To Tame the Four Tyrants, I Became a Seductress!! ashes of the silent lamb

Later that night.......

[The crowd parts like mist as Valencia walks toward the center. Her black velvet gown draws whispers and daggers of attention.]

cyrus valefor(ml)

(mocking smirk): “Is that… our little lamb in wolf’s clothing?”

kael valefor(ml)

(snorting): “No wolf would wear a dress that tight.”

riven valefor(ml)

(tilting his glass lazily): “Or look that desperate.” “Someone remind her this is a banquet, not a brothel.”

elias valefor(ml)

(quietly, eyes narrowing): “...That’s not the dress mother picked.”

cyrus valefor(ml)

mother pulling another stunt. Why is there a banquet for a girl who doesn’t even speak?

kael valefor(ml)

She’s the bargaining chip. You heard them. They're trying to marry her into the eastern cult.

riven valefor(ml)

She's weird. Always staring at her feet. Never says anything.

kael valefor(ml)

…She cried when they cut her hand last week. And none of you did a damn thing.

Valencia look at her brother's whispering and then she approached them.....

valencia noir( fl)

(smiling): Brothers. I hope the wine is poisoned tonight.

[A hush. All four boys stare. She has never spoken like that before. Never smiled like that either.]

riven valefor(ml)

That… doesn’t sound like her.

cyrus valefor(ml)

(narrowing eyes): What the hell is she playing at?

kael valefor(ml)

(whispers): Who is she?

elias valefor(ml)

(tense): That’s not fear in her eyes. That’s fire.

Behind the walls—whispers begin. Servants looking shaken. Something about her is… wrong.

She walks straight past them. Into the banquet hall. Toward Lady Seraphine.

seraphine valefor( ml's mother)

(whispering through clenched teeth): “You filthy little— You were given a dress for a reason.”

valencia noir( fl)

(unmoving, voice calm): “And I returned it. It reeked of rot.”

seraphine valefor( ml's mother)

“You dare—”

[She raises her hand and slaps her. The sound cracks like a whip across the marble.]

[Silence. The music halts. Gasps fill the air.]

kael valefor(ml)

(laughing): “There it is. Always good for a scene, our sweet stepsister.”

riven valefor(ml)

“Can we slap her back to silence?”

cyrus valefor(ml)

“Or sell her before midnight?”

[Elias watches her. She doesn’t cry. She doesn’t flinch. She just straightens.]

valencia noir( fl)

(to Seraphine, voice like ice): “You only get one slap this lifetime, my Lady.” “Next time, I’ll break that hand.”

[The guests murmur in shock. The four brothers glance at each other, surprised.]

elias valefor(ml)

(softly, more to himself): “…She never talked like this before.”

[Valencia walks away, leaving Seraphine frozen.] [The mark on her cheek burns, but her eyes are colder than stone.]

valencia noir( fl)

(internal): “Mock me. Hit me. Whisper your poison.” “I’ll smile while I take everything from you.” “Every. Last. Thing.”