I arrived at the ballroom alone. As it was the last day, I had to make sure to tell the truth.
I was hoping to get some useful information for the night, without going into the unknown gossip.
Perhaps as a reward for the hard work of the past two days, my wish has come true.
“Is the stamina potion made by Rahman Habiol really that good for men?”
“You mean the pink potion? Right? These days, everyone is praising it.”
"Isn't this a must-have for a hot night? I was introduced to it, bought it, and tried it for the first time yesterday..."
It was a time when noble ladies were happily chatting away with dirty jokes.
A middle-aged woman who was clearly an industry insider intervened.
“Huh, if it was just a potion that made the body stronger, it would be widespread. If I use such a low-level potion, I will only feel like I am exercising.”
“Oh, then do you know of any better potions, ma’am?”
“Of course. I know of a high-quality potion that will cause ecstasy as soon as you drink it. It’s a precious medicine that I got from a salon I often go to.”
The nobles' eyes lit up immediately. From the mouth of an experienced noble lady.
The word "ecstasy" was special. At her age, she was in the social circle.
Because it is so worn out that even a moderate amount of stimulation won't be able to send a message.
The lady was quiet for a long time, moving her seat twice to filter out people.
I pretended to be the old nobleman's mistress and managed to fit in with the group.
And finally, the lady whispered to me the information about where to buy it.
“The advanced potion I mentioned is called ‘Mistress’s Invitation’. You can get it at the banquet. It's a night club within a night club where only those who have been introduced can participate."
I just had a feeling that this was it.
I stayed with the group and listened to the conversation. From what I heard, it seemed like a very secret and ornate banquet.
'Well, the name itself is an invitation from the government.'
There was sufficient exchange of specific information, such as the method of introduction and the passage procedure.
The listeners also seemed to sense something sinister and exchanged glances as if telling them to be careful with their words.
Someone is in a hurry to talk about ordinary topics
I found the street.
“Come to think of it, something interesting happened yesterday. Well, Her Highness the 7th Princess caught the eye of a certain Young Lady.”
The intended purpose was achieved. There was no need to subject myself to mental torture, so I hurriedly left the place.
I went out near the balcony overlooking the garden. The sky on the night before the rainy season was beautiful through the clouds.
It showed a full moon down.
Judging by the position of the moon, quite some time has passed since the ball began.
I turned my head and checked the large clock.
'It's almost time to go looking for sacrifices.'
It was when I was leaning against the wall and sighing. I briefly met the nobles.
There was someone who approached me without missing the gap I had left behind.
I looked up at the tall man standing in front of me.
This person was wearing a pink wig, which is popular among young people these days.
Even though the ornate gray mask covered more than half of her face, his beautiful appearance was not hidden.
He opened his mouth.
“You’re here alone. If you don’t mind, would you like to dance a song with me?”
'Why, no, how are you here?'
My eyes shook with confusion. And at my hesitation, the other person's eyes also shook and spoke.
“Please, don’t refuse.”
He was a man who had the condition to weaken my heart.
After much thought, I finally gave in and went to the dance hall.
A soft song that was perfect for conversation was playing. I asked first as I stepped forward.
“Why are you here?”
“Do you know who I am?”
The lips under the mask curved gently. It was a smile I had never seen before.
Rather, that appearance gave me confidence.
“Sir Sylvestian Millard.”
“I am glad you noticed right away, Your Highness.”
As soon as the words of admission fell out, my mind became more complicated.
'He's a direct knight and he's at the masquerade ball?'
I thought that maybe Rosenite was trying to get attention again.
But if that was the case, with her possessive personality, there was no way she could have just watched Sylvestian dance with me.
The confused mind is revealed even when the face is covered with a mask.
Sylvestian suggested first, gently supporting my waist.
“After the dance, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Would you please concentrate now?”
"All right."
Whereas I don't enjoy dancing, Sylvestian is a very good dancer. Naturally, Silvestian took the lead.
I was hoping to get some useful information for the night, without going into the unknown gossip.
Perhaps as a reward for the hard work of the past two days, my wish has come true.
“Is the stamina potion made by Rahman Habiol really that good for men?”
“You mean the pink potion? Right? These days, everyone is praising it.”
"Isn't this a must-have for a hot night? I was introduced to it, bought it, and tried it for the first time yesterday..."
It was a time when noble ladies were happily chatting away with dirty jokes.
A middle-aged woman who was clearly an industry insider intervened.
“Huh, if it was just a potion that made the body stronger, it would be widespread. If I use such a low-level potion, I will only feel like I am exercising.”
“Oh, then do you know of any better potions, ma’am?”
“Of course. I know of a high-quality potion that will cause ecstasy as soon as you drink it. It’s a precious medicine that I got from a salon I often go to.”
The nobles' eyes lit up immediately. From the mouth of an experienced noble lady.
The word "ecstasy" was special. At her age, she was in the social circle.
Because it is so worn out that even a moderate amount of stimulation won't be able to send a message.
The lady was quiet for a long time, moving her seat twice to filter out people.
I pretended to be the old nobleman's mistress and managed to fit in with the group.
And finally, the lady whispered to me the information about where to buy it.
“The advanced potion I mentioned is called ‘Mistress’s Invitation’. You can get it at the banquet. It's a night club within a night club where only those who have been introduced can participate."
I just had a feeling that this was it.
I stayed with the group and listened to the conversation. From what I heard, it seemed like a very secret and ornate banquet.
'Well, the name itself is an invitation from the government.'
There was sufficient exchange of specific information, such as the method of introduction and the passage procedure.
The listeners also seemed to sense something sinister and exchanged glances as if telling them to be careful with their words.
Someone is in a hurry to talk about ordinary topics
I found the street.
“Come to think of it, something interesting happened yesterday. Well, Her Highness the 7th Princess caught the eye of a certain Young Lady.”
The intended purpose was achieved. There was no need to subject myself to mental torture, so I hurriedly left the place.
I went out near the balcony overlooking the garden. The sky on the night before the rainy season was beautiful through the clouds.
It showed a full moon down.
Judging by the position of the moon, quite some time has passed since the ball began.
I turned my head and checked the large clock.
'It's almost time to go looking for sacrifices.'
It was when I was leaning against the wall and sighing. I briefly met the nobles.
There was someone who approached me without missing the gap I had left behind.
I looked up at the tall man standing in front of me.
This person was wearing a pink wig, which is popular among young people these days.
Even though the ornate gray mask covered more than half of her face, his beautiful appearance was not hidden.
He opened his mouth.
“You’re here alone. If you don’t mind, would you like to dance a song with me?”
The calm voice was unlike any of the selfless noblemen I had heard before. Most of all, the other man was familiar to Eve. The masked face, the slightly nervous, pensive voice.
My eyes shook with confusion. And at my hesitation, the other person's eyes also shook and spoke.
“Please, don’t refuse.”
He was a man who had the condition to weaken my heart.
After much thought, I finally gave in and went to the dance hall.
A soft song that was perfect for conversation was playing. I asked first as I stepped forward.
“Why are you here?”
“Do you know who I am?”
The lips under the mask curved gently. It was a smile I had never seen before.
Rather, that appearance gave me confidence.
“Sir Sylvestian Millard.”
“I am glad you noticed right away, Your Highness.”
As soon as the words of admission fell out, my mind became more complicated.
'He's a direct knight and he's at the masquerade ball?'
I thought that maybe Rosenite was trying to get attention again.
But if that was the case, with her possessive personality, there was no way she could have just watched Sylvestian dance with me.
The confused mind is revealed even when the face is covered with a mask.
Sylvestian suggested first, gently supporting my waist.
“After the dance, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Would you please concentrate now?”
"All right."
Whereas I don't enjoy dancing, Sylvestian is a very good dancer. Naturally, Silvestian took the lead.
Their arms around each other and the distance between them was straight out of the textbook, simple and respectful. Very few people danced in this way at a masquerade ball without any ulterior motives.
'You are a natural-born knight.'
In this decadent palace banquet, it will be the only thing that shines like a jewel without impurities.
For a moment, I forgot that Sylvestian was a knight and felt the need to protect him.
Then Sylvestian opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, there is something I have been wanting to tell you for some time.”
“What is it, Sir Millard?”
“Keep your mouth shut. This is private.”
“This is a masquerade ball. Strictly speaking, I am not a Princess anymore.”
“Your Highness always draws lines like a sword.”
It wasn't exactly a blaming tone, yet I somehow felt like I had become a bad person. I looked embarrassed and avoided eye contact.
“Is that what you were trying to say?”
"No."
He met my gaze again, meaning to tell me to speak quickly.
“Actually, I wanted to become Your Highness’s direct knight.”
“...You are saying dangerous things.”
“Because it’s just a daydream. It’ll be forgotten once today passes anyway.”
"Yes."
The slightly eccentric Sylvestian was somewhat different from the man I had always known, which was disconcerting but not unpleasant.
In this decadent palace banquet, it will be the only thing that shines like a jewel without impurities.
For a moment, I forgot that Sylvestian was a knight and felt the need to protect him.
Then Sylvestian opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, there is something I have been wanting to tell you for some time.”
“What is it, Sir Millard?”
“Keep your mouth shut. This is private.”
“This is a masquerade ball. Strictly speaking, I am not a Princess anymore.”
“Your Highness always draws lines like a sword.”
It wasn't exactly a blaming tone, yet I somehow felt like I had become a bad person. I looked embarrassed and avoided eye contact.
“Is that what you were trying to say?”
"No."
He met my gaze again, meaning to tell me to speak quickly.
“Actually, I wanted to become Your Highness’s direct knight.”
“...You are saying dangerous things.”
“Because it’s just a daydream. It’ll be forgotten once today passes anyway.”
"Yes."
Sylvestian has been on my radar since my last life, but this is the first time we've ever spoken so closely and alone.
Then he added in a bitter tone what he had left unsaid.
“It has been a wish I have had for quite some time. Although Your Highness does not look after me, you chose Michael, or rather, Sir Agnito.”
"Yes?"
“If we are to judge by the spirit of service, then I am the one who came before Sir Agnito.”
“Oh my!”
When I almost lost my focus and stumbled, Sylvestian cleverly grabbed my body.
I straightened my posture again as if nothing had happened.
Sylvestian lowered his eyes and opened his mouth as if he were making a confession.
“I'm sorry for embarrassing you.”
“No, no, it’s okay.”
“Your Highness, I am sure you will think that I am not like a homunculus. I dare to feel favoritism in the matter of serving the royal family.”
A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.
I saw what was happening and responded firmly.
“I would say that is absolutely not the case.”
“Don’t you find me annoying?”
“No way. I know you are no different from those here.”
The confident remarks were in Sylvestian's favor. But Sylvestian's expression under the mask became subtle.
“You mean ‘these people here’?”
“Ah... uh, um.”
It was a metaphorical expression for humans, but in reality, it was a noble knight and the people around him.
It felt ugly to see the nobles on equal footing.
Here, in a midsummer daydream, the people are in the midst of a feast of appetite and lust. Naked desire was everywhere.
“It is by no means because I am hoping for anything from Your Highness, especially as I am not a nobleman, but I am..."
“...I know.”
“You must know this. Your Highness has already chosen my friend as your direct subordinate. I have no intention of deceiving my friend.”
Sylvestian hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“I just wanted the person I've wanted to serve for so long to know that my heart is in the right place because that's the only thing that makes me who I am in the Imperial Palace.”
Only then did I finally understand Sylvestian's deviation.
He needed some evidence to leave behind that would mark his mind as it gradually wore away.
Suddenly, I felt the weight of Sylvestian's sincerity.
It can no longer be taken lightly, like the rambling confessions of a daydreamer.
"Sir Millard."
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I heard the same thing from Lord Halsten at the martial arts show. It was something that got me into quite a bit of trouble."
“Yes. I know you were troubled by his desire to become a direct knight.”
Sylvestian's expression darkened.
“You may not know it, but that was my half-sister's order. Socialites love to gossip, and they love the gossip of those at the top most of all, and in that respect, a quarrel between imperial family members with direct knights is no less dishonorable than any other quarrel.”
As a noble, I was treated as someone who fought over the government. It was a disgrace no different from spilling ink on the family.
At this point, Sylvestian's clear blue eyes shook as if wounded.
“Do you think that the 8th Princess ordered me to do this?”
“No. I believe in your sincerity.”
“So... that means the situation was politically coincidental, even if I didn’t mean to.”
"Is it so."
I sighed, unable to be so entangled with Sylvestian.
He said while resting.
“In order not to give any excuses, I will be indifferent to my direct subordinates except Michael. I don’t know how you will perceive my actions.”
“Do you care about me?”
“Fortunately, my words didn’t sound hypocritical.”
“Don’t worry about it. I told you that I don’t want anything from you.”
“Yes, but..."
It was impossible for a knight who had witnessed misfortune since my past life not to be concerned.
I felt even more guilty because I couldn't do anything when he was miserably sent away. So I said.
“I promise you one thing.”
"Your Highness?"
“If you are in danger in the palace, I will not just stand by and watch.”
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