Kalos gazed at the imposing ballroom in awe. It was as large as the courtyard he had walked through on his arrival. The huge marble columns looked as if they were trying to make the ceiling touch the sky. Everything was luxurious and rich, even the floor was made of granite.

Despite this gigantism, there was a light atmosphere. The soft music played by an orchestra of fifty musicians positioned near the throne was a source of calm. Indeed, Kalos could estimate that a hundred guests were already present. He could easily guess that all of them were nobles, even if he was unable to find their rank, as the Marshal Mei had pointed out earlier.

She was there, next to him, under the main entrance door of the ballroom. She had once again led him through the corridors after they had changed in her room.

Kalos had been dazzled by the beauty of his outfit. It was perfectly tailored for his body and sat elegantly on his shoulders. The bluish color of the silk highlighted his dark skin, which was covered in gold jewelry for the occasion.

Marshal Mei had helped him to prepare, and he could not help but notice the archduchess's stylistic skills. Her skills alone expressed her status as a noble.

Her outfit was also beautiful. With a darker blue, it fell to the ankle but opened on the sides to the hips. The seams were covered with circular patterns identical to the male outfit. The archduchess had then covered her skin with various jewels and her hair with a delicate diadem.

Their appearance had aroused a tiny wave of murmurs, killed in a severe look of the Marshal Mei. Then, she had slipped her fingers between his and pressed her chest against his arm. Having never been in this type of situation with a woman, Kalos could not help but blush.

Marshal Mei whispered in his ear, “You’re doing a better job than I thought. That's great.”

This thought added embarrassment to his embarrassment.

“Be proud, Kalos," the archduchess told him. “You are my paramour, and undoubtedly the most desirable man of the evening.”

Shy, Kalos chose to admire the beauty of the ballroom. The archduchess let him do so.

Nevertheless, she shortly pressed his hand thereafter to indicate that they should move on. The nobles moved aside as they passed to their destination, the throne.

Empress Louise Five and the Emperor were seated with dignity next to each other, and nothing but strength and harmony emanated from them.

Marshal Mei knelt at their feet and Kalos did the same.

“Stand up Marshal Mei and Kalos.”

Seeing them side by side, the Empress continued, “You two are a great match. Especially since Kalos is much more handsome when he is polite.”

“I have asked him to be at his best only when we are intimate. He humbly listened to me. “

“Of course, he did.”

“Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize for yesterday's incident.”

“Don't apologize. We all love men to be trained.”

Kalos was about to reply but Marshal Mei shook his hand to force him to remain silent.

“Have fun tonight.”

They withdrew. Marshal Mei sighed, “You should improve your survival instinct.”

“I'm not going to...”

“No. I don't want to discuss it again. I won't always be there to defend you. Will you just stop making me worry about you?”

Kalos snapped back. Eager to change the conversation, Marshal Mei asked, “Do you still have your daggers?”

“Yes," Kalos replied, feeling the blades hidden between his outfit and his thighs.

The music suddenly changed, the rhythm became lively and then frantic. Marshal Mei pulled Kalos along with her.

“Let's dance!”

They placed themselves in a circle of dancers that was gradually taking shape. Kalos had never danced a royal dance. Marshal Mei reassured him, “Just follow me. When I go forward, go back. When I go right, go left and vice versa.”

Kalos put his hand on the Marshal's back, she put her arm on his and they began to waltz in tune with the other couples.

As Kalos turned, he saw Agathos leaning against a column. He was watching the dance with detachment. He apparently had no partner.

The speed of the dance forced him to focus on his feet. Kalos noticed that his partner's gaze was wandering around the room.

However, it was Kalos who saw him first.

He stood by the windows and waited for the part of the tour that included Marshal Mei and his paramour to come to him.

The assassin drew a sword hidden under his cloak.

He lunged at Marshal Mei as she turned her back on him. Kalos had the reflex to push her aside in time, but he realized that he was about to face the assassin without protection.

Kalos reached under his tunic and grabbed one of the daggers. The assassin stopped for a second when he saw the weapon.

This second was fatal. Marshal Mei sent her kick in the jaw of the assassin. The assassin got back on guard and their fight began.

Marshal Mei was fighting with her bare hands and was extremely flexible and quick to avoid the sharp blade. Her foot reached her target from time to time but without enough force. His assailant did not weaken.

By dint of continuous movement, the latter turned his back to Kalos. Kalos had a strange reflex. He did not think for a moment.

He clutched the sleeve of the dagger.

Marshal Mei realized what was happening. She changed her tactics and made sure that the assassin did not move. Kalos brought the blade down on his shoulder blade.

The assassin let out a scream and collapsed. Marshal Mei completed the action by kicking him in the face.

The guards, who had arrived in the meantime, lifted the body.

“Wait," ordered Marshal Mei.

She knelt in front of the assassin and said, “If you speak, I let you live. Who sent you to kill me?”

After a physical fight came the fight of the eyes.

“I won't talk.”

He received a first slap.

“If you speak, I let you live. Who sent you to kill me?" Marshal Mei repeated.

The assassin was silent for a moment before answering, “Baron Klein.”

“Good, good. Take him to prison, dear guards.”

Marshal Mei withdrew the dagger from the assassin, who screamed. She rose to her feet and strode through the crowd. Kalos caught a glimpse of a man heading for the door, but he was caught and dragged back to the center of the room, where the dancers had waltzed just moments before.

“Good evening Baron Klein, I was surprised not to see you greet me with hypocrisy tonight.”

“I did not do anything!” he defended himself. “That man made it all up.”

« Of course he did. »

Marshal Mei then spoke in a loud voice for every guest to hear, “It is now time to remind everyone why I am Duna Mei the Cruel.”

Kalos heard the Baron's first cry of pain. He noticed that all the guests looked down. They might not have been used to such a scene. Marshal Mei was blocking his view and he could not see what she was doing.

She was simply kneeling and moving from time to time. Her movements were always followed by a scream.

Kalos turned to the Empress. The Empress wearily looked at the scene. Finally, she stood up.

“Duna, can you hurry up and get it over with? My guests are not supposed to attend your executions.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

Marshal Mei got up and went to get a torch from the wall. When she returned, she lit the baron's clothes on fire. The last screams echoed through the hall.

Then there was silence.

“I'll leave, if you don't mind," Marshal Mei said, bowing.

Kalos realized that he had to follow her. He joined her and found a completely dismembered and burned body lying in a pool of blood.

Marshal Mei was also covered in crimson stains that spread across her outfit and skin.

When he reached her, she started walking and they went out in absolute silence.

After a few steps, Kalos thought he recognized the path.

“We're going to the baths. I have to wash.”

Kalos remained silent. He could only agree with her. She stank of blood.

A few feet below the ground, a man emerged from the prisons, looking satisfied.