For this purpose, Ellie spent a considerable amount of money on luxurious dresses, wigs, and masks. At least, she didn’t want to look out of place when coming to this place of pleasure.

As they arrived at the masquerade hall, Footman struck up a conversation.
At least when coming to this place of pleasure, it’s essential not to look out of place.

Upon arriving at the masquerade hall, the footman spoke.

“Do you have an invitation, or do you need to pay an entrance fee?”

“Here, the entrance fee.”

As Ellie handed over the gold coins, the footman left contentedly.

Then Ellie, hiding by the building’s outer wall, began observing the carriages entering one by one.

How much time had passed?

Around the time her legs started to ache, a two-seater carriage passed through the main gate.

Following the carriage, two people descended.

At first glance, two considerably tall and robust men.

“Masks are suffocating no matter when.”

“Hold on a bit. Don’t use such a stiff tone when we go inside.”

Faintly, the conversation between the two reached Ellie’s ears.

“…! The voices are familiar.”

Walter’s deep and calm tone was unforgettable, but in truth, Ellie was more familiar with the subordinate’s side.

Ellie rarely had direct conversations with Walter.

And just now, the slightly shorter voice from the two who got off the carriage was undoubtedly Russell Huntley’s, Ellie was sure.

Ellie’s face stiffened as she recognized the voice.

“I hoped it wasn’t true!”

Really, appearing at the masquerade hall.

What on earth was the Duke doing here?

“I need to follow them quickly!”

As Ellie watched the two entering the hall, she hurriedly stepped forward.

At that moment.

“Ack!”

A hand popped out from behind Ellie and covered her.

Surprised, Ellie struggled, but she was no match for the strength of the assailant.

In an instant, her mask was removed, and just as she was about to scream, a handkerchief with a pungent smell covered Ellie’s nose and mouth.

“Save… Dash… euh! Euh-euh!”

While floundering, it didn’t take long for Ellie to feel her limbs go limp and consciousness blur.

Even in the midst of losing consciousness, as she felt her body go slack, Ellie desperately tried to hold onto her consciousness until the end.

“Oh, no… I need to inform Her Highness…”

With that thought, Ellie lost consciousness.

Soon after, a dark shadow lifted her up and disappeared into the darkness.

“Something feels strange.”

Is it because of the prediction about a loss or for some other reason that Annesophie found her mood peculiar?

Or is it because she will have the wedding ceremony when the sun rises tomorrow?

Annesophie couldn’t fall asleep until late at night.

“If I stay up late and have puffy eyes, Ellie will scold me again.”

Although Ellie and Annesophie were the same age, in some sense, Annesophie was more mature. Still, Ellie, with four younger siblings right below her, often treated Annesophie like a younger sister without realizing it.

For Annesophie, Ellie was the closest friend and a family-like presence.

Ellie and Annesophie were close in age, and in a sense, Annesophie was more mature. Still, Ellie, with four younger siblings right below her, often treated Annesophie like a younger sister without realizing it.

For Annesophie, Ellie was the closest friend and a family-like presence.

Annesophie couldn’t sleep, thinking about the lonely palace life, but also about the person who had made it more bearable—Ellie.
Perhaps that’s why, being alone in the palace without Ellie made the absence even more pronounced.

“I would have felt somewhat at ease if I could spend this time in my palace.”

The place where Odette was staying was Hwangbi Palace.

Generally, in the empire, spending the days just before marriage with the mother was a custom. However, since there was no empress or Odette’s biological mother in the imperial family, Katarina Hwangbi took on that role.

Thus, Odette had been staying at Hwangbi Palace for about three days.

Meeting Katarina after a long time, she neither approached Odette affectionately like before nor treated her coldly.

“Rumors say she ousted Lady Patrice.”

After the tea party at Wellington Hotel, Lady Patrice’s standing had significantly diminished.

Not only did she cause a scandal at the grand tea party, but she also openly quarreled with other ladies. Perhaps it was expected, considering her behavior.

After that day, she withdrew from society, and Katarina, without a second thought, cleanly removed her from her circle.

It was an unmistakable sign that Katarina chose Odette over Lady Patrice.

Moreover, Katarina had even mentioned it directly.

” So, you don’t need to worry about the tea party incident. Since I’ve chosen you, there won’t be anyone daring to gossip.”

“…I see.”

Odette accepted Katarina’s words lightly without any formalities.

“No expression of gratitude even?”

“Because it wasn’t something I asked for. Or did you speak up to hear my thanks?”

Without a hint of hesitation in Odette’s speech, Katarina raised one eyebrow slightly.

“Odette, did you resent me for the incident at the tea party?”

“No, blaming the setting sun for setting when night falls is senseless.”

It meant she didn’t blame Katarina for what had happened.

It was a straightforward remark.

In the end, Katarina sighed.

“You made a foolish choice back then. If I hadn’t chosen you instead of Lady Patrice, it might have been challenging for you to re-enter society. Even if Arnold Kyeong can protect you now, can you be sure he’ll do the same in the future?”

“…”

“Considering a social life, you should have bowed.”

“Then, Your Highness Hwangbi.”

Odette, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“How long do I have to bow?”