Vito walked along the clean, orderly, spacious sidewalk. Even the side streets in the Upper Hive were this broad. It was obvious that the people here loved to show off, flaunting their status and wealth at every opportunity and in every place. Ha, typical Upper Hive dwellers.
Angel-shaped streetlamps lit the road, and the ground glimmered faintly beneath them. It was clearly paved with some kind of marble-like material. Whatever else you could say about it, it was definitely expensive.
Vito's boots clacked against the pavement on the empty street. They seemed to always have silver plates embedded in them, with overlapping, armor-like stripes covering the front, almost like the head of a spear.
He walked down the street and turned into a small city garden at the far end. As I said, the greenery here was absurdly lush, with parks of all sizes everywhere.
Vito entered the garden through its archway, then stopped. He looked toward the young woman beside a fountain that sent jets of water spraying into the air.
Her gray-green hair fell in soft waves, its long, silky strands draped over her shoulders. Like her outfit, it had clearly been carefully groomed and prepared.
This woman was a bartender and bar owner in the Lower Hive, and the former governor's daughter. No—at least now, you could drop the "former."
Her gown shimmered with starlight beneath the streetlamps, as beautiful as the Milky Way itself against the night. It accentuated her shapely figure, whose curves were like those of a flawless sculpture.
The neckline of her dress spread across her chest like the wings of an angel. The sight of those perfect marvels of the human body, framed by such elegance, would have made any man drool—never mind the slit in her skirt. In the moonlight and glow of the lamps, she looked as if she had stepped straight out of a painting. Honestly, how did that bastard Vito Constantine always get so lucky?
Vito smiled and walked over, clapping his hands. Silver Snake—or Olivia—noticed him too. She turned her head and gazed at him with her captivating eyes as he approached, having shed his long coat and weapons.
"Oh, darling, I've traveled across half the galaxy, but I have to say, there aren't many people whose eyebrows can rival yours."
Olivia smiled and took the arm Vito offered. "I'll take that as a compliment." "Any trouble on the way here?" "No. Marshall brought me straight over, then left. He seemed to have something important to take care of in the Upper Hive." "I'm guessing it was another one of your arrangements." "You could say that, more or less."
As he spoke, Vito produced a brooch from who knew where and handed it to Olivia. His beautiful companion took it in her slender fingers, her captivating eyes fixed on the silver snake and blooming rose. Her long lashes dipped slightly, veiling her eyes.
Olivia traced a finger over the rose petals, then clutched the brooch tightly in her hand. "You saw him?" "Yeah. Your home is quite nice. Very artistic."
"My father designed it. Of course it's artistic. He was always an artist. He loved it even more than being governor. Maybe that's exactly why he died."
Vito didn't smile. He didn't show any expression at all, which was very unusual for him. "Your uncle's a bastard. A typical Imperial bastard—and you can add 'noble' to that. Even among that crowd, he's one of the worst."
Olivia looked at Vito. She didn't know whether he was saying that for her sake or in a professional capacity, but it didn't seem to matter much right now.
"How are you going to deal with him? With a Bolter?" "No, darling. No." Vito laid one hand over the back of Olivia's, which was hooked through his arm. At last, his signature smile appeared. "It's a big plan. You know I like to save the reveal until the last moment. It'll be a real surprise."
Olivia smiled helplessly, then sighed softly. "So, can you tell me why you suddenly decided to take me on a date here tonight?" "What's wrong? I heard the Shaman Club is one of the best clubs in the Upper Hive. It's usually packed, and I had a hard time getting two spots."
"That's true. It's a nice place. But considering it belongs to Philus, the Syndicate boss, I doubt you brought me here purely for a date."
Silver Snake gave Vito a charming smile. He smiled back and nodded slightly, then looked ahead at the lavish club's brightly colored entrance on the other side of the garden.
The two "lovers" crossed the garden and approached the club entrance from the far side of the street. A long queue stretched before the club, whose facade glowed in a kaleidoscope of colors. Vito clearly had no intention of joining it. He walked straight to the entrance, prompting a wave of complaints from the young nobles waiting nearby.
"Hey! Sir! You can't do that! Get to the back of the line!" a young nobleman shouted. Vito glanced at him teasingly and drew a finger across his own collar. "Kid, if I were you, I'd keep quiet."
Vito's threatening tone startled the man, but it soon drew someone else's attention: one of the doormen.
A club guard in evening wear approached, followed by two hulking men who stood a head taller than most. They were dressed just as smartly, of course.
"Sir, please join the queue." "No, my dear fellow, I won't be joining the queue. In fact, you should hurry up and let me in." "Sir, there are no exceptions here."
The head doorman said firmly, gesturing toward the end of the line. "Please cooperate. Don't make us use force."
As he spoke, the two hulking men took a couple of intimidating steps forward. Vito didn't even look at them. He smiled at the head doorman and tapped the list in his hands.
"There's a name on that list: Vito Constantine. That's me."
The head doorman froze, then eyed the man in front of him with faint surprise. He soon recovered his composure, glanced at the long queue, and nodded slightly before lowering his voice. "May I ask what brings you here, Mr. Constantine? I don't recall your organization arranging a meeting with us."
"Nothing formal. I'm here on a date, you see—with this lovely lady." Vito said. The head doorman turned to Olivia, who smiled and greeted him. He nodded politely in return, then looked back at Vito.
"I'll inform Mr. Philus. Please go on in, Mr. Constantine." The head doorman stepped aside. Vito nodded politely in thanks and escorted Olivia inside, while the young nobles who had been grumbling quickly fell silent under the glares of the two hulking men.
The club was bustling, with passionate music playing everywhere. Young nobles danced fervently on the dance floor in the elegant main hall, while the surrounding seats were filled with young aristocrats and other elites seeking excitement.
Expensive luxuries, fine liquor, and hookahs filled with substances that clearly violated local laws were everywhere. People talked loudly, laughed, and teased one another. The women's laughter rang out especially sweetly, like silver bells.
Olivia linked arms with Vito, her high heels tapping across the club's obsidian floor. Strange lights filled the place; everything here was extravagantly luxurious.
"I didn't think there was anything strange about this place back then. But now that I'm back, it seems downright bizarre." "Mm-hmm. You know how it is. The Imperial elite come here to enjoy themselves, and they're very dedicated when it comes to chasing pleasure and novelty."
Vito surveyed the room, narrowing his eyes slightly, then flashed a bright smile. He held out one hand as if inviting her—or perhaps just pretending to. "Care for a dance?"
Olivia gave him a quizzical look, then smiled helplessly and placed her slender hand in his. "All right."
Vito smiled and led Olivia onto the dance floor, where people were dancing in every direction. He slipped an arm around her waist, and the two of them began to dance beneath the multicolored lights, moving together step by step.
Her skirt swirled like a flower in bloom. Under the strange lights, the countless stars scattered across it glittered brilliantly. The universe changed color, becoming a gorgeous, magnificent expanse like some distant nebula.
Their heels and Vito's silver-plated boots tapped against the obsidian floor. Their steps were steady and in sync, as if they had been dance partners for years, even though this was their first dance together.
Vito held Olivia's hand as Silver Snake spun outward, her skirt tracing a beautiful arc. At the edge of the turn, she spun back toward him. He caught her deftly around the waist and began the next series of steps.
Vito smiled at the beauty before him, and she returned his gaze with captivating eyes. The multicolored lights made them seem at times far apart, as if worlds away, and at others close enough to touch. The sense of space warped around them, stirring pure instinct and desire.
Olivia and Vito danced together. There were plenty of other dancers around them, but their movements seemed to fade into the background. Everything else felt unimportant. Amid the countless galaxies of that moment, only the person before them mattered.
Vito quickly closed the distance between them. Olivia had just turned when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She playfully turned her head, glancing sideways at Vito beside her ear. He smiled and lifted a hand to brush her hair aside.
His voice rose above the music filling the hall, a whisper passing through endless space. "I'll bring you back to the Throne, my princess. Trust me, I will."
Olivia smiled faintly, her smile breathtaking. "Of course, my king."
They looked at each other from only inches away, then both gave sincere smiles. Perhaps it was the atmosphere, or perhaps the lighting. As I said, reason and thought seemed especially meaningless here; only instinct and desire mattered.
Amid the surrounding din, they leaned toward each other. Olivia's lovely lips drew close to Vito's. Just as they could almost feel each other's warmth, they were interrupted.
Someone approached from the edge of the dance floor: the head doorman. He cleared his throat and politely interrupted them. "Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Vito. Mr. Philus would like to see you."
Vito smiled, then looked at Olivia and gave her an apologetic smile. "Shall we pick up where we left off when we get back?"
She smiled too, wrapping both arms around his. Her smile looked utterly enticing beneath the lights. "Of course. Let's take care of business first, then we can continue."
"My pleasure, my dear lady."
Before you continue