Before I knew it, the ball was just around the corner.
‘So in the end, he’s not going to agree to the annulment?’
But there was still no word from Ricardo.
“……What are you going to do about your partner?”
Cedric rubbed his forehead, as if he was getting a headache.
“Do you really think that man will be your partner?”
I couldn’t answer his continued question.
We had parted ways like that in the end, so he wouldn’t agree to be my partner.
“If I wear a mask when I enter, no one will notice I came alone.”
As I spoke with a foolish, empty smile, Cedric’s face slowly darkened.
It was the expression of someone thinking, ‘You really think no one will notice?’
In the past, I had entered with Grandfather, but lately his condition had worsened. Still, entering with Cedric was out of the question—he was of marriageable age now.
I couldn’t interfere with Cedric’s marriage prospects…… could I?
I confidently straightened my shoulders.
“Don’t worry, there’s no need for me to enter with you, Brother.”
Cedric replied with a puzzled expression.
“I didn’t plan to either.”
“Oh, okay.”
I’d jumped to conclusions.
Feeling awkward, I just twisted the ends of my hair, and Cedric began to speak seriously.
“Why do you think the Duke won’t annul the engagement? I heard he also wants it annulled.”
Cedric let out a deep sigh.
“Whatever the case may be, dragging out the engagement with the House of Hessen isn’t good.”
“……You’re right.”
“If the House of Hessen doesn’t want to break it off, it must be because they’re after Drimokan.”
Unexpected words followed.
“The Duke’s house is after Drimokan?”
“Yeah. They’ve been disputing its ownership with the Imperial Family for years. It hasn’t gone to trial, so only a few people know.”
……Ricardo, wants Drimokan?
“If it’s too hard for you to handle, I’ll take care of the annulment. Would that be alright?”
“Yes. That would be best.”
No matter how I looked at it, this was something I couldn’t resolve on my own.
You couldn’t reason with that man!
“Then get some rest.”
After Cedric left the room, I collapsed onto the sofa, completely drained.
‘……So the reason he didn’t want the annulment was because of Drimokan.’
“Young Lady!”
Just then, I heard Emily’s voice.
“I just picked up your dress and mask from the boutique.”
Behind her, I saw attendants carrying a large box.
The ball hosted by the Imperial Family had its origins in a sacrificial ritual. Ancient people believed that covering their faces could prevent the spread of disease, so they wore masks during the ceremonies.
With the development of magic, the danger of disease had greatly decreased, but the tradition of praying for everyone’s safety continued, shaping today’s form of the ball.
“This ball’s dress code is……”
“They said it’s red. I heard the theme is probably roses.”
As she said, the dresses we received were mostly red-toned.
“More importantly, Young Lady. Security is everything at the ball, right? Dresses and accessories can’t overlap.”
“That’s true.”
“But apparently, there’s some lunatic going around investigating the noble ladies’ dresses.”
Emily shook her head as if she was thoroughly disgusted.
“What are they trying to do with that info……? Maybe they want to make sure nothing overlaps?”
Still, that was a pointless act.
Was there really a need to wear something that would intentionally overlap?
Or maybe it was to provoke comparisons. Wearing something similar but with a unique touch, to draw all the attention to themselves…….
“Either way, what a scumbag.”
I clicked my tongue. Emily agreed and added,
“They say there are plenty of lunatics in the world.”
* * *
Time flew by, and the night of the full moon arrived.
‘He said I just need to slip out before midnight.’
Feeling strangely nervous, I kept fidgeting with my red dress. The thin shoulder straps exposed my shoulders, and the top fit so snugly it was a bit embarrassing.
The mask appeared a calm black in the dark, but under the soft light, a faint red shimmer emerged. The long, narrow eye slits gave it a seductive impression.
“Young Lady, the road to the palace is quite congested. There may be delays.”
I nodded at Allen’s words.
“We can arrive as late as possible.”
“You do have a sense of humor, Young Lady.”
He joked, brushing off my genuine words.
Honestly, no one in this house ever took me seriously!
Well, if it’s going to take time anyway, I might as well get comfortable.
Thinking so, I took off the black gloves I had been wearing.
It was while I was resting like that. Someone knocked on the carriage door that had been standing still for a while.
“Excuse me, Young Lady……”
Opening the door with a puzzled feeling, I saw a man standing behind Allen, who looked flustered.
“Hello, Lady.”
It was an unexpected guest—Erkishian. He gave me a light wave.
“Pardon me, but could we have a quick word?”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Before I could even hide my surprise, Erkishian climbed into the carriage.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the palace……?”
“Something more important came up.”
Erkishian absentmindedly stroked his chin as he fell into thought.
“You’re close with Idette, right?”
I had no idea why he was suddenly saying this.
“She’s been talking about you a lot lately.”
Besides, the way this conversation was heading made me uneasy.
Things related to Idette were rarely pleasant.
“If you’re that close, then you must be just as worried for her as I am. Right?”
“……What is it that you want to say?”
“I’d like you to wear the dress I’ve prepared.”
No way……
In the original story, Idette was kidnapped at this ball. Unlike the original, it seemed Erkishian had already foreseen danger coming her way.
Since everyone would be entering the ball wearing masks, the key was to make sure the kidnapper couldn’t tell who Idette was.
‘He’s planning to make me look like Idette to confuse the culprit.’
So you were the lunatic Emily was talking about.
My grip on the dress tightened.
“If you do as I ask, I’ll help you become Ricardo’s partner.”
“…….”
“If you pretend to be Idette, Ricardo will definitely be more pleased.”
This was worse than I thought.
Idette, it really seems like your romance route with the male lead has completely failed.
“I refuse.”
More than that—Erkishian,
He judged me to be someone who would endure any humiliation for Ricardo.
……This was deeply offensive.
“I didn’t expect that.”
Erkishian smiled without bothering to hide his irritation.
“Lady, chances to become Idette don’t come often. Ricardo will surely be pleased, so why are you refusing?”
“Because I’m the most important person to myself.”
I shrugged like it was nothing.
“Besides, doesn’t the Imperial Palace have plenty of knights? It doesn’t seem necessary to hold a young noble lady hostage.”
“…….”
“Or is it that there are no knights in the palace who can protect Idette?”
At my words, Erkishian let out a short laugh.
“This is surprising. I thought you were someone like me.”
“In what way, exactly?”
Erkishian didn’t answer. His face instantly turned cold, as if the conversation was over.
So that’s how he acts when things don’t go his way.
A chill ran down my spine.
“Then, I’ll see you at the palace.”
“……Have a safe trip back.”
After Erkishian left, Allen rubbed his arms like he had goosebumps.
“Why did he suddenly come here?”
Even though I had flatly rejected his offer, something still felt off.
Emily had said there was a lunatic going around investigating the noble ladies’ dresses.
If that was really Erkishian, then he would already know which dress I was going to wear.
But even so, he came to make a proposal……?
‘No. That’s not why he came.’
I had chosen three dresses in advance. The final decision on what to wear was made this morning.
‘He came to find out which one I chose.’
I bit down on my lower lip.
“Allen, it’s too late to go back home now, right?”
“Huh? If you go back, the ball will be over by the time you return.”
As expected.
“Do you have a handkerchief? Could you lend me one?”
Though confused, Allen handed me a handkerchief. I quickly used it to tie up my hair.
It was a shame, since Emily had styled it so nicely……
‘Still, if we look too similar, I’ll just take off my mask.’
I felt sorry for Idette, but I had no intention of being kidnapped in her place.
After a fair bit of travel, we finally reached the palace.
My heart trembled with fear at the thought of entering alone.
Just as I arrived at the ballroom with Allen’s escort—
“Bianca.”
Someone called my name.