CHAPTER 1
That massive gate standing in the distance reminds me of my place in all its grandeur. My blood pounds in my ears like a rhythmic drum.
"I've spent a fortune on this dress, darling. You are no different from any other noble."
She puffed out her chest, almost gloating.
My grandmother... she believes in me.
Despite my previous words, I see not the slightest change in her unwavering expression. Still, unable to suppress my insecurity, I replied.
"Except for the weight of my purse, yes.."
"Look Ralin, you are a clever girl.. just like your grandmother. It will be enough to simply follow my instructions; you will be a polite lady, you will smile plenty, and-"
"Even if I act that way, I am not as charming as my sister; instead of giving gifts and gold, they might prefer only to play with me!"
If it weren't for my sister, I wouldn't have been able to hide behind the scenes until now. Though I am not quite suited for this, I have no other choice.
"Oh, come off it! Sometimes you wring more money out of them than I do."
The people she refers to are usually foolish customers blinded by desire. None with a keen mind for figures fall for my act.
"And if I succeed in getting the money, then we can heal my sister, right? Or at least afford the treatment?"
I looked into her eyes, but she was staring into the distance. There was a mist of ambiguity in her dull eyes. It made my heart ache even more.
It's no different from walking a tightrope! Only by a stroke of luck might I manage to stay on the wire..
"Darling.."
Only when my grandmother's hands covered mine did I realize I was clenching them.
"There is no use thinking about these things right now. Buuut the good news is, my cards said you would hunt the wealthiest man at this ball today.."
It disappoints me every time that such a calculating woman places so much trust in a deck of cards.
However, even if the cards say I can't after this hour, it doesn't matter; as long as I don't die.. I will do whatever is necessary!
"..Just don't act like a lunatic.. not a single problem will arise."
Her green eyes sparkled with expectation in the moonlight. She squeezed my hands slightly while looking into my eyes and then pulled back.
"Ahem, I have a few servants under my command inside."
Her voice thickened with gravity; she reached for my face and adjusted my mask. Before thrusting someone else's invitation into my hand, she dipped her hand into her brown fur.
"Don't! No matter what happens, do not remove your mask, and ensure your prey does not know Hermia personally."
After one last look at her, I turned my back. Lifting the skirts of my dress, I stepped toward the two men who had been waiting behind me.
I have trusted her all my life, but this is the craziest plan she's ever made.
Men with foul breath, wallowing in filth, their minds between their legs, I have always tried to distance myself from them, regardless of their status. Now, being forced to depend on them crushed my pride.
Along with my two 'so-called' knights, I walked toward the stairs of this palace, of which I had only ever heard rumors.
With every step, we drew closer to the iron men standing at the door. There was a rummy wigged sentry waiting on the left side of the gate. He was greeting and checking those who entered.
I thought about slipping secretly into the crowd. But remembering my grandmother's words, I squared my shoulders and stood before the man.
"Hermia, daughter of Lord Kent."
I handed over the invitation before bowing respectfully. I am breathing so fast that my corset tightens against my ribs with every breath.
The thin man didn't spend much time scrutinizing me with his eyes, so I slipped quickly through the door.
I was gliding through the crowd without knowing where I was going. I wanted to retreat to a deserted corner as soon as possible.
It was hard to see much behind the mask, but… the height of the ceiling alone was enough to make me feel like a tiny fly.
The music was cleaner, more expensive, and more flawless than anything I would ever hear in the brothel.
The lighting had been arranged with such care that the candles looked as if they never melted. I could calculate right now how often they must change them.
I shook my head to stop myself.
I will save the calculations for after my mission is complete.
I turned my eyes to the flamboyant people. Despite the masks, it felt as if they could sense I didn't belong here, as if they could recognize one another but remained silent so as not to spoil the fun of the masquerade.
I can't lose time; I need to find someone to talk to while no one is dancing yet. If the dancing begins, I'll lose all my chances. I have nothing but conversation to use as influence.
There are a few nobles around me, but they aren't even aware of my presence. A somewhat intimate atmosphere has formed a bit further away. Beyond that, it was filled with people who looked much wealthier.
May the sky guide me, lest I pick a prince just because he looks rich. From what I've seen in the brothel, young and womanizing lords or, rarely, dukes are more prone to spending money.
Someone who fits this description..
As I scouted my surroundings, a mask clad in white caught my eye. A young gentleman was talking to several ladies gathered around him a short distance away.
I think I've found him, but I must be sure.
"Lark, how noble do you think this man is?"
I murmured, approaching my knight.
"His clothes suggest he is at least a lord, but his behavior is far from that of a duke, My Lady."
"I will approach him..And you just try to be around, I suppose."
"As you command."
This is a playground now; the stakes are my sister's life. The more dangerous the game, the more I crave the rush.. yet, I must avoid a purely emotional decision.
I refocused on the lord.
I assume I am more skilled than the women surrounding him; otherwise, they wouldn't visit the brothel, would they? I've been taught how to attract men. I suppose my beauty will have some effect too.
The odds don't seem low.
I was charting my route toward my prey with slow steps, but I was jolted by a force on my shoulder.
"Ha-"
Because the mask blocked my peripheral vision, I hadn't noticed someone approaching. Thus, I just bumped shoulder-to-shoulder with someone.
Where did this come from now?!
I turned my head toward the shadow at my side to see who it was. A male stood stiffly before me; he was dressed as Hercules, though he could barely carry the costume.
"Forgive me, Mighty Hercules."
I bowed slowly, curtsying.
"It is I who should ask for your pardon..?"
A voice, low and carrying a strange sense of astonishment. It was clear he couldn't deduce who I was from my costume.
Ah..Me!?..I am..
"I designed it myself, so I am no one of importance."
He slowly extended his hand. I was forced to offer mine. He brought my hand to the lips of his mask before releasing it.
"You are the most.. singular person I have seen at this ball so far, masked lady."
If I don't brush this boy off now, I'll lose that womanizing lord.
"I am grateful to be worthy of your praise, Mighty Hercules."
The music filled the hall again after a brief pause with a piece belonging to a calm waltz. The nobles around us either stepped forward or moved aside.
With the sudden change of piece, my ears focused on the orchestra. I felt a rush of heat spread down my neck.
"Will you grace me with a dance?"
He didn't leave my side, as if he had been waiting for this moment. My jaw tightened with a hint of annoyance..
It was clear from his voice; he had only just finished his childhood. In this case, someone financially dependent is the last person I'm looking for.
But do I even have the right to refuse?
"I should be delighted, sir."
I bowed my head before extending my hand.
"On a night full of secrets, a lady should not wander alone; you should not stray from your chaperone."
Though my ears were working for him, my eyes were searching for the Lord. I performed a graceful turn once before answering.
"I had moved away from my knights for a little chat; fortunately, you did not leave me solitary."
I avoided saying it in a biting tone, out of necessity.
"Tell me, are you enjoying this night?"
It's best not to answer such questions immediately; he should think I am reflecting, believe I take the question seriously.
Taking advantage of the moment, my eyes searched for the Lord again before returning to the boy.
"More than I ever have, Mighty Hercules."
"May I ask why?"
As he asked, he took my hand and spun me. As I turned, I caught the Lord in that brief moment; he was dancing with a woman.
I need to invite him to the next waltz.. Wait, what was the question?
"Hmm.. I like seeing people who push the boundaries of their freedom by hiding behind masks."
"What a coincidence! That is exactly what fascinates me about masquerade balls.. despite familiar faces and voices, thoughts are entirely foreign.."
His words were almost mature. He paused for a very short time, and I stopped with him.
"In fact, let me tell you a secret."
He leaned close enough to whisper in my ear, bold but at a respectful distance.
"I believe the mask reveals the true face. On this night when all sins are committed, I recognize people by their true faces."
His voice dropped lower. But I sensed an expectation in his tone, almost as if he already knew my answer and was just waiting for the words to leave my mouth.
His bold anticipation was so tempting that I almost felt like indulging him in his little game.
"I don't think that is a secret, Mighty Hercules, forgive me.. I presume you are trying to play a little game to get to know me as well?"
I forced myself not to roll my eyes as I spoke. He chuckled after a pause at my answer.
"Since you caught me so quickly, you are either familiar with games or.."
This time he leaned closer to my ear. His breath tickled my exposed skin, meant to attract men.
"..you are someone of great importance."
The waltz ended with the last note of the violin. Despite this, he did not pull back. So I pulled back and performed a short curtsy.
I know where the Lord is now, but I still need to hurry.
I cleared my throat.
"Neither, Mighty Hercules.. Now, if you'll excuse me, I wish to meet other masked guests without losing any more of my secrets to you."
He brought the back of my hand to the lips of his mask once more.
If he keeps me any longer, I'll lose the Lord to someone else for good!
"Thank you for this lovely conversation, My Lady."
I held my skirts and bowed to him one last time. Taking advantage of this, I discreetly wiped the sweat from our joined hands onto my dress. Still, I could feel the sticky perspiration remaining on my palms.
I haven't even caught the womanizing Lord's attention yet. Even if I found the most dissatisfied man in the world behind the mask, I wouldn't stop!
"AAAAAHHHH!"
A scream echoed through the stone walls of the great hall, making my skin crawl. Instantly, I turned toward the sound, just like everyone else.
The woman's voice echoed not just in this hall, but throughout the entire great palace.
Did something happen? Not now.. I shouldn't get excited.
"Duke Gonzavi!!"
The woman's voice pierced the silence once more.
A duke? Who could it be? Have I ever heard the name Gonzavi?
It wasn't a good day for death, but the woman's scream was more than just trying to make herself heard by a corpse.
The steel-clad bodies of the knights were running toward the sound. The music had vanished; whispers filled the void.
If I stop now, I might not get another chance.. In fact, now is the time! I can approach him by taking advantage of the chaos.. Is there a chance of a wrong move?
I looked at the Lord through the crowd.
Despite hearing the name Gonzavi, he didn't budge. Let's assume there's no connection between them.
In that case, what interests him is not a murder, but a woman. If the women ran toward the scream, he would too.
Here is my perfect quarry I'm looking for!
I began treading toward the Lord again. With steps faster than a noblewoman should ever take.
"Blood!"
"The killer is here!"
Though I glanced around for a moment at the screams, I didn't stop. They seemed to be looking this way, but I had no time to spare for that.
Wait.
I panicked when I saw the Lord moving away; I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. As I took another step, a shadow appeared at the edge of my vision.
"Hah-"
An indistinct shadow lunged toward my face before I could understand anything; in seconds, the mask rustled past my ears. Cold air slapped my face like a blow.
Only one sound echoed in my ears: the sound of my mask hitting the cold floor and sliding under the feet of the nobles.
Now, my pretty singular clothes didn't matter; I was completely exposed, naked. I was the focus of every mask in the hall.
I looked around at their faces, whose true expressions I couldn't see, as if I could read them.
Why!?
"She is not a noble!"
I began to hear the voices in the hall again with the shout of a man nearby.
A woman's mask is forcibly removed, and all you think about is that I'm not a noble, seriously!
Wait, they were looking at me.. right after the scream..
Were they looking at me just to drop my mask? Did they already understand that I'm not noble?
I looked one last time at the masks in the distance. I breathed out the anger, sorrow, and guilt building inside me through my nose.
Still, I felt a desperate need to hide my face.
My body froze as I raised my hands toward my face.
I blinked my eyes repeatedly in that short span, unable to believe what I saw. The sharp smell of iron and a heavy, strange scent hitting my nose forced me to realize how real it was.
"What-!?"
My hands…
There was blood on my hands..