The full-fledged party began, and a series of spectacular performances took place on the central stage.
The higher-ranking nobles who paid more were able to watch the performance from tables with a good view, drinking champagne.
Killian and Emily also paid a lot of money and watched the show at a comfortable table.
“I would like to suggest a fun game to those attending the ball.”
In the middle of the performance, a man wearing a Joker mask suddenly appeared and started hosting the show.
“It’s a treasure hunt!”
"Wow!" applause erupted from the audience. The palace-hosted treasure hunt contained a wealth of prizes.
There wasn't much of a change in Killian's expression, as he wasn't particularly interested in such things, but Emily was still very motivated by her competitive spirit.
“You can look forward to these treasures!”
The host, unable to hide his excitement, read off the list of prizes.
“Be sure to check out the treasures, including the renowned rare Taurasian green diamond, a jewel box crafted by artisan Pierre from tortoise shells and gold, a Sisca statuette, the last work of legendary sculptor Lumas, and a diamond scabbard and sword set. We hope you enjoy our selection.”
“What in the world is going on?”
It was a list that made even those who weren't particularly interested in the game greedy.
The host checked his watch and spoke again.
"We'll be running for two hours. If you bring a piece of paper with a treasure written on it, we'll give you a gift on stage at the end."
People began to look at each other. With masks on, there was no need to save face.
“Then let’s begin!”
As soon as the announcer finished speaking, people scattered to find the treasure.
“Why aren’t you getting up?”
Emily glanced at Killian, who was still glued to the chair, and asked.
“I don’t really like that kind of play...”
“Marlene must be looking everywhere already. You need to help me quickly.”
Emily, who had already seen Marlene run out, quickly left the outdoor hall after saying that.
In the empty outdoor hall, Killian sighed and stood up from his seat.
“I need to find it quickly.”
Emily left the outdoor hall and went to the nearby rose garden. Among the bushes, there was a good chance she'd find a treasure hunt note or two.
Emily wasn't the only one who thought that, as people were bent over and looking for notes all over the garden.
“Ugh, my back.”
Emily patted her back and stretched, and before her eyes was a man wearing a feather mask. Emily tilted her head at him.
"Who are you?"
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, don’t you know? Or is it because of the mask?”
It was a familiar voice.
“You’re telling me again.”
Emily unconsciously made a slightly tired expression, but thankfully, she was wearing a mask, so it didn't show.
“I’m wearing a mask too. How did you recognize me?”
"Did you really think you could hide yourself with that half-mask? Even if no one else noticed, everyone at the banquet would have noticed you."
Come to think of it, Marlene had come to see her at one point, too.
'From now on, I have to change my hair color with drugs.'
Emily replied dryly to the Prince's words, blaming her brown hair, which was the most ordinary of her appearances.
“Were you on a treasure hunt?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
“What are you looking for? I can take it out for you.”
"Then the meaning of treasure hunting would be diminished. And Your Highness, there's absolutely no reason for you to do that."
Emily immediately drew the line at Lucius.
Lucius studied Emily beyond her mask with a strange gaze. He's certainly noticed it the last time he visited Starr Manor, but her personality had changed. So, what should I do? She was even more intrigued.
“Can we talk for a moment at the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
Thinking of Marlene, who must be busy searching for treasure right now, Emily felt like it was a waste of time dealing with Lucius.
“Your Highness, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken directly to you before.”
Lucius became slightly nervous as Emily spoke with a sigh.
“What do you mean?”
“I have no interest in you, Your Highness.”
"What?"
Lucius thought he had tried hard to win Emily's heart. Never before had he tried so hard to obtain something since birth.
Still, he was upset that she refused him without even giving him a glance.
But Emily had no intention of caring about Lucius's feelings.
“From this moment on, I don’t want to have a private conversation with Your Highness like this.”
Lucius felt a painful sense of defeat at the obvious rejection.
“I am the Crown Prince, and you are the first woman I have ever been interested in.”
What might have been innocent at first grew into an obsession over time, without Lucius even realizing it.
“Everything I’ve ever wanted is in my hands.”
“You have to know that there are things in this world that cannot be done.”
"No, that can't be possible. You never gave me a chance."
Finally, Emily frowned.
“I’m already married, what chance do you have for me?”
“Does that mean you would have accepted my feelings if only your husband hadn’t been there?”
“No. So, stop making meaningless assumptions.”
Emily wanted to stop hunting for treasure and quickly leave the palace with Killian.
Now, even the treasures in the palace felt unsettling.
"I have nothing more to say. I've spoken my mind sufficiently, so I'll be leaving now."
Emily turned around without hesitation and left the place.
Was it because he couldn't get it that he yearned for it more desperately? Lucius stared at Emily's back with disappointed eyes.
"Your Highness."
Lucius's aide, who had been waiting for the two to finish their conversation, called him.
“What’s going on?”
“The Empress is looking for you.”
Lucius frowned at that sound.
“Why is Her Majesty looking for me again?”
"Well."
As an aide, he chose to remain silent, even though he knew it. If he spoke, Lucius would surely not follow.
Lucius turned away in annoyance, having just been dumped by Emily and now being dragged off to his mother without even knowing why.
Marlene was also on a treasure hunt when she heard that the Empress was looking for her and came to the Empress's palace.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen Lucius separately yet, so I called you.”
The Empress spoke to Marlene with a benevolent smile.
As the daughter of the Marquis of Huppert, and as a smart and beautiful young lady who currently dominates the social world, the Empress seemed to be able to sufficiently assuage her regret for Emily by looking at Marlene.
“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Please come inside.”
Upon hearing Lucius's arrival, Marlene quickly fixed her hair in the mirror on the wall. She, too, was thrilled to see the Crown Prince up close, a sight she'd only seen from afar at the party.
Marlene was secretly envious of Emily's seemingly happy marriage, but the Crown Prince seemed like a truly wonderful groom.
Lucius, who had entered the room with a frown on his face, thinking that only the Empress was in the room, stopped when he saw an unfamiliar woman in the room.
“You two, say hello.”
The Empress quickly sat Lucius down opposite Marlene before he could turn back.
“This is Young Lady Marlene, the daughter of the Marquis de Huppert.”
First of all, since he was a member of the royal family, Lucius greeted Marlene politely.
“Hello, Young Lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. It is an honor to meet you.”
Marlene smiled brightly and studied the Crown Prince. Seeing him up close, she felt even more pleased at how handsome he looked.
The Empress also looked back and forth between the two with a pleased smile.
“I have arranged this event today because the Crown Prince is now of marriageable age.”
Lucius looked at her in confusion.
“I still...”
“Lucius.”
The Empress firmly stopped him.
"I've spoken with Lady Huppert, and she's a kind and intelligent young lady. I hope the two of you can get to know each other with the intention of becoming engaged."
Marlene frowned unconsciously at Lucius's chewed-up expression.
'Did you lose your manners while eating steak for lunch?'
It was the height of rudeness to make such an expression in front of a lady. Still, Marlene felt offended because he couldn't seem to hide it.
“Ahem, then I’ll leave, and you can talk.”
Before rising from her seat, the Empress gave Lucius another hard look. It was a warning that she wouldn't let him off easy if he acted rashly.
After she left, an awkward atmosphere flowed between the two.
Eventually, Lucius's mouth opened first.
“Lady Huppert, let me convey my position directly without wasting any more time.”
“What, is there someone you like?”
Marlene blurted it out, not really surprised.
“How did you know that?”
“It was real.”
It was just a passing remark, but Marlene pouted when she realized it was true.
'Ugj, that's good.'
“Who is that young lady?”
She just wanted to know who that woman was or what her name was.
"You can't even speak to the Empress. Is she of low status? Surely she's not married?"
When he didn't answer, Marlene's suspicions were confirmed.
“What, is she really married?”
“She’s a woman who got married for political reasons. She’s going to get divorced soon.”
How many couples from noble families got married for love? Most of them were arranged marriages.
“If she divorces, will you take that woman as your Crown Princess?”
“That’s right.”
“What a tremendous love.”
Marlene sipped her tea with a look of disinterest.
"Then it really is a waste of time to stay like this. I should get up quickly before Emily steals my treasure."
"Wait for a sec."
Lucius grabbed Marlene's wrist with a surprised look on his face.
“Are you friends with Emily?”
“Yes, that’s true, but how did Your Highness...?”
Marlene narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t just say that the woman Your Highness likes is Emily.”
"That's right."
The corners of Lucius's mouth went up.
“She is the woman I have in mind.”
The higher-ranking nobles who paid more were able to watch the performance from tables with a good view, drinking champagne.
Killian and Emily also paid a lot of money and watched the show at a comfortable table.
“I would like to suggest a fun game to those attending the ball.”
In the middle of the performance, a man wearing a Joker mask suddenly appeared and started hosting the show.
“It’s a treasure hunt!”
"Wow!" applause erupted from the audience. The palace-hosted treasure hunt contained a wealth of prizes.
There wasn't much of a change in Killian's expression, as he wasn't particularly interested in such things, but Emily was still very motivated by her competitive spirit.
“You can look forward to these treasures!”
The host, unable to hide his excitement, read off the list of prizes.
“Be sure to check out the treasures, including the renowned rare Taurasian green diamond, a jewel box crafted by artisan Pierre from tortoise shells and gold, a Sisca statuette, the last work of legendary sculptor Lumas, and a diamond scabbard and sword set. We hope you enjoy our selection.”
“What in the world is going on?”
It was a list that made even those who weren't particularly interested in the game greedy.
The host checked his watch and spoke again.
"We'll be running for two hours. If you bring a piece of paper with a treasure written on it, we'll give you a gift on stage at the end."
People began to look at each other. With masks on, there was no need to save face.
“Then let’s begin!”
As soon as the announcer finished speaking, people scattered to find the treasure.
“Why aren’t you getting up?”
Emily glanced at Killian, who was still glued to the chair, and asked.
“I don’t really like that kind of play...”
“Marlene must be looking everywhere already. You need to help me quickly.”
Emily, who had already seen Marlene run out, quickly left the outdoor hall after saying that.
In the empty outdoor hall, Killian sighed and stood up from his seat.
“I need to find it quickly.”
***
Emily left the outdoor hall and went to the nearby rose garden. Among the bushes, there was a good chance she'd find a treasure hunt note or two.
Emily wasn't the only one who thought that, as people were bent over and looking for notes all over the garden.
“Ugh, my back.”
Emily patted her back and stretched, and before her eyes was a man wearing a feather mask. Emily tilted her head at him.
"Who are you?"
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, don’t you know? Or is it because of the mask?”
It was a familiar voice.
“You’re telling me again.”
Emily unconsciously made a slightly tired expression, but thankfully, she was wearing a mask, so it didn't show.
“I’m wearing a mask too. How did you recognize me?”
"Did you really think you could hide yourself with that half-mask? Even if no one else noticed, everyone at the banquet would have noticed you."
Come to think of it, Marlene had come to see her at one point, too.
'From now on, I have to change my hair color with drugs.'
Emily replied dryly to the Prince's words, blaming her brown hair, which was the most ordinary of her appearances.
“Were you on a treasure hunt?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
“What are you looking for? I can take it out for you.”
"Then the meaning of treasure hunting would be diminished. And Your Highness, there's absolutely no reason for you to do that."
Emily immediately drew the line at Lucius.
Lucius studied Emily beyond her mask with a strange gaze. He's certainly noticed it the last time he visited Starr Manor, but her personality had changed. So, what should I do? She was even more intrigued.
“Can we talk for a moment at the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
Thinking of Marlene, who must be busy searching for treasure right now, Emily felt like it was a waste of time dealing with Lucius.
“Your Highness, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken directly to you before.”
Lucius became slightly nervous as Emily spoke with a sigh.
“What do you mean?”
“I have no interest in you, Your Highness.”
"What?"
Lucius thought he had tried hard to win Emily's heart. Never before had he tried so hard to obtain something since birth.
Still, he was upset that she refused him without even giving him a glance.
But Emily had no intention of caring about Lucius's feelings.
“From this moment on, I don’t want to have a private conversation with Your Highness like this.”
Lucius felt a painful sense of defeat at the obvious rejection.
“I am the Crown Prince, and you are the first woman I have ever been interested in.”
What might have been innocent at first grew into an obsession over time, without Lucius even realizing it.
“Everything I’ve ever wanted is in my hands.”
“You have to know that there are things in this world that cannot be done.”
"No, that can't be possible. You never gave me a chance."
Finally, Emily frowned.
“I’m already married, what chance do you have for me?”
“Does that mean you would have accepted my feelings if only your husband hadn’t been there?”
“No. So, stop making meaningless assumptions.”
Emily wanted to stop hunting for treasure and quickly leave the palace with Killian.
Now, even the treasures in the palace felt unsettling.
"I have nothing more to say. I've spoken my mind sufficiently, so I'll be leaving now."
Emily turned around without hesitation and left the place.
Was it because he couldn't get it that he yearned for it more desperately? Lucius stared at Emily's back with disappointed eyes.
"Your Highness."
Lucius's aide, who had been waiting for the two to finish their conversation, called him.
“What’s going on?”
“The Empress is looking for you.”
Lucius frowned at that sound.
“Why is Her Majesty looking for me again?”
"Well."
As an aide, he chose to remain silent, even though he knew it. If he spoke, Lucius would surely not follow.
Lucius turned away in annoyance, having just been dumped by Emily and now being dragged off to his mother without even knowing why.
***
Marlene was also on a treasure hunt when she heard that the Empress was looking for her and came to the Empress's palace.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen Lucius separately yet, so I called you.”
The Empress spoke to Marlene with a benevolent smile.
As the daughter of the Marquis of Huppert, and as a smart and beautiful young lady who currently dominates the social world, the Empress seemed to be able to sufficiently assuage her regret for Emily by looking at Marlene.
“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Please come inside.”
Upon hearing Lucius's arrival, Marlene quickly fixed her hair in the mirror on the wall. She, too, was thrilled to see the Crown Prince up close, a sight she'd only seen from afar at the party.
Marlene was secretly envious of Emily's seemingly happy marriage, but the Crown Prince seemed like a truly wonderful groom.
Lucius, who had entered the room with a frown on his face, thinking that only the Empress was in the room, stopped when he saw an unfamiliar woman in the room.
“You two, say hello.”
The Empress quickly sat Lucius down opposite Marlene before he could turn back.
“This is Young Lady Marlene, the daughter of the Marquis de Huppert.”
First of all, since he was a member of the royal family, Lucius greeted Marlene politely.
“Hello, Young Lady.”
“Yes, Your Highness, the Crown Prince. It is an honor to meet you.”
Marlene smiled brightly and studied the Crown Prince. Seeing him up close, she felt even more pleased at how handsome he looked.
The Empress also looked back and forth between the two with a pleased smile.
“I have arranged this event today because the Crown Prince is now of marriageable age.”
Lucius looked at her in confusion.
“I still...”
“Lucius.”
The Empress firmly stopped him.
"I've spoken with Lady Huppert, and she's a kind and intelligent young lady. I hope the two of you can get to know each other with the intention of becoming engaged."
Marlene frowned unconsciously at Lucius's chewed-up expression.
'Did you lose your manners while eating steak for lunch?'
It was the height of rudeness to make such an expression in front of a lady. Still, Marlene felt offended because he couldn't seem to hide it.
“Ahem, then I’ll leave, and you can talk.”
Before rising from her seat, the Empress gave Lucius another hard look. It was a warning that she wouldn't let him off easy if he acted rashly.
After she left, an awkward atmosphere flowed between the two.
Eventually, Lucius's mouth opened first.
“Lady Huppert, let me convey my position directly without wasting any more time.”
“What, is there someone you like?”
Marlene blurted it out, not really surprised.
“How did you know that?”
“It was real.”
It was just a passing remark, but Marlene pouted when she realized it was true.
'Ugj, that's good.'
“Who is that young lady?”
She just wanted to know who that woman was or what her name was.
"You can't even speak to the Empress. Is she of low status? Surely she's not married?"
When he didn't answer, Marlene's suspicions were confirmed.
“What, is she really married?”
“She’s a woman who got married for political reasons. She’s going to get divorced soon.”
How many couples from noble families got married for love? Most of them were arranged marriages.
“If she divorces, will you take that woman as your Crown Princess?”
“That’s right.”
“What a tremendous love.”
Marlene sipped her tea with a look of disinterest.
"Then it really is a waste of time to stay like this. I should get up quickly before Emily steals my treasure."
"Wait for a sec."
Lucius grabbed Marlene's wrist with a surprised look on his face.
“Are you friends with Emily?”
“Yes, that’s true, but how did Your Highness...?”
Marlene narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t just say that the woman Your Highness likes is Emily.”
"That's right."
The corners of Lucius's mouth went up.
“She is the woman I have in mind.”
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