In a large room decorated with golden tapestries, Lux helped Jinx put on a black dress, made of a fabric as fluid as it was dark, which seemed to catch the light in a strange way. Jinx stood in front of a large mirror, her gaze fascinated by her reflection. She had never worn dresses, much less such elegant outfits. She turned slowly on herself, seeming to enjoy herself in this new skin, although a little lost.

"Did you really choose this?" Jinx said with a laugh, her eyes wide with surprise. "I thought you were going to put me in something blue or gold, like, with wings, but this... It's pretty good."

Lux, concentrating, adjusted the dress around Jinx's waist, her face bright with a touch of pride. "You need an outfit that flatters you, Jinx. There's nothing wrong with looking beautiful from time to time." She smiled, her eyes shining with a friendly glint. "You know, you could really get used to this kind of thing."

Jinx rolled her eyes, a small smirk on her lips. "Well, if I start looking too pretty, they might judge me, right? That's not really my style." She leaned back in a chair, crossing her arms in her usual mischievous manner. "Besides, I'm fine the way I am, right?"

Lux watched her for a moment, slightly worried but also amused by Jinx's quirky attitude. "You don't have to hide, you know. Just because you're wearing a dress doesn't mean you're not yourself anymore."

Jinx shrugged, a mischievous smile on her lips. "I'm just going to cause trouble my way. What better way to be myself?"

The knight Sir Cedric entered then, wearing an expression of professionalism and discipline that seemed hard to dissociate from him. He observed the scene with a critical eye, especially Jinx, but remained silent, waiting for Lux to finish preparing her friend.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice deep and authoritative.

Lux turned to him and nodded with a simple gesture. "We leave in a few moments."

Jinx jumped up, shaking her head with a smirk. "Well, well, I'll go. The princess and her charming knight, no problem."

----

The grand hall of the masquerade ball was decorated with golden draperies and sparkling chandeliers, creating an opulent yet strangely mysterious atmosphere. The guests were dressed in costumes and masks, and a soft light illuminated the elegant crowd that moved silently, absorbed in whispered conversations. In this enigmatic setting, Jinx stood beside Lux, a striking silhouette in her tight black dress. Her hair, which had grown back since her almost shaved cut, was now a deep blue, reaching a little more than her shoulders, with wispy strands that framed her face in an almost wild way. She had chosen to leave her hair natural, creating an untamed allure that contrasted with the nobility of the room.

Jinx adjusted her black mask, decorated with small sparkling stones, which hid her lively and mischievous gaze. There was no question of her blending into the shadows. She liked to be noticed. The other guests' gazes fell upon her, fascinated and embarrassed by her appearance. She turned to Lux with a mocking smile.

"You put me in this dress and now they're staring at me like I'm a rare creature on display. Well done, Lux, really."

Lux, wearing a cream beaded dress and a delicate mask, walked beside her with quiet grace, but her eyes shone with a quiet worry, as if she knew there was more to this evening than it seemed. She squeezed Jinx's arm gently, a protective gesture that made her react immediately.

"This is an important evening, Jinder. They'll be watching us, that's normal. But you'll get used to it. Just be careful not to draw too much attention."

"Oh, it's not going to be easy with all those eyes on me," Jinx replied, rolling her eyes and glancing at a group of nobles who were staring at her, whispering to themselves. "Especially when I'm next to Princess Lux, the star of the ball."

The knight who accompanied them, Sir Cedric, followed with a firm step, his icy gaze taking in all around him. He hadn't particularly appreciated being relegated to the position of guard for Lux and her "cousin." His jaw clenched as Jinx looked at him askance, amused by the palpable tension between them. He turned to her, a sneer of contempt on his face.

"Be careful not to disturb your guests too much, miss." His voice was marked by cold authority. "This is not an alley."

Jinx raised an eyebrow, ready to respond, but Lux intervened, holding her arm a little tighter to urge her forward.

"He's just a little... worried, Jinder. Leave him alone." Lux gave Cedric a polite smile, but his attention quickly turned to a group of leaders approaching them. A silence fell, and the conversation quickly turned to Lux and her "cousin."

"Miss Luxanna Crownguard, you have impeccable taste in disguise tonight," one of the leaders, a graying-haired man with a face marked by age, bowed slightly to them. "And your friend... cousin, is she?"

Lux smiled, but her mask did not hide a nervous glint in her eyes. "Yes, my distant cousin. Jinder, come. Allow me to introduce you to Lord Caelen and Lady Edwyn."

Jinx was unfazed, her gaze lingering on the two nobles with a slight smirk. "Pleased to meet you... well, if you say so," she said, bowing slightly as she continued to stare at the people. Her sarcasm was palpable, but she tried to remain polite, not wanting to get herself into too much trouble.

The conversation continued quietly between the nobles and Lux, but a name suddenly surfaced, catching Jinx's attention. Another leader, the one wearing a heavy blue cloak, turned to Lux with a concerned look.

"Tell me, Miss Luxanna, have you heard the latest rumors? I hear that Piltover's advisor, the famous Mel Medarda, is going to make an appearance tonight."

Jinx froze abruptly, her heart racing at the mention of the name. "Mel?" she whispered to herself, unable to control herself. Her gaze suddenly darkened, a wave of panic rising within her, but she tried to control it. Zaun. Piltover. Mel. The mixture of words brought back painful memories.

"Ah, you mean that advisor?" said the other leader, a young man with a pretentious air. "I've only heard rumors. They say she has powers. It's a shame she's coming here, to Demacia, if that's the case. Imagine... the war in Piltover has already weakened the kingdom, and now they're sending a sorceress."

Jinx's blood froze at those words. She looked away, her thoughts blurring. She saw the faces of her loved ones, Ekko and Vi, who were still there, in Zaun, far from her. Anxiety gripped her throat. What was happening in Piltover? What was Mel doing there, and why was she tied to this flashback she hadn't wanted to face?

She felt her breath catch, a dizziness filling her. Her hands clenched into tight fists. "She's not coming here," she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

Lux immediately noticed the change in Jinx's demeanor, her gaze turning to her with concern. She placed her hand gently on her arm, guiding her away from the conversation that continued around them.

"Jinder, what's wrong?" Lux whispered, leading her to a quiet corner of the room. "You... you look upset."

Jinx closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but before she could open her mouth, excited voices came from across the room.

"They're coming, they're coming!" someone announced. "Mel Medarda and Vincent Hale just arrived."

The sound of the crowd welcoming the new arrivals made Jinx's heart leap in her chest. She straightened, bracing herself for what was to come as Mel and the other mysterious man were announced to enter.