There was, however, another possibility lingering at the edge of his thoughts. Perhaps Lorenz Foxhead hadn't attended the annual royal masquerade ball at all. If the main character himself was absent, then the killer likely wouldn't bother showing up either. After all, what purpose would it serve to cause chaos without the main character present? Ellis reasoned that, at worst, someone else might fall victim to a minor poisoning tonight—a tragic accident in noble circles, but nothing extraordinary.
Even if he was wrong, he didn't care if the killer was coming for him. The life he had lived for barely a week wasn't something he held dear yet—and the one he'd lived far longer was already gone. At least no man had bothered him tonight. He had been half afraid that, being trapped inside a boy's love web novel, every corner would be crawling with men ready to flirt—or worse, confess. Maybe he'd just been lucky, or maybe his getup had worked exactly as intended.
Ellis let out a cold chuckle, the sound barely audible. He wandered aimlessly through the dimly lit corridor until his steps came to a halt before a quiet balcony that stretched along the hallway, bathed in the faint silver glow of the moon. He exhaled the fresh air of the night slowly, leaning towards the balustrade.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
Ellis flinched, his spine straightening instinctively at the sound of an unfamiliar voice drifting from the dark corner of the balcony. From the shadows, a face—uncovered by a mask—slowly emerged beneath the pale moonlight. Ellis's eyes swept over the stranger, taking in features he had never seen before, then dropped to the man's attire: black and stitched with the gold only the highest nobility could afford. He sighed breathily as he turned away—of course, the man was of royal blood, which had absolutely nothing to do with him.
But he was forced to turn back again as he heard a violin suddenly start playing behind him. He stared at the violinist with a complicated expression, who was solely immersed in his performance, playing a romantic melody. The man who had spoken just now stood by his side, glancing down at him with almost the same expression as the violin continued playing.
"Who are you?"
Then the same man had the audacity to ask him the very question Ellis should've been asking instead. He didn't care about the man's royal status—he'd already lost track of half the noble titles and ranks by now, and honestly, it was easier to just stay silent. Ignoring the royal entirely, Ellis turned his gaze upward to the moon resting serenely amid drifting clouds, his posture loosening as he leaned once more against the balustrade, the silver light washing softly over his face.
"Do you not recognize me?"
The man leaned back against the balustrade as well, his posture relaxed, facing the direction of the violinist yet keeping his eyes fixed on Ellis. There was no trace of anger in his tone—but even if there had been, Ellis couldn't have cared less. He was tired of pretending, tired of shaping his words and gestures to fit expectations. Just for now, he wanted to simply be—to do as he pleased without worrying about how others would react.
"The moon is indeed beautiful tonight."
Ellis spoke truthfully, his body folding forward as he rested his head on his crossed arms. He'd been on his feet ever since stepping into the ballroom, and exhaustion was beginning to weigh on him. At that moment, more than anything, he just wanted to sink into a bed and forget the world existed.
"Are you already drunk, Ellis Montfort?"
The man purposely labeled him with his full legal name—a subtle, courteous way of letting Ellis know that he was fully aware of who he was speaking to. Ellis, who hadn't touched so much as a sip of water lest it be poisoned, didn't reply. The man's laughter broke the quiet, rich and unrestrained, drawing Ellis's reluctant glance. It was a genuine laugh, effortless and unfeigned; this man, it seemed, was surprisingly easy to read.
"Alex, stop playing. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Your Grace."
The violinist's melody came to an end, the final note fading into the night before he bowed and took his leave—leaving only the two individuals on the balcony. The moment the music stopped, Ellis averted his gaze, turning away just as he felt the man's eyes settle on him once more.
"That mask is awfully similar to the one Lorenz Foxhead is wearing tonight."
So Lorenz was here after all... Is he the male lead of the web novel?
"It would've been better if Lorenz hadn't attended tonight."
Ellis voiced his thoughts before realizing—too late—that he had spoken them aloud. His words hung in the air, and he fell silent at once, dread creeping up his spine. What if the male lead misunderstood? What if he thought Ellis despised Lorenz and decided he was someone who needed to be erased, kept far from ever crossing paths with him again? Even in a web novel world, it seemed, he couldn't escape standing in the same precarious place.
"I agree with you."
The man said shortly afterwards. Ellis met the man's golden eyes as he registered the words. The man smiled brightly as he continued.
"He had been disappearing here and there; it has proven to be quite difficult to catch him. It would've been better if he hadn't attended—then I would be able to enjoy the masquerade ball without a single worry."
"You haven't had a chance to talk with him either tonight?"
Ellis spoke louder this time, his voice carrying his curiosity as he tilted his head, fixing his gaze on the man—who had turned fully toward him now, abandoning the door of the balcony. The man's smile had vanished, yet somehow, the faint curve of his lips and the bright glint in his eyes made it seem as though he was still smiling.
"At least I had the chance to get a few glimpses of him. Many here haven't even seen his shadow... that includes you too."
"Are you bragging?"
"Yes."
The man shamelessly admitted it, looking genuinely proud of the fact. Ellis couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this calm speaking with anyone in this world—not even with Lorenz. Though the encounter had startled him at first, now a quiet curiosity stirred within him. For the first time that night, he truly wanted to know who this man was.