Chapter 33
Her eyes were calm, like the still surface of the sea after a storm.
At that moment, she sensed the presence of a knight approaching — close, just a few steps away.
Two steps forward.
Elsese quickly pulled the man beside her, turning him so that his back faced the approaching knight, and used his body as a shield.
Then, just as the knight’s footsteps came within a step of them, she looped her arms around the man’s neck.
The sudden movement brought their faces closer, his dark blue hair brushing against the mask that covered his face.
Before he could react, the masked man lowered his face toward hers — until the distance between them vanished.
If the mask weren’t there, his breath would have touched her skin.
Even at such proximity, all she could see were his eyes behind the mask.
For a moment, the calm in those eyes rippled like disturbed water.
Those eyes… I’ve seen them before, haven’t I?
Elsese stared blankly, her mind searching for the memory, when a polite cough broke the tension from behind the man’s back.
“Ahem… Excuse me, but you can’t come this way. Please return to the main hall.”
The knight, assuming the pair were simply guests from the banquet, offered a brief warning before turning away.
Elsese waited until the knight disappeared from sight over the man’s shoulder before loosening her arms from around him.
She let out a quiet sigh of relief and dropped back onto her heels.
The man’s firm arm, which had been wrapped protectively around her waist, also released its hold.
The warmth that left her back made the night air suddenly feel colder.
But his violet eyes didn’t waver — they were still locked on her, sharp and unyielding.
Elsese met his gaze, refusing to look away. Then, a beat later, recognition flickered across her face.
…Laciel?
The name slipped through her mind unbidden, and she quickly shook her head.
No — that couldn’t be right. This man’s hair was a deep, ocean blue like the midnight sky, while Laciel’s was silver.
More importantly, if it were Laciel, he would think her an imperial spy and would never have reacted like that.
He’s probably just some noble who attended the banquet.
Perhaps he’d stepped out for some air and wandered here.
Still, it was strange — this wasn’t even a masquerade, so why wear a mask?
Whatever the case, if this man wasn’t under the count’s mind-control spell, she couldn’t risk him discovering that she had infiltrated the mansion for another purpose.
The safest way would be to eliminate the witness… but…
If he was almost caught by the Count’s brainwashing magic, then he was merely an innocent victim. She couldn’t bring herself to kill someone like that.
So, Elsese decided to play along — as if she were just another guest.
“Thank you. Then… I’ll be heading back.”
She gave a polite bow and turned toward the main hall.
Her silent footsteps grew fainter and fainter as she walked away.
The man stood motionless, watching her until her figure completely vanished from view. Then slowly, he lowered his gaze to his hand.
In his palm lay a small flower ornament — the one that had been attached to Elsese’s hairpin.
It must have fallen when they were pressed together.
He stared at it for a long moment with cold, unreadable eyes, before turning away and brushing a finger along the earring at his ear.
Instantly, his calm violet eyes turned crimson, glowing like fresh blood.
His dark hair, fluttering in the chill spring breeze, gleamed white under the moonlight.
Elsese, pretending to return to the main building, changed direction and slipped back toward the Count’s annex.
As she neared the structure, a frantic voice came from her earring — Astair’s.
— My lady, can you hear me? Please answer if you can.
“Yes, I can hear you now.”
— The signal kept cutting out. I was getting worried.
Relief was evident in his voice.
Elsese quickly explained the situation.
“The entire main building is under a mind-control spell. I think the black magic’s interference was disrupting the communication in the earring.”
— A mind-control spell?
“Yes. The Count and his wife used the banquet as an excuse to gather guests and brainwash them — to increase their number of followers.”
— My lady, are you all right? Where are you? I’ll come to you right awa—
“I’m fine. Completely unharmed.”
— …
“More importantly, the Count is heading your way. You need to hide.”
— …
“Your Grace?”
Suddenly, the connection went silent.
Elsese’s heart dropped.
Don’t tell me the Count found him…?
Just as she pressed herself against the mansion wall to look around, a voice came from above her.
“So you were here.”
She looked up, startled — and saw Astair, disguised, leaning over the second-floor balcony.
He leaped down gracefully and landed beside her, immediately checking her condition.
“Let me see — you’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
Following his gaze, Elsese looked down and noticed the state of her dress.
Her shoes were gone, her bare feet were scratched and dirty, and the hem of her gown was smeared with mud.
Astair crouched down on one knee.
Feeling embarrassed, Elsese fidgeted with her toes and muttered softly,
“I’m sorry… It was expensive, and you went through the trouble of getting it for me—”
But instead of touching the ruined gown, Astair’s hand gently rested on her foot.
“Your safety matters far more than a dress.”
He murmured the words as healing light enveloped her foot.
The ticklish warmth of magic spread through her skin as small scratches and cuts faded away.
Then, still kneeling, he asked,
“But why did you come all the way here? It’s dangerous.”
His voice was gentle as always, but beneath it was a faint tone of reprimand — concern wrapped in scolding.
Elsese explained.
“The only reason I wasn’t affected by the mind-control spell was because of a potion that restores mental clarity. But I only had a small amount left. I couldn’t stay there any longer.”
In a hall full of brainwashed people, leaving abruptly would have drawn suspicion.
Astair nodded, understanding her reasoning.
As he stood up after finishing the spell — having cast a protective charm on her feet for good measure — Elsese asked awkwardly,
“Did you find any clues?”
“No, not yet.”
He glanced around.
“There’s definitely a dark presence here — but it’s so strong, I can’t pinpoint its exact source.”
“I see.”
“I’ve already searched the larger annex building, but there wasn’t anything suspicious. That leaves the smaller one over there…”
The annex grounds had two buildings — a large residence and a smaller structure that looked like a storage house.
The large one was the one Astair had searched earlier.
Just as they were discussing their next move, they both sensed multiple presences approaching.
Quickly, they ducked behind the building.
Soon, Count Lort appeared with several knights.
“That crazy woman — why did she suddenly come to me to preach? She should’ve gone after other believers instead, tch.”
Grumbling irritably, the Count reached the front of the mansion.
The guards at the door bowed deeply.
“Your guest — are they still inside?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Without hesitation, the Count entered.
A personal guest during a banquet? How odd.
Something about it didn’t sit right.
Watching the Count disappear inside, Astair turned to Elsese.
“While he’s occupied with his guest, let’s search that smaller building.”
She nodded.
At the small building’s entrance, two guards were stationed.
Astair glanced around, then grabbed onto part of the wall’s structure and climbed swiftly up to the second-floor balcony.
He reached down and extended a hand toward Elsese, who had stepped onto a crate to follow.
With her long gown, climbing up was far more difficult than jumping down.
“Pardon me — hold on tight.”
He grasped her arm firmly and lifted her up, one arm wrapping briefly around her waist to steady her as he pulled her over the railing.
He’s stronger than I thought.
She hadn’t noticed before, but his body felt much more solid now.
While that thought crossed her mind, she suddenly felt something stir faintly near her chest.
A dark aura crept upward, and she recognized what it was — the familiar sensation of her spirit, Luti.
The black mist crawled up her neck and seeped into her earring.
“Eugh! I don’t like him!”
Luti’s tiny voice whined in her ear.
Elsese giggled quietly at her spirit’s frightened reaction to Astair’s energy.
Astair, noticing her amusement, looked puzzled.
“Did something funny happen?”
“No, nothing at all.”
She brushed it off with a small smile, absentmindedly touching her earring to soothe Luti.
The two began to inspect the balcony room. It was sparsely furnished, with only a few wardrobes and no signs of recent use.
There weren’t even servants or guards nearby.
After checking for any signs of movement, Astair turned to her and said,
“I’ll search the first floor. My lady, please check upstairs.”
He descended quietly, while Elsese began to examine the upper floor.
The building wasn’t large, with only a handful of empty rooms and almost no furniture — nothing suspicious at first glance.
That was, until she reached the last room at the end of the corridor.
Huh?
Next to a fireplace on the far wall, she noticed a long staircase leading down into darkness.
Her eyes widened.
The fireplace is a hidden entrance.
Except — it wasn’t hidden at all. The opening was wide open.
Which could only mean one thing.
Someone’s down there.
Pressing her back against the wall, Elsese tapped her earring softly.
“Your Grace — I found it.”
