After I Came Back, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 9
The Empire’s social scene was filled with countless balls, banquets, recitals, and reading clubs, both large and small. They served as venues for nobles to exchange information and discuss cooperation. Among them, the upcoming "Masquerade" was the second-largest event in the first half of the year and was immensely popular. It was only natural.
'Being able to hide your face means you can move as freely as you like.'
Finding a new partner, making ingenious proposals or announcements while hiding one's identity, or even engaging in small deviations from the norm that one wouldn't usually dare—all of this was tolerated to some extent here. While one could find out who someone was if they truly tried, it was an unwritten rule of this masquerade that everyone turned a blind eye unless something truly extraordinary occurred.
Beatrice and Clyde decided to attend this masquerade wearing masks that barely covered their faces—masks that were hardly masks at all. The reason was simple.
'It’s about time Valois’s patience ran out.'
They hadn't even considered the possibility that Valois wouldn't attend the masquerade. She truly loved parties and revelry.
'What are the odds that Valois would play nicely at a ball like this, where even ordinary people let their guard down, and then return home smiling?'
Such a thing didn't exist. It might be faster to find a flying pig. However, the opposite was highly probable. In other words, the odds were high that Valois, already incensed because of them, would lose her mind upon seeing a couple looking affectionate in the ballroom.
'Valois would surely cause a scene even without being certain that we are the ones who bother her, wouldn't she?'
She was the type of person who would say, "It’s your fault for making me misunderstand," even after the fact. If that was going to happen, it was better to be the target voluntarily while already being hated. It would be easier to respond when the signs of trouble appeared later.
That was certainly true, but...
"Oh? Aren't those two feeding each other over there Lady Hartwell and Sir Dalton?"
"They’re wearing lace masks, but it’s obviously them, isn't it? I saw them dancing a moment ago. They were whispering and laughing about something so amusing."
"Ah, then it must have been Sir Dalton who fetched the shawl for her toward the powder room earlier. My goodness, it seems newlywed life is quite wonderful, isn't it?"
"They kept it hidden for so long, so it’s understandable now that they’re revealing it. Oh, could that be why they’re wearing such light masks? A declaration of sorts, like, 'I don't want to hide anymore'?"
"Oh my, oh my. It might be rude to say this, but if that’s the case, it’s actually quite cute."
...I didn't know that revealing ourselves amidst the anonymity would draw so much attention!
Exhausted by the gazes constantly fixed upon her, Beatrice eventually fled to a corner of the banquet hall. Clyde followed her quietly, holding a drink.
"Here."
"...Ugh. What is it? I was trying to get away by myself, so why did you follow me? If you’re here, people are going to start whispering again."
"How could I leave you alone when I don't know what Lady Valois might do? It’s fine. I won't pay them any mind."
"As if."
"It’s true. People don't pay much attention to things they’ve already shown interest in once."
No, now that he put it that way, maybe he was right...?
Even so, Beatrice leaned a little closer toward the decorative pillar that shielded her body. Clyde, who had leaned his upper body slightly toward her, tilted his chin and opened his mouth.
"And look closely. It’s not without its rewards."
"Huh..."
As she scanned the groups of people following the direction of Clyde's chin, she let out a small gasp.
"Ah."
She knew exactly what he meant, even though they hadn't discussed it beforehand. Among the people who had wrapped their identities tightly beneath various masks, there was one presence that stood out uniquely.
"Wow, she’s really glaring at us. I don't know who she is, but I know who she is."
"Right?"
"It’s amazing that I can recognize her even though she’s disguised from head to toe."
Beatrice truly thought so. If not for that gaze, even she wouldn't have known who the person adorned in various fabrics like a parrot was. The persistence with which she swirled her wine glass while never losing track of their movements, even while surrounded by people, was, in a sense, phenomenal. The only problem was that such persistence was directed at them.
Beatrice, who had rubbed her arm with one hand, whispered to Clyde.
"But really, just like you said, she’s only watching. Honestly, I thought she would lose her mind and act recklessly like she did at our wedding."
"Who knows. She might be waiting for an opportunity. Besides, I told you. At first, she would definitely try to separate us."
"By spilling a drink or calling someone over?"
"Yes. And you remember what I told you to do if that situation arises?"
At Clyde’s question, Beatrice glared at him without a word. Her eyes seemed to say that if he asked one more time, she wouldn't let him off the hook. Yet, Clyde continued shamelessly without blinking an eye.
"What’s wrong, Bea? Did you already forget? It can't be helped. I’ll start from the beginning again..."
"The meeting spot! I’ll go to the meeting spot. The old tree in the garden behind the mansion. Are you happy now?"
"Yes."
"Don't smile. Ha, seriously. There are people around, so I can't even hit you..."
"That’s what I was aiming for. Should I bring you some cold water to help cool your temper?"
"Get lost."
Clyde chuckled at Beatrice, who was twitching with annoyance but holding back because of the surrounding eyes. Naturally, the price of his laughter was a sharp pain in his side.
"Argh."
"Shh! Smile, darling. Huh? Someone might think I’m bullying you."
Along with the familiar, non-threatening threat.
* * *
Valois’s gaze persistently scrutinized the two people whispering affectionately in the furthest corner of the ballroom. Her lips, painted a deep, vivid red to match her outfit, twisted naturally.
"It’s fascinating. What on earth could they be finding so amusing..."
They weren't looking at a magnificent work of art or scenery, nor had they received an expensive or precious gift. They weren't feeling the thrill of finally getting what they wanted, either. All they were doing was sipping drinks, sharing trivial, meaningless chatter, or dancing to the music. Was that really so fun and happy?
'Enough to make me feel sick just watching them?'
Barely suppressing the urge to throw the glass she was holding, Valois blinked slowly.
'As expected, I’ll have to do it my way.'
People called her a troublemaker, but she had tried to obtain what she wanted in a standard, aristocratic manner whenever possible. She had sent letters of proposal, confessed her feelings, expressed her opposition at the wedding, and had even gone so far as to ask His Majesty the Emperor to annul their marriage—had she not acted very much like a noble?
But what had she received in return?
'Lady Crawford. I have told you every time you refused, but I am not yours. I am a person, not an object or prey, so how could I be someone’s possession?'
'Are you out of your mind? There is no way the two of us will divorce, so give up and leave. I’ll warn you for the last time: this is the last time I’ll let it slide. If you pull such nonsense again, I won't stand by. Valois, when on earth do you intend to learn that there are things in this world that don't go your way?'
Valois bit her lower lip as she recalled the rejections and opposition she had heard.
'Where in the world is there such a thing as something that doesn't work out?'
At least in her world, there was no such thing.
'It’s not like a marital relationship only breaks if you get a legal divorce.'
A marriage bond breaks even if a spouse dies or disappears.
Her gaze landed on the youngest of the Hartwell family, who was just rising from her seat. Seeing that Clyde, who usually followed her around like a puppy, wasn't following her, it seemed she was heading to the restroom.
'Moving alone at just the right time. See? I told you, there’s no such thing as something that doesn't work out in this world.'
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