The elevator slowly made its way towards the highest levels of Iron Shore. Celia and Zed couldn't simply get the one from the port as it only went as far as the tenth tier of the city. Gabriel promised to wait there and to take them to a smaller contraption, the one far more guarded, leading to those most inaccessible parts of the city. Celia couldn't contain her excitement. She used to frequent some parties of lower nobility while working on one con or another, but to attend the banquet hosted by the governor himself was something she would never be able to pull alone.

The dress Celia was wearing was also far beyond anything she'd ever seen. Even though she played the role of noble more than once, it usually involved making moderately elegant clothes to look more expensive than they were. This dress, though, must have cost as much as Percy's repairs. The gown itself wasn't that extravagant─both corset and full, floor-length skirt were made of soft, black velvet and fit her figure as if they were made just for her. It was the additional parts that made it special.

On top of the regular corset, the gown included a mix of armour and fancy adornment. It was made of a thin sheet of gold, fitting closely around the corset and extending up to a high collar and down, covering the upper part of Celia's hips. As if intricately carved shapes of feathers were not fancy enough, there was also a line of black crystals running through the front and swerving to both sides of the high collar. Her shoulders were also covered by golden pauldrons shaped like feathers. The final touch was two gun holsters perfectly fitted and encrusted in gold. Gabriel also sent her a brand new pair of revolvers with handles encrusted with glistening jewels, but she chose to take her trusted guns with her. She would not bet her life on weapons she was unfamiliar with.

As the banquet was a masquerade, Celia was wearing a beautiful black mask encrusted with golden lines shaped to resemble the sharp features of a hawk or other predatory bird. And, to top all that, there was also a little, black-laced hat that was more a hairclip than anything else, but Celia found it hilarious it was a hat nonetheless.

She spent a lot of time staring at her reflection in the mirror before she left the inn. The dress fit her so well it was unbelievable. It was not made for some dainty, fragile noble lady who spent her days drinking tea and sharing gossip with her friends. It was a dress for a fighter─strong and uncompromising, perfect for her.

"We're almost there," Zed said and stood in front of her, facing the elevator doors. Of course, he was not as elaborately dressed, but no one expected that from the bodyguard. He wore his usual attire with a steel-reinforced leather jacket, though he made an effort and wore a white shirt that might even be called elegant in some circles. Lyra found him a very fitting black mask resembling a bear.

"You can relax for a bit, Zed. I don't expect any assassination attempt before we reach the party."

"With all due respect, boss, I know how to do my job," he grunted, giving her a sideglance. "You may relax all you want. I can only put down my guard when we are safely away from this wretched city."

"That is a fair point, I guess. The bright side is since my lovely dress is part armour, I'm far better protected from stabbing than I expected."

Zed scoffed. "This flimsy thing won't stop a bullet. Or a strong, precise stab."

"Maybe not, but it will slow the attackers down, as they will have to consider where to strike to kill me quickly. And that gives us plenty of time to react."

"I guess so."

Before he could say anything else, the elevator stopped abruptly, and the door opened. Celia could not see much from behind Zed's broad back, but he must have deemed it safe because he gave a swift nod and excited the contraption. Celia followed him, nodding to the Law Enforcement soldiers, who didn't ask for permission slips. Probably because right behind them stood Gabriel looking so stunning he almost took her breath away.

His trousers and tailcoat were white, embroidered with gentle golden thread, and the vest in the same shade of gold had dark buttons made of crystals similar to those on her dress. A white fox mask covered half of his handsome face, but he couldn't conceal a broad smile that bloomed on his lips when he saw her. He took off his top hat and bowed deeply.

"If I didn't send you this dress, I would never recognise you, beautiful stranger."

"Do those cheap tricks work on noble women?" Celia asked, but couldn't help the smile pulling at her lips.

Gabriel straightened and put his hat back on his blonde hair. "For most, yes. But it was not an empty attempt of flattery but merely a factual statement." He nodded to Zed and offered Celia his elbow. "Shall we?"

"So," Celia said as they strolled through the lavish gardens to the other side of the platform, where another elevator awaited. Zed and Gabriel's bodyguards were trailing at a respectful distance behind them. "A fox, huh?"

"I know, it's a stupid theme. Still, if I had to pick an animal, it would be a fox." He shrugged.

"And I'm what... a bird?" she teased.

"A bird of prey, yes. Magnificent and dangerous. I thought it was fitting."

"Well, I'm inclined to agree if you put it this way."

They approached the elevator to the highest level. This one looked quite different from the one connecting this platform to the docks. It seemed sturdier, and the metal edges were incrusted in golden leaf motifs. The metal floor was laid with scarlet carpet, and matching upholstery covered the walls halfway to the ceiling, so nobles could lean comfortably on it instead of holding onto the metal railing for dear life. The elevator was also much smaller than the one for mass use, so when all five bodyguards got in, it was pretty compact, making them all huddle together far too close for comfort.

Celia scrunched her nose. "Is everything in nobles' areas soft and plush? No wonder you grow weak and complacent."

Gabriel laughed. "Well, you can say that nobles love their lavish lifestyles, even though they won't be able to afford any of this soon. On the other hand, I am rather fond of a more utilitarian lifestyle. I can switch a fluffy bed for sleeping on a cold stone floor any day."

Celia snorted. "Liar."

The elevator quietly made its way upward. The movement was also less abrupt and more fluid as if the machinery was always kept well-oiled. The nobles must have been too fragile to let them be rattled in a metal contraption that regular people used.

Gabriel smiled, and with his fox mask, he looked even more cunning than usual. "Yeah, maybe I got carried away with this one. But I agree that nobles are too extravagant and insist on basking in luxury while the rest of the city is dying." The smile disappeared from his face, and his tone became more serious. "But that's why we are here, no? To convince them there is a better way to spend their money than pointless whims."

With a soft thump, the elevator stopped at its final destination, and the door slid open silently. After Zed and other bodyguards shuffled out, Celia could finally leave the suffocating small place and took a lungful of air. You could hardly taste any smog in it. The metal platform was covered in flat white stones to resemble a good old cobblestone street. Even though the sun set long ago, it was almost as bright as day thanks to elegantly shaped dark lanterns placed in close proximity. On the sea level, they had one wonky lantern for the whole street if they were lucky.

The street was bustling. It was full of people dressed in all the finery and all kinds of mechanical devices. A carriage drawn by two mechanical horses whizzed past them, the metal hooves playing steady staccato on the stones. A small vehicle with six little wheels equipped with several brushes and brooms was cruising down the road with a slow hum and the occasional puff of dejected steam from a small chimney on its top.

"I know, it's a lot to take in," Gabriel said, gently tugging her elbow. "But we need to move. Fashionably late is one thing, but we will fail to make enough impression if we arrive too late."

"Right." Celia closed her gaping mouth and nodded to him. "Let's go."

It took barely a couple of minutes to reach the enormous building looming over the platform. Celia cocked her head, taking it all in. It looked as if the architect couldn't decide if they wanted to build a palace or a factory. The main body of the structure was vast and square, with a large clock in the middle of the front wall above the massive double doors. But from there, the towers with pointy roofs sprouted in all directions as if someone couldn't get enough and kept building new ones. Some were plain, made of stone blocks and metal, while others were ornated and sculptured like a masterpiece of extravagant art.

"What is that thing?" Celia asked, frowning.

"Welcome to Iron Shore Governing Palace." Gabriel waved his hand theatrically.

"Does the governor has no taste at all?" She scrunched her nose.

"Well, it's a work in progress. Every new governor keeps adding to it, so it looks a bit of a mess."

"A bit?"

"Let's not dally on the doorsteps. It looks much better inside." Gabriel put a hand on her lower back and gently pushed her forward.

He was right. The spacious entrance hall was lit with chandeliers that sparkled with crystals sprinkling the black and white mosaic on the floor with dancing lights. It was mostly empty, devoid of furniture that could clutter the space. If you couldn't see the exterior, you could even say it looked tasteful.

They crossed the chamber, strolling toward the noise of the party─ chatter, occasional explosions of laughter and string music playing a sweet melody somewhere in the background. Before they crossed the threshold to the primary ballroom, an elegant older man tapped his metals staff three times and said in a booming voice.

"Lord Gabriel Emmett Letchford and Lady Privateer Celia de Visher."

The chatter momentarily stopped, and all eyes turned to them. Celia raised her chin high and smiled sweetly. They surely made a peculiar view with their black and white matched attires. Most of the nobles wore clothes that were explosions of colours as if they were competing for whose costume had the most intense hue. Compared to other guests, Celia's dress seemed humble. Some ladies had long trains covered in jewels or peacock feathers, while others had headpieces with a complicated arrangement that must have weight as much as a canon ball. There was also one gentleman sitting on the gadget that was supposed to resemble a horseback as if he was a centaur, but it looked ridiculous.

None of it fazed Celia. Yes, it all was lavish, outlandish, and downright absurd, but she was an expert in going with the flow and adapting to new situations. So she smiled, waved, and nodded, pretending not to hear mocking whispers and envious glances.

"You are doing surprisingly well," Gabriel said quietly, leading her to the centre of the room, where on the elevated platform stood the governor's table. "If I didn't know better, I would say you were born and bred noble."

Celia scoffed. "Please. It's a party. Doesn't matter if it's low or high nobility. You have to smile and wave and be careful not to let other's venom touch you."

Gabriel grinned. "I knew you'd be the best party partner. Ready to meet my father?"

"Introducing me to the family already? You waste no time, lordling," Celia teased.

"I wasted enough time looking for you all those years. Might as well seize the moment before you decide you're tired of me already and run away again," Gabriel replied with a wink, not losing his stride.

They climbed the three steps on the dais and bowed their head to the governor and the other ministers occupying the table.

Of course, Celia had seen the governor before but never from such proximity. With a fitting lion mask, Alexandar Letchford looked every ounce of the leader. He was a tall, well-built man with broad shoulders and a square jaw, covered in a dark, elegantly trimmed beard. But the dark eyes under the lion's head were cold and calculating as he looked at her with scrutiny, his lips drawn in a thin line. Celia didn't wince nor falter as she was not easily intimidated.

"Father," Gabriels started, his tone respectful and official. "As discussed, I've brought a special guest with me today. Let me introduce Celia de Visher, Privateer, who's been successfully hunting the pirates for the past three weeks."

"So I see," the governor replied coldly. "I've seen the reports. I must say that your results, miss de Visher, are quite impressive. You've achieved more in this short time than our Law Enforcement department in the last three months."

An older gentleman in a jackal mask grunted and shuffled in his seat. "Surely you can't compare the work of a respectable institution with the actions of a former thief dealing with her comrades!"

Some people at the table nodded in agreement, and others grumbled, but everyone fell silent when the governor turned his head to the spokesman.

"I'm interested in the result, not the methods," he said, his voice a low rumble, not unlike the lion growl. "If the reports are so unfavourable for your department, I will have to reconsider where I place the city's funds and move them to someone who actually gets the job done."

The Jakal opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it and slumped down on his seat, avoiding angry dark eyes. The Governor turned back to Celia, his gaze calculating. He drummed his fingers, clad in dark leather glove, on the table.

"I've heard you are tracking down your former master, the leader of Plunderers. Removing him would be a great service to Iron Shore. How are you doing with that?"

"My crew and I were able to pinpoint the location of the new hideout," Celia replied confidently. "Thanks to all captured ships and smugglers, we are certain that Chief won't be able to move everything as fast as before. My special squad is preparing for the final assault as we speak."

The Governor rubbed his chin and nodded. "Very well. I'll expect good news soon, then." He turned to his left, where Admiral Wolferstan sat with his arms crossed and glaring at Celia from under his dog's mask. "Admiral, you will lend Miss the Visher one of your heavy armoured units to assist with the assault. We can't let get that fiend to get away again."

The Admiral narrowed his eyes but nodded, "As you command, Lord Governor."

Celia gave him her sweetest smile.

"Once we are done with that," Gabriel started. "I'd ask your permission to assign Miss de Visher to support me with the Expedition project. I believe together we can make the breakthrough we were waiting for."

The dark calculating eyes turned to Gabriel. The Governor was silent for a moment, his fingers drumming at the table. "I'm not convinced it's the best use of Miss de Visher's talents. Why not leave her to hunt other cartels?"

Celia suppressed a groan. Not this again.

But Gabriel was not fazed. "As you are well aware, Father, the Expedition require a certain level of... those talents too. Maybe even more so than hunting pirates and other lowlives."

The Governor looked at him for a while and then waved his hand dismissively. "Very well then. We'll discuss the details at tomorrow's meeting. But know, Gabriel, that I'll expect fast results. If you fail to deliver that...." The dark eyes moved to Celia, making her skin crawl. "We'll find a different use for your special guest."

With that apparent dismissal, they bowed heads and left the dais, joining the colourful crowd again.

"That went well, I assume?" Celia asked, echoing Gabriel's comments from a couple of weeks ago. She took a glass of champagne offered by the server in a grey mouse mask. All the servants of the party wore the same unassuming rodent masks, but this man with his blonde-grey hair seemed to fit his costume perfectly.

Gabriel took another glass and took a sip. "As well as we could expect. Also, we gained Wolferstan's assistance once again. Don't think I didn't see that triumphant smile you gave him," he teased.

"I couldn't help it." Celia shrugged and downed her champagne, handing a glass to another server. "That dog mask suits him rather well, don't you think?"

"Oh yes, I'd say it's a perfect match. Not as perfect as you and me, but close," Gabriel added in a matter-of-factly tone, his blue eyes glinting. "Let's focus on mingling now. After all, we need to get some extra funds flowing our way."

And so they did. Celia quickly lost track of all the fancy names of the people she was introduced to. The role she played was easy enough as Gabriel was the one who did all the talking. And he was damn good about it. He always had the fitting compliment and small talk ready for everyone while she smiled politely and laughed at boring jokes.

And all the nobles were playing along, buying Gabriels' vague promises of the return on investments as if it was a safe and easy business venture. That is, until a tall man in a wolf mask approached them with a dainty lady in a swan mask on his arm.

"Look at you, Gabriel," he boomed in a voice that could be heard by half of the room. Isn't that the girl you pulled out of the gutter? She cleaned up rather well, I must admit." The blue eyes rolled across Celia's body, and she had to suppress the instinct to reach for her gun. She knew who that man was, so she stopped herself.

Royden Letchford, the governor's rightful son, was a famous person. He inherited dashing and handsome features from his father, but unlike him, he was far from respectable. He was known for his flippant lifestyle and his love for beautiful women. Very many of them. Celia felt almost sad for the fragile little thing clinging to his arm as if he was the most precious treasure.

His lips curved in a cruel smile when their eyes met. "Though, I wondered why I smell the stench of fish this high up. Now I know."

The girl on his arm giggled, covering her red lips with a white feathered fan, and a few people followed suit.

Celia only cocked her head. "Oh, I've heard of you, Lord Royden. People say you are so much like your brilliant father. But I see the only thing you took after him is the looks. What a letdown."

The man's face flushed red with anger, but before he could respond, Gabriel interjected, "Careful, brother dear. Miss de Visher is not one of your effortless conquests. She could easily cut out your tongue and serve it to you on a silver platter before you could blink."

Celia scoffed. "I would never. That's disgusting. I would go for more vital organs."

Royden's scowled. "It's just so you, brother, tarnishing respectable family reputation by fraternising with filth. But what else could you expect from the bastard, eh?"

"You can bark all you want, Royden," Gabriel said dismissively, his posture completely relaxed as if this confrontation witnessed by so many curious eyes meant nothing to him. "But remember that father values the results. It would be regrettable if your own poor conduct cost you a possible future governor position."

"Dream on, bastard. Father would never replace me with some lowly scum like you."

"We'll have to wait and see then." Gabriel smiled charmingly and made a mocking bow. "Now, if you excuse us, unlike you, we have work to do." He pulled Celia away before Royden could respond.

"What a charming family you have," Celia said conversationally.

"I know. Imagine growing up with a buffoon like him. I need a drink after that exchange. Now, where are the servers?"

Celia caught a glimpse of a mouse mask not far behind them and opened her mouth to let Gabriel know, but suddenly her mind snapped to attention. It was the same blond-grey-haired server as before, even though the ballroom was huge and they were in an opposite part of the place. Celia did a con once working as a server and was well aware of how things worked. The servers were responsible for certain parts of the room. They were not mindlessly roaming the whole place because that would only cause chaos. Yet here he was, the same server walking straight towards them, with a tray full of drinks, while a white towel concealed his other hand.

Celia pulled out both of her revolvers.