The courtyard held its breath.
Ezio stood between Velia and Lucifer, the lantern light painting long shadows across the stone. His heart was still pounding from Lucifer's words.
You can't survive without me.
Velia's eyes were on him, soft and pleading. But behind them, something colder waited—calculation, duty, a leash she'd been trained to hold.
Before Ezio could speak—
A slow, lazy clap echoed through the courtyard.
Not Lucifer's.
A different rhythm.
Smooth. Confident. Amused.
"Well," a voice drawled, "this is adorable."
The lantern flames fluttered, bending toward the sound like they were bowing.
Ezio turned.
A man leaned against the far archway, silk robes draped loosely over his frame. Dark hair fell around a face too handsome to be trusted. His smile was gentle, warm… and razor sharp.
He walked forward like the world was already in love with him.
"Velia," he said softly, "you were supposed to test him, not fall into a little romance novel."
Velia stiffened. "Lord Casanova…"
Ezio's breath caught.
Casanova.
The Second Prince. The ruler of Velvet Pavilion. The master of secrets and seduction.
Casanova's eyes slid to Ezio, and Ezio felt something tighten in his chest. It wasn't fear.
It was being seen.
Not like the others had seen him—as worthless.
But like a gambler spotting a rare card.
"Oh my," Casanova murmured. "So this is the Prince of Nothing."
Lucifer gave a lazy salute. "Nice of you to finally show up, Lover Boy."
Casanova chuckled. "And you must be the devil everyone keeps whispering about."
Lucifer grinned. "In the flesh. Try not to flirt too hard."
Casanova laughed softly, then waved a hand. Velia stepped back, eyes lowered.
"You did well," Casanova told her. "But this one… isn't a toy."
Velia hesitated, glancing at Ezio one last time before retreating.
Ezio felt a strange ache as she left.
Casanova approached him slowly. Each step felt heavy with meaning.
"You have no sect," Casanova said. "No disciples. No power."
Ezio clenched his jaw. "I know."
"But you have something far more dangerous," Casanova continued, eyes glinting. "A secret."
Ezio stiffened.
Lucifer laughed. "Oh, he noticed."
Casanova stopped inches from Ezio. "The Red Code."
Ezio's breath caught.
"It whispers to you," Casanova said. "Doesn't it?"
Ezio didn't answer.
Casanova smiled. "That silence is confirmation."
Lucifer leaned against a pillar. "Told you, didn't I? Our little prince isn't empty after all. He's a vault."
Casanova turned to Lucifer. "The devil is right…"
He looked back at Ezio, eyes shining with fascination.
"I didn't know you had such a beautiful ace."
Ezio's heart pounded.
Casanova circled him slowly, studying him like art. "Do you know what you are, Sung Jin Ezio?"
Ezio shook his head.
"You are temptation," Casanova said. "Not of flesh. Of fate."
Lucifer laughed. "I was going to say that."
Casanova smirked. "You can have the punchlines. I prefer the profits."
He stopped in front of Ezio again. "With the Red Code, you could become something this world has never seen."
Ezio's voice was hoarse. "Or die."
"Of course," Casanova said gently. "But dying is easy. Becoming is the hard part."
Lucifer stepped closer. "Careful, Prince. He'll sell you your own soul at a discount."
Casanova tilted his head. "And you'll teach him how to spend it."
They locked eyes.
Two predators, smiling.
Then Casanova looked back at Ezio. "Let us train you."
Ezio blinked. "Both of you?"
Lucifer grinned. "Didn't think you'd get a two-for-one deal, did you?"
Casanova nodded. "The devil will teach you how to break rules."
"And I'll teach you," Lucifer added, "which rules are fake."
Ezio swallowed. "Why help me?"
Casanova's smile softened. "Because you are dangerous."
Lucifer's grin sharpened. "Because you're fun."
Ezio felt the Red Code stir, warm and hungry.
For the first time since he'd woken up in this world…
He wasn't invisible anymore.
He was valuable.
And that was almost more terrifying.