Broken Story: Reborn as a Villainess Author-Chapter 30: The House of the Lancelot

The Lancelot estate sprawled across several acres, most of it covered in well-gardened grass and water fountains. Deep inside, a large villa stretched over three hundred meters long with guards stationed at every angle.

Multiple carriages lined up on the pathways leading to the main entrance. As the nobles stepped out, they were greeted by butlers that led them inside the ballroom.

As each family stepped in, their names were announced loudly throughout the villa.

"The House of Holmes!"

Duke Moriarty Holmes entered alongside his wife, the beautiful Lady Angle and his three children... Marvos, Nael and Neoma. They were warmly applauded by the other families and also by the elves who were in attendance.

The Duchess Lancelot was an elf who fell in love with a human and gave birth to an offspring admired by both races. Their daughter was the first child to be born half human, half elf, a rare historical event.

"The House of Silias!"

Vincent and Nieves walked in, trying to fit in perfectly. The Ten Faces had done its job flawlessly, every wrinkle, every movement, every word spoken, all identical to the actual Duke Silias and his wife.

They moved through the hall without issues with nobody questioning them about anything, as they weren’t a family with a lot of fame.

"This was easier than I thought..." Nieves said, almost loudly.

"Shush!! Lower your voice...Pfft" Vincent whispered in return. The sound of his own voice nearly made him lose his composure due to how funny he sounded.

Nobles passing by glanced at them briefly before moving on. Watching an old man and woman giggling to each other was not the best scene to watch.

Although, they only had to pose as the Silias for one particular reason: Vincent had gotten information from one of his brokers about one of the men who orchestrated the murder on the island of Grimoire, Nieves’s hometown. They had no idea what the man looked like or sounded like, all they had was his name... Baron Shen Yue.

They waited patiently as more and more families came through, listening to each name for when a specific Baron was called.

Meanwhile, just several tables behind them, a fat man gobbled down steaks and other delicious pastries.

"Robababa! Hey you! Get this Runian wine out of here and bring me some of the good stuff!" He said loudly to a passing butler.

"Yes, my lord."

Vincent found seats near the middle of the ballroom and sat. Nieves on the other hand remained standing and vigilant.

"Relax a bit, love..." Vincent muttered. "We are going to hear his bloody name when it’s called."

Nieves quelled her rage and sat, her hand tightened into a fist beneath her gloves.

More announcements rang through the hall. "The House of Lulit, The House of Liraz, The House of Avanti, The House of Vendar." Each house pulled up with stunning appearances, the newer ones always outshining the previous.

After a while, the hall was silent. Every noble was accounted for except one... and everyone knew who that was.

The doors opened again.

"The House of Anaxagoras!"

Duke Aventurine Anaxagoras entered first, dressed in the utmost elegance, carrying a small golden-tiled staff. Behind him walked his six children... Acheron, Arthur, Jamie, William, Araxie and Nyerere.

Whispers burst out upon the sight of the beastkin.

A noble nudged his companion, turning his attention towards the entrance. "Is that a beastkin? So the rumors are true..."

His companion took a look at the Anaxagoras children. "It is true... the Duke must have gone insane." He said in a low tone, not daring to say it out loud.

Baron Shen nearly choked down on his meat as he watched them enter with such grace. "Such beauties... will soon be mine! Robababa!"

Nieves turned to the direction of the crowd and spotted Acheron waving to everyone. In an instant, she tensed up.

"Vincent... I mean em... what was his na... oh... Duke Silias!" She tapped her spouse.

"Yes, love?" Vincent was also taken away by the entrance of the Anaxagoras’.

"Can a really strong person see through this disguise?"

Vincent turned to her, partially shocked and surprised by the question. "Can never happen love, Ten Faces is a relic said to be designed by the gods themselves. Even an Eternal mage won’t be able to tell the difference."

Nieves nodded, his words had reassured her but that didn’t change the fact that Acheron already knew they were the ones underneath those wrinkled skins.

Duke Lancelot descended down the grand staircase personally. "Aventurine, I am honored you came..." He said, pulling in for a manly hug.

"So am I, I wasn’t going to miss out on the first Lancelot baby now would I?" They laughed heartily.

"Aventurine!" Duke Moriarty approached from the side.

"Holmes..."

The three dukes exchanged brief pleasantries before they walked off to discuss matters with other dukes.

Acheron turned to her siblings. "Let’s find somewhere to sit." She gestured towards the back.

They accepted greetings and blessings from other nobles as they made their way to the cushions where they finally all rested.

Several sons of other families attempted to get close to speak with any of the girls but failed miserably.

William stood watch like a guard, his gaze terrifying enough to shatter one’s confidence into pieces.

...

Time passed by quickly, soon evening came and it was time for the main event of the day.

Duke Lancelot stood at the top of the staircase and hit his glass cup with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," They all turned towards him. "Thank you all for attending this beautiful ball even with your busy schedules. It is with great joy that I introduce to you my daughter, Linnet Lancelot."

He gestured toward the far end of the hall.

The Duchess Lancelot sat on a red cushioned bed, cradling a small bundle wrapped in white cloth. Duke Lancelot walked over and stood beside her.

Applause filled the hall instantly.

The Duchess gently pulled back the cloth and there she was... 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Linnet Lancelot.

Her skin was flawless, clean as the moon and bright as the sun. Her eyes were golden like her parents with strands of the same color of hair.

More applause erupted and soon after, they were allowed to see her up close. Each noble family approached turn by turn to give the mother gifts and wish love to the baby.

It reached the Anaxagoras turn... Acheron stepped in after her father.

"She is beautiful..." Acheron said softly, smiling at the mother and her child.

The Duchess smiled in return. "Thank you."

Acheron purposefully hesitated and asked, "May I hold her?"

The Duchess nodded and lifted Linnet up, carefully handing her to Acheron’s waiting arms.

The moment Linnet settled into Acheron’s arm, notifications began to pop up from the system.

[You have made contact with a part elf]

[Your Elf gene is reacting....]

[Partial transformation will commence...]