~Chapter 102~
“The first one to take it wins! Whoever snatches the brooch from Madame Rominas becomes its rightful owner!”
At the host’s words, several men jumped to their feet.
Then, from the back of the room, a woman’s voice rang out:
“Is there any guarantee you’ll be safe if you win it? Going against House Kailas sounds like a quick way to disappear without a trace.”
The crowd froze mid-motion. Even those high on pleasure and pills hesitated. Survival instincts kicked in before greed.
The moment Duke Rowan Kailas’s keepsake was announced, it became inevitable that word would reach the Kailas household.
The event itself might be questionable—but what would happen to those who, knowingly, fought over the item in a vulgar contest? Would Cedric Kailas really let that slide?
“Now that I think about it… remember the victory banquet a couple of years ago—?”
“Yeah. A woman tried to steal that brooch back then and almost got into huge trouble.”
Even in their dazed states, some recalled the incident, and a few of the would-be candidates quietly returned to their seats.
And in the pause that followed, the woman who had raised the concern surged forward. Her steps were quick and confident—clearly unaffected by any drugs—so no one could stop her.
“Wait, what’s happening?”
“Who is that?”
Confused murmurs rippled through the hall as she leapt onto the stage. Before the startled Madame Rominas could react, the woman thrust her hand into the older woman’s exposed cleavage and pulled out the ruby brooch.
The host looked around, stunned.
Shoulders high and thriving, Harriet held up the heirloom of Rowan Kailas and coolly asked:
“There weren’t any rules saying only men could participate, were there?”
“Ah, n-no… That’s right.”
“Pardon me, then.”
Harriet winked at Madame Rominas and stepped off the stage.
A moment of silence—then wild laughter and clapping erupted throughout the room.
“Damn! That was bold!”
“She actually pulled it off! Who is she?”
“She’s got guts, using her head like that. But what’s she gonna do if the duke actually comes after her?”
All eyes followed her now, which made Harriet uncomfortable—but she kept her composure and nodded politely as she made her way toward the exit.
‘It’s nearly 1 a.m.’
She just had to get off the ship. Thankfully, the event had happened just after midnight.
But there was always a risk—what if that pig-masked man saw her on stage and came after her again?
While walking toward the back door, Harriet wrapped the brooch in a handkerchief and stuffed it between her chest. If nothing else, the event organizers were right—no one would dare grab it from there.
Just as she was exhaling in relief—
“Ahem. The party’s just getting started, and you’re already thinking of leaving?”
A man suddenly stepped in front of her.
His face was hidden behind a golden mask, but Harriet immediately recognized him—Albert Kingsley.
She swallowed hard.
‘Don’t show weakness.’
Straightening her back, she answered with a version of Bella’s voice:
“I’m afraid this party isn’t quite my taste.”
“And yet you seemed quite enthusiastic about the prize event…”
“Money moves fast, and so do I. Is that a problem?”
“If it was really about money, then not at all… But if it wasn’t, well, I’d be a little disappointed.”
He smiled, taking a slow step toward her.
“You’re a first-time guest, aren’t you? Who are you, exactly?”
“At a masquerade, asking someone’s identity is considered poor manners. Surely the host of this party should know that.”
“…It’s just not fair, you see. You know who I am—but I don’t know who you are.”
Then, as if something clicked, he tilted his head.
“Now that I look closer… That beauty mark on your chest and neck looks oddly familiar…”
Harriet quickly raised a hand to cover the fake mole on her neck, hoping it would make him second-guess himself.
Albert grinned slyly and stepped closer.
“No need to be shy. How about enjoying the party a little longer? If the rowdy men are bothering you, I can offer you a VIP room. Quiet. Private. Comfortable.”
“Things like that don’t come free, I imagine.”
“For a beautiful woman like yourself, I’d offer it entirely free of charge. As long as you don’t mind having a brief chat with me.
Harriet instinctively took a step back—just as footsteps approached from behind.
‘Is this one of Albert’s men?’
Tension prickled her skin as she turned—
—and saw a familiar raven mask.
Tez.
He casually draped an arm around Harriet’s shoulder, speaking with an affectionate smile:
“Sorry, I’m late. Got held up in the restroom.”
“…Huh?”
Still disoriented, Harriet blinked up at him. Tez turned his gaze to Albert.
“What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you were hitting on my partner?”
“Oh! Is she yours?” Albert chuckled. “I was only worried because she seemed ready to leave so early…”
“She told her parents she was staying elsewhere tonight, so she needs to sneak home before they wake up. I’m escorting her.”
“Haha, of course. Then I wish you both a pleasant evening. Mind your step—it’s dark out there.”
Albert stepped aside—but even as he smiled, his sharp gaze trailed Harriet until she disappeared.
Harriet said nothing. She remained in character, refusing to leak even a drop of real identity.
Once on the lower floor, they could see the El Mare port ahead.
The boat workers, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected departure, scrambled to ready the ropes and pull the walkway into place.
As they waited for the ship to arrive fully, Tez finally broke the silence:
“You came here for that brooch, didn’t you?”
“W-What are you talking about?”
Harriet flinched but played dumb. Not that it fooled him.
He removed his mask, looking down at her. His hair fluttered in the wind, black as a crow’s feathers.
“Are you another woman in love with Cedric Kailas? Risking all this—for him?”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. I just wasn’t in the mood to tangle with strange men, and then the prize event started… So I joined.”
Tez let out a soft laugh.
“You’re not very good at lying. But that’s part of your charm.”
He reached out and gently touched her cheek—just beside her lips, the only part not covered by the mask.
“But you know… that noble man will never appreciate your sacrifice.”
“I told you—it’s not like that.”
She protested again, just as the ship gave a loud thud—docking at last.
The crew lowered the walkway.
“I’ll see you off. It’s dark—hold onto my hand.”
She hesitated, but his outstretched hand looked steady. Trustworthy.
With a small sigh, she took it.
* * *
A servant of House Kailas was dead.
He had been eating toast spread with peanut jam sent by his wife when he suddenly collapsed.
“There were traces of poison in the jam,” the royal investigator told Cedric. “His wife confessed. Said she was sick of the abuse and snapped.”
“She confessed willingly?”
“Yes, sir. In tears, but completely honest. We’ve already questioned the neighbors. They all sympathize with her. Apparently, he was a tyrant at home.”
“So appearances can be deceiving. I didn’t know he was that kind of man.”
Cedric rolled a pen between his fingers, murmuring more to himself than anyone else.
In truth, he barely remembered the man. There were too many servants to keep track of each one.
But one thing was clear.
The man didn’t seem like the type who would betray the Kailas House. Not on the surface.
A servant of House Kailas knows the consequences of betrayal. It’s written into their contracts. And yet he betrayed us anyway…
Which meant there had been something scarier than Cedric’s punishment.
‘Is that even possible?’
Cedric had no doubt the dead servant was the one who’d stolen the brooch.
He had access to Cedric’s room—and just as the investigation was closing in, he died. Suspicious timing.
There had only been five people with access, including the butler. Even if he hadn’t died, the truth would’ve come out soon.
But his sudden death complicated everything.
“I’d like to speak with his wife.”
“Understood. We’ll arrange it. Though we’ve some urgent matters to handle first…”
“I understand. Just make sure she doesn’t end up dead—or kill herself—before I get to her.”
The investigator’s brow twitched at Cedric’s cold, firm tone.
