Chapter 59: Play My Bride.
Somewhere in the mountain, the Sinners gathered in the hall, each settled into their throne.
"You seem awfully fond of these unnecessary meetings," Lydia said, sounding bored. "So — what did you dig up this time?"
"Patience, Lydia. A perfect plan takes patience," Niel said, leaning forward. "Anyway, I’ve worked through both — the Sinners’ introduction, and the plan for Dulthmune."
"Alright," Lydia said. "Let’s hear it."
Niel settled back and walked them through it. He’d learned the princess was away on a mission and wouldn’t return until the morning of the feast.
With Cael’s unwitting help, he’d also secured serving positions for the event — and two extra spots besides.
Draken leaned back once he’d finished. "This kingdom has the highest concentration of adventurers and heroes anywhere. What’s the exit plan?"
Niel smiled. "Simple. No confrontation at all — just a speech, and a large enough distraction to buy us the time we need. It’s only an introduction, after all."
Lydia let out a loud sigh. "And here I was hoping for at least one fight."
Niel’s gaze shifted to her. "If there’s any fighting to be done, it won’t be you doing it. You’re too well-known already — recognizable by skill alone, mask or not."
"Excuse me?" Lydia frowned.
"The goal is staying a secret organization that only shows its face when the White Order makes its move. If we lead with a name attached, we lose our ability to grow quietly. Both worlds would come hunting us before we’re ready."
Draken and Lydia sat with that a while before she finally exhaled. "Fine. So what’s the Dulthmune plan?"
Niel smiled and tossed something toward her. She caught it and held it up — a bottle of blonde hair dye.
"A dye? Why?" Lydia asked, confused.
"The King of Dulthmune’s unmarried. No real interest in settling down anytime soon," Niel said, watching her.
"I know that. What does it have to do with the dye?" she pressed.
"Well, seeing as you’re from there—" he said, smiling, then paused, meeting her eyes directly. "What type does the king favor most?"
She glanced down at the dye, thinking it over. The king had never shown interest in marriage and kept plenty of company besides, but it was common knowledge in Dulthmune — he had a type. Always blonde.
The conclusion clicked into place, and in a blink she was in front of him, inches away, fury written across her face. "Are you trying to sell me off to the king?!"
Niel held her gaze, smiling. "Not at all. Though you seem awfully worked up about it — not fond of playing bride?"
"Are you planning to make me one?!" she snapped, temper climbing fast.
"Depends. You’d be playing ’my’ bride," Niel said.
The color drained from her face, replaced by pure confusion. "What does that mean?"
"I intend to become king. And I want you playing my bride at my side." He leaned in slightly. "Then we lead the kingdom straight into ruin."
"Oh." She turned back toward her seat, settling in. "You could’ve led with that."
Draken let out a relieved breath. "For a second I thought you two were about to actually fight." He glanced toward Niel. "What about me, then?"
"Haven’t worked that part out yet. Personal advisor, maybe. We’ll see how it plays."
Lydia dropped back into her throne, crossing her legs, chin resting on one hand. "Alright. Let’s introduce the Sinners first."
---
The day of the feast arrived.
Bright morning sun hung clear overhead, scrubbed of clouds by the king’s finest weather-control adventurers, stationed across the kingdom to keep conditions perfect. His favorite daughter’s birthday demanded nothing less.
Niel and Draken dressed in butler’s attire, matched to the maid’s uniform Lydia now wore.
The feast wasn’t held indoors — they’d claimed the knight’s training arena instead, the largest open space the kingdom had. Nobles from distant lands mingled with commoners let in for the occasion, though the noble section carried a noticeably finer polish than the rest.
Guards ringed every edge of the castle grounds, S-rank adventurers stationed alongside them for backup. The feast itself unfolded within, while the perimeter outside stayed locked down tight enough that any outside attack would’ve been suicide to attempt.
A dome enclosed the entire castle, sealing everything inside against departure while still allowing entry — every guest cleared and briefed before being let through.
---
Luna moved through the hallway, directing the catering staff and meal service, when her gaze snagged on Niel among the butlers. He hadn’t noticed her yet, and she ducked out of sight fast.
Confusion churned in her — why was he here, dressed like staff? Part of her felt a flicker of relief; the princess was away, which meant she wasn’t Niel after all, and whatever test she’d planned no longer mattered. But a bigger problem loomed instead.
He was working the feast as a butler. She knew exactly how manipulative and dangerous he could be — there was no version of this where he’d shown up without a reason. The only real question left was what that reason actually was.
She drew a slow breath, smoothed her dress, and fixed a smile in place. Whatever he was planning, she’d expose it before he could see it through.
She stepped back into the hallway, took a few paces forward, and then heard a swell of excited voices rising from the arena. She turned and hurried back toward it.
The crowd’s excitement centered on the princess, who’d just returned from her mission. Luna’s gaze drifted back toward the spot where she’d seen Niel — but he was gone.
Her face went pale as she scanned for him, and a thought struck her hard. The princess had just arrived.
She turned her attention to the princess instead, scanning everyone and everything moving near her.
"What— what’s your plan, Niel?!"
She muttered to herself, still searching. Then a deep, bone-shaking sound rocked the dome overhead — something had struck it from outside.
It began as a spiderweb of cracks, then shattered entirely, and through the breach stepped a man in a fine black suit, his face hidden behind a mask shaped like the skeletal head of a ram. No one had seen him arrive. No one knew how.
He looked down at the crowd, already trembling beneath him, and spoke, his voice carrying across the entire arena.
"Happy birthday, Princess."