After the banter, as I stepped into the grand hall, the faint flickering of candlelight illuminated the marble floors. The scent of incense mingled with the musty air, the kind that only a centuries-old estate could provide. It was strange—this place should have felt like a ticking time bomb, but it didn't. Instead, it was like one of those chapters in a game where the protagonist gets a few moments of peace, only to have the universe throw a plot twist so brutal, that you wonder why you didn't see it coming from a mile away. Maybe that's because I did see it coming. I knew exactly what was about to unfold.
And standing there, wearing a smile that would put a used car salesman to shame, was Uberto Alberti. He looked way too comfortable—like someone who had just sealed a deal with the devil and was now basking in his winnings.
I had the sudden urge to smack my forehead. If there was one thing I could always count on in this world, it was that the bad guys were going to be so obvious about their evil intentions. Honestly, they might as well wear neon signs. His smile was all teeth, and I could practically hear the ominous background music playing in my head. In my past life, I would've called this "plot armor." Unfortunately, this Dante didn't have the luxury of video game respawns.
I plastered on my most charming, "I'm totally not suspicious of you" grin. The kind of smile you give when you know the other person is about two steps away from pulling a betrayal but they haven't quite done it yet. Think of it as the calm before the storm.
"Ah, Dante," Uberto greeted me with a flourish, his voice smooth like butter—too smooth. "What a pleasant surprise."
I raised an eyebrow. He looked like he was about to try and sell me a bridge in Venice. "Pleasure's all mine, Messer Uberto."
He stepped closer, extending a hand I had no intention of trusting. I shook it anyway. Assassin etiquette—or maybe just me trying not to throw hands in broad daylight.
"I was just speaking with your father earlier. Such an inspiring man. Truly… honourable."
If I had a florin for every time someone said that before completely screwing us over, I'd be rich enough to retire in Venezia with a villa and a pet eagle.
"Indeed," I replied, nodding solemnly. "Nothing quite like an honest man in a city full of snakes."
There was a brief pause. Just long enough for the subtext to simmer.
Uberto chuckled. "Very true. But even snakes serve a purpose, do they not? They keep the rats away."
Okay, that's not suspicious at all. I gave him a polite smile while mentally adding 'snakey smug bastard' to his contact name in my brain. Probably would've added a snake emoji if I could.
"I prefer hawks myself. More direct. And significantly less likely to throw you off a rooftop after a 'friendly chat.'"
Uberto's smile twitched, just slightly. Ah, score one for modern sarcasm. He couldn't tell if I was joking or threatening him with bird-based retribution.
Before I could enjoy the awkward silence I'd conjured, a servant arrived, whispering something to Uberto's ear. The man nodded slowly, turning his eyes back to me.
"If you'll excuse me, Dante. Duty calls."
"Of course," I said, giving a courteous bow that looked respectful but was really just hiding the eye-roll I wanted to unleash. "Wouldn't want to keep Florence waiting."
As he walked off, cloak trailing behind him like a Disney villain, I muttered under my breath, "And off he goes… probably to file some betrayal paperwork."
I turned and made my way toward my father's study, careful to keep my pace measured. Running through the halls in a panic would definitely raise red flags. And considering I'd already started three contracts from a literal chicken coop and had somehow not accidentally desynchronized from life yet, I figured I should try not to speedrun the tragedy route.
The halls were quiet—too quiet.
And not in the "peaceful retreat" way. More like the "someone just saved before a boss fight" quiet. I didn't like it.
When I entered the study, Father was sitting by the desk, the candlelight casting shadows across his face. He looked tired. Not in a I had a rough day at the office way. More like I know I'm about to get framed and executed for treason tired.
"Dante," he greeted without looking up.
"Father."
There was a pause. Then he looked at me, eyes heavy with meaning.
"Is everything prepared?"
I nodded. "Mother, Claudia, and Petruccio are on their way to Uncle Mario's. Federico made sure they weren't followed."
He sighed, a flicker of relief crossing his face. "Good. And the letter, did you deliver it to Marco?"
"Si, it is safely in Marco's hands," I confirmed, stepping further into the study and closing the door behind me. "Though I gotta say, for a city built on politics, Florence sure sucks at subtlety. Half the guards around Palazzo Vecchio were acting like they just read the spoilers of their own betrayal arc."
Father gave me a long, tired look. "Sometimes… there is little need for subtlety when one holds power."
Oof. Real talk. That's what I liked about Giovanni Auditore. Man didn't sugarcoat things. He was basically Assassin Dad meets Philosopher Dad. Very Yoda-meets-James-Bond kind of vibe.
He stood from his desk and turned to face me fully. "And Ezio?"
"Still blissfully unaware," I said with a sigh. "Thinks I'm being dramatic when I say we're all one templar betrayal away from a Shakespearean tragedy."
"Good. For now, let him enjoy his ignorance. It won't last."
"Right. Because nothing says 'welcome to adulthood' like losing half your family and getting thrown into a conspiracy war that spans centuries."
Father raised an eyebrow.
I shrugged. "Just saying. If Ezio knew what's coming, he'd probably start practising rooftop parkour right now."
He almost smiled. Almost. Instead, he moved to a drawer behind his desk, pulling out a bundle of papers tied with a crimson ribbon. "These are the remaining documents. Proof of our innocence. I had hoped to avoid using them, but…call Ezio, he will deliver them to Lorenzo. While you have to retrieve a letter from a nearby pigeon coop."
I took the papers from my father with a slow nod, hiding the frustration building in my chest. Another day, another delivery of "proof" of innocence. I was starting to feel like a glorified delivery boy at this point. Maybe I should start charging by the hour.
As I turned to leave, I caught my father's eye, and for the briefest moment, there was a look in his gaze that spoke volumes. He didn't need to say it out loud—this was a game, and we were playing it on the hardest difficulty. He knew the stakes. And despite all my modern knowledge and sarcasm, the weight of it all settled on my shoulders again. We weren't just fighting for survival. We were fighting for a future that wasn't written in blood.
"Dante, remember. Whatever happens next, keep your wits about you. The moment you lower your guard…" He trailed off, his voice sombre, almost too heavy for this room that should've felt more like a hideout than a place of quiet deliberation.
"Yeah, yeah, don't get stabbed in the back, got it," I replied with a touch of humour, trying to cut the tension. "And while I'm at it, I'll avoid becoming the next victim of an unfortunate 'accident' involving an ancient stone fountain or some conveniently misplaced poison."
Father's lips twitched in what was almost a smile. I had to hand it to him—he was a man who understood the need for both strategy and dark humour in this business.
"I'll have the letter ready by tomorrow. You know what to do with it. Be discreet."
"Discreet, yes, the king of subtlety is on the job," I said with a mock salute. But inside, my mind was already ticking. I knew what was coming. The betrayal was closer than we'd like to think, and Uberto… oh, Uberto.
As I left the study and headed toward the courtyard, I couldn't shake the feeling that the universe was just setting me up for one giant leap into chaos. No sooner had I stepped into the sunlight than I saw Ezio striding toward me, looking as innocent as a puppy in a field of flowers. If only he knew.
"Dante!" Ezio greeted with a grin that could've melted the coldest of hearts.
"Hey, Ezio," I said, giving him a smirk as I motioned to the papers in my hand. "I've got some 'important' documents from Father for Lorenzo de Medici. You know, the kind that gets you into political circles without having to bribe your way in."
He chuckled. "Seems like you're the family's little messenger these days, huh?"
"Well, I do have the best delivery service in town," I said, winking. "Fast, efficient, and never late. Just wish I could get paid for it."
"Maybe you'll get a bonus," Ezio teased. "A nice villa in Venice, a pet eagle, or… a really nice rooftop view."
I rolled my eyes. "Right, because nothing says 'reward' like a lifetime of avoiding being assassinated."
Ezio laughed, unaware that I wasn't joking. "Anyway, I'll take these to Lorenzo. Father's been speaking highly of him lately."
"Don't get too attached. Political alliances are like wine," I said, trying to sound as wise as possible. "They age well… until they turn sour."
Ezio shot me a confused look but nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Anything else I should know?"
"Just… keep your eyes open. Things are about to get complicated. More complicated than you think," I replied, my tone shifting slightly, even if Ezio couldn't hear the warning in it.
The younger Auditore gave me a grin. "Complicated? Dante, it's Florence. It's always complicated."
Fair point. He wasn't wrong. If I had a florin for every time someone said something like that to me before the world exploded, I'd probably own a small island by now.
Ezio waved me off and set off for the Palazzo Medici, the usual stride of someone blissfully unaware of what was waiting for him. As I watched him disappear into the distance, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. All I could do now was prepare for what came next—and hope I could rewrite a few chapters of this cursed family drama before it was too late.
I made my way to the courtyard's pigeon coop, retrieving the letter I needed. The carrier bird that would lead me to the next clue. As I tied the paper securely around the bird's leg and sent it off, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly to myself.
"Time to play my part in the game of betrayal, and hope I don't end up as the fall guy."
Sure, I knew the plot. Sure, I knew the endgame. But knowing it and surviving it were two very different things. I had to play this right, one step at a time. Because in this world, there were no second chances. No respawns.
If Uberto Alberti thought he could get away with backstabbing the Auditore family… he was about to learn the hard way why you don't mess with someone who's seen every plot twist coming.
***
How is my modern humour coming together?
Or should I go back to my plain and simple version?
Anyway, good news my dear readers!!!
We have made it to the RANKINGS!!!
Will around the bottom but still... Well you all have to help me reach top order (Just kidding... or am I?)
p*treon.com/SuryaPutra_Karna01
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