Chapter 44

Two years have passed since then.

“Please drop me off here.”

“It’s for 50 dera.”

I handed the coachman one lipe and got off with a large suitcase. I could hear the coachman calling me back to give me 50 dera, but I wanted to go and rest quickly, so I hurried my feet.

Summer was coming, so I quickly got hot when I moved my luggage.

“…”

After two years, I returned to the capital, where I had fled before. Come to think of it, it seems that I always left the capital as if I was running away. It was all because of my mother.

During those two years, my hair went back to silver again. My hair, which was no longer red, had been cut several times because it was damaged, but it came down to my hip right now.

And finally, as my mother wanted, my ability to imprint people had manifested. I didn’t hide this face. It was impossible to hide it for two years, and they would likely get suspicious if I hid it. Instead, by continuously trading information with Shale, I could come up with countermeasures.

Mother and Sir Shubart didn’t come with me. Originally, Sir Shubart would have taken me here personally, but I was a little stubborn this time. It was purely for my mother.

Sir Shubart was more cautious than before, so he tended to wait and see. However, I came to the capital first because I wanted to understand the atmosphere and heard that a masquerade would be held soon. Even if I came alone, Sir Shubart would always back me up. As his men were all over the capital, I would be fine.

I looked again at the paper with the address on it.

It’s somewhere around here…

I checked the address, picked up my luggage again, and headed on the road.

It hasn’t been decided yet whom I will take their identity. I don’t know if I would ever be Blake Ariandel again or someone else. The best way to make an appointment with the real Blake is by using her identity again. Whatever it may be, there was no use in using Rudbihi names.

I walked a little further where I got off the carriage and came to the place where I would stay. It was a slightly smaller two-story mansion than the previous one and was well maintained even though it had been vacant for a long time.

I think I would have to stay here until I get a call from Sir Shubart. Or I should just go back to Blake Ariandel’s mansion.

When I opened the door with the key I bought, the light that leaked through where I came in reflected accumulated dust. After shaking it roughly with my hand, I put my luggage inside the room and closed the door.

* * *

I’ve been living as Blake Ariandel again for a while. There were three candidates, and again Blake Ariandel was among them. She was still staying out of the capital because of her illness. Sir Shubart recommended a different identity, but I chose this one. At that time, I left with them just in case something happened, so there was nothing dangerous about using this name again.

Anyway,

“Ah, it stings…”

I dyed my hair red to become Blake again. In fact, it was because the color of red could be easily applied to my hair that I chose to be Blake again. One of the other candidates had dark green hair, and the other had black hair. I wanted black hair, but black, the color of Rudbihi, was dangerous. If I had black hair, I might look like my mother.

And in the case of dark green… Although the details are omitted, the method of dyeing it must be done three times more than dyeing it red. That was why I gave up. I didn’t want to overwork my scalp even though life itself is painful.

Sir Shubart was with my mother, so we would meet again about a week after I came

“The pretty color is hidden.”

Sir Shubart said as if regretful. My hair color had not long been back to its original, but I had already covered it up again. I also understood Sir Shubart’s feelings.

I lived my life without a hitch until the day of the masquerade. When I needed something, I ordered someone to get it without needing me to step out by myself. In fact, I had a lot of things to organize by myself, so the time I spent wasn’t boring. Rather, I was busy and had no time to rest even though I stayed in the mansion.

Unlike before, the number of servants was reduced to five. Only those who really needed it, such as cleaning, maintenance, and running errands. Lisa and Nina were on their way late for a while due to personal problems. In the meantime, I did it myself or ordered Ian to do that.

A day before the masquerade, I sat in the living room and pondered over ten masks on the table. They ranged from masks with handles for handholding to colorful masks with heavy jewels.

After pondering and choosing, what I held in my hand at the end was a black mask resembling a cat with a width that slightly covered the bridge of the nose. It was designed with black opal and lace, making it look like a butterfly. It had the widest axis and a thin mesh over the eyes. Thanks to that, it will not be easy for other people to observe me. It might be a little cramped wearing that, but fortunately, it didn’t strain too much of my view.

Behind me, Ian was staring intently at what I was choosing.

“This is good, right?””

“Yes, it’s good.”

He seldom to speaks more than five sentences a day unless I speak to him first. Sometimes I even forget he was right next to me. Even though Ian was always around me when I turned around or looked to the side.

It means that he is the same then and now. We’ve been together for the past two years, so there’s nothing strange about it.

“Don’t stick too close to me at the masquerade. I will stand out if you stick too close.”

“Yes.”

I fiddled with the mask again. I don’t know why it reminded me of that day from two years ago. Sometimes I dream of that day. Even in my dreams, I wake up after shouting to Sir Shubart to get off again and again as I did back then. The reason… I don’t know. This morning I woke up with that dream as well. Fortunately, the princes won’t appear at this masquerade.

“Get rid of the others.”

“Yes.”

I put my chosen mask beside me and got up from my seat.

The masquerade began only at dusk. I was thinking of going there after it started.

When dusk sets and the moon rises brightly, close to midnight, I get into the carriage.

“Let’s go.”

* * *

The banquet was already going on. It was half darker than the usual banquet, and everyone wore colorful robes and masks.

I checked the mask once again and entered the banquet hall. As I passed through the people, the faceless nobles greeted me. Facing Ian, I held my hand at  the time for the music to change and blend in between them. Ian immediately wrapped his hand around my waist and took a posture. A little slow music began.

“Don’t we look normal dancing like this?”

“Yes, I think so.”

As usual, Ian answered sternly without being impressed. I learned the faces of the nobles around me while dancing. Cats, crows, deer, tigers, etc… reminiscent of animals. All of them were wearing masks.

“…hold on. Who was the crow?”

“Marquis Radwike.”

“Really? Hmm.”

I kept my eyes on them, taking advantage of the mask. Before coming to the banquet, I investigated what masks they ordered and wore. So, without mixing words, I could roughly figure out who it was from a distance.

“I heard Marquis Radwike and Count Babera had a bad relationship, but I don’t think that’s the case.”

I murmured as I looked at those far away.

They weren’t dancing. Instead, what I saw was they were conversing with others at a far distance.  

Count Babera was also one of the additional figures Sir Shubart wanted to recruit, including several people around him. Rumor has it that, just like Marquis Radwike, they weren’t on good terms with the imperial family. For some reason, he was seen secretly exchanging something with the main officials of the imperial family. I don’t know what it was, but it was something to do for someone who had bad terms with each other.

They were those who didn’t attend the banquet often because of the discord. Perhaps because it was a special banquet called masquerade, they seemed to be trying to take advantage of this situation.

Marquis Radwike and Count Babera weren’t on good terms, so I was a little skeptical about the fact that they wanted to recruit Count Babera.