Eliza felt awkward as she rode to the party. It wasn't just because she didn't want to be there. That was a big factor of course, but another reason was the dress. It did emphasize her beauty no doubt. It showed off a bit of skin around her legs and chest. She didn't mind that. She was a beautiful woman and if someone tried anything, she'd break their nose. Simple as that. The issue was that the dress made it awkward to horseback ride. She kept telling herself it would all be over soon and it made the ride over a bit more bearable.
The agitation kept her mind off of other topics. At least mostly. Her daughter was hugging her waist, reminding her of what she needed to protect. The nobles and clergy would just love to get their claws into little Sasha. She was strong and had a bright future ahead of her. The daughter of a hero. She was a prime target for those vultures. She gripped the reins tighter. She wouldn't let them. She'd just chat a bit and then leave. That way Norscrim couldn't complain about her not showing up and she could live her life out by herself in peace with just her children.
Several soldiers and civilians stopped what they were doing as she passed. They stared at her, completely taken in by her beauty. She was used to it. Although the Order was filled with beautiful women, she was known to have exceptionally good looks. Sometimes it felt like a curse with how people treated her but she'd grown used to it. A curse or not, sometimes it had its uses.
It didn't take them long to get to the gates of the castle. The large imposing structure filled her with dread. She didn't think she'd die there. No one was stupid enough to try. She still felt trepidation about bringing her daughter inside. She took a breath and eased herself.
Eliza got off her horse and picked her daughter off. Setting her down, she patted her head. "Now remember what I told you."
"Stay close to you, mom." Sasha said.
"And?"
"Don't talk to any strangers."
"Very good," Eliza smiled as she patted her daughter's head, "Now just follow those rules and tonight will go well."
Sasha nodded, "Yes, mom."
They didn't face any problems getting inside. Even without her armor, they could tell who she was. Her dress as well spoke of nobility and wealth. She may hate flaunting such things, but it came in handy in times like this. Her hand was clutched around her daughter's as they made their way into the main ballroom.
The ballroom itself was magnificent. Over a hundred people could easily fit inside the massive space. Given the size, much more could actually stay inside without rubbing elbows too much. The room was decorated in all sorts of golds, silvers, and other such valuables. Paintings, jewels, statues, and etc. were on display. The king of Lascetie spared no expense when it came to showing off his vast wealth.
The people there shared the same sentiment. They wore exquisite gowns and suits. They were a vast range of colors and jewels littered their forms. One could describe them all as peacocks. Strutting about as though they were showing off to potential mates and rivals.
It didn't matter how beautiful the place was. How well the people here dressed. The exquisite food was laid out before them. It all disgusting to her. Eliza felt like retching. While everyone here lived in luxury, the people outside starved on the streets. She kept it to herself, however. Not a word of disgust or derision left her lips. They were unnecessary. They'd only fall on deaf ears as they always did. The nobility of this city state cared only for themselves and that's why she hated it.
Sasha, on the other hand, was awe inspired by what she saw. She rarely got to come to the city. Her mother didn't like bringing her there so she didn't know much about it. So seeing a place like this that was so big and pretty made her eyes sparkle. She wanted to stay here. Actually, she wanted to live here. It looked much better than her old house in the woods.
"Mom," Sasha couldn't help but say, "Can we live here?"
Eliza slightly cringed. The very thought of bringing her daughter up in this environment made her want to burn this whole place to the ground. She couldn't do that. She'd be a poor role model is she did that. She shook her head, "No. Our home is already perfect. We won't be here for long anyways."
Sasha pouted, "Okay."
"Ah Eliza!" A woman cried out. Eliza didn't have time to react before she was pulled into a hug. The woman was strong for a noble. Wearing a sleeveless green dress with golden patterns strewn about it, she pulled it off well with her shapely figure. Pulling back, her face was split into a grin. "Oh Eliza, you look marvelous."
"Jeanite," Eliza said as she tried to stabilize herself, "It's good to see you too."
Of all the people to meet, Jeanite was the only one she would be glad to spend time with. A noble woman of renown, she had a lot of pull and influence. It's partially why Eliza didn't get a lot of guests or harassment for her actions. Jeanite was able to keep her and her daughter safe and secure but even that was taxing. Norscrim never liked her because of it. A lot of nobles didn't care for her either, especially since she was the only house to give anything to the 'lesser people' of Lascetie.
That and she was rather eccentric. Her red hair was done up as though she had two wings on her head. Green jewels were placed in it to keep it in place. Her yellow eyes sparkled with mirth, reminding Eliza of their youth. Oh the mischief they got up to.
"Oh you say that but you rarely visit," Jeanite pouted, "It makes me believe you don't treasure our friendship anymore." She put a hand over her mouth and mocked a sob, "Oh what a world and after everything I've done for you."
Eliza rolled her eyes, "Alright. I'll come over more often. Just don't flood this place with crocodile tears, will you?"
Jeanite laughed, "Oh you and your jokes. Ooooh," she looked down at Sasha, "Your daughter is so cute~"
"Hi Mrs Jeanite," Sasha gave her a beaming smile. They hadn't met much before but Jeanite had always been kind to her.
"Hello little one," Jeanite patted her head, "My, my. You've grown so much since I last met you. At this rate you might even become a giant."
"Let's hope not," Eliza said with a snort, "She already almost eats enough for ten people."
Sasha harrumphed, puffing out her cheeks in an adorable show of anger. "I do not."
"Well you are a growing girl," Jeanite said, "It's only natural to have a big appetite. Now then, shall we have a good time?"
Eliza smiled. With Jeanite here with her, she could worry a bit less. The two of them could easily keep an eye on her daughter and keep the nobles at bay. Not even Norscrim would mess with the pair. She hooked her arm in Jeanite's, "Yes, lets."
Norscrim could see everything in the room clearly. Being a man of his renown and power, being able to enhance his senses was child play. It let her keep tabs on those he wished to keep close at hand. As well as his many informants. Nothing in this ball would go unheard or unknown to him.
Right now he was paying very close attention to a particular group. He was glad to see Eliza show up. She had no choice anyways, but he'd rather her come here then try and drum up some excuse to visit her abode. Seeing her 'shack' she called a house disgusted him. A Hero should live in splendor in the kingdom. Under his watchful eye. Her freedom was something he'd have to keep tabs on soon enough.
It did irk him that she found that Jeanite woman. Born of the house Babin, she was born with great influence in the region. The Babins had produced many great heroes in the past, some of which had killed Demon Lords of old. Even dragons were killed by their hands. Thankfully for him, the Babin family hasn't produced Heroes in two generations. If they had one, it would be hard for him to control. Still, she was an irksome woman. Even the king, who was under his thumb, listened to her. He'd have to get through her and Eliza to get to the child.
Life was full of hardships. The Order thrived in hardships. He was no exception. He had established himself as the real ruler of this land long ago. Getting a wayward hero and an annoying noble to do what he wants should be child's play.
He couldn't help but smile as he saw all the players on the field make their moves. This was all a chess game to him. All the pieces just needed to work as intended and today would work well in his favor. He took a step forward. It was time he had a talk with dear little Sasha.
Jessiebelle finished off her fifth bottle of wine. The Dark Mage threw it at the wall, letting it shatter. It irritated her that it did absolutely nothing for her. Mamono had greater healing capabilities than humans. That in turn made it hard for them to get drunk, if at all. Of course there were types of booze that could work on mamono. The issue is that she had none on hand. She thought she wouldn't need any.
Now however, she found herself wanting to drink and forget. Her plans were in shambles. Her egg stolen right under her own nose. Everything hinged on that egg. A dragon in her command. One that obeyed her every wish. A dragon's power would allow her to easily push more people into her good graces and with the added benefits and who the mother was, the dragon would be incredibly strong. No doubt it could have beaten other dragons with no issue with enough time and training.
On top of that, it would be a male dragon. It would have given her so much leverage. She would show everyone that she was far greater then the current Demon Lord. She was the one who could make male mamono. No longer would they have to rely on human men. Now they could have males of their own kind. For a price however. She'd restrict it to only those worthy and select populations. That way, even as Demon Lord, she could control the population whichever way she wanted. On top of that, with a powerful male under her command, she could whore him out to whichever powerful mamono lord she wanted to use. So many wins and uses.
All of them wasted! Her power flared and the room shook. Her clothes were disheveled and barely clung to her form. One could easily find her sexy even in her rage. She wouldn't care. Even if she wanted a husband, she'd rather break someone's bones right now then screw. That was the depth of her rage.
She couldn't hate the Witches. They weren't at fault and she needed their support. Attacking them would get them nowhere. The mercenaries would probably leave her soon enough. That was fine with her. She could simply buy more. She had the resources to do that. What she needed to understand was how this happened. She had everything planned out. She was perfectly hidden.
The only thing she could think of was that they had been betrayed. The Witches wouldn't do that. They were loyal to her and too childish to think of such things. The mercs were payed well and out of reach. She could investigate them later. The only other option was…
"Fucking bitch!" She shot a hole through the wall with pure arcane energy.
The only reasonable conclusion would be the Dark Priest. She should have been more skeptical of that woman. She came out of nowhere with so many promises and resources. It was too good to be true. Yet at the time, it was the only option she had. Otherwise it may have taken her many years to find a suitable place and the spells to make her dream a reality.
She shook her head and took a seat. Putting her hands on her head, she took in a deep breath. She had to focus. Getting too upset wouldn't get her anywhere. She'd get back at that Dark Priest. However that may be tricky. If the Dark Priest was on her lonesome, this could be easy. She'd just strangle her and be done with it.
Yet if she was commanded by her goddess, things could be tricky. That would mean she had a goddess against her plans. Jessiebelle scowled, "It's never fair, is it?"
A goddess against her? Fine. Whatever. She'd crush the Fallen God. Lilith beat the Chief God. She'd show everyone that she could beat a god too. Yes, that could work. A show of force.
"How can I beat a god?" She scratched her head, "It's not fair. That bitch and her bitch goddess took everything from me!"
She'd get revenge on them. She'd crush that faith and ascend to be the true Demon Lord. Not even Lilith can beat her!
Now the part she had to get to was achieving that dream. She sighed. It would seem she had a long way to go to get there. She stood up and brushed off her dress. She would have to be composed and elegant. She was Jessiebelle, a Dark Mage of renown. She could pull through this. Power was what she sought. Otherwise, why even make herself a Dark Mage in the first place.
