should arrange a time when there are fewer distractions."

Mira's smile turned triumphant, though she was careful not to let the princess see it. "I would be honored, Lord Ambrose. Tomorrow evening, perhaps? I could arrange a quiet dinner where we could discuss matters of mutual interest."

"I look forward to it."

Princess Liona's expression went from cold to glacial. "How convenient. I hope your... discussion... proves enlightening."

She turned and walked away with regal dignity, her retinue following like ships in the wake of a flagship. But Grim could see the rigid line of her shoulders, the controlled fury in every step.

[Well played, boy,] Caius said with admiration. [You've got them both competing for your attention now. Though I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and you've got two of them marking you as territory.]

"Until tomorrow evening, then," Mira said, her hand sliding down his arm in a gesture that could have been interpreted as either intimate or merely polite. "I have so much to share with you, Lord Ambrose. Secrets that could change everything you think you know about the current... situation."

She walked away with the satisfied air of someone who had accomplished exactly what she'd set out to do. Her hips swayed just enough to catch the eye without being improper, and more than one man in the ballroom watched her walk away with obvious appreciation.

Grim remained where she'd left him, apparently lost in thought as he watched her retreating form.

But inside his mind, he was smiling with cold anticipation.

Let her think she'd won this round. Let her believe she was manipulating him with her beauty and promises of secret information.

[Now that,] Caius observed with approval, [is how a true predator thinks. Well done, boy. Well done indeed.]

Yes Caius, I suppose it is. This will be fun if nothing else.