CHAPTER 11………………………………………………..
I groggily got up from bed at the sound that woke me. When I lifted my head, Roshi was standing beside me, saying something.
I held out my hand to stop her, experiencing the strange sensation of sound entering my ears and instantly escaping outside. Roshi closed her mouth, and I blinked a few times to clear my mind before lifting my head.
“…What’s going on?”
“Miss, you’re late.”
I slowly turned my gaze to the window. The sun, which had been bright earlier, was gone, replaced by a deep sunset. How long had I slept?
“How long did I sleep?”
“About three hours.”
“Oh, really?”
My body felt lazy, almost begging me to sleep more. But if I slept any longer, it would only delay our departure, so I slowly got up.
“I’ve drawn your bath. I’ll go get your dress, so you can wash up. I’m too busy to help you, I’m afraid.”
“It’s fine. Really.”
I waved my hand lightly and shuffled into the bathroom. Ah, I wish I could sleep more… if only Elian weren’t here.
Feeling my anger toward Elian rising, I undressed and sank into the bathtub, closing my eyes slowly.
“…I feel sleepy again.”
What kind of drug did that crazy man give me? I’ve been off all day. If I ever meet him again, I’ll kill him, haah.
Tilting my head, I looked at the ceiling as steam drifted upward. While staring blankly, a flash of red caught my eye.
Eyes resembling the color of blood. It amazed me that that man had saved me.
But how did he save me? I clearly remembered raising a glass with that damn man… I vaguely remember the glass breaking.
I thought I said something at the end to warn him to stay away from Elian, but the details were fuzzy. A warning message… hmm.
“Should I ask and find out?”
The prince would be surrounded by people, and if I stepped in and asked what happened yesterday, a scandal would erupt instantly. I despise troublesome rumors.
I rubbed my eyes with warm water and got up.
“Well… it’ll work out somehow.”
Dressed in a different outfit from yesterday and wearing the same swan mask, I wandered near the chairman. I was a little late, but the protagonist—the crown prince—hadn’t appeared yet… I wandered around to wake up and get some fresh air.
Nobles gathered in groups according to their social circles, entering the banquet hall. The music and chatter inside were the voices of the next-generation movers of politics and industry. It still felt strange being among them.
When most of the guests had entered the hall, I slowly moved, thinking it was time to go in.
Passing through the grand open doors, the sound inside amplified. Although it was midnight outside, the hall was brightly lit as if the sun had been hung inside.
There’s nothing more embarrassing than being among strangers. I borrowed the power of my mask and looked around slowly. Where could Elian be?
Knowing Elian’s personality, she would have arrived at the start of the party and been chattering with people all day, but no matter how I scanned the hall, she wasn’t there. Had she not arrived yet?
With no one I knew around, I couldn’t ask anyone. I eventually slumped into a corner table, sipping apple juice while observing the surroundings.
Even as the party reached its peak, Elian didn’t appear. I was sure she would come. Was she taking a break today? Or…
“She’s already started stalking the crown prince.”
Since the crown prince hadn’t appeared yet, it was possible. Elian might have been trailing his carriage and would enter with him to draw attention. She’s clever in that way.
Once that thought arose, my imagination continued down that path.
“…This won’t do.”
Sighing, I got up. Just as I was about to look around for Elian, a voice called from the side.
“Rudia!”
The sound alone raised my blood pressure, yet I let out a small sigh of relief. She wasn’t doing anything strange.
Turning my head, I saw Elian, lavishly dressed and wearing a golden mask. At a masked ball, her mask barely served its purpose. Was it too small? It only covered her eyes slightly.
“Elian.”
When I called her name, she approached me. Yesterday, she had screamed and stormed out, but now she clung to me as if nothing had happened. Normally, I would’ve told her to stop talking to me, but today I held back.
“I’ve been looking for you, Rudia! Where have you been?”
I’ve been here all along. But looking for me? Why?
“Do you have something to say?”
“Oh, come on. Do I need a reason to find you? You’re too harsh for a friend of ten years.”
Her gentle wink annoyed me. She rarely showed this side. Was she playing nice because people were watching? As Elian’s popularity rose in society, it made sense she’d be aware of the gaze of others.
“Oh, no! Are you still sulking over yesterday? Oh, sorry. I’ll apologize. I couldn’t control my emotions yesterday. So, cheer up, okay?”
She didn’t look sorry at all. Her smile while apologizing seemed likely to stir my anger again.
Sighing and holding back my irritation, I ignored her and opened my mouth.
“Enough. What’s the matter?”
“Oh! I want to introduce you to some people. Is that okay?”
“…People?”
“Yes. They’re all from influential families and well-mannered. But it’s a bit awkward for me to mingle alone, so I wanted you to come along.”
‘She wants me as a prop to make her shine among other people.’
From my memory, Elian often took me along to show herself as kind and loyal. She would force me into social settings, then act like she was paying attention to me to build her own reputation.
‘…She’s entirely thinking of using me.’
I didn’t want to be used anymore. Forget the crown prince; I wouldn’t give anything to this selfish girl.
I met Elian’s gaze and smiled faintly.
“Shall we?”
“Really?! Let’s go, this way.”
Elian looped her arm through mine, pretending familiarity, and dragged me along. She looked radiant, smiling broadly as if thrilled to use me.
Objectively, Elian was gorgeous. Her bright, cheerful aura and flashy appearance drew people in.
But for quiet, introverted me, standing next to her only emphasized the contrast. Her manipulative charm wasn’t just strategy; it was instinctual.
And that made me angrier. People like her don’t accept or notice their wrongs. They belittle others behind their backs, causing relationships to fracture.
Better if we clashed now, but this naive girl would probably never understand, even if I pushed her away.
With many family connections and business dealings at play, removing Elian would take time.
I noticed a group of six—four men, two women—all striking in appearance. They waved happily at Elian.
“Sorry we’re late.”
Elian smiled and hid her mouth, her voice polite. The tallest man stepped forward to greet her.
“After our conversation yesterday, I looked forward to speaking with you again. I’m glad to see you today.”
“Oh, no. I’m honored to see you again as well.”
That sly fox… her smile stretched ear to ear. Tsk. I turned my head, sensing their gaze shift to me. Before I could decide whether to greet them, Elian skillfully pulled my arm.
“This is my best friend. As you know, she’s Rudia, head of the Astria Guild and only daughter of the Mertens family. First time meeting her, right?”
Being introduced without my consent was rude. But Elian didn’t care and added that I was shy and not good at small talk.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. Your recent achievements with the Astria Guild, and your business acumen are highly regarded. Oh! I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Valio, eldest son of the Festinche Marquis family. Pleased to meet you.”
I looked at his extended hand briefly and lowered my gaze. I didn’t know much about the Festinche family, but Valio seemed to lead this group; the others said nothing.
I hesitated. I didn’t want to mingle with them, but ignoring someone who introduces themselves would be rude. I decided to give a small smile.
“I’ve heard a lot. Elian told me about the nobleman she met yesterday.”
“R-Really?”
Seeing his pleased expression, I smiled inwardly. Of course. He was already infatuated with Elian. A big catch.
But what of it? Elian was obsessed with the crown prince, too busy to care about these men.
This wasn’t about me. Gossip mattered, not truth or Elian’s feelings.
Placing my hand on my cheek, I smiled gently and spoke slowly.
“I was worried she might be disappointed by other men these past few days, so I’m truly happy she met someone as wonderful as yesterday’s nobleman. As Elian’s friend, it makes me glad.”
I watched Valio’s expression stiffen. His mouth opened slowly.
“Other men?”
“Even I felt pity watching her. She sighed so deeply. But I think she’s forgotten him now. Right, Elian?”
“Ho… hoho…”
Valio’s face crumpled, Elian looked flustered, and onlookers were entertained. The stage seemed set just for me.
I smiled slightly, lifting the mask.
“Let’s settle down now.”
Stop the foxing. Annoying.
The atmosphere froze. The more Valio’s expression stiffened, the more embarrassed Elian became.
Even though Elian was certain of her relationship with the crown prince, she drew other men in for self-satisfaction: ‘I’m amazing. I’m beautiful.’
The poor men were deceived into thinking she liked them, falling into her trap. There, their relationship ends.
Elian doesn’t feed the fish she catches—or rather, the fish that come willingly.
Whether she induces it or her instincts drive it, it didn’t matter. Judging by her expression now, she didn’t care.
“R-Rudia, what do you mean by settle down? What do you mean… settle down… huh?”
