~Chapter 45~
The moment Ricardo appeared, Erkessian’s eyes widened.
But he wasn’t the only one surprised—Idette, standing beside him, was too.
Ricardo.
Honestly, he wasn’t someone I was happy to see.
Especially not in a situation this awkward.
I bit my lower lip and turned toward Erkessian.
“I know I’m overstepping, but… Your Highness, your actions were wrong.”
“…What?”
“I’m the kind of selfish lady who can take off her mask even at a masked ball without hesitation.”
Erkessian’s whole goal was to make me and Idette look alike. But if my face is clearly visible, none of that matters.
“You’ve failed completely. Using me to protect Lady Idette—that part especially.”
“……”
“Please, at the very least, don’t break the trust between you and Lady Idette.”
A vein popped out on Erkessian’s forehead.
Oh, did that make him mad?
If he thought I was going to stay quiet like some fool… well, that’s kind of amusing.
Idette’s expression stayed tense, and her eyes trembled as she looked at Erkessian.
I gave a quick bow and walked away.
Ricardo followed close behind.
I walked ahead for a bit, but eventually turned and couldn’t stop myself from speaking.
“Before coming here today, His Highness visited me. He asked me to pretend to be Lady Idette.”
My grip on my dress tightened.
“…He said if I did, I could be your partner tonight.”
Ricardo froze.
“You already knew about this, didn’t you?”
“No. I had no idea.”
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say more.
“Even if he had made such an offer… I would have turned it down.”
“Oh. I see.”
My tone came out sharper than I intended.
I know.
I was just taking out my frustration on him, even though I knew better.
“…Just give me a little time. That’s all I ask.”
Leon had said that rumors in high society only hurt if you let them.
If you close your ears, they go away.
But that was easier said than done.
Being around Ricardo was just painful.
“I have something I need to say.”
But I didn’t really hear the rest of what he said.
Maybe… I just didn’t want to.
“I never meant to let you walk in alone tonight. We must’ve missed each other along the way… I’m sorry I was late.”
“Don’t apologize. Didn’t you tell me before—you don’t apologize to me?”
You told me yourself you wanted me to hate you, didn’t you?
Well, looks like you got your wish.
“I don’t want your apology anyway.”
“Bianca—”
“I see you haven’t signed the breakup papers yet, so I guess there’s nothing more to say.”
I smiled.
“My brother will deliver them himself.”
Ricardo hurriedly reached for me.
“Wait—just a moment, can’t you give me just a moment?”
Where were you all this time?
We’ve spent so much time together, and now…
“….”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“Bianca!”
That’s when I saw Leon.
As soon as I saw his face, I instinctively walked toward him—even though I’d just heard Ricardo say he’d wait.
***
“…What on earth is going on here.”
Cedric let out a deep sigh and stared quietly at Leon standing beside him.
“I told you to take care of Bianca for the day, didn’t I?”
Leon drooped his head, guilt written all over his face as Cedric scolded him.
Wait—what does that make me, then?
“If your goal was just to enjoy the ball, you should’ve declined my request. That would’ve been the right decision.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Leon apologized sincerely, and Cedric, clearly not expecting that, was briefly speechless. But he quickly continued, looking irritated.
“If you were going to leave her alone, you should’ve told me first. Right?”
“…Yeah, sorry.”
“Haa… how did it come to this… I shouldn’t have asked you in the first place.”
As Cedric’s complaints went on, Leon finally snapped.
“Alright! I get it, okay?! I said I’m sorry!”
“Seriously, why are you two fighting like this?!” I shouted, fed up.
As I listened quietly to the two of them bickering, I finally raised my voice.
“These two are seriously—!”
At my words, Leon and Cedric stopped arguing.
I let out a deep sigh and removed my mask.
“I’m not a child. I handled myself just fine tonight, even without Brother Leon.”
“Oh, you handled it well?”
Cedric’s voice was thick with sarcasm. Leon gave him a light smack on the shoulder.
“Cut it out. Bianca did her best.”
“Sure, because you didn’t do your part.”
That was the start of yet another round of nagging. Looking fed up, Leon turned to me and asked,
“Is he always like this?”
“…Yes.”
“It must be difficult for you.”
I checked the clock.
It was almost midnight.
Time to meet Peril.
“I’ll be heading out now.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No! Please come later. You haven’t even enjoyed yourself because of me.”
I panicked at Leon’s offer, and Cedric narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“Look me in the eye and say that.”
“I’m just going home!”
“……”
“If you’re that suspicious, you can watch the carriage leave, okay?”
Still not trusting me, Leon crossed his arms.
“Come on, let’s just go together. I was thinking of leaving anyway. No reason to go separately.”
“Because we’re not going the same way.”
Worried Leon might follow me, I quickened my steps.
“Please, just head back inside!”
Leon tried to follow but was stopped by Cedric.
***
‘I hope he’s not already there…’
The meeting place with Peril was at the eastern outer wall.
It wasn’t far from the ballroom, and I could still see the palace lights from there.
“…He’s not here yet.”
As I stepped away from the noisy ballroom and into the quiet outer wall area, I finally felt more at ease.
Looking up at the large full moon, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened with Ricardo.
“Just a moment, just a little bit of your time—please.”
…What was he trying to say?
He looked like he really wanted to tell me something.
Suddenly—
Boom! Boom!
A loud explosion came from the ballroom.
The sound of blasts rang painfully in my ears.
A moment later, people began fleeing from the palace in a panic.
“…!”
Screams echoed through the air.
It had begun—the very kidnapping incident that Erkessian had been so worried about. The moment from the original story.
I looked down at the mask in my hand.
It felt heavier than ever.
‘Should I have warned Idette before I left?’
No—this time, unlike the original, Erkessian knew it would happen. So things should play out a bit better than before.
Still, it meant Peril might be late.
He’d probably be busy trying to protect Idette.
But he better not be too late.
If he had any conscience, he’d show up before sunrise!
I sat down under a tree.
Even though I was away from the crowd, hearing the screams from afar made me nervous. I buried my face in my knees.
This too shall pass…
Then—I heard footsteps running toward me.
When I looked up, I saw Peril, his face full of alarm.
“You…!”
Wait, what?
“Why are you here?”
He looked completely shocked.
“You’re not supposed to be here, are you?”
“…Glad to see you kept your promise.”
There was a flicker of relief on Peril’s face as he collapsed in front of me, exhausted and out of breath.
“No seriously—why are you here?”
He was too out of breath to answer right away. He just focused on catching his breath.
Then what about Idette?
Is she okay?
“…Wait, you didn’t get confused because we were wearing the same dress, did you?”
“…If I run twice tonight, I’ll die.”
“Hey! I’m Bianca! Not Idette!”
My voice got more frantic.
But Peril kept his eyes shut and calmly replied.
“I came knowing it was you.”
“……”
“There’s no way I’d confuse you with her.”
