We rode in the carriage, mostly in silence. He sat diagonally across from me, with the window open, facing the wind.
He's so handsome.
His dark skin, black eyes, and well-textured hair were not common among the Imperial people. The most amazing thing was his muscular physique, even though he was wearing a thin, dark uniform.
…It's not just that he's handsome.
As I observed his profile in the wind, I thought quietly to myself, "I think he's a good person."
I never thought someone was a good person just because they were in good shape. It meant that his maturity, not talking about family relationships like my own "bean flour" (a self-deprecating term for her own perceived plainness or lack of status), looked good.
I opened my mouth and asked him casually, "Do you often go to banquets?"
"No, not often. It's been a long time."
He had an attitude of not prying into other people's lives and even gave a sincere answer. He seemed to be a pretty good person. It was a bit disappointing for a one-day prom partner.
"I prepared a mask for us to wear together." I said, handing him a mask that only showed his eyes, which seemed to be getting longer and longer (perhaps indicating a growing sense of anticipation or observation).
Today's banquet was set to require masks. I was the center of noisy gossip in social circles, so this was more comfortable. The mask I prepared today was a basic butterfly shape.
I smiled at him as I put on my mask. "Doesn't it sound fun?"
With a casual touch, he fixed the mask on my face. "I'm looking forward to it."
Somehow… it's strange.
It wasn't that this man was handsome, so my heart was pounding. Somehow, when I was with this man, my emotions calmed down.
It's strangely comfortable.
I felt like my stuffy breath was easing, and something good was flowing in. I only thought about these inexplicable emotions for a moment.
The carriage quickly arrived at Maxson's mansion. As befitted the Maxson family, who were said to be the Emperor's right-hand man and the true power of the Emperor's faction, the interior of the mansion was very gorgeous.
"We've arrived now."
The people at today's prom would be the audience of an interesting comedy. I stared out the window. Even though they were wearing masks, I could recognize familiar faces one by one. They must also be guests who wanted to enter the ball. Or perhaps they were uninvited guests.
I grinned and stood up from the stopped carriage. When the evening sunset faded, the night masquerade would begin.
In the huge hall of Maxson's mansion, young ladies and gentlemen, dressed in evening attire and covering their faces with masks, gathered together. Unlike a typical ball, the order of entry was free, and they did not announce who entered.
I took Mathieu's hand and walked into the hall, looking around. It was a free atmosphere, with both very young ladies and elderly ladies present. I was nervous about the banquet after a long time, but I began to enter, recalling the etiquette that remained in my memory.
First of all, I approached the only unmasked lady and organizer of this ball, Lady Moodsela Maxson.
"Lady Moodsela." I bowed my head lightly and greeted her.
Lady Moodsela tilted her head slightly, as if she didn't know who I was. I whispered softly, a gentle smile on my lips. "This is Meldenik Babyloa."
"Oh!" Lady Moodsela gasped.
"In addition to the members of the Academy Circle, I invited many nobles who were close to me." It was obvious that if one was acquainted with Moodsela Maxson, they would be an Imperial noble.
I nodded and looked at her. "Apparently, since it's a masquerade, I can't pinpoint who is who, but isn't that fun?"
"But everyone recognized me, right?"
"Well, how did you know?" A seven-year-old child wearing a colorful mask spoke a word and walked away.
I smiled and nodded. "They are all good people, so I hope you have a good time."
"Yes, I will."
Just as she was about to move to another place, Lady Moodsela shifted her gaze to Mathieu. "Who is the gentleman who came with you? I don't think he's your fiancé, Duke Hesmann." Lady Moodsela's face turned cold.
Of course, it wasn't a problem to accompany someone who wasn't your fiancé as a prom partner. But it was different for Moodsela.
Because I'm a person who has had an affair with me. (This internal thought seems to be a mistranslation or a very unusual phrasing. I will interpret it as "Because she's a person who has been betrayed in love herself" or "Because she understands betrayal firsthand.")
Moodsela is a case of being hit in the back of the head just like me. (This also seems like an idiom for being betrayed or blindsided).
Ammond, the former fiancé of Moodsela Maxson, had an affair with a young man from the countryside who asked her to break off the engagement.
Moodsela is a case of being blindsided, just like me.
Maybe that's why. In the original work "Enchanted Lover," Moodsela heard the news of the official relationship between Duke Hesmann and Lady Sheria Babyloa and made a comment officially criticizing him.
Receiving Moodsela's exploratory gaze, I lowered my eyes and bluntly replied, "Yes, I know you."
It seems to be misunderstood, but it is not yet the time to clarify the misunderstanding.
"It's a masquerade, so your identity is a secret." I thought as I remembered the rules of the masquerade.
Everyone will be surprised when Mathieu takes off his mask later, right? Because he's handsome!
Mathieu bowed his head slightly in greeting and whispered in a low, languid voice, "It's an honor to meet you."
There was sweetness in his low-pitched voice, but Lady Moodsela did not withdraw her suspicious eyes. However, it was not yet time to clarify.
"Hmm… Yes, for now." I nodded and walked away from her.
After a while, the banquet began with an orchestral performance.
I'm not good at dancing, but I have to dance.
I headed to the middle of the banquet hall with the others. Mathieu was good at dancing, contrary to what he said about not attending banquets often. The problem was me.
I stepped on his feet a few times in an unfamiliar dance. He didn't let out a single moan when I stepped on it. On the contrary, he casually supported me lightly whenever I stumbled.
I'm so sorry, I'm going to die (from embarrassment).
After a few dances, I leaned against the wall, exhausted.
"Let's take a break."
"Is it hard?"
Listening to his low voice, I laughed lightly. "Yes, it's been a long time since I've danced. Still, we didn't get along well?"
While we were having a casual conversation with Mathieu, a young lady cautiously approached us and spoke.
"Lady Meldenik Babyloa, right?"
"What's going on?" Even though I was wearing a mask, it seemed that the one who recognized me had been watching me for a long time.
"If you have time, would you like to take a walk with me?" Going for a walk at the ballroom usually meant becoming friends.
I hesitated for a moment to answer, but Mathieu stepped between her and me and stopped me.
"The Lady has a promise with me."
"Oh…" Then, as if she didn't think she would be rejected, the girl's face turned red, visible even behind her mask.
Well, it's okay for a little while.
I grabbed Mathieu's arm and spoke softly. "It's okay. I'll come back after a little fresh air."
But Mathieu looked worried. He paused for a moment, then lowered his head and slowly whispered the words into my ear. "Perhaps it's a dangerous person."
His black eyes were looking down at me. I wondered if it was my mistake that there was a subtle worry in the gaze of a seemingly bored man.
I carefully pushed him away and whispered softly, "No, he looks like a good person."
"…Uh, come on."
I nodded at the bewildered lady and put the drink glass I was holding down on the table. "That's good."
We walked out side by side. But she was silent until she reached the outdoor garden through the hallway, across the balcony, and into the outdoor garden. Suddenly I realized that she was trembling with fear.
I looked her straight in the eye and asked, "Are you in a situation where you need help?" At the end of those words, I stopped in my tracks. If she needed help, I would do my best to help.
"That's right… Okay."
She and I stood in the middle of the garden of Maxson's mansion. There were only a few street lamps standing gloomily, and the grass, without a single flower, was too quiet. All I could hear was the croaking of starlings in the distance.
The young lady in front of me lowered her eyebrows, and her lips trembled.
"I'm sorry!"
After saying that, she grabbed my dress tightly and ran clumsily outside. I looked at her back as she ran out quickly.
What was that?
But suddenly, my body was roughly slammed into a large street lamp behind the grass by some unseen force.
Boom!
It was a violent push that almost knocked me out.
"Meldenik."
When I looked up, Duke Hesmann, Lennox, was looking down at me with a terrifying gaze.