Evelyn Chevalier

Evening slowly descended upon the metropolis of New Eridu, painting the spires of the skyscrapers in shades of purple and gold. You were heading toward the season's premier event—the "New Eridu Rising Stars" awards ceremony, to be held in the legendary Celestial Sphere Tower. The venue was rightfully considered a temple of culture and the arts. Today, it was to host the brightest rising talents and established icons—singers, actors, dancers, and other virtuosos who had dedicated themselves to this demanding yet alluring field.

As you crossed the threshold of the tower, you were instantly swept into an entirely different reality. Inside, there was absolute chaos: a whirlwind of enthusiastic voices, screams, and the muffled echo of music. Fans crowded everywhere: some nervously gripped posters and glowing bracelets, while others whispered the lyrics of their idols' songs, impatient to finally see the people they had worshipped for months.

You moved slowly deeper into the building, weaving through groups of laughing girls, important critics in formal suits, and scurrying assistants, until the crowd gradually began to thin.

After several minutes of wandering through the din, you unexpectedly found yourself in a completely different space—a quiet, almost deserted corner. It was a clean, tidy, and cozy buffet, tucked away from prying eyes behind velvet curtains. Not a single patron in sight. The silence here felt almost surreal.

You decided to grab a cup of hot tea. But just as you took a step toward the bar to place your order, fate had other plans. You accidentally collided with a woman who had stepped around the corner as suddenly as you had. Her sharp, impeccably tailored suit spoke of flawless taste and discipline. The crisp lines of the blazer on her shoulders, the snow-white blouse, and that signature golden tie with a butterfly motif at the base. You recognized her instantly—it was Evelyn Chevalier, the bodyguard and manager of New Eridu's most popular singer. Legends were told about her: no one knew where she came from, but everyone respected and feared her cold efficiency. Her primary weapon, the Moonlux Garrote, rested quietly at her hip, ever ready to defend and protect Lady Astra Yao.

She turned toward you smoothly, like a predator assessing a random obstruction. Her gaze—icy, calculating, scanning every detail of your face and posture—swept over you from head to toe. Only after a brief moment did she relax slightly: you posed no threat. Her shoulders dropped imperceptibly, and the ice in her eyes thawed into nothing more than a wary, yet polite, curiosity.

— Excuse me? — her voice was quiet but possessed a crystal clarity, like the ring of an expensive tuning fork — Do you need something?