Chapter 106
“Sierra.”
While lost in thought leaning against the window frame, a voice came from behind. Turning around, she saw Aden coming out after his training, his hair wet, slightly opening the door. She nodded to let him know it was okay to come in.
Aden slowly stepped inside and closed the door. She quietly smiled at the sight of him pressing the towel against his damp hair.
“Was there something urgent?
You came out without even drying your hair.”
Aden gazed at her for a moment, then smiled faintly, taking a seat in the chair across from her.
He draped the towel he’d been using to dry his hair over his shoulder and let out a slow breath.
A refreshing scent wafted from his direction. Was it from his perfume, or perhaps bath salts?
Through a few buttons that he had left undone at the top of his shirt, she could see his collarbone. Water clinging to his hair looked like it could easily drip down.
She caught herself staring and quickly looked away.
“I heard from Kestian. He said he couldn’t help you.”
Her shoulders shrugged slightly as she avoided his gaze. It was an unavoidable choice.
‘If I step in like Kestian said, I might be able to help. But in the long run, it could worsen the situation. If Bellieta finds out, it could deepen the hidden conflicts. Rubyche would have a hard time.’
Kestian looked disappointed at her response, but he didn’t seem angry. He nodded in understanding of her thoughts.
‘It seems he’s worried about Rubyche. Please forget the unreasonable request.’
With Kestian’s words to not worry, she couldn’t say anything else. Deep down, she wanted to say she’d help as much as she could, but that wasn’t the case. Even taking one step forward had to be done cautiously; letting her emotions lead her to help Rubyche wouldn’t be the right choice.
“I had no choice. Putting aside what problems might arise, helping Rubyche could end up hindering her instead. Refusing was the right thing to do.”
“If Sierra thought that way, then it must be so. But it’s still a difficult situation for Kestian.”
She felt a twinge of guilt about that, but thinking about it wouldn’t actually help. The masked ball was tomorrow, and there was barely enough time to prepare.
“Rubyche is the daughter of the Pallieva family, even if she’s still young. I think she’ll manage just fine.”
Unless she got the title of future royalty for nothing.
Regardless, she felt uneasy about having to refuse Kestian’s request. Refusing while feeling responsible didn’t sit well with her. She forced down a small sigh that tried to escape.
“You don’t have to worry so much. Kestian didn’t say he expecting you to agree right away, so don’t look so complicated.”
Caught off guard by an unexpected comfort, she stared blankly, and Aden cleared his throat awkwardly, seeming embarrassed.
Did Aden know how to give comfort too?
She nodded, her smile breaking through. “Thank you. I didn’t say that seeking for comfort, but here I am getting some. I never expected that.”
“…I just said it because it was needed.”
With that gruff expression and tone, he seemed all too awkward. It made her laugh at how clearly embarrassed he was.
Even though she turned her head away, she could still see him. Somehow, she felt a bit lighter in heart from that unexpected comfort.
It was a small thing, but still.
“I’ll have to think of another way.”
It was an issue they all had to take responsibility for. It wasn’t polite to just refuse when they were all in the same boat.
“A masked ball…”
A slow smile formed at the faint idea that began to arise.
***
A dazzling chandelier hung from the high ceiling.
A table filled with an array of food.
And the large hall filled with people.
The masked ball in the capital was more extravagant and larger than ever.
Though the ball usually only catered to noblewomen and ladies, this time, men were allowed to participate as well.
Thanks to that, some attendees came with their husbands, fiancés, or partners.
But even with partners, many came alone this evening.
People wanted to forget their partners for a day and enjoy themselves freely.
After all, it was a masked ball where nobody would recognize who they were.
“Are you okay, Lady Rubyche?”
Standing at the entrance of the masked ball, Rubyche fiddled with her mask as Rodella, oblivious to her feelings, asked again.
After saying she was fine four times, Rubyche felt she didn’t need to answer anymore and put on the mask without another word.
Rodella, who had been watching Rubyche with a worried expression, turned to look at Bell standing across from her.
With eyes that seemed to ask, ‘What should we do?’ Bell shook her head.
“You really went ahead and had me taken off the list, huh.”
Rubyche had not only communicated that to Bell and Rodella but even sent in a formal request to be included.
Yet, despite those efforts, her name was nowhere to be found on the participant list.
It was a blatant disregard that didn’t even need reconsideration.
Or perhaps, an outright snub.
What was even more shocking was that the existing members who knew this fact didn’t react at all.
Those who used to cling to her side, sweet-talking until it became annoying, were now pretending not to know, shutting their ears.
Everyone except Rodella and Bell, who stood beside her.
Rubyche felt disappointed to realize that the influence of those who backed Bozbourne was far stronger than her own efforts.
“I’m going. No matter what.”
But she couldn’t just back down like this.
Who was she? The Princess of Pallieva, Rubyche Orkindo Pallieva.
Taking a short breath, Rubyche moved her legs.
Rodella and Bell exchanged glances and hurriedly followed Rubyche.
The doorman, checking the participants at the entrance, noticed Rubyche approaching and turned his body.
Holding a long, unfolded guest list, he politely asked, “May I see your invitation?”
Bell and Rodella, who were standing behind Rubyche, rummaged through their pockets and pulled out the invitation to hand it over.
Taking the invitation, the doorman looked at Rubyche.
“If you don’t have an invitation, could you please tell me your name?”
“Rubyche.”
“Rubyche… Rubyche…”
“Rubyche of Pallieva.”
“Pal….”
The doorman’s hand froze as he scanned the guest list.
Slowly, he raised his head and looked at Rubyche.
Seeing the bright pink eyes shining from behind her mask, he hurriedly lowered his head.
After a long pause without him looking up, Rubyche raised an eyebrow.
“How long are you planning to check?”
The doorman flinched and, trembling, slowly lifted his head, offering a weak smile.
Rubyche faced the doorman’s silly expression and spoke again.
“I know I’m not on the list.”
“Uh, um…”
“But when have I ever carried an invitation or checked the list to get in?”
“Of course… no, that’s not right. You don’t need an invitation or to be on the list, Lady Rubyche. But…”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
“L-Lady!”
As the flustered doorman sweated profusely, Rubyche nonchalantly brushed past him, with Bell and Rodella quickly following behind her.
Once inside, Rubyche slowly scanned the crowded ballroom.
As per the rule that the main character makes a slow entrance, the attention was drawn to Rubyche’s gradual arrival.
Everyone was curious, wondering who she was.
Some noblewomen and ladies who caught sight of Rubyche’s eyes turned away in shock.
Why is she here?!
Even without speaking, everyone had the same thought.
As Rubyche slowly looked around, she approached a round table and picked up a drink.
An aristocrat who realized Rubyche had come too late tried to sneak away.
“Where are you going, Sahana?”
Rubyche’s voice caught her off guard.
The noblewoman, frozen as if her butt had been caught, shook and turned to face Rubyche, laughing awkwardly.
Wearing a crooked butterfly mask, Sahana forced a smile.
“Ah, ah…! It’s you, Lady! I thought you were someone else…”
Looking at the awkwardly approaching Sahana, Rubyche lifted her glass to her lips.
“It’s hard to tell who’s who when everyone’s wearing masks, right?”
“Of course. I can tell up close now.”
“I’m glad you recognized me. I thought you might not know me.”
Sahana felt cold sweat running down her back from the pointed remark.
The noblewomen watching from a distance shook their heads at Sahana’s fate.
Yeah, she should escape quickly.
Everyone clicked their tongues, sharing the same sentiment.
“By the way, are you feeling okay? I heard you were too sick to participate in this ball…”
“I didn’t hear that I couldn’t participate; did you?”
“Well, obviously…”
Sahana, who had started to respond reflexively, stopped speaking and rolled her eyes.
Seeing Rubyche smiling at her, Sahana’s grin became awkwardly twisted.
“…Of course, I didn’t hear that. That’s why I was surprised.”
“Oh, I see. That’s a shame, then.”
Rubyche murmured slowly as she lowered her glass.
Thinking it might be over, Sahana cautiously began to back away.
She feared what might happen if she stuck around any longer, wanting to escape Rubyche’s grasp.
But Rubyche wouldn’t let her slip away from the web she had spun.
No, to be precise, her pure soul wouldn’t tolerate such a lie.
“That can’t be! I told you directly! Why are you pretending you didn’t hear me?”
Rodella gasped in surprise, her eyes wide.
Sahana, who was trying to sneak away, froze at being caught in her lie by Rodella.
As Rubyche turned her head to look at Rodella, she quickly turned back to Sahana.
“Sahana?”
“Um, um…”
Sahana, sweating buckets like she was sick, couldn’t even form a proper sentence, stumbling over her words.
A faint anger lingered in Rubyche’s eyes.
