SEM 27

#027

Meanwhile, Rosella, who was attending the wedding, was silently watching the couple’s procession.

The garden where the ceremony was held was lively and noisy, but in contrast, the mansion remained quiet. Rosella observed the wedding from the terrace.

As she watched the newlyweds standing so close their noses could almost touch, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, an inexplicable sense of unease crept in. She clenched both fists tightly.

“My, if you grip that hard, you’ll ruin your beautiful fingers.”

Startled by the quiet voice beside her, Rosella quickly turned around. The sudden appearance of an uninvited guest made her wary.

“Who are you?”

At her sharp tone, the man tapped the mask covering his face.

“In a party like this, asking who someone is can be considered rude.”

Just as Rosella was about to protest being treated like some naive young lady, the man handed her a wine glass. Rosella accepted the glass in silence. She happened to be thirsty, anyway.

“I heard the Grand Duke Cryber completely stole the heart of the capital’s beloved lady. Seems it’s true.”

Taking a sip from the wine he offered, Rosella let out a dry laugh. The man quietly studied her smug demeanor.

“But in the end, the one he truly loves is only one person.”

As she brought the wine to her lips and lifted her chin proudly, the man nodded.

“Her Majesty the Empress, you mean?”

This time, it was Rosella who looked at the man. But the man had already averted his gaze from her.

A subtle smile appeared on Rosella’s lips, satisfied by his answer. The anxiety she’d felt while watching the way Gredi looked at Eliana vanished in an instant.

“That temptress will be abandoned.”

The man nodded as if he agreed.

“I think so, too.”

“What?”

Rosella turned her head, still watching Gredi and Eliana who had just finished their walk down the aisle. The man met her gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just surprised we think alike.”

“I’m glad our thoughts align.”

A pleasant laugh rang out from beneath the man’s mask. For some reason, Rosella’s heart trembled at the sound of his laughter.

“We really do get along.”

Rosella extended her wine glass toward him. Without hesitation, the man clinked his glass against hers.

“That’s a relief. I was worried, not knowing anyone here.”

“Wait… Are you saying you came to the wedding without an invitation?”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand.”

The man shrugged, pulling a formal invitation from his inner pocket and flashing it briefly.

Rosella narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him. These masked parties were uncomfortable — you couldn’t tell who anyone was.

And this was her first time attending one where everyone wore the same mask. Even if they met again later, there would be no way to recognize one another.

Suddenly, she stared intently at his face.

“Is there something you want to say?”

The man tilted his head at her curious gaze. Rosella stepped back slightly. His accent, though subtle, wasn’t from the Empire.

“You’re not from the Empire, are you?”

As she stepped back, the man took a step forward and leaned in close. Rosella held her breath as his scent engulfed her without warning.

Flustered, she glanced around. But everyone was engrossed in the wedding reception — no one was paying them any attention.

Had there been no masks, their lips might have touched.

Unconsciously, Rosella found herself anticipating a kiss. The magic of masks was truly powerful.

‘Even if he kisses me, he won’t know who I am… right?’

“Don’t be scared. I’m just curious how you figured out I’m not from the Empire.”

The man brushed her hair behind her ear and stepped back. Only Rosella seemed to feel a pang of disappointment. She bit her lip as she watched him retreat.

“……”

“Most people can’t tell I’m not from the Empire just by my voice. You’re special.”

With his back to the dazzling garden reception, the man looked at her.

“I don’t know about that — but I do know you’re a flirt.”

Rosella shook her head.

After all, she was someone who had survived the Imperial Palace. Just moments ago, she’d acted like a foolish lady longing for a kiss, but now she had returned to the sharp-witted Empress.

“A flirt? I’m simply happy to have found someone I can talk to so well. Didn’t think it’d be twisted like that.”

“A friend, you mean?”

“Yes, a friend.”

The man nodded and shrugged, his tone dry, as if he had no interest in anything beyond that. Rosella found herself impatient.

“Not bad. It’s always fun to converse with someone who shares your thoughts.”

Rosella smiled nonchalantly and emptied her glass.

Everything was going smoothly.

As she had ordered, Gredi married Eliana. Emperor Mateo wouldn’t be able to make Eliana his mistress now.

She had bought time. Now all she needed was to get pregnant.

Rosella looked at her empty glass, then quietly placed a hand on her belly.

The Emperor had been visiting her less frequently. She desperately needed something to recapture his attention.

“……”

“Oh my, did you bring the whole bottle?”

While Rosella was lost in thought, the man had casually refilled her empty glass. Startled, she looked up.

“I had already placed it here in advance. Didn’t expect someone to take my spot while I stepped away, though.”

If what he said was true, Rosella had unknowingly taken his seat.

“…I must’ve interrupted you.”

“Oh, no need to look so guilty. I’m actually glad it was you.”

Flustered, Rosella drained the wine in one gulp. Her throat felt parched again.

“……”

“This meeting must be fate. Want to make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Whether the Grand Duke Cryber will divorce the temptress or not.”

Rosella smirked.

The bet was in her favor more than anyone’s.

Gredi was nothing more than her puppet. She could demand a divorce between him and Eliana at any moment.

After all, the marriage had only happened because she had forced it. But the man had no idea about any of this.

“A bet — when we don’t even know each other’s identities?”

Rosella’s laughter echoed in the dark night. The man chuckled and nodded.

“Let’s call it a celebration of our new friendship. And who knows? Maybe even if we take off our masks, we’ll recognize each other instantly.”

Rosella shook her head. The wine on an empty stomach made her feel giddy. She couldn’t stop laughing.

The unpleasant feelings she’d had at the start of the ceremony were long gone.

“Did you forget what you said earlier? I thought we shared the same thoughts…”

Rosella finished her wine. She felt herself getting tipsier than usual — but her mood was soaring.

“No choice then. I’ll bet that they don’t get divorced.”

Rosella blinked in surprise at his unexpected words.

“……”

“In games like this, the one who falls first always loses.”

The man closed the distance between them in an instant.

“No!”

Just as she thought her mask was about to be removed, her vision was covered.

Rosella quickly reached out to block his eyes. As the man tried to remove his own mask, he gently adjusted her hand to cover the right spot.

Touch.

Their eyes hidden, their lips met hastily. In a flash, the kiss deepened. After a brief hesitation, Rosella wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in it.

It felt like quenching a thirst she’d endured for far too long.

“Haa, haa…”

As Rosella caught her breath from the intense kiss, the man traced her lips with his thumb.

“Remember this. This warmth, this trembling, this scent.”

He pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck and took a deep breath.

Rosella shivered, her shoulders tensing. A chilling sensation crawled up her spine.

As she trembled involuntarily, the man removed his hand from her eyes. He swiftly pulled the mask back over his face.

“I was right.”

Now masked again, he looked down at her.

“Right about what?”

He tilted his head and handed her a freshly filled glass of wine.

“Flirt.”

“Taming a flirt into a devoted lover can be quite fun, my lady.”

At his words, Rosella let out a hollow laugh.

The lingering feeling of that kiss hadn’t faded. It was the most electrifying experience she’d had in a long time.

“A kiss with a stranger…”

The only comfort was that he had no idea who she was. Staring at his masked face, Rosella drained the wine in her hand.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

She placed her empty glass on the terrace and turned to go.