Gun of Ashes

”Do you remember my reputation as the mistress terminator?”

Selyu pouted, as if stifling a laugh. Seeing her expression, Lorenzo shook his head even more awkwardly, then said.

”Come, let me introduce you. These are the noble ladies who entrusted me with tasks. What you’re seeing now is their little group, the Saturday Housewives.”

A group of housewives, heartbroken by men, choosing to party hard on Saturday nights.

These ladies gathered around Lorenzo, celebrating this rare reunion.

…

On the second floor of the ball, men and women whispered in dark corners. Unlike the noisy dance hall on the floor below, it was very quiet here, so the girl could finally stop, look out the window, and enjoy a rare moment of freedom.

A few men noticed her, initially hesitant, but upon seeing the fiery red hair, they seemed to have locked onto their target and slowly approached. One of them spoke with a voice as warm as possible, like a gentleman.

”Excuse me, beautiful lady...”

The girl heard the voice and slowly turned her head, initially with a face full of disgust, but as if she remembered something, her expression swiftly changed, and she smiled like a friendly girl.

The man was delighted inside. He had long heard of the girl’s bad temperament and was prepared to be rejected, but unexpectedly, she smiled at him, which seemed like the first step to victory.

”May I invite you to dance?”

The girl seemed to hesitate for a moment but eventually smiled and placed her hand on his. Feeling the softness in his hand, the man was so excited he almost screamed, couldn’t believe he finally succeeded.

On the other hand, the girl paid no attention to this. She slightly tilted her head, watching the two people in the hallway; they seemed to be monitoring her, constantly approaching since earlier. Then, the girl directly pulled the man and quickly walked down the stairs.

”Do you want to dance with me?”

While going down the stairs, the girl suddenly asked the man, who nodded vigorously again. In his view, riches and honor were within reach.

But just then, the girl pointed behind him and said, ”Those two people don’t seem to want me to leave.”

Upon hearing this, the man became aggressive. In his view, anyone who obstructed him today was an enemy. Turning around, he saw the two men who resembled attendants walking down the stairs, and he said to the girl.

”Don’t worry, I’ll handle them.”

”I’ll leave it to you then!”

Eve, looking as if a great responsibility had descended upon her, patted the man’s shoulder, watched him fiercely approach the two, then slipped into the crowd with a sly laugh.

Meanwhile, on the higher third floor, a man leaned on the railing, watching the floral crowd gathered by the ladies with a slight frown.

”Duke, shall I quiet them down for you?”

Seeing the Duke’s uneasy expression, the attendant asked.

This ball held multiple meanings. The dance hall on the first floor was for entertainment; the shadows on the second floor served as a social and conversational place for young people, while the protected third floor was where the powerful figures who truly held authority resided. Many interests were decided here.

”No need. I just feel there’s someone familiar there.”

Duke Phoenix spoke slowly. From this distance, he couldn’t clearly see the person at the center of the floral crowd, yet a strange sense of aversion lingered in his mind, as if he just... just wanted to draw his gun and fire at them.