The Golden Citadel never slept.
Even at night, lamps burned in its towers, contracts were signed, and fortunes shifted like tides beneath the surface of polite smiles.
Ezio felt it the moment he stepped into Mirielle's wing.
Something had changed.
Servants whispered more. Guards stood closer. Eyes lingered on him with new curiosity—and suspicion.
Lucifer appeared beside him, leaning against a pillar. "Smells like money and paranoia."
Ezio exhaled. "Aurelia."
Lucifer grinned. "Oh, she's already stirring the pot."
Inside Mirielle's chamber, soft music played. Candles flickered. Mirielle sat at a small table with a tray of documents—trade agreements, shipping manifests, investment ledgers.
And Aurelia.
She stood beside Mirielle, smiling as if she belonged there.
Ezio felt something tighten in his chest.
"Ezio," Mirielle said when she saw him. Her face brightened. "You're here."
Aurelia turned. "Prince Sung Jin Ezio. Perfect timing."
Lucifer whispered, Trap set.
Aurelia gestured to the papers. "We were just discussing a new trade route. One that could double Lady Mirielle's profits."
Mirielle nodded. "Aurelia thinks it's too risky."
Ezio frowned. "Why?"
Aurelia smiled gently. "Because it involves trusting someone without a sect."
The words cut cleanly.
Mirielle stiffened. "That's not what—"
Aurelia placed a hand on her arm. "You must be careful, my lady. People without anchors drift. And drifting things crash into valuable ones."
Ezio felt anger rise—but also fear.
Lucifer leaned close. She's poisoning her.
Aurelia looked at Ezio. "Tell me, Prince of Nothing. What do you really want from Lady Mirielle?"
Ezio opened his mouth.
The Red Code pulsed.
Lucifer whispered, Say it right.
Ezio met Mirielle's eyes. "I want to be with her."
Aurelia smiled. "How poetic."
Mirielle flushed.
Aurelia continued, voice honeyed. "And what will you give her in return?"
Ezio hesitated.
Money? Power? Safety?
He had none of those.
The Red Code stirred, hungry.
Lucifer murmured, Use it.
Ezio's heart pounded. "I'll give her honesty."
Aurelia laughed softly. "How cheap."
Mirielle frowned. "Aurelia, stop."
But Aurelia wasn't done.
She leaned closer to Mirielle. "You don't know what he is. Machiavelli has already noticed him."
Mirielle's eyes widened. "What?"
Ezio stiffened.
Aurelia smiled. "You are placing yourself in danger for a prince with nothing."
Lucifer hissed. Now or never, kiddo.
Ezio reached out—just slightly—and brushed Mirielle's hand.
The Red Code pulsed, invisible and warm.
Not control.
Reinforcement.
Mirielle's breath hitched.
"Ezio…" she whispered. "I trust you."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed.
Mirielle turned to her. "I don't care what Machiavelli thinks. I choose him."
The words echoed like a bell.
Aurelia stepped back slowly, smile gone. "I see."
Lucifer grinned. Checkmate.
Ezio felt sick.
Because he knew what he'd just done.
He'd turned Mirielle into a shield.
And Machiavelli would not forgive that.
High above, in his tower, Machiavelli closed a ledger.
"So," he murmured. "The Sixth Prince plays."
His eyes glinted.
"Send the Blade."