Chapter 45
But Mr. Shuwalt was the kind of person who was good at taking what he needed and throwing the rest away, so I thought he would just roughly use Count Babera and then discard him.
“Is it that Mr. Shuwalt has grown old? Or did they hide it well?”
“I don’t know.”
“When did they meet again?”
“Next month. Should I tell him?”
“No. Wait. That Count Babera might be scheming again. Better to investigate a little more and then tell Mr. Shuwalt—it won’t be too late.”
“Understood.”
The music returned to a gentle rhythm.
Those who still wanted to dance moved closer together, chatting quietly.
Nobles who wanted to rest, or have deeper conversations elsewhere, began to move separately but still in small groups.
“Don’t worry about protecting me. Just gather all the information you can. People tend to spill a lot on nights like this.”
I tilted my chin toward the opposite side of where I was going.
“Will that be alright?”
“I told you not to waste time on useless thoughts. Go ahead. I’ll stay and observe a bit longer.”
“Understood.”
Ian walked away.
Just as I was about to watch a little more, someone approached.
Since this side of the hall was more secluded, I twisted my body and hid behind a curtain.
One of the advantages of a royal masked ball is that, unlike a normal banquet, it’s held in the underground hall, so there are plenty of places to hide.
“Oh, don’t do that~”
A sweet, playful voice drew closer.
“There’s a guest lounge upstairs. We could…”
“Now?”
“There might be an empty room…”
Then, my eyes accidentally met with a man whose excitement had clearly risen. One of his urgent hands was on his companion’s hip, and his body froze stiffly in panic.
Oh my.
I tilted my head to the side. I had been there first, yet somehow I felt like an intruder.
Alright. Have a good time.
I smiled faintly at the nameless man and left.
“What? What happened?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Nothing at all. Even what they were doing…”
Their voices gradually faded. What a scene to stumble upon. Well, that’s part of the fun of a masked ball. They would probably spend the rest of the passionate night in one of the upstairs guest rooms.
I moved to another spot, and this time someone else approached.
“Lady.”
I tilted my chin slightly, silently asking why.
“May I have the honor of dancing with you?”
He wore a cute mask with two deer-like ears. I knew his true personality, which didn’t match the innocent, endearing mask.
‘Ah, the son of Marquis Raduke.’
He was infamous for using his father’s wealth to meddle everywhere and constantly cause trouble. Rumor had it he had a serious womanizing habit, changing partners over ten times a month.
Neither the Marquis nor his wife were particularly attractive, but perhaps there was some charm I didn’t know about.
I had no interest in him at all—but being the son of Marquis Raduke changed things.
“Alright.”
He was skilled in coaxing women, so he moved smoothly. But as soon as the dance started, he began boasting—his wealth, his family’s connections, everything. It sounded rehearsed.
I quietly listened.
“Have you ever been to Jade Beach? It’s the only beach near the capital. Of course, not just anyone can enter.”
Jade Beach—I’d been there once, taken by the prince. It was owned by the palace, so I didn’t understand why he was bragging about it.
“Why there?”
“I have some connections with the royal family. If you like, I could take you there later. It’s more amazing than anywhere you’ve been.”
“Ah.”
But that’s not even yours.
And that wasn’t all.
“I heard Coral Beach is even more beautiful… I’ve heard rumors that even His Majesty the Emperor desires it.”
Coral Beach belonged to Count Babera’s estate.
Though it was far from the capital, I’d heard it had a wide beach and great views of surrounding islands. It was called Coral Beach because of all the coral, though I’d never been. I wasn’t interested either.
“Hmm, that place…”
The boastful tone suddenly faltered. He leaned closer, the strong scent of him reaching me.
“This is a secret.”
“What is it?”
I pretended to listen closely.
“It might become my estate soon.”
My curiosity piqued. He seemed like the type who couldn’t keep a secret, so it might be true.
“Your estate? But that place…”
“Yes. I know. There’s something to exchange with them.”
He emphasized it was a secret.
“I see…”
Their relationship didn’t seem bad—more like a discreet affair.
“I can’t say more now, but if you continue meeting me after the ball, I’d be willing to take you there.”
The song ended, and I stepped away from him immediately.
“But what about that? You’d need to take another lady, I think.”
“Why?”
He looked confused.
I tilted my head.
“You’re not my type. Understand?”
“Yes. Of course, I under—Wait? You mean I’m not your type?”
He jumped in disbelief.
“Exactly. I have no feelings at all. We danced because you offered, and that’s it. Well danced, Mr. Deer.”
“But you didn’t say that before! You said you wanted to go to the beach?”
“You said it was beautiful, not that I wanted to go.”
He seemed to mull over our conversation, silent for a moment, then muttered curses under his breath.
“Dance is over. Should I leave? Or will you?”
The young Marquis Raduke flared up, oddly mismatched with his deer mask, and left.
I took a drink from a passing waiter and stepped back.
Bored. I think I can just leave.
I decided to end my ball activities for the day. I had gauged the atmosphere, recognized the nobles, and even heard some unexpected stories.
I crumpled the note I had meant to give to Count Babera in my hand.
Even if it’s my job to stop my mother, I wouldn’t hand that task over to someone else.
And like two years ago, I couldn’t run away being dragged along, so I needed to move carefully.
I set my empty glass on the nearest table.
Once I checked that no one was watching me, I turned and left the hall.
The hallway outside cut off most of the noise.
It had been a long time since I’d been around so many people, so I was slightly out of breath. I had signaled Ian earlier, so I could take the carriage as soon as I exited.
I turned to leave—but as I rounded the corner, someone grabbed my hand.
I looked up, annoyed.
“What?”
A man wearing a pure white mask stood there.
From what I could see, he was tall and had violet eyes.
I shut my mouth tight.
I recognized him immediately.
Yes. I could never forget.
“…….”
“…….”
Neither of us spoke first. Only a slightly harsh breath could be heard from behind our masks.
Before me stood a fully matured Valeri Ahivara Kashinef, staring coldly.
We seemed frozen like that for a while. Five minutes? Ten? Perhaps longer. I had lost all sense of time.
After locking eyes with him, everything else faded. I felt no surprise, guilt, or joy—nothing.
I imagined he felt the same.
He seemed even more unaware of the passage of time. But he wasn’t supposed to be here today. Why was he?
Unlike Delkian, Valeri wasn’t expected at the palace today. All I knew was now disrupted by his presence. Why?
He always defies my expectations.
Finally regaining my senses, I felt pain in the arm he had grabbed.
“Ah…”
I let out a small groan. Just like that, his strong grip loosened.
“Blake.”
His voice, deeper and rougher than before, resonated in my ears. Hearing it after so long sent shivers down my spine.
