The host's voice boomed, pulling their attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the night's grand game!" The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement a living thing.
"A test of wit and luck, with the ultimate prize... a chance to be chosen by the Golden Goose!"
Rin took a deep breath, stepping onto the stage as the lights dimmed. The crowd's screams washed over him, their chants of "Golden Goose!" shaking the air. His white gown shimmered under the crimson glow, the sheer fabric trailing behind him like a dream. His half-mask hid his face, but his presence was electric, commanding every eye in the room.
Among the crowd, two figures moved quietly, their identities hidden behind simple masks and plain noble robes... Caspian Von Veyne and Lucien Vortellion. They'd slipped in using Darien's stolen gilded card, earning them a spot in a VIP chamber overlooking the stage. A single-eyed microscope, a luxury for the wealthy, gave them a clear view of the spectacle.
