Chapter 8
The Proposal
“Shall we play cards like usual? We don’t have much time left.”
“Unfortunately, I’m not recovered enough to play cards. My mind is full of imagination though.”
“Then why bring up something like that?”
“Ever since I entered university, I’ve been distant from high society. Talking with you makes me want to remember what that world felt like.”
“You mean the masquerade ball.”
“Because honestly, that’s the only kind of topic that interests me right now.”
She had every reason to be interested.
But if too many balls were held, it would create trouble for Sena.
If the workload increased and overtime continued, the hotel would forcibly give employees days off.
Sena had no plans to take a day off yet.
“So many balls being held would be a problem for me.”
“Because it would increase your workload?”
“Exactly.”
“In that case, I have a suggestion.”
The “sick” Mia’s eyes suddenly glinted suspiciously.
She pulled out the ticket in her hand and placed it into Sena’s.
“I, for one, have this ticket.”
A terrible premonition crawled up Sena’s spine like a cold shiver.
“…So you want me to somehow make you well enough to attend in two days? If I pray to the goddess, maybe it’ll come true.”
“No, no. That’s not it.”
“Because—you can’t put on a dress by yourself. You want help dressing, fixing your hair, doing your nails, right?”
Mia shook her head.
No, that wasn’t it.
“That ticket… I’m giving it to you.”
“Wh—what…?!”
It was a shocking proposal.
Sena fell speechless and stared at the duke’s daughter—her childhood friend—whose face was glowing despite still being unwell.
When had she started joking in such a terrible way?
Did four years apart really change a person this much?
It had to be a joke.
The ticket was worth at least a hundred gold coins.
Invited guests received an invitation, but they were required to purchase the ticket as well.
Even prestigious houses needed substantial assets to earn the right to attend the masquerade ball.
No sane person would hand over a ticket worth a hundred gold coins to a mere hotel room cleaner.
This was not a simple act of kindness. Sena felt certain of it.
“What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch… I just wanted to repay you. You’ve been thinking of me every day, worrying about me, spending your time in this lonely room where no one else comes to visit.”
“Is that really true? Are you seriously telling me you’re giving me a ticket worth a hundred gold coins? That sounds suspicious.”
“Hehehe…”
Ah. Busted.
Mia made a face that admitted it.
There was a hidden motive after all.
It might even involve her family.
Sena needed to tread carefully.
“I want you to go and see for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want you to wear that mask, my dress, my shoes—become me. I want you to enjoy the ball in my place. This will be the last time I can attend as an unmarried woman.”
“…You mean you’re getting married soon?”
Mia nodded.
If things were going well with her current lover, there shouldn’t be much anxiety about marriage.
“Was this trip really just sightseeing?”
Sena asked while watching the time.
Mia’s eyes wavered, troubled.
