Chapter 388: The Royal Ball
"A royal ball? Isn't it inappropriate to make a move in the palace?"
Avinsa's employer for this mission was likely someone from the royal palace.
Although she and Luke were wanted across the southern continent, that was merely a public stance.
Behind the scenes, things were different.
"The ball is just a means to get close to him. I'll seduce him at the ball, then assassinate him on his way back to his estate."
"Boss, you just need to be my dance partner."
A ball?
Li Meng grinned.
He quite enjoyed human gatherings like these.
"Alright, I'll go have some fun with you. When is it?"
"Tonight!"
Time passed quickly, and another day spent indulging with Avinsa had come and gone.
"Darling, wait outside the palace."
As the sun set, a lavish beast-drawn carriage stood outside Earl Bard's estate.
Avinsa stepped out in a deep violet, tight-fitting gown with a plunging neckline.
Her figure was elegantly accentuated, and her ample curves exuded feminine charm.
She held onto Li Meng's arm as they walked through the gate, with Luke following closely behind.
Before getting into the carriage, Avinsa smiled and gave Luke her final instructions.
Luke simply nodded in response.
"Boss, let's go."
Avinsa smiled at him before they climbed into the carriage.
As the carriage rolled away, Luke watched in silence, his expression unreadable.
"This ball is to celebrate the princess's coming of age. Boss, you're so handsome, you might even get to dance with her."
Inside the carriage, Avinsa pressed herself against Li Meng, her soft curves enveloping his shoulder.
A princess?
Hearing Avinsa mention her, Li Meng thought of someone—Duchess Katerina.
A breathtaking beauty, and someone with whom he had already shared intimacy.
There was no doubt that she would be at the ball tonight.
As the princess's mother, she wouldn't miss such an event.
Of course, she wouldn't recognize him now.
After all, he appeared as a human, not as the silver-masked figure from before.
"Boss, you seem excited."
Seeing his distracted look, Avinsa smirked.
Li Meng tightened his grip around her waist, chuckling.
"Of course, I'm very excited."
Human women were his favorite.
There would be plenty of appealing targets at the ball.
Tonight might be a good chance to sow some seeds.
That said, he had no intention of acting recklessly.
The people attending this ball were nobles.
Careless actions would only bring trouble to his future mothers.
For his offspring to be born safely, he needed strong women.
Otherwise, even if they conceived, they wouldn't survive childbirth.
As night fell, the palace grew lively with celebration.
One by one, ornate carriages arrived from every direction, carrying nobles to the grand event.
"Boss, what's wrong?"
Outside the palace courtyard, Li Meng suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The walkway was packed with people, all nobles attending the ball.
His pause caused the others to maneuver around him.
"Nothing. Let's go."
Li Meng lowered his head slightly, a smirk on his lips.
Interesting.
There were three god-tier warriors stationed at the princess's ball.
Unlike the god-tier warriors of the Labyrinth City, the ones in the southern continent rarely made public appearances.
They typically remained hidden within magical towers and sword temples.
Internal power struggles rarely concerned them.
The human kingdoms, under the guidance of the Holy Nation, had signed a non-aggression pact.
Even in cases of total annihilation, god-tier warriors were forbidden from interfering.
Violating this would result in all the god-tier warriors uniting to hunt the offender down.
But whether the pact was truly effective was another matter.
God-tier warriors never appeared on battlefields, but assassination? That was another story.
As they walked, the surroundings became more dazzling.
Li Meng and Avinsa followed the flow of nobles into the grand hall.
A crimson carpet, golden magical chandeliers—the ballroom gleamed with opulence.
Nobles entered gracefully, following the carpet like models on a runway.
The air was filled with chatter as Li Meng surveyed the area.
The ballroom was divided into three sections.
The center was a dance floor.
To the left was a food area, long tables laden with exquisite dishes.
To the right was a resting area with plush sofas and finely crafted round tables.
At the end of the red carpet stood ascending steps, leading to the royal throne.
The sight of elegantly dressed noblewomen left Li Meng momentarily dazed.
Young maidens, around fifteen years old, accompanied their parents as the next generation of nobility.
Young couples in their twenties attended, mostly noble heirs.
Only inheritors were eligible to participate.
Older noble couples were also present—the true aristocrats of the gathering.
"Avinsa, have you found him?"
Li Meng turned to Avinsa, who was scanning the ballroom.
Her eyes suddenly locked onto someone.
"Found him, boss. That's Baron Priss."
Following her gaze, Li Meng spotted a young noble in the resting area.
He was laughing and conversing with a noble couple.
His skin was fair, his short blond hair shimmered under the light.
He wore a constant, pleasant smile and had a rather attractive face.
"Doesn't look like a bad guy."
That was Li Meng's first impression.
Avinsa smirked and leaned closer.
"Boss, appearances can be deceiving. You're only seeing what he wants you to see."
Li Meng merely chuckled at her words.
The guy just seemed polite and refined.
But he wasn't one to judge solely based on appearances.
Nobles were the best at hiding their true nature.
"Boss, your identity tonight is William Max, a baron of honor."
"Shall we approach him?"
"Not yet. Rushing would make it too obvious. He's very cautious."
"Where to now?"
"Let's head to the resting area."
"Alright."
The two moved gracefully through the ballroom, appearing as any noble couple would.
Li Meng glanced toward the throne.
Neither the duke nor the princess had arrived yet.
That meant the ball had yet to officially begin.
"Announcing the arrival of the Grand Duke!"
Just as they were about to reach the resting area, a loud voice rang through the hall.
Instantly, the once noisy ballroom fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the corridor beside the throne.
Li Meng's gaze followed.
Grand Duke Ferrandy entered, accompanied by his wife and daughter.
And there she was—Katerina.
The woman with whom he had once shared a passionate night.