The Golden Citadel did not move fast.
It moved quietly.
By the time Ezio returned to the lower wing, rumors had already started spreading through the merchant halls, whispered from servant to servant, from disciple to disciple.
Lady Mirielle has taken an interest in the Sixth Prince.
That was all it took.
Interest was dangerous in a place built on greed.
Ezio felt it the moment he stepped into the morning market court. Eyes lingered longer. Voices lowered when he passed. Some faces showed curiosity. Others showed calculation.
Lucifer walked beside him, hands behind his head, whistling. "Congrats, kiddo. You just became an investment."
Ezio frowned. "That's not a good thing."
Lucifer laughed. "In this place? That's the only thing."
A woman stepped into Ezio's path.
She was tall, dressed in flowing white and gold, her robes embroidered with subtle patterns that marked her as Golden Citadel. Her hair was pale silver, her eyes sharp and clear like cut crystal.
Beautiful.
But not in Mirielle's soft way.
This was the kind of beauty that came with knives hidden behind smiles.
She bowed gracefully. "Prince Sung Jin Ezio."
Ezio stiffened. "Do I know you?"
She smiled politely. "No. But my name is Aurelia Valen. I manage several of Lady Mirielle's trade houses."
Lucifer whispered, amused. Ohhh. Machiavelli sent his favorite scalpel.
Aurelia's eyes flicked over Ezio with professional precision, like a banker examining a risky loan.
"I heard you were accompanying Lady Mirielle," Aurelia said. "I wanted to meet the man who caught her attention."
Ezio kept his face calm. "We talked."
"Of course," Aurelia replied smoothly. "That is how assets change hands."
Ezio bristled. "She's not an asset."
Aurelia smiled. "Everything in the Golden Citadel is."
Lucifer chuckled. She's fun.
Aurelia gestured toward a nearby pavilion. "May I?"
Ezio hesitated.
"Please," Aurelia said. "I only wish to understand what kind of prince Lady Mirielle is placing her trust in."
Ezio followed her.
They sat across from each other at a marble table. Servants poured wine and left.
Aurelia leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, Prince Ezio… do you know how much Lady Mirielle is worth?"
Ezio's jaw tightened. "I don't care."
"Of course you don't," Aurelia said sweetly. "That's what makes you dangerous."
Ezio looked at her sharply.
"Do you know what happens when something priceless falls in love with something worthless?" Aurelia asked.
Ezio's fingers curled.
Aurelia smiled. "It becomes vulnerable."
Lucifer whispered, Oh she's cruel. I like her.
Aurelia took a sip of wine. "You have no sect. No allies. No resources. And yet Lady Mirielle is publicly protecting you."
Ezio held her gaze. "Maybe she just likes me."
Aurelia laughed softly. "How charmingly naive."
She leaned closer. "Or perhaps you're using something she doesn't understand."
Ezio felt the Red Code stir.
Aurelia's eyes flicked briefly to his neck.
"Tell me, Prince of Nothing," she said. "What did you give her?"
Ezio said nothing.
Aurelia smiled wider.
"Oh," she murmured. "So there is something."
High above, in the Golden Citadel's inner tower, Machiavelli watched a thread of fate glow crimson.
"Interesting," he said. "Let's see who breaks first."