Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The Luminaris estate's private dining room was a masterpiece of calculated seduction. Candles flickered from crystal holders, casting warm light that softened harsh edges and created intimate shadows.

The table was set for two with silver that caught the light like stars, fine china that cost more than most people's homes, and wine that had been aging in cellars since before Grim was born.

Mira had chosen the setting with the same precision she applied to everything else. Beautiful enough to enchant, private enough for secrets, and controlled enough to make her the dominant presence.

She stood beside the window overlooking the estate's gardens, her silhouette outlined against the sunset like something painted by a master artist.

Tonight's dress was deep crimson silk that hugged every curve while maintaining the illusion of modesty. Her chestnut brown hair fell in loose waves over bare shoulders, and the subtle makeup enhanced features that needed no enhancement.

[Sweet suffering gods,] Caius breathed in appreciation. [She's dressed for war, boy. That's not dinner attire, that's ammunition designed to explode your rational thinking.]

Grim entered the dining room with measured steps, his own appearance carefully calculated for this evening's performance. Dark formal wear that emphasized his broad shoulders.

"Lord Ambrose," Mira turned from the window with a smile that could have launched ships and ended kingdoms. "Thank you for accepting my invitation."

"Lady Mira." He moved to the chair she indicated, noting how she'd positioned the seating to force intimate proximity. "Your hospitality is impressive."

"Father always taught me that important conversations require appropriate settings." She settled into her own chair with liquid grace, the motion causing candlelight to play across the pale skin of her throat and shoulders. "Wine? This vintage is particularly exceptional."

"Of course."

She poured with the practiced ease of someone who had hosted countless such dinners, her movements designed to showcase the elegant line of her arms and the way the silk dress shifted across her body. Every gesture was weaponized femininity.

[She's making you watch her,] Caius observed. [Everything from the way she holds the bottle to how she bites her lower lip while concentrating. This girl could seduce a statue if she put her mind to it.]

"To new understanding," Mira raised her glass in a toast.

"To truth," Grim replied, meeting her eyes directly as they drank.

The wine was indeed exceptional. It was rich and complex with undertones that spoke of master vintners and decades of careful aging. It warmed his throat and spread through his chest like liquid fire.

"Now then," Mira said, settling back in her chair with the glass cradled between her hands. "Shall we discuss why you really came tonight?"

"I came because you invited me to dinner."

"And I invited you because we both know this conversation was inevitable." Her fingers traced the rim of her wine glass in a gesture that drew attention to their delicate movement. "My family has complicated feelings about your recent activities."

"Complicated how?"

"Father respects your effectiveness. Max fears your reputation. Mother worries about the political implications." Mira's smile carried just a hint of conspiracy. "I find myself fascinated by the man behind the legend."

[Careful, boy,] Caius warned. [She's probing for personal information now. Trying to find what motivates you beyond duty and honor.]

"The legend is considerably less interesting than people imagine," Grim said. "I kill enemies of the empire. It's straightforward work."

"Four hundred and seventeen elves in three weeks is hardly straightforward." She leaned forward slightly, the motion causing the candlelight to catch the pendant hanging between her breasts. "That level of efficiency requires exceptional motivation."

"Anger is excellent motivation."

"Anger at what?"

Here was the opening he'd been waiting for. Time to plant the seeds that would grow into House Luminaris's destruction.

"Anger at incompetence," Grim said, allowing genuine frustration to color his voice. "The empire's military response to the elven threat has been pathetic. We should have crushed them months ago."

"But surely the empress has plans..."

"The empress is surrounded by advisors who tell her what she wants to hear instead of what she needs to know." He took a drink of wine, using the pause to gauge her reaction. "Politicians who care more about maintaining their positions than winning wars."

Mira's eyes sharpened with interest. This was intelligence her father would find valuable. The dissatisfaction in the empire's military leadership, potential weakness in the empress's inner circle.

"That must be... frustrating," she said carefully.

"Beyond frustrating. While nobles debate strategy in comfortable rooms, soldiers die on foreign soil." Grim allowed his voice to carry the weariness of someone who had seen too much combat. "Sometimes I wonder if the empire deserves the loyalty I've given it."

[Excellent bait,] Caius observed with approval. [She's practically salivating at the idea of potential treason. Feed her more.]

"The elven situation could have been resolved months ago with proper leadership," Grim continued. "Instead, we're letting soldiers to die because the empress listened to the wrong advisors. Now she wants to five thousand troops help after the Yanyu Dominion is in shambles."

"Five thousand?" Mira's attempt to sound casual failed completely. "That seems like a substantial commitment."

There it was. The intelligence gathering revealed itself. She wanted troop numbers, deployment schedules, strategic objectives. Everything her father needed to position House Luminaris advantageously.

"Too substantial," Grim agreed. "Especially when those soldiers will be led by generals who've never faced elven magic in actual combat."

"Who will command the expedition?"

"Officially? General Morrison. Unofficially?" Grim shrugged with calculated resignation. "I'll be doing the actual fighting while he takes credit for victories or blame for defeats."

The lies flowed smoothly from his tongue. General Morrison was actually one of the empire's most competent military leaders, and Grim would have full tactical authority during the campaign. But Mira didn't need to know that.

"That hardly seems fair," she said with perfectly feigned sympathy.

"Fairness is a luxury I gave up caring about years ago." He met her eyes directly, allowing her to see carefully controlled anger simmering beneath the surface. "Results matter. Everything else is politics."

"And if the results are unfavorable?"

"Then I suppose I'll need to reconsider my options."

[Oh, that was beautiful,] Caius said with admiration. [She thinks you're recruiting yourself for whatever scheme her father is planning. Keep feeding her rope, boy. Let her hang her entire family with it.]

The dinner arrived as their conversation reached this delicate stage. Servants appeared with dishes that filled the room with rich aromas. Roasted meats, exotic vegetables, sauces that spoke of master chefs and unlimited budgets. Everything designed to reinforce the impression of power and influence.

"I took the liberty of selecting the menu myself," Mira said as plates were arranged before them. "I hope you approve of my choices."

"Everything smells excellent."

"I'm glad." She dismissed the servants with a subtle gesture, leaving them alone again. "Privacy is so rare in court life. Always someone listening, always someone watching."

"Always someone with their own agenda."

"Present company included?" Her smile carried just enough challenge to make the question interesting.

"Especially present company."

She laughed again, this time with what seemed like genuine delight. "I appreciate honesty, Lord Ambrose. Even when it's aimed at me."

"Honesty is the foundation of any meaningful relationship."

"Relationship?" She raised an eyebrow with practiced coquetry. "Are we establishing a relationship?"

"We're establishing something. The exact nature remains to be determined."

[She's trying to escalate the intimacy,] Caius observed. [Moving from political conversation to personal connection. Classic technique for lowering your defenses.]

As they ate, Mira continued her careful interrogation disguised as dinner conversation.

Questions about his experiences in Yanyu territory, observations about imperial military policy, innocent inquiries about his future plans. All of it delivered with the subtle skill of someone trained in extracting information from unwilling sources.

Grim fed her exactly what he wanted her to know. Complaints about military leadership. Frustration with political interference. Hints at growing dissatisfaction with imperial policy. All wrapped in enough truth to make the lies believable.

"You seem troubled by more than just military matters," she observed as dessert was served. Some confection that involved chocolate and gold leaf, because even sweets were displays of wealth in this house.

"I'm troubled by the gap between what the empire claims to be and what it actually is," Grim replied. "We speak of honor and justice while allowing people like your brother to abuse their positions."

"Max is an embarrassment to our family."

"Max is a symptom of a larger problem. Too many nobles who believe their birth grants them immunity from consequences."

"And what would you do about that problem?"

The question carried weight beyond its simple words. Mira was probing for his ultimate intentions, testing whether he might be recruited for whatever schemes House Luminaris was developing.

"Change starts from the top," Grim said carefully. "Remove the people who perpetuate the system's failures. Replace them with individuals who understand that power comes with responsibility.

"A dangerous philosophy in the current political climate." Mira replied.