Odi stood at the entrance of the Hampton Court Palace, her heart pounding in her chest. The golden chandeliers inside cast a warm glow across the marble floors, and the murmur of noble chatter filled the vast hall. The scent of lavender, expensive perfumes, and candle wax mixed in the air, reminding her just how far she was from the filth of the hideout she called home.
She adjusted her mask, a delicate gold and emerald piece that matched her gown. The emerald fabric clung to her form, the corset pressing against her ribs tighter than she would've liked. She had never worn something this fine, this extravagant. It felt like a costume, uncomfortable because that's exactly what it was.
She wasn't supposed to be here. She was supposed to be somewhere else, somewhere more important. The graveyard. With her mother.
"Keep your head up, Odi," she muttered under her breath as she stepped inside. "The earlier you do this, the better. Just steal the damn thing and leave."
She was used to blending into the shadows, to being invisible when she needed to be. But tonight, that was impossible.
People noticed her.
Eyes trailed her as she moved across the ballroom. Women whispered behind their fans, their jeweled fingers gesturing toward her hair, the rich brown curls cascading over her shoulders.
"Her hair," one noblewoman murmured. "What does she do to make it so glossy?"
"I wonder what family she's from," another whispered back. "Look at her dress. She's admirable"
Odi forced a smile and dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment. She had spent years perfecting her ability to go unnoticed, yet tonight, she had never felt so exposed.
Her discomfort grew as a few noblemen stole glances at her, their gazes lingering a little too long. She resisted the urge to shrink into herself. She was a thief, not a performer, and this level of attention was unsettling.
She needed to get away. Now.
Spotting a narrow corridor near the edge of the ballroom, she slipped away from the crowd, her hands brushing against the cool stone walls as she pressed herself into the shadows. The grand exhibition had not yet begun, which meant she had time before the amulet was displayed. She would wait for the right moment, then strike before anyone realized what had happened.
She exhaled, relieved to be away from prying eyes.
But she wasn't alone.
From the dimly lit corner of the room, a figure stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Odi stiffened. She had been so preoccupied with escaping the crowd that she hadn't noticed him there.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly regal. His dark navy coat was embroidered with silver detailing, his loose curls framing a face that was both sharp and unbearably handsome. His deep green eyes studied her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
He tilted his head slightly. "Not one for crowds, are you?"
Odi's pulse quickened.
"Neither are you, it seems," she countered, keeping her voice steady.
The man chuckled, the sound rich and smooth. "You caught me." He pushed off the wall and took a step toward her, his gaze lingering on her face. "This is private area, but you're welcomed."
"Oh" Odi realizing she had done something silly, how she didn't realize the room is restricted for some people, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you… I didn't know it was a private are. I would leave right away"
"No, please stay. Like I said, you are welcomed. Where are you from? What house do you belong to? I don't think we have met"
"I don't believe we need to," she replied quickly, taking a step back. "I have to go now, thank you"
He smirked, clearly entertained by her response. "Don't go yet. It's still very crowded outside, why do you look as if you'd rather be anywhere else but here?"
Odi hesitated. She didn't owe him an answer. She shouldn't even be talking to him.
But the truth burned in her chest.
"Because I should be somewhere else."
The man's expression shifted, as if he understood what she meant. Before he could respond, Odi turned on her heel and walked away, forcing herself to ignore the lingering warmth of his gaze on her back.
She couldn't afford distractions. Not tonight. His looks were fierce and hot enough to distract her. Her being honest, she had never met a man that handsome, that is the kind of man she would have loved to settle with if she wasn't born this way. But he is way above her league. One of thr royalty and a slave can never be.
Slipping deeper into the corridors of the palace, she focused on the task at hand. The amulet was housed in a reinforced glass case, meant to be displayed for admiration, not for sale. Oliver had been clear, steal it before it was presented, before the eyes of the kingdom were upon it.
She ran her fingers along the hidden blade strapped to her thigh, reassuring herself that she had everything under control.
All she needed was one perfect moment.
***
The sound of a bell chiming from the main ballroom signaled the start of the exhibition. A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd as a royal announcer declared the unveiling of the items for auction was about to commence. Odi knew this was her moment.
Slipping through a side corridor, she moved with practiced ease, her movements swift and soundless. Every noble was now focused on the grand presentation, their attention fixed on the lavish display about to be unveiled. That meant fewer eyes wandering where they shouldn't be which is where she needed to be.
She had studied the palace layout through stolen blueprints Oliver had forced a drunken noble to surrender weeks ago. The storage room, where the priceless amulet waited in its glass confinement, was two floors up, heavily guarded, and enchanted with magical deterrents. But Odi never entered a job without a plan.
Her first obstacle stood in front of the staircase—a pair of royal guards positioned near the entrance, their post unwavering. Odi knew better than to charge through recklessly. Instead, she straightened her posture, adjusted the jeweled pin in her hair, and strode toward them with the confidence of someone who belonged.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," she purred, letting her voice slip into the smooth, aristocratic lilt she had perfected over the years. "I seem to have lost my way. I was told there was a lounge upstairs where one could escape the stifling crowd. I assume you wouldn't deny a lady some fresh air?"
One guard eyed her suspiciously, but the other, an older man, gave her a courteous nod. "You must have meant the private chambers, my lady. Those are for honored guests."
Odi feigned an exasperated sigh, lowering her gaze demurely. "A shame," she murmured, placing a gloved hand on the younger guard's arm and leaning in just enough to make him nervous. "I was hoping for a moment of solitude. The attention here is... overwhelming."
The younger guard swallowed hard. "I—uh—well—"
The older one scoffed. "Don't be a fool, William. Let her pass. Just be quick, miss."
Odi flashed a relieved smile, brushing past them before they could second-guess their decision. Once at the top of the staircase, she darted into a narrow hallway, the familiar rush of adrenaline settling in her veins. The real challenge was ahead.
The storage room was protected by more than just locks—Odi had anticipated this. She crouched in the shadows as two more guards stood before the door. These were not the easily manipulated type. Their stances were rigid, their focus unbreakable. They were trained for one purpose—to protect what lay inside.
Taking a deep breath, Odi reached into the hidden pocket of her gown, producing a small vial of crushed sleeping powder. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a near-invisible cloud drifting toward them. The guards barely had time to react before their limbs wobbled, their blinks growing slower and heavier. Within moments, both men crumpled to the floor, unconscious before they could sound an alarm.
"Sorry, boys," Odi whispered, stepping over their slumped forms. "Blame the wine."
The door was next. She pressed her ear against the polished wood, listening for any hums or clicks. Traps were common, but she had an answer for that too. Producing a thin dagger from her garter, she slid the blade into the keyhole, feeling for the minute resistance that indicated a protective mechanism.
There it was. A pressure trigger designed to explode if forced open improperly.
"Clever," she muttered under her breath. "But not clever enough."
Adjusting the blade's angle, she twisted ever so slightly until she heard the faintest metallic shift. A breath later, the door clicked open.
Odi stepped inside.
The room was lined with gold-trimmed shelves holding treasures worth more than she could fathom, but her eyes locked onto the centerpiece, a glass case standing on an ornate pedestal. Inside, the amulet gleamed under the dim candlelight, its intricate carvings pulsing with an eerie glow.
She approached carefully, her gloved fingers tracing the edges of the case. This was the easy part, removing it. She lifted the glass carefully and retrieved the amulet, feeling the weight of her success settle in her hands.
Too easy.
Suddenly, a loud alarm blared.