Many people attended the masquerade party. Not just nobles, because the party was held so that ordinary people could experience the luxurious atmosphere of a party too. With a few rules, no one was allowed to disclose their personal information, and had to use a pseudonym if necessary. Because this masquerade party was often used to exchange information.
That point was the most important for Adelle. 'Exchanging Information', more precisely, hearing information she didn't know about herself, Calsius, and her residence.
Adelle never understood and couldn't fathom where they got such information? Even though, according to her, it wasn't necessarily true.
"Your drink, Madam," a servant greeted, then handed her a glass of wine.
Adelle didn't drink it immediately. She slowly swirled her glass, for a moment thinking about Calsius who would be furious if she drank the alcohol in her hand.
Before she could enjoy her drink, some commotion was heard from the front. Not a fight, but loud laughter that caught her attention. Adelle, with her glass of wine, approached, wanting to know what they were laughing about.
"Are you serious? I didn't expect Duke Eddenberg to be that stingy, hahah!" one of them said.
"I told you, I got this information from an important person, so it must be true," the other added.
Adelle had already guessed that this had something to do with someone working at the Duke's Villa. Unfortunately, Adelle didn't know who he was or what his motive was.
The woman who brought the information added again. "Ah, if the Duke discards the Duchess, I would be very happy to be the next obedient Duchess."
Adelle smirked. Hearing others covet what was hers was truly funny and ridiculous. Annoyed with them endlessly wanting Calsius behind her back, Adelle slammed her wine glass onto the table, making everyone look at her with strange glances.
Immediately, she became the center of attention.
"Ah, sorry everyone. I made a bit of a mess," Adelle said, approaching. Carrying the broken glass in her hand while wearing a smirk.
"What are you doing? This clearly violates the rules by causing a commotion. I wonder what low-class family you're from. Those luxurious clothes, you must have stolen them somewhere— eh, Madam!"
Adelle chuckled. "Low-class family, huh? Aren't we not supposed to disclose personal information?" Adelle approached the woman who was already sweating coldly. "Judging by your response, I'm sure you know me very well."
"W-what? I was just talking nonsense earlier!" the woman said, denying it while looking at her colleagues—perhaps—to ask for help. But none of them seemed willing to help her.
"In that case." Adelle slashed the now sharp broken glass onto the woman's right arm, causing fresh blood to immediately fill the air with its metallic scent.
The woman screamed in pain, even giving a sharp glare while begging Adelle to stop. "We'll meet again," Adelle said, throwing away the glass.
Several guards came up to Adelle, intending to apprehend the troublemaker. Clearly, everyone already knew the identity behind her silver mask without Adelle revealing it.
Adelle's steps stopped in front of two guards who were now ready to detain her. "Why am I being arrested? I only scratched her. If you arrest me, arrest her too." Adelle's finger pointed at the woman who was still looking at her, holding her bleeding arm.
"She talked nonsense about my background, about my husband, and even planned to destroy my marriage. Isn't that also considered a crime?"
The guards looked at the woman. As if asking if the woman would be okay if they let this troublemaker go.
"Release her."The woman stood up, bowing her head. There was no point in arguing with Adelle, because whatever she said, it was never close to being true.
Adelle smiled. "That's better. I look forward to our next meeting." Turning around quickly, Adelle stopped again to say something. "Oh yes, this could be a warning for you all. Watch what you say about someone with great influence, not just me, or Calsius. I know you don't just talk about us, you also talk about people in the empire. You just don't realize that I am never absent from attending parties like this. You have to be careful."
The blonde-haired woman walked away again. Disappearing behind the grand door that swallowed her. "Hans, what have we been looking for all this time? She's always here, why didn't I recognize her?" asked the man with blood-red eyes, his gaze fixed on Adelle.
"Where are you going?" asked the man beside him, holding the shoulder of the man who seemed about to run.
"I'm going to approach her, take her with me and save her."
"No, you can't. Do you know how chaotic what just happened was? And if you cause chaos here, they will find out your identity." His aide sighed repeatedly.
His master was very impatient when it came to anything concerning the Duke of Eddenberg's wife.
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"Breaking the promise not to go out at night again, causing chaos in the party area to the point of injuring others, lying to me, threatening—"
Adelle covered Calsius's mouth, who had been explaining Adelle's mistakes for almost 30 minutes. The woman felt dizzy when she was greeted by a talkative Calsius early in the morning.
"I understand that part, but if we don't do it, our reputation will be seen even worse," Adelle said. Slowly, she removed her hand from Calsius's lips.
"Is reputation all you care about?" Calsius asked, his voice and gaze intimidating.
"Then what else? What else should be my concern besides myself, you, and this Villa? I just don't like being disturbed like this."
"Then don't listen. Ignore what they say about us."
"Then die miserably with a bad issue? Without even showing our true image?" Adelle's eyes trembled slightly after saying that.
"What I want to say is, prioritize your safety. What if they attack you for ruining their conversation?" Calsius looked intently into his wife's eyes again, who also gave him the same look.
"Look, all you care about is also about the attack. I don't want to discuss it anymore."
Adelle gave up. She turned her face away and tried to turn around and go back to her room. However, Calsius stood up. The man quickly held his wife's slender body. In a position with her back to her husband's tall body, Adelle could feel his breath getting closer to her ear.
The heat at the back of her neck also began to be felt. As if there was an illusion showing Calsius's hands beginning to encircle her waist. Adelle blinked repeatedly to regain consciousness.
One sentence Calsius whispered made Adelle instantly aware. "Where are you going? Isn't there a punishment you need to receive, as you once said."
Adelle bit her lip. "Damn it!"