Edited…

18. The Long-Awaited Masquerade Ball

Jucide smirked spitefully and squinted her eyes halfway in response to Claucet’s serious expression.

“Oh, really? What a pity. I was planning to admire your domestico a bit if he came to our mansion.”

“Why would my domestico receive admiration?”

“Oh my, Lady, are you jealous how much attention your domestico receives? If that’s the case, it really is too bad. How about this, to even it out, I can lend you mine too. Would that work?”

Flames flickered in Claucet’s eyes, unable to contain her irritation.

“Lady Jucide!”

“Oh dear, so easily getting agitated… It was just a joke really. In any case,I have a lunch appointment with my brother now.”

With that, Jucide hooked arms with her domestico and hurriedly disappeared.

As Roselia, who had let out a deep sigh, led Claucet to the carriage, Claucet remained sullen throughout the ride.

It seemed that Jucide’s words, full of teasing about Klaus and the affairs about a personal domestico, were bothering her.

Roselia resolved to escort her as smoothly as possible, so as not to make Klaus’s absence felt at the debutante ball.

* * *

Claucet’s debutante ball came quickly.

Roselia looked around the spacious ballroom in dark grey ceremonial attire that felt more uncomfortable than her usual garb.

The protagonist of the evening, Claucet, was adorned in a dress reminiscent of the sea nymphs; she conversed with many guests, radiating beauty that could be linked to that of an innocent siren.

Although everyone wore masks, Claucet, wearing a Raphelios-style eye mask, stood out prominently.

Roselia, watching Claucet shine amidst the crowd, proudly adjusted her own full-face mask.

Her mask was a typical one from Lugbelzet, covering the entire face with only holes for the eyes, making her feel less burdened in this unfamiliar gathering.

Then, Roselia saw a woman with a man’s arm linked to hers, approaching Claucet.

“Lady Claucet, happy birthday.”

Claucet’s expression stiffened ardously upon hearing the voice.

“Lady Jucide, you’ve come.”

“A masquerade ball, how clever and entertaining. But isn’t it cheating for the Lady to wear such a beautiful eye mask?”

“Cheating? It’s Lady Claucet’s birthday and debutante ball; of course, she should stand out the most.”

Roselia frowned as she listened to their conversation from afar.

And soon enough, the topic she had been worried about came up.

“By the way, where is the Duke? I wanted to greet him with my brother.”

“….”

“Surely… the Duke wouldn’t miss the Lady’s debutante ball, would he?”

As Roselia, feeling helpless, approached Claucet, a voice echoed through the crowded ballroom.

“Presenting the Master of the Valtezar Duchy, Duke Klaus de Valtezar!”

Jucide’s face froze momentarily.

Meanwhile, Claucet and Roselia looked towards the entrance with surprised expressions.

Amidst the gazes of the assembled guests, a well-dressed gentleman in black ceremonial attire entered the ballroom.

Wearing a silver eye mask, he stood out among the men present.

“Klaus….”

Despite being the center of attention, Klaus remained calm and composed.

Although he usually wore sharp suits designed for convenience, today, his black ceremonial attire, with his neatly swept-back hair, accentuated his handsome features even more than usual.

Moreover, somehow, maybe due to prior knowledge, he had matched Claucet’s attire by wearing a similar eye mask and had a blue handkerchief tucked into the pocket of his ceremonial suit, which complemented Claucet’s outfit perfectly.

Spotting Claucet, who stood out in the ballroom, Klaus approached her.

“I seem to be a bit late. I tried to finish work quickly and come…”

Even as Klaus approached her, Claucet remained stunned.

Unfazed by her reaction, Klaus spoke bluntly.

“But who are these…”

After scanning Jucide and the man next to her, Klaus looked at Claucet as if expecting an introduction. Only then did Claucet, shaken out of her daze, speak.

“This is Viscount Belmont.”

“I’ve heard it’s hard to catch a glimpse of you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Duke.”

“And this is Jucide, the Lady of Belmont. She’s been quite curious about my brother for quite some time now.”

Claucet’s expression as she spoke was full of triumphant arrogance.

On the other hand, Klaus’s expression, upon hearing the term ‘brother’ for the first time in nearly five years, softened with surprise and pleasure.

Feeling unexpectedly pleased, Claucet smiled slyly at Jucide.

Upon seeing Claucet’s meaningful smile, Jucide, as if angered, began trembling her fists and soon fled as if running away.

Watching her reaction, Roselia clicked her tongue.

Surely, she too was convinced that the Duke would never show up.

Well, neither she nor Claucet had ever thought that Klaus would appear at the ball.

She wondered what had prompted his appearance.

Could it be… that he had heard something about Claucet that day?Something from what she had said?

Roselia shook her head, trying to erase the thought.

The arrogant and cold-blooded Duke wouldn’t have been shaken by such words.

Meanwhile, the Duke’s arrival had caused even more excitement in the ballroom.

Crowds gathered around Claucet to catch a glimpse of the famous Duke Valtezar.

What had previously been formal greetings had now turned into a full-scale admiration for Claucet, who was undoubtedly the shining star of the ball.

“My goodness, there are no siblings like them. The Duke is such a distinguished gentleman.”

“Even while wearing an eye mask, they both can’t hide their beauty.”

“I should buy an eye mask too, right away.”

Talk about the Valtezar siblings, the protagnists of the night, continued everywhere.

After the round of greetings finally ended, Klaus could finally have a glass of champagne.

Looking at Claucet, who was still surrounded by people and smiling, Klaus smiled bitterly.

He had always thought of her as a child, but now she had grown into such a sophisticated lady, which was both amazing and unfamiliar to him.

Then, someone approached him from the side, pretending to be familiar with him.

“You were busy, Duke, but you came after all.”

Klaus, feeling annoyed by the unnecessary familiarity, made a bemused expression at the familiar voice.

“Antonio?”

His gaze fell on the small figure wearing dark grey ceremonial attire.

Roselia wore a relatively simple mask that managed to cover her entire face.

Seeing her, Klaus couldn’t help but chuckle unexpectedly.

“You hid yourself very well.”

“Well, today’s stars are Lady Claucet and the Duke.”

“Me?”

“You are not only the owner of the Duke’s estate, but also Claucet’s brother. People would have naturally expected the Duke to appear,” she said.

Klaus paused for a moment as if contemplating something before responding, “Is that so?”

“If you hadn’t shown up, Lady Claucet might have looked a bit foolish,” she continued.

Klaus fell into silence, appearing to be lost in thought.

Observing him, Roselia maintained a dignified posture, but later, she was focused on Claucet, who seemed to be assured by Klaus’s presence.

Likewise, as Klaus looked at Claucet, he seemed to have made a decision and addressed Roselia.

“Antonio, I may have been too harsh on you at that time…”

Before Klaus could finish his sentence, someone grabbed Roselia’s arm and pulled her away.

Roselia looked at the woman who had grabbed her with narrowed eyes.

“Jucide… Young Lady Jucide?”

Recalling Jucide’s mask from her conversation with Claucet, Roselia easily recognized the woman.

“Antonio, right?”

“How did you recognize me?”

“I heard your voice when you were talking to the Duke. But more importantly… Can I have a moment of your time?”

Glancing at Claucet, who was engrossed in conversation with other nobles, Roselia noticed a tinge of disappointment in Klaus’s expression, as if he had something more to ask her.

Roselia nodded slightly towards Klaus, acknowledging him, then turned towards Jucide.

“Let’s go somewhere quieter for now.”

She thought it would be wise to remove any potential threat.

Since it was Claucet’s birthday today, her debutante ball had to end without incident, so Roselia decided to keep an eye on Jucide.

Accepting two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, Jucide offered one to Roselia.

Taking the champagne without suspicion, Roselia looked intently at Jucide’s mask, feeling frustrated that she couldn’t read the expression behind it.

“I don’t know how fortunate it is that Antonio attended this event. I felt lonely without anyone to talk to,” Jucid remarked.

What about your brother, the Viscount who came with you?

Glancing around, the Viscount was suddenly seen approaching Klaus, trying to act friendly.

Given Klaus’s reputation as a prominent figure among nobles, he must have been trying to build connections.

On the other hand, Klaus seemed to be thoroughly guarded and mildly annoyed.

While sipping on the champagne and pondering these thoughts, Roselia suddenly felt Jucide leaning against her, looking a bit dizzy.

“Oh, sorry… I’m just feeling a bit lightheaded… Can you take me to a rest area?” Jucide said, breathing heavily with flushed cheeks.

Although Roselia felt a bit puzzled seeing Jucide struggle to catch her breath, she reluctantly nodded, glancing at Claucet.

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to remove a potential threat from the ballroom.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there was no one in the reception room.

Roselia courteously escorted Jucide to the sofa and then stood up.

“Please rest here for a while.”

As she was about to turn away, Jucide, who was sitting on the sofa, grabbed Roselia’s sleeve.

Perplexed, Roselia looked down at Jucide.

She was staring up at Roselia with a mournful expression.

“Could you stay with me a little longer?”

Oh no… Please, don’t do this, not this…

As a woman herself, Roselia couldn’t fail to recognize another woman’s desperation.

Making her hair stand on end, Roselia took a step back.

“Well… I need to attend to some tasks outside…”

“What are you saying? Judging by your attire, you’re not a servant right now but a guest at the ball.”

“Even if that’s the case… there’s no reason for me to stay here…”

“What?”

As Jucide furrowed her eyebrows, Roselia calmly continued.

“I’m not the Lady’s servant; there’s no reason for me to stay here on the Lady’s orders.”