Blair, having finished a satisfying dinner as usual, looked out the window that had already turned completely dark.

Despite the late hour, the outskirts of the village were bustling. It was due to the preparations for the harvest festival in a few days.

As Blair was distracted by the noise, Anna set down a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of her.

Looking at Anna who sat across from her, Blair suddenly asked as if remembering something.

“Anna. Is there an event related to masks during the harvest festival?”

“Masks?”

“Yes. Today at school, the children were talking about a masquerade ball. They’re also selling a lot of masks in the village shops.”

“Ah, that.”

Anna clapped her hands as if she just remembered.

“During the ten days of the harvest festival, there’s a masquerade ball held in the square every night.”

“In the square?”

“Yes. It’s usually an entertainment enjoyed only by the noble lords, but during Nerha’s harvest festival, the villagers also enjoy the masquerade ball in the square.”

Blair’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she listened to Anna’s explanation.

A masquerade ball where many people enjoy together in the square.

New village, new people, new customs. For Blair, who knew nothing of life outside the imperial palace, everything was unfamiliar and fascinating.

“This masquerade ball originated from a legend of Nerha.”

“What kind of legend?”

“You know that ‘Nerha’ is named after the god of the sea, right?”

Blair nodded quietly instead of answering.

Anna continued her explanation, smiling at Blair who looked like a child full of curiosity.

The legend that became the origin of the masquerade ball went like this:

Long ago, in the vast sea in front of the city lived a sea god named Nerha.

Rather than a guardian deity, he was a cruel tyrant, and the sea under his rule was always angry. As a result, many people who went out to sea died.

The people who lived facing the sea and could not help but go out to sea decided to offer a virgin as a living sacrifice every year to appease the god.

Thus, virgins were sacrificed every year until one day.

A woman named Roen was to be sacrificed.

However, Roen, who had lost her father and brother to the raging sea, instead of meekly accepting her fate as a sacrifice, pointed a sword at Nerha to take revenge.

But sadly, there was no way a human’s attack could harm a god, and her revenge failed.

Instead, her courage created a big variable.

Nerha, intrigued by the human who dared to refuse her given fate and oppose him, became interested in her and spared her life.

That small interest became affection, and affection soon became love.

Roen seemed to fall in love with him too in response to the god’s infinite love, but she couldn’t forget the grudge of her dead father and brother…

Eventually, she fled from Nerha and hid in the city.

Nerha, who came to the city in pursuit of her, was enraged at her betrayal of his love and turned the city into a wasteland.

Watching this, Roen put forward a condition to calm him down.

‘If you can find me among the many masked people before this night is over, I will accept your heart and return to the sea with you.’

Nerha, who desperately wanted to find Roen, accepted the condition and began searching for her among the masked villagers.

And just before the dawn twilight fell, he succeeded in finding Roen.

When he succeeded in finding her, Roen returned to the sea with Nerha as she had initially promised.

Afterwards, the city regained peace, and the raging sea that had swallowed countless people calmed down.

People thought that Nerha and Roen were protecting the sea, and they began to name the city ‘Nerha’ and worship him as a guardian deity.

“…It’s a story with a theme like ‘if it’s true love, you can find each other no matter what appearance you have.’ The game originated from there.”

“That’s an interesting story. So do lovers usually wear masks and try to find each other?”

“Yes. Even between those who have mutual feelings, they sometimes set a condition to accept a confession if found. Since it’s a promise made before the god, it can’t be taken back.”

“That’s romantic. It sounds fun.”

“Between married couples, they set conditions like granting a wish if found. For example, not being able to leave the bed tonight, or tying up and doing as one pleases…”

“Anna!”

Blair hurriedly cut off Anna’s words as she casually talked about such embarrassing things. Blair’s face had turned as red as a ripe apple.

A mischievous light gleamed in Anna’s eyes as she looked at Blair.

When she acted like an innocent girl who knew nothing, despite already knowing everything, it made Anna want to tease her more because she looked so cute.

“You’re already carrying a baby in your belly, why are you so embarrassed?”

“Ah, the baby might hear.”

“So what if it hears? The baby came into being through that process too.”

Just as Anna was laughing and teasing the embarrassed Blair, there was a knock at the front door.

Anna, who went to the entrance, came back moments later with Mikhail. Blair brightened up upon seeing him and stood up.

“Mikhail? What brings you here at this hour?”

“I have something to give to the madam.”

Instead of answering Blair, who was looking at him with curious eyes, Mikhail brought in a box from outside.

“This is…?”

The box contained a long pillow.

“I heard that it becomes uncomfortable to sleep when the belly grows.”

“Oh my, most men don’t know about these things. Master, you’ll make a good husband.”

Anna made more of a fuss next to Blair, who was just blinking her eyes in surprise at the unexpected gift.

Blair, who was about to say thank you a beat late, hesitated at Anna’s words. Of course, it couldn’t be, but those words sounded exactly like they were referring to her and Mikhail, making her feel burdened.

Noticing Blair’s expression, Mikhail quickly changed the subject, fearing that she might feel burdened and refuse the gift.

“By the way, what were you two talking about? I could hear laughter all the way outside.”

But it was the wrong choice.

At the same time, Blair’s face flushed red again as she recalled her conversation with Anna from earlier.

On the other hand, a mischievous smile appeared on Anna’s face.

It was a golden opportunity to tease both the easily embarrassed Blair and Mikhail, who only became awkward in front of her.

“Ah, we were talking about the masquerade ball held in the square during the harvest festival…”

“Mi-Mikhail!”

Blair, who sensed what Anna was about to say, hurriedly led Mikhail out of the house.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Blair, who had come outside with Mikhail, quickly let go of his hand when she realized his gaze was directed at her hand holding his.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was in a hurry.”

“It’s alright. I wanted to take a walk with you anyway.”

The two walked along the village path.

Walking in peaceful silence, Blair carefully broke the ice first.

“Thank you so much for the gift. It’s something I needed. I’ll use it well.”

“If you say so, it will be my pleasure.”

“But from now on, I’ll just gratefully accept your kind thoughts.”

Mikhail slightly frowned at Blair’s words.

“…May I ask the reason?”

Blair hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Anna will misunderstand. Not just Anna, but other people who see us too. It will be unpleasant and uncomfortable for you.”

“It’s not uncomfortable. Not unpleasant either.”

“…Pardon?”

Mikhail met Blair’s gaze, who was looking up at him with puzzled eyes, and after a moment’s pause, he answered.

“…Because I’m doing it because I like it.”

Blair froze at that.

Under the moonlight, his green eyes seemed darker than usual. The moment she saw those eyes, her heart sank.

Blair subtly avoided his gaze.

It must be sympathy. It must be kindness born out of compassion.

He’s a deep person, so he must mean that he likes the kindness he shows out of a sense of responsibility towards her.

Blair deliberately turned her thoughts that way. Because facing emotions that she couldn’t return would be too sorry.

“I’m grateful for that feel-”

“I mean I’m doing it because I like you.”

Mikhail firmly held onto Blair, who was trying to ignore his feelings.

Blair’s eyes wavered in confusion, no longer able to avoid his emotions.

Why hadn’t she noticed? That there could be other emotions mixed in with that endless kindness.

No, perhaps she had unconsciously noticed but pretended not to know. Because she was afraid of being alone, because she wanted to receive only his help while ignoring his feelings.

Blair was self-deprecating about her own selfishness. She needed to draw a clear line, even now.

“…I’m sorry. I’ll probably be a shameful fugitive for life, and I was even married to another man. Moreover, I’m carrying his child. I’m not someone suitable for you.”

“I didn’t say that to belittle you. Such things can’t dare to diminish your worth.”

“…”

“Just… if I didn’t say it, you would probably never know.”

How should one react in this situation?

There were occasionally men who confessed their love to her, but none of them approached sincerely and respectfully like this.

So she didn’t know how to reject without hurting the other person.

Mikhail, looking at Blair whose face was full of apologetic expression, smiled slightly and asked in a much lighter tone than before.

“Then, if I find you at this harvest festival’s masquerade ball, will you formally date me?”