Succubi Chapter 226. Tragic Noble Villain

Succubi Chapter 226. Tragic Noble Villain

Her lips twitched.

The butler stepped forward and opened the chamber door.

Alyra moved beside me, her hand still lightly resting in mine. Her posture changed too once we started walking. Less predator now. More lady of the house. Chin lifted, shoulders relaxed, every step smooth and quiet. But beneath that elegance, I could sense tension.

Alyra wasn’t afraid easily. This was anticipation.

The kind that came before entering a battlefield with polished floors instead of dirt.

“I’ll explain on the way,” she said. “Including your alias.”

“Yes. Tonight, you are Evan Blackthorn.”

I glanced at her. “Blackthorn? I sound like a tragic noble villain.”

“You look like one.” She continued, “You are from a distant branch family allied loosely with House Veyne. It explains why they don’t already know you.”

“Smart.”

“You’ve trained in combat specialization. You met me through private circles.” Her mouth curved slightly. “If anyone asks how close we are, let me answer first.”

“What if they ask me?”

“Say, ‘Lady Alyra is not someone one approaches lightly.’”

I repeated it in my head once.

Good line.

Slightly possessive if spoken correctly.

My Pride liked it.

We walked through the mansion halls again, but now every mirror caught us as a pair. Alyra in elegant dark silk and jewels that glittered softly at her throat. Me in the tailored black suit, silver accents, cloak falling behind me like shadow. We looked…

Convincing.

That made my stomach shift strangely.

But the way Alyra glanced at our reflection?

Maybe she was thinking the same thing.

Or maybe she was just satisfied her investment looked expensive.

Could be both.

Outside, the butler led us to the front driveway where a car waited.

Fancy car.

Black body polished until the estate lights flowed across it like liquid gold. Long, sleek, expensive enough that I immediately felt my poverty stand up inside me and salute. The doors opened automatically before we reached it.

Rich people didn’t open doors.

Doors sensed wealth and surrendered.

The butler stood beside the car.

“Lady Veyne. Mr. Blackthorn.”

I stepped forward and offered Alyra my hand as she entered first. She accepted smoothly, lowering herself into the car with enough elegance to make sitting down look like a political statement.

Then I entered after her.

The interior smelled like leather, perfume, and money.

Soft seats. Privacy glass. Mana lights. A small chilled compartment. Enough leg space.

I sat beside Alyra, careful to keep posture relaxed.

The door closed. The car began moving silently down the driveway.

Alyra looked at me from the corner of her eye. “You adapted quickly.”

“I’m talented.”

She laughed softly, but then her expression turned serious. “My ex’s name is Cassian Vale.”

“Vale,” I repeated.

“Minor noble house, but ambitious. His family controls several trade roads and has ties with local mercenary groups.”

“And mistress?”

“Mirena Sol.”

“Also noble?”

“Merchant blood. Pretty. Clever. Cruel when she thinks she’s winning.”

I leaned back slightly. “Sounds fun.”

The car passed through the estate gate and onto the road. Outside, Brimwood’s village lights glowed faintly behind us while the wider region opened ahead beneath moonlight. The mansion faded into the distance, but the mission weight grew heavier.

Alyra folded her hands in her lap. “At the banquet, Cassian will try to provoke me. He may imply I was discarded. That I have no standing. That I could not find a proper partner.”

I frowned. “And bringing me fixes that?”

Her eyes moved over me slowly. “Yes.”

My chest warmed.

She continued, “You are young, powerful, handsome, and unknown. That combination will irritate him.”

“Because he can’t measure me.”

“Exactly.”

“And if he tries?”

“Let him fail.”

I smiled faintly. “Now that sounds fun.”

Alyra’s gaze lingered on my mouth again. This woman enjoyed my confidence too much. She leaned slightly closer. “One more thing, Evan.”

“Blackthorn tonight.”

“Evan,” she repeated, softer.

I looked at her.

Her expression wasn’t teasing now. “If things become ugly, do not defend my honor because you feel forced.”

I blinked. That wasn’t what I expected.

She looked out the window, moonlight tracing her profile. “Only fight if you choose to.”

For a second, she looked less like the dangerous banshee noble and more like someone tired of people using her as an excuse for their pride.

My own expression softened before I could stop it.

I nodded. “Then I’ll choose carefully.”

Alyra looked back at me. Something shifted in her eyes. Approval. Maybe relief.

The car rolled onward through the night.

I adjusted my cuff and let the prideful expression return.

Tonight, I was Evan Blackthorn.

And if they wanted to test me?

Fine.

Let them.

The car rolled through the night.

Outside the window, the road curved away from Brimwood’s quiet edges and into territory that clearly belonged to people who had too much money and not enough hobbies. The trees were trimmed. The lamps were enchanted. Even the gravel looked arrogant. It crunched beneath the car tires in a rhythm so controlled it felt like the ground had received etiquette training.

Alyra sat beside me, silent now.

Her face had become smooth again, the noble mask settled over her features like a veil. Beautiful, distant, untouchable. The kind of expression that made men want to impress her and made women want to assess if she was dangerous.

Me? I stared out the window with a calm face while my brain continued screaming rich-people commentary.

Because ahead of us, another mansion appeared.

Huge.

Lit from every window, glowing warm gold against the night, standing at the end of a broad circular driveway like it expected applause. Tall columns framed the entrance. Balconies curved from the second floor. Wide steps led up to double doors carved with floral patterns and house symbols. Servants waited in formation outside.

The car slowed.

I felt Alyra’s fingers shift slightly where her hand rested near mine.

“Ready?” she asked.

I adjusted my cuff. “No.”

Her eyes flicked toward me.

I smiled faintly. “But I’ll act like I am.”

Alyra’s lips curved. “Better answer.”