What do you mean?
It was an unexpected question. Rather, I was worried that he would be disappointed if he found out that he had to go out with me, even more wearing a mask. Or perhaps…
“Are you scared to go out?”
Just like in the original, I thought he was just waiting for the day to escape outside. But was my suggestion too sudden?
“Scared?”
At my words, Redian gave a strange smile.
“Yes. Scared.”
Then he spoke with his eyes fixed on me. “I’m scared, Princess.”
“…”
“Don’t let me go alone.”
A calm voice and blue eyes revealed through silver hair. When I heard those words, I naturally felt a protective instinct.
But why? Why do I feel like I’m being threatened? The tone of his voice was that he didn’t feel scared, but he was willing to pretend to be afraid of.
“Of course, I can’t let you go alone yet. You can’t go out for long.”
I glanced at Bergman. He was still looking at me and Redian, mesmerized.
There is no need for a mask anymore.
“It’s only two hours, and even for that, you have to wear a mask and stick right next to me.”
He might not like it because it’s too sudden.
“But just try that for a while. I thought you’d want to leave.”
“…”
“Well, if you’re that scared—”
“No.”
Suddenly, Redian interrupted me.
“It’s scary to be alone.” Then he continued calmly. “It wasn’t that I didn’t like it.”
Hmm?
When I became quiet, he raised an eyebrow. “…Why?”
His tone was asking if there was a problem.
“So, does that mean it’s okay for you to go out with me?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the difference?”
Then he answered nonchalantly. “You will protect me.”
Protect him?
In the original <Summer Night’s Dance>, Redian was a character breaker who killed people with a smiling face. Subtle madness, a leisurely beast, a languid and elegant yet cynical smile. These were the words used to describe Redian Hyu Rixon. But that was after he turned dark.
He hasn’t turned dark yet, right? But why do I sometimes feel like I’m being held back? Could it be that his natural nature was ruined…
“Well, I understand. The person over there will make you a mask.”
I pushed the idea away. Unlike the original, there was no way that this child would grow up to be the innocent big dog male lead.
“His name is Bergman. He’s my direct vassal who is helping me.”
“I see.”
Only then did Redian look at him with a relaxed expression.
“He looks bad, so don’t get too close to him.”
But he soon looked away as if he wasn’t interested.
“Bergman is a natural genius. He will grow into an even more famous artist in the future.”
“I’m not really curious.” The answer he gave was indifferent.
Well, it’s not that he turned dark because of Siani. Still, he’s a bit rotten from the start… No, no.
“Are you close?”
“Huh?”
“Are you close with that one?”
“He’s not that one, he’s Bergman.”
Then Redian’s eyes narrowed. It was an expression that said something was bothering him.
“Do I really need to know the names of the Princess’s vassals?”
“What?”
“So, Bergman or whatever, you don’t need to call me like that in front of them.”
What made this child feel upset?
“Isn’t Rere cuter?”
“…”
“It’s a nickname between us.”
No matter how much I think about it, it was well made. Rere. What a cute and sweet name.
As I looked at him with a smile, Redian’s expression flinched.
“Anyway, you will come out for dinner a week later. I will send you mask and clothes before then, so you can wait at the place Maze told you about.”
The eve festival will begin in a week.
At the end of the month-long eve festival, a monster hunting competition, one of the three major festivals, is held in the empire. As it is the first day of the eve, there will be a lot to see, and people’s attention will be divided, so it would be an appropriate time.
“Yes, I understand.”
“…By the way, Redian.”
Even though the opportunity to go outside arose, Redian didn’t look very excited. I feel like he actually looked calmer than me.
“This time, you will be going out as my escort…” On the other hand, I felt more burdened as I thought about it. “But do I have to protect you?”
He’s the scariest. I didn’t know who was the Norma and who was the owner, and now I had to protect Norma, who didn’t know where to go.
“You promised me.”
“But…”
“You said you wouldn’t betray me.”
Then, Redian chuckled softly. “You have to take responsibility.”
“…”
“Until the end.”
I was at a loss for words.
“That’s what we agreed on.”
Even to me, it was the first time I had seen Norma demanding something, yet with a languid smile.
* * *
Why is there still no news?
Time flew by quickly. The streets gradually became colorful in preparation for the eve. But Bergman didn’t show up for a while. He has quick hands, so he should be able to make one in no time.
“Princess, this is Bergman.”
Only after a few more days passed finally he came.
“Berg… what’s that?”
Happiness was short-lived. I was bewildered by the enormous box that ended up in Bergman’s hand. I only asked for a mask… Yet, the box looked like it could contain 3,000 diamond rings.
“Even when I made Princess’s dress, my heart never raced this much.”
Bergman put the box down in front of me and said, “I put the most effort into my work so far.”
By the way, I can’t believe he made it with more effort than making mine.
“Open it, Princess.”
“Well… Alright.”
I wondered what it would be like to say this to someone with a humble and shy personality. So I opened the box right away.
Wow, my god.
The black mask layered on red satin sparkled. It was a loop-shaped half mask covering only the face’s upper part, including the eyes. A gold leaf frame was decorated on a pitch-black surface with a velvet string tied at the back. It even felt like a strangely decadent atmosphere.
Is this really okay?
The mask itself was perfect. However, the problem was that it seemed to suit Redian too well. I was trying to put a mask on to hide his gorgeous face! He will stand out more.
“In ancient mythology, there was a goddess of beauty called Venus.”
Then Bergman opened his mouth.
“The young man who received Venus’s love is Mars. He must have been so beautiful that he was loved by the goddess of beauty.”
It was a somewhat excited voice.
“However! That gorgeous Mars was actually a devil who presided over war and destruction.”
“Devil?”
“Yes. When Mars was a devil, he always wore a black mask, so Venus didn’t notice him.”
Black mask. Listening to the story, I looked at the mask once again.
“I heard that his cruel nature of enjoying blood and killing was hidden behind the mask and was handsome and friendly in front of Venus.”
In other words, Mars was lying in front of the goddess. The goddess was easily deceived.
“The barbaric devil is now a handsome man who takes off his mask in front of the goddess! Isn’t it very romantic?”
“So why are you talking about it now?”
Unlike me, who was cynical, Bergman’s eyes glistened with emotion.
“The legend came to mind when I saw the princess and your knight together.”
“…What?”
“This is a mask made by recalling Mars, who is both handsome and destructive. It will suit your knight well.”
Therefore, Is he saying that our Redian resembles a fox like that?
“Please let me meet other knights who will wear masks.”
Bergman sniffed.
“Since Princess is going to participate in a monster hunting competition, I would like to make an even cooler mask.”
“What, a monster hunting competition?”
“Elite knights from each family participate in the monster hunting competition. Princess is also preparing for that.”
Wait, he seemed to be mistaken about something.
“As The Felicite family is participating for the first time, I, as the Princess’s vassal, cannot remain silent!”
As Bergman said, elite knights from each family participated in the monster-hunting competition. Therefore, it was also an opportunity to show off how good our knights were and how powerful our family was. Since there were about five people participating, it seemed like he thought he was making masks of the Felicite elite knights.
“I will make the dress Princess will wear that day to match with the knight’s concept!”
Redian and Vallentin… They were already eye-catching guys. Moreover, if they walked behind me wearing a mask like that. Won’t it be like a festival day?
This is ridiculous. That was a level of attention that even I couldn’t handle.
“You misunderstood, Bergman. This isn’t a mask made for a monster-hunting competition.”
“Yes?”
“You’re making it for personal use. I don’t attend competitions like that.”
“Ah, but…”
At that moment, Bergman blinked his eyes innocently.
“I’ve already submitted an application on behalf of the Princess.”
YESSSS!! Hunting competition arc! I love you, Bergman thank you for being the mvp and number 1 fan of pretty people 🙏🙏
I’m very hyped guys!