HDBMTD 97

~Chapter 97~

We stepped out of the carriage.

Because of the disguise artifacts, we looked like a young couple with brown hair and glasses.

Even though we hadn’t spoken once inside the carriage, as soon as we got out, Nocturne naturally offered me his arm like an escort.

I took his arm and walked with him into the entrance, where the staff greeted us quickly.

“Welcome, guests. May I have your names?”

“Phoenix, Seraphiel.”

When Nocturne gave our code names, the staff member bowed politely.

“For identification, please step this way.”

He led us to a reception desk. As I turned my head, I stiffened in shock.

On the table sat a silver-haired boy, displayed like some kind of ornament.

He wore a red ribbon, glittering accessories, and expensive clothes. Around his neck was a control ring.

“Eshafe…”

The boy was surrounded by cushions and decorations, but all of it only made him look more pitiful. Like a gift, carefully wrapped.

“Please remove the control ring and shake hands with this Eshafe.”

“…Alright.”

The staff unlocked the collar with a key. When I shook the boy’s hand, something brushed through my mind. It was mental resonance—he was checking my identity.

The strength of it surprised me.

But he wasn’t stronger than Aria, so he only saw the false information I had planted. When the check was done, the boy gave that same hollow smile.

“You’ve passed. Please enjoy your evening, guests.”

After me, Nocturne went through the same process. I shielded his mind, and once it was over, the staff locked the collar back around the boy’s neck.

Watching, I bit the inside of my cheek.

‘…They’re still disgusting.’

The gathering hadn’t even started, and already my mental strength felt drained.

‘Aria met many Eshafes like that during the war…’

Children brainwashed from a young age in the North. Some of Aria’s comrades pitied them, erased their brainwashing, or tried to take them in as allies. But it never ended well.

Aria had wanted to help them too—but compared to the greater goal of destroying Cambiata, personal salvation always had to be pushed aside.

“Sera.”

Nocturne gently wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Behind his glasses, his black eyes were filled with worry.

The cold silence from the carriage no longer mattered. I smiled softly to reassure him.

We followed the staff into the banquet hall. Eight round tables filled the room, and the center was loaded with all kinds of food.

Graymoss hadn’t seemed rich from the streets, but this hall overflowed with luxury.

Not all the guests were dressed richly. Their clothes and backgrounds were mixed. I compared their faces with the list I had memorized, asking Nocturne when I wasn’t sure.

Former Cambiata military doctors, brothel owners, weapons smugglers, theater producers…

Most wore formal suits, but one man stood out. A middle-aged man in a wrinkled green shirt and pants that dragged on the floor.

Nocturne whispered in my ear:

“That’s Dr. Karno.”

My heart skipped. I accepted a drink from a waiter and studied his face.

‘So that’s the face of the man who created me…’

Dr. Andrian Karno, head of cloning research.

From the title, I had imagined a twisted, mad scientist. But he looked almost ordinary—gray skin, a bit tired, just a normal middle-aged man.

“Phoenix!”

As we walked to our seats, someone called out to Nocturne. Since this was a social gathering, people came over freely.

“And this is…?”

They greeted Nocturne, then looked at me curiously. Nocturne didn’t introduce me.

So I smiled and stepped in myself.

“Call me Sera. I’m Phoenix’s wife.”

Each time I shook hands with Cambiata members, I felt Nocturne’s sharp gaze on my hand. It happened again and again, until others began to notice.

“You must be busy taking care of your wife. Newlyweds, aren’t you?”

“Haha…”

At the woman’s words, I gave an awkward laugh.

Nocturne’s act of a doting husband was flawless. No one doubted we were newlyweds.

We sat at a table near Dr. Karno’s—he was right behind me.

I lightly reached out with mental resonance, enough to make people drink more, relax, and lower their guard.

They wore defensive artifacts, but it was enough. I didn’t need to control everyone—just a few. Once a handful loosened up, the whole room followed.

Soon, casual murmurs began to spill.

“Strange… so few people today. I’ve never seen this small a gathering.”

“Since the war, Graymoss has changed. Attendance dropped heavily.”

I counted. Only sixteen people—barely half the names on the list.

Of the Cambiata executives, only three had come.

‘Why? Did something happen?’

Almost at once, I heard a worried voice nearby.

“Some of them haven’t been answering lately. Nothing bad happened, right?”

“They’ll show up at the performance in two days.”

But the others didn’t seem concerned.

“Most of the absentees are just patrons. Always light with their wallets and heavy with their behinds.”

“Exactly. They think art is made with money alone.”

I nearly laughed.

‘If someone overheard, they’d mistake you for some noble art society.’

Knowing the truth about that “performance” in two days, their words made me clench my fist.

Finally, after enduring all the chatter, something meaningful came from behind me.

“Doctor, I heard rumors you’ve joined hands with the Imperial Prince. Is that true?”

I leaned back slightly as I ate. A drunk man sitting next to Karno spoke loudly.

“I even heard the current Princess was made by you.”

“Yeah, I heard that too! That the Princess is a clone!”

At those words, I froze.

I glanced at Karno. He spoke carefully:

“I cannot say such things. I agreed with His Highness to keep it confidential.”

“So then it’s true—you really are working with him!”

Excited voices rose.

I recalled Karno’s history. Though called Duke Ruin, he was only the duchess’s consort. Still, he handled all the duties himself and claimed the title.

He had once had a longtime assistant, who disappeared during the war. Some said that assistant had been the true genius behind Karno’s research, and when he tried to claim credit, Karno got rid of him.

It showed enough—behind his plain face was burning ambition and hunger for power.

So I smiled and spoke:

“Becoming the Prince’s partner—how impressive.”

Karno turned at my words. Startled, I quickly acted flustered.

“Oh, forgive me. You were just so striking. I’m Sera, Phoenix’s wife. May I shake your hand?”

“Ah, yes. A pleasure.”

He took my hand. At once, I felt Nocturne’s sharp gaze.

I ignored it and lowered my head shyly.

“The Imperial Prince will be Emperor one day. To stand beside him—and to meet you here—it’s truly an honor…”

Karno’s face flushed with pride, and he smiled.

“Haha, you flatter me. But yes, my accomplishments are great. Not just anyone could achieve them.”

Laughter rose around us. I laughed too.

And Karno—so proud of his greatest masterpiece—didn’t realize that very creation was smiling right in front of him.