6 ：Rise

mewithyou，ifyou’rewilling.Ihaveaprivateroomupstairs.”

    Sukie’spulsequied.Thiswastheopportunityshehadbeenwaitingfor.“I’dbedelighted，mylord.”

    Theyasdedthegrandstaircase，andSukiefollowedLordWeiintoavishlydecoratedroom.Astheysettledontoaplushcouch，LordWeipouredthembothagssofwine.

    “Toyourincredibleperformance，”hetoasted，raisinghisgss.

    Sukiekedhergssagainsthis，hermindragwithpossibilities.“Thankyou，mylord.It’sanhonortoeainsomeoneasdistinguishedasyourself.”

    Theychattedforawhile，LordWeiclearlyenjoyingherpany.Sukielistenedily，subtlysteeringtheversationtowardsthepadtheDarkLord’spns.ShelearhatLordWeiwasindeedwell－ectedandoftenattendedprivategatheringsa