(The Third Day).
Tai:
"Now is the hour to rip away the veil of lies and crush the wicked beneath the weight of truth."
Draculina said:
"We are primed. Shall we move?"
Tai replied:
"Yes. Let us march to their demise, to reveal the filth they hide—the slave trade, the endless money laundering. Today, I swear I will unleash true Hell upon them... Let's move."
As they converged, they settled on a staging point. Tai said:
"Diablo selected this location. Outline your strategy for us."
Diablo said:
"First, we approach the palace seamlessly—I as the retainer, you as the noble, and she as your consort. Inside, the grand ballroom will be a sea of faces, all celebrating. Crucially, the people's celebration downstairs is separate from the nobles' upstairs. We shall exploit the kingdom's drunken bliss to spring our trap."
Draculina asked:
"What mechanism triggers the collapse?"
Diablo replied:
"Servants are typically barred from the hall. Once I am dismissed, I will ignite a flicker of chaos outside. There is a deeply inebriated drunkard among the commoners who will serve as our unwitting fuse. While the unrest flares below, you two will penetrate the hall and execute your roles. I will steer the common talk toward the King's most sensitive topics. As the riots erupt, I will re-enter, not just as your bodyguard, but brandishing a potent spirit for you to present to the King. How does the plan sound?"
Tai and Draculina affirmed:
"We adopt it."
Six bells chimed in the evening. Tai and Draculina flowed into the palace as planned. To their surprise, Diablo slipped in just as smoothly; no one challenged his entry. Diablo later confided: "It was a contingency I secured; I took preventative measures."
He discreetly summoned his lieutenant and friend, Sebastian:
"If I am consumed by the festivities, infiltrate the crowds below. Stir up dissent among the populace. Even if they seize you, prison is but a momentary inconvenience for a 'Demon' such as yourself."
Sebastian responded sharply:
"Your will is my command."
Diablo vanished into the throng. Tai instructed Draculina:
"Anyone who inquires your name, state it is Sayuri. Should a man press you or attempt a flirtation, flash him the ring and state you are married. If he resorts to force, inform him your husband commands influence in the Western Kingdom of 'Dominaria'; that threat will suffice. Remember: the Royal Family is our sole prize. If the Prince approaches, conceal the ring and play the unattached noblewoman. Should he ask your origin, claim nobility from the 'Feerin' Kingdom, accompanied by your brother. I, meanwhile, will maneuver to dance with the Princess." The final hour was now upon them.
Tai fixed his eyes on her:
"Listen well, Draculina. Diablo will be positioned to earn the King and Queen's trust, aiming to become their favored aid. My credentials, forged from the Dominaria and Feerin Kingdoms, are flawless. Unleash your full allure. If men's eyes linger too long, use that attention—distract them. My path, like Diablo's, is fraught with peril; you are our pivot point. Come, let us carve our dance upon their corpses."
Tai and Draculina made their initial, dramatic entrance, followed shortly by Diablo. The operation was now in motion.
The Grand Ballroom
They ascended into the colossal Grand Ballroom. The air was a suffocating mix of rich perfume, heavy wine, and naked entitlement. Massive crystal chandeliers hung like frozen, mocking suns, flooding the marble with aggressive light. The nobles, drowning in silks and gold, moved with a grotesque, rehearsed arrogance. This lavish spectacle of unearned privilege, built upon the suffering Tai had witnessed, fueled his inner furnace of rage.
Tai and Draculina immediately executed their separation. Diablo stayed in constant, silent communication with Sebastian.
As the guests scattered, Tai's fury swelled internally, yet he plastered on a facade of chilling amiability—a perfect demonic mask concealing his true, murderous intent. Draculina's beauty instantly snared both the King and the Prince—a crucial, favorable development. The lack of jealousy between the Royal couple was quickly apparent. Tai realized he and Draculina were dancing to the tune of a monumental, impending schism. The Princess, his specific target, finally materialized just as the King began his toasts and pronouncements. Tai's luck surged further: the Queen became visibly captivated by Diablo. Tai mused, 'To hell with this Royal Family's scandalous lack of control.'
He calculated:
"Now, Draculina needs only to administer the Elixir of Oblivion to the King and Prince. I intentionally excluded poison; the potent strength is the weapon itself. Half a cup of this brew will render them completely intoxicated, securing a wider margin for error."
With the vile nobles now fully engaged in their decadent revelry, Tai noticed his part of the plan was coasting. Then, a girl—who he acknowledged was truthfully stunning, more captivating than the Princess—approached. She commanded:
"Dance with me." Tai agreed.
(End of Chapter Six)