Chapter 61
The Masquerade Ball (1)
Letina folded the letter she had received from the Crown Prince in half. After such a long wait, the first words in the letter were an apology.
Her brother Sart had left the letter on the desk, and because of the pile of documents on top, he only just noticed it at the bottom. Reading that sentence, a wave of relief washed over Letina, washing away all the worry she had been silently carrying. So, he hadn’t avoided reading it on purpose.
He repeatedly expressed how much he missed her, saying he hadn’t expected such a long separation when he left the mansion. Despite the intense feelings they had for each other, reality made it impossible even to exchange letters openly, and she had to occasionally rely on Sart when he visited the mansion.
After reading the Crown Prince’s letter, Letina immediately took out a sheet of paper and began writing her reply. She wrote that she had received his letter, that she had been waiting anxiously for his reply, and that she too missed him dearly.
She deliberately left out any mention of the selection for Crown Princess or her matchmaking meeting with Norden. She had decided she would inform him once she had sorted out her feelings, but when it came to putting it in writing, her pen refused to move.
“Let’s talk in person.”
Instead, she ended the letter by asking what he had been up to lately. It was more interesting to know about his daily life than to think about the exhausting matters she had avoided.
When she had subtly asked her brothers, they had said he did nothing but work every day. However, the Crown Prince’s letter was filled with small details: what tea he drank, how Brother Haynt made excuses to be spoiled, and how he had discovered a talented individual with extraordinary skills.
“His Highness the Crown Prince probably doesn’t want to worry me either.”
Although it was slightly different from what she knew of his recent life, she was glad to hear about his daily experiences. Finally, she expressed her hope that he slept well, affixed dried flower petals with sealing wax, folded the letter, and neatly placed it into a blue envelope.
“Miss, it’s almost the time your friends are coming. Shall I help you get ready?”
At that moment, Lina knocked and entered. Letina checked the table clock and was genuinely surprised—only an hour remained until her appointment. Time had flown while writing the letter.
“Yes. We need to get ready quickly.”
With Letina’s approval, Lina entered with her hands behind her back, walking in a suspicious manner as if hiding something.
“Ta-da! Since you’re going to the masquerade, I specially bought a new wig!”
Approaching Letina, Lina suddenly presented the wig in front of her. Letina looked at Lina’s beaming face behind the bright blonde wig.
“You’ve been wearing brown wigs all this time and must be tired of them. A makeover like today will lift your spirits!”
Lina, more excited than Letina, hummed as she brushed the wig. Unlike Letina, who had never cared much about the ordinary brown wigs she usually wore, Lina had deliberately brought a wig of a light shade similar to Letina’s hair, waiting for this day.
“You like it that much?”
“Yes, of course. You look great with bright hair, but you’ve always been wearing dark brown wigs. When else would I get a chance to put this on you?”
Unlike Letina, Lina was sensitive to every detail, intent on making her look beautiful. Letina, seeing that Lina’s fuss didn’t cause her any trouble and even had benefits, didn’t refuse.
“Have you chosen your dress? And the mask?”
“A white off-shoulder dress with a sheer overlay. The overlay is light blue. I chose a white lace mask to match the dress.”
“A lace mask? Then it’s better to tie your hair half-up or just add waves rather than putting it all up.”
Lina, imagining the look based on Letina’s explanation, moved her hands confidently. Letina twisted her chest-length hair. Wearing the bright wig instead of her usual dark one felt awkward.
“All done, Miss.”
Closing her eyes, Letina allowed herself to relax as Lina’s voice guided her. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a blonde woman in the mirror, looking like someone else entirely.
“I wonder if anyone will recognize me.”
The masquerade was a party where one hid both identity and face, encouraging a more extravagant and daring style than usual. It would be good if she looked like someone else—but at least one person should recognize her.
“He might not come. He could be too busy to see the letter today.”
Letina fiddled with the envelope after hearing that Sart would briefly visit the mansion. Though she had subtly written about attending the masquerade with the young ladies, she had no expectation of meeting the Crown Prince there.
“Maybe he’ll read the letter after today.”
Though she worried that the masquerade might be her only chance to see him, she decided not to expect anything. Placing the letter on the nightstand near the door for Sart to easily find, she hurriedly left the mansion to meet her appointment.
“Finally, we can go to the masquerade! I’m so excited!”
“Is the masquerade really that different from other parties?”
“It’s a ball that even journalists from the newsletter cannot cover. Nobles, who usually maintain their dignity, can freely enjoy themselves without restraint.”
“And so many interesting incidents happen! We’ll see them all today, I’m sure!”
The masquerade required adulthood for entry, emphasizing anonymity and adult hobbies. While some were exclusive to the upper class, most allowed anyone of sufficient age to enter, making it a popular spot for lovers’ secret meetings.
“Wow, the dresses are even more splendid than I imagined.”
“We look too young compared to them.”
“No, we can rely on cuteness!”
Basilios, with a long tuft of fur resembling a cat tail on his back, swished as he walked. Wearing a pink fur mask inspired by a Persian cat and a voluminous dress like a ballerina’s with white tights, he looked like a dancing kitten.
“When else would we wear such clothes at a party? Hehe.”
Basilios’s innocent grin made Clara shyly look away, though she didn’t resist his guiding hand toward the center of the hall.
They crossed the main hall, as grand as the royal banquet hall, with enormous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, scattering light across gold-embossed ceilings and walls adorned with classic paintings.
“Beautiful lady there, could I see closer? Your steps leave fairy footprints.”
“A toast to your eyes—”
Whistles sounded from various corners whenever someone leaned against a pillar or stair railing. Since everyone was masked and here to enjoy themselves, flirtatious antics were rampant.
“Where is Adrian…?”
Cecile, intimidated by the men’s attention, glanced around nervously for Adrian. This was the last pre-engagement party for the young ladies, who left to find their partners. Free from usual scrutiny, they could indulge in affection as they pleased.
As the other young ladies dispersed, Letina, now alone, ascended to the quieter second floor of the banquet hall. Couples rested on the stairs here as well.
Letina ignored the men’s flirtations and continued walking. She had only one reason for attending the masquerade:
“…He’s not here, I guess.”
Leaning on the second-floor railing, she scanned the first floor but found no sign of him. Unable to help herself, she continued to search, knowing this might be her only chance.
Just as she was about to give up and head back to the first floor, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her.
