Chapter Text
8:00 PM
Zane meticulously smoothed the cuffs of his grey sleeves over his watch as he walked up the palace steps for the very first time in his 25 years. Truthfully, he didn't like such formal attire, as opposed to his regular uniform. But he'd luckily saved this one from the last New Year's Eve party he'd attended, figuring it would fit the occasion.
"But... you never go to events like this," he was reminded of just half an hour earlier. "Why tonight?
"It would be rude to refuse an invitation," Zane had answered.
"The royal family are only figureheads, Zane. They pretend to be important.”
“It is the ones who have the least to hide that we must pay attention to,” Zane looked over his appearance in the mirror. He stashed his invitation in his pocket on the way out, giving them a significant look.
“Planning to crack a case without help?” They smiled at him.
“Hopefully... no services will be needed. Maybe you should join me after all.”
Zane still hoped as he approached the guards at the entrance to the palace. He pulled the particular invitation out to give to them.
“Zane Julien," he confirmed.
The invitation was promptly taken from him and given a brief inspection before he was handed a singular white mask, adorned with silver features.
“Straight ahead,” he was informed. Zane nodded his appreciation, tying the white mask around his head to conceal his identity.
Just seconds after him, Zane heard someone else arrive.
“Lloyd Montgomery.”
Curious at the name, Zane checked over his shoulder to eye a blond-haired man with a short stature receiving a green mask. Once he tied it, he looked up at Zane with unnerving red eyes.
Not wanting to be caught staring, Zane wordlessly fixed his sights ahead once more, his feet carrying him further down a stretching hallway. He eyed guards lining the area, all standing alertly.
A very secure event... This must be invitation only.
Zane continued until he entered what he assumed was the ballroom. The area was large, adorned with mainly red decals and rounded pillars. Chandeliers glistened above, flooding the hall with warm candlelight.
In the center of the ballroom were the other guests- or at least those who’d arrived. Each of them wore a colored mask, but there were no more than two of each color: Two purple. Two yellow. Two orange. Two pink. Two grey. One black. One blue. One red.
It would seem we are meant to have pairs...
He counted seven maids making rounds through the room, delivering drinks and food to the guests, and a total of eight guards stationed near the pillars.
8:05 PM
Just as Zane glanced up from his watch, he felt himself collide with someone else. He heard them gasp, and Zane quickly reached to catch their waist before they fell to the ground.
A single paper file dropped from their grasp.
“My apologies,” Zane said to the woman he’d bumped into so rudely. Her black hair was tied in an intricate updo and she was wearing a dark blue silk dress, which matched her blue mask- not the same wearer of the blue mask he’d noted earlier.
The woman remained silent as Zane bent down to grab the file for her. His fingers ghosted the edges, and he caught sight of the bottom corner of the page before she snatched it from him, hurrying back into the crowd.
He watched for a moment longer as the woman slipped the paper from the file, passing it to a man in a red mask in a very brief exchange that no one would notice if they weren't specifically looking for it. Then she turned, heading straight for the entrance.
“Hm,” He narrowed his eyes, debating the strange behavior. He had only noticed one blue mask upon his arrival, and it had not been her.
She only just arrived... and she is leaving so soon.
He was already debating questioning the lone man in the red mask but thought better than to involve himself. He ducked away to watch the room instead, noting every guest that arrived and hoping maybe the woman in blue would make her return.
8:10 PM
His watch marked another five minutes just as he heard himself being addressed.
“Well, well. If it isn’t everyone’s favorite detective. Julien, correct?”
Zane swiveled his head, catching sight of a woman in a black slip dress coupled with a red mask, which perfectly complemented her bright red hair.
“I know this a masquerade... but am I meant to know who you are?” he inquired, approaching her politely as she held out her hand for him to take.
“I should hope not, detective.”
“And here I was under the impression that only recognizable faces would be here tonight.” Zane pressed a gentle kiss to her hand. A flash of a jewel caught his eye on her ring finger.
“My business is well known,” she informed him. “As is yours. Dance with me?”
Intrigued, and having nothing better to do, Zane could only nod, letting her lead him into a simple but well-rehearsed waltz.
“So what business is this?” Zane continued with his questions.
“A restaurant. The royal family likes it so much that they often ask me to cater these events.”
“I see,” Zane added that information to his growing profile of the red-haired woman. “And do you typically attend these events you help to prepare for?”
“Typically? Not at all.” The woman said, twirling under his arm. “ Tonight , I suppose they were feeling kind.”
“Kind indeed,” Zane agreed. “I too do not usually receive such invitations.”
“Really? That surprises me, detective.”
Zane narrowed his eyes as he twirled the woman again. The strap of her dress slipped down, revealing a portion of her bare back, where the purple markings of a tattoo were visible.
“That is a curious tattoo...” he started, lowering his voice.
Unfortunately, before he could inquire further, the song they danced to ended, and the woman spun away from him, fixing the strap of her dress.
“It was nice to meet your acquaintance, detective.” She flashed him a grin, that looked less kind and more knowing. "If you’ll excuse me, I believe I have a partner to go find.”
“I saw a matching red mask in that corner of the room,” Zane directed her, setting his initial suspicions behind him. “And we will have to talk again soon. I should like to know what restaurant to visit to enjoy your company once more.”
With a final smile, the woman turned her back to him, beginning to walk off. Zane carefully eyed her back, where she’d successfully covered her tattoo.
8:15 PM
He read the time precisely. More guests had arrived, some of which he thought he knew. He counted once more that there were seven maids and eight guards.
Zane was just completing a lap around the hall when he came face to face with the man in the green mask- Lloyd Montgomery, he had said- leaning against the wall to observe the party, just as Zane was. Except, he'd yet to interact with any of the guests.
The cautious glint of his red eyes met Zane's once more, and the detective turned away.
There is nothing truly out of the ordinary... he concluded, though not able to forget Lloyd's particular gaze. It was very similar to one he'd seen before... and it had power.
8:20 PM
At that exact moment, the guards shifted for the first time since he’d arrived, leaving the entrance unguarded. Zane curiously watched as the man in the blue mask and the man in the black mask left the room side by side.
“Quite odd...” Zane muttered aloud, examining their retreating figures with interest. Again, he found himself debating whether he should get involved and follow them, but once more decided that it was not his place. Two missing guests would certainly cause no harm.
As he relaxed, however, a dash of green caught his eye, and Zane started, looking around.
Did he move?
Zane narrowed in on the blur, expecting to find Lloyd but met with the sight of a small woman moving through the crowd with a mask identical to Lloyd's. She stopped in her tracks a few meters away, eyeing Zane through their disguises, and lifting a fan to cover what little he could see of her face. It was that singular gaze that convinced him to approach, and Zane steadily walked towards her, dipping into a low bow.
“My host I presume?” the detective stood after a few seconds of formality. The woman held out her hand and he kissed it.
“So it is you," the girl said sweetly, her expression hidden by the fan. All he could see were her jade eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“You were expecting me then?”
Zane anticipated yet another dance, but she gently laced her arm through his, leading them away from the crowd to the edge of the room. As they walked, she grabbed two drinks from the passing maids.
“How did you know it was me?” she asked, holding out a glass to him.
Zane took it, appreciatively. “I have a keen eye, princess. And your hair color is unique.”
Harumi finally dropped her fan to allow him to look at her as an equal. Past the green mask, he could see traces of her white and red makeup, which blended into the pristine white of her hair. She looked entirely porcelain- and entirely delicate. Though, he wasn't expecting much else from the deemed flower of the Empire.
“I hoped you would make it, detective,” she told him, handing him a glass. “My parents didn’t approve so I took matters into my own hands.”
“I am glad you did so. I do not often get to celebrate. Happy birthday, by the way.”
“Thank you,” she said, though her voice was tinted with nerves. “You wouldn’t know it but... I quite admire your work, detective. I've read many of your cases, and I find each as fascinating as the last. Though it may be undignified for a princess to say this, it is an honor to meet you.”
“I am most flattered,” Zane smiled at her, kindly. "And please... the pleasure is mine."
“If you wouldn't mind, I actually have some questions for you of my own. No one should interrupt us here."
"Oh, well... do go ahead," Zane didn't mask his shock well. He'd had many self-proclaimed fans over the years, but none of them had outright invited him to such an exclusive event just to get him alone.
"Well, rumors make their rounds, even out here. There are theories that you have a secret partner. Is it at all true?"
8:25 PM
Zane quirked a brow. “Surely if no one knows for certain, then it is not true.”
“It is often the people you don’t see who do the most work,” Harumi said; a glint of knowing in her jade green eyes. Zane considered that. “Besides... most of your recent cases would not make sense without a helping hand from elsewhere.”
“I’m beginning to believe I’m not the only one with a keen eye,” Zane chuckled. “Alas, I work alone. And at a level most cannot comprehend.”
“I don’t doubt it. It is said you have the sharpest senses in all of Ninjago...” Zane eyed her curiously as she fixed a stray piece of white hair, pulling out her fan once more. “I hope tonight is no exception.”
Tonight is not supposed to be an exception?
“Pardon my asking,” Zane cleared his throat, setting his glass down on a nearby tray. “I am happy to be here. But why is it I was invited tonight?”
“I should hope you’ve already noticed two of the reasons,” Harumi lowered her voice. “The man in the green mask whom no one can place the name of and the caterer who has never once attended a palace celebration.”
“You believe the invitations were tampered with?” Zane pieced together her thought process.
“Yes...”
“And you wish for me to investigate?”
“I fear something grave may happen if you do not,” her eyes wavered with fear he understood quite well.
Zane contemplated that. He normally did not work outside of his jurisdiction, but if it were true that something tragic was about to happen, he did not feel right sitting idle on the side and letting it happen.
“I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled,” he promised her, bending to kiss her hand once more.
8:30 PM
The princess and him kindly departed and Zane made to join the celebrations once more. As he spun his head, however, he found Lloyd carefully watching their previous interaction.
Zane simply stared back with a more intense gaze until Lloyd turned his red eyes towards the retreating princess instead.
He is keeping an eye on her...
Zane took that into account, scanning the room once more. Eight maids and eight guards. New guests, but none that returned after he saw them leaving.
Where are the two blue masks and the black mask?
He promised the princess he'd investigate to the best of his ability and so he supposed that would be a good start. he began to follow the path the two men had taken from the room. Two hallways branched from the main one leading into the ballroom, and Zane eyed both, wondering which they could have disappeared into.
“... return... revoke your...” he heard a faint voice say. Zane followed the noise into the hallway on his right, hiding around the nearest corner he came upon to listen further.
“Hutchins, you bastard. We know what you’ve been doing,” a rougher voice came. Zane strained to hear the slightest thumping sound as someone marched forward.
Zane peeked around the wall to find that sure enough, it was the royal advisor who was currently in an altercation with the blue and black masked men.
No blue masked woman to be found... Clearly, I've stumbled upon a very personal matter.
“Please, Mr. Brookestone, my respect for your families is too great for me to wish your reputations harm.”
“Bullshit!” The supposed Mr. Brookestone angrily said, clutching Hutchins’ uniform in balled fists. The man in blue watched in silence, uncertain of the exchange before him. His hand fiddled with the top button of his shirt.
Before the situation could escalate, Zane cleared his throat, making his presence known to all three men. They each distanced themselves in a matter of seconds but still remained tense.
“Excuse me, sir. Are you lost?” Hutchins said first.
“Not at all,” Zane spoke, lifting his mask. Hutchins seemed to recognize him immediately. “I was hoping to catch up with a friend... Hutchins.”
“Ah, Detective Julien," Hutchins smiled, his mood shifting significantly. "You received an invitation. It’s about time, I say.”
Hutchins stepped towards him, resting a hand on his shoulder and beginning to usher him away. The men in black and blue stared after them, still remaining silent.
"I hoped I could have a word," Zane whispered.
"As do I. However, I have matters to attend to here, detective. You'd best return to the party." Hutchins instructed him, with a voice as equally quiet. He then gave Zane a good-natured pat, raising his voice just a bit more spiritedly. "Do enjoy yourself tonight!"
Zane said nothing, wondering what he had just witnessed.
8:35 PM
Sure enough, Zane found his way back to the ballroom, where the party was still going steady. More and more people were pairing up with their doubles as they arrived, among whom was Lloyd, who had just left his spot to make for the princess. He bowed just as Zane did when he greeted her, holding out a hand as an invitation. Polite as ever, her lips quirked in a kind smile, and she placed her hand in his, following him to the floor.
Zane eyed them for a while, as they fell into seemingly easy conversation.
What could they be discussing...
He was just starting to tune out the rest of his party when he heard someone clear their throat. Zane blinked in sudden confusion, before registering a woman in front of him wearing a white mask identical to his.
“Ah,” Zane grinned. “My partner, I presume?”
The woman casually lifted up her mask, and he was not surprised whatsoever to recognize her.
“Are you enjoying your night off?”
“ Pixal,” he took her outstretched hand in his. Hers were always much warmer- a comfort to be certain. “You came after all.”
“Well, just in case your services are needed tonight, I would like to stay right here.”
“A wise decision,” Zane told her, leading her to the floor to dance. They began a gentle sway. "What do you make of this so far?"
“I think... it is an odd idea for a party,” She pointed out. “Wouldn’t agree?”
“What about it?” Zane queried.
“There are two masks of every color. Each worn by a man and a woman. We are expected to double up naturally with predetermined partners.”
My thoughts exactly.
“The royal family may still have something planned,” he said, feeling hopeful.
Pixal spun out from him before spinning back in effortlessly, letting him wrap his arms around her.
“Then I am eager to see what involvement we are to have, detective.”
Zane chuckled.
8:40 PM
Zane watched over Pixal’s shoulder as Mr. Brookestone and the unnamed blue masked man made their return. This time, they went their separate ways. Hutchins lingered in the doorway after them, eyeing Zane from across the floor. Zane did not look away until Hutchins broke eye contact, disappearing from his view.
“Is something wrong, Zane?” Pixal questioned. Zane didn’t exactly know what to tell her of the strange events he’d been witnessing in just 40 minutes since his arrival.
He did another head count. Eight maids and eight guards.
“The party has been going on for a while now,” Zane noted. “Everyone who ought to be here should be by now. We should enjoy the party.”
Her expression deepened, taking in the sentiment.
“Yes... let’s.”
They continued their dancing alongside the other doubles, but Zane purposefully kept his eyes pinned on a particular two. Harumi had just broken away from Lloyd, seemingly upset and hurrying from the room. Lloyd watched her go, now left partnerless.
His red eyes flashed a warning.
8:55 PM
Nothing of note happened until Harumi and the royal family entered the ballroom together. More drinks were being passed around by seven maids. The eighth handed glasses to the Emperor and Empress, who made no gesture to thank her. Harumi stood by their sides as they proposed a toast.
“Our daughter is our pride and joy,” the Emperor’s voice carried through the now silent hall. He looked to his daughter, who was tearing up. Zane got a sinking feeling that he often did in his line of work. “Tonight, we honor her, and her 17th year gracing my wife and me.”
The entire room mirrored the Emperor and Empress as they raised their glasses high in the air, before drinking from them.
9:00 PM
The Empress collapsed to the floor. Then the Emperor. Harumi's scream pierced through every ear, and the entire room fell into ensuing concern. Hutchins was the first to rush to their sides, while Harumi was held back by a guard. The princess began to wail the longer her parents remained unresponsive.
“They are... dead .” Hutchins’ voice had never sounded so frail. Murmurs of panic spread through the crowd. And through them all, Hutchins' eyes locked onto Zane, his anger quite clear.
“I don’t think this is your night off anymore...” Pixal looked up at him, horrified. Her face had gone ghostly pale.
As everything hit him at once, Zane only felt dread pool in the pit of his stomach.