CH 60

The larks stomped loudly. No matter how happy they were, I was just stunned.

“Uh… Do we have to prepare for the masquerade in the morning?”

“Oh my gosh, of course!”

“Actually, it’s still too late!”

“I’m glad the Princess already has a lot of clothes. Right?”

The larks’ eyes twinkled like stars.

It was like that every time I changed my clothes every morning, but it seemed to be two or three times more shiny today.

Thump thump. 

Then the sound of footsteps approached from the hallway.

The door opened without a sound, and the head-maid, Verney, entered.

“You guys, did you wake the Princess?” 

Verney raised her glasses and scolded the larks.

The larks scattered like children who got caught doing a prank by their teacher.

“But Sister, we are so excited!” 

“That’s right! It’s a masquerade. What should we put on the Princess?”

“Fairy? Angel? Princess?”

Fairy clothes would look better on larks than me.

In the still talkative atmosphere, Verney sighed and wetted the towel to wipe my face.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t even washed up yet.

“It’s important that the Princess likes the kind of clothes chosen. Do you get it?”

“…Yes.”

It was definitely a good thing to say, but it felt like I had received a homework assignment because of Verney’s characteristic strict atmosphere.

Verney helped me put on my fluffy slippers and opened the door to the half-closed dressing room again.

“Come on, let’s choose.”

As soon as I entered the dressing room, my eyes widened.

Iridescent fairy dress, bird’s winged cape, devil’s horned headdress….

Countless mannequins were dressed in brilliant costumes.

Some clothes were designed to stand out so much that they could not be compared with the everyday clothes I usually wear.

Verney bent her knees directly at the center of the dressing room.

“Do you have something you like?” 

It was hard to see what was going on because my eyes were still spinning from having just woken up from sleep.

Then the larks, in their excitement, lined up dresses and masks in front of me.

“Look at this, Princess. It’s a dog mask. It’s so cute!”

“If the Princess wears this peacock skirt and puts real peacock feathers on your head, you will stand out the most.”

“How about dressing up like a fire demon? It’s no fun if you’re just too pretty.”

“Let’s dress up as a man! Because no one can say anything to the Princess!”

While the larks were arguing with each other and expressing their tastes, only Verney calmly settled down and brought a long box.

There were laces and frills about a span of length in each type.

“Choose slowly, Princess.”

“Huh? Aren’t I choosing clothes?” 

“The dress is just a base. You still need to choose the laces, frills, jewels, buckles, and flowers for the sleeves. Once you’ve chosen your hair ornaments, necklaces, shoes and perfumes, it will be made while you dine. We will finish setting everything up.”

…It seemed that it would take half a day just to choose.

“I’m not sure because it’s my first time attending a masquerade… Can you recommend something to me?”

The person I inquired to was Verney, but the larks brought all kinds of pretty decorations one after another while making a fuss.

“Yes, of course!”

“Look at this satin ribbon. Isn’t it so pretty?”

“These tulles look like angel wings!”

“Woah, the ferret fur is so soft!”

‘Aren’t they just taking everything out rather than giving me a recommendation?’

‘I’m in trouble. What should I wear?’

I was in trouble, scratching my head. It wasn’t my concern which outfit would be the prettiest. Rather, it was the opposite.

‘I can’t stand out too much. If I draw attention now, there will be a problem when I run away later.’

I looked at the clothes and accessories that would stand out even if I stayed still.

At that time, a single piece of clothing caught my attention.

“Can I wear that?”

The larks turned to the direction I was pointing and their eyes widened. 

“Princess, really?” 

“There are so many pretty clothes…” 

“Look at this cream hat. It’s so cute…” 

The larks lowered the tip of their eyebrows as if they were disappointed by my choice, but Verney boldly brought the clothes I had chosen.

She made eye contact with me and asked sternly.

“Are you sure?” 

I waved my hand and said firmly.

“Yes. I like that.”

Verney raised the corners of her lips as if she liked my attitude.

A faint smile matched her cool face.

“I’ll do what the Princess wants.”

***

The gates of the duke’s castle, which had not been opened to outsiders for about 10 years, were wide open.

It was because of the masquerade that adorned the last day of the carnival. 

There were some forces who were dissatisfied with the decision to hold a banquet while the barrier of the duke’s territory was broken, but the minor nobles welcomed the ball.

Because most of them have been looking for an opportunity to flatter the Duke of Bauner for a long time.

“It is said that even the square outside the castle is open to commoners. As the situation is unstable, it is necessary to draw attention to other places.”

Nike escorted me to the waiting room, chatting softly.

“Because the duchy’s barrier was broken, all the events were canceled, right? That is why it is more important for this masquerade to pass safely.” 

Halfway through his words, I peered into the ballroom through the hall window.

Crystal chandeliers and clean tiles sparkled in the light of magic stones.

Even though it was night, the scenery that was brighter than the daytime was completely different from the past when it was full of dust and spider webs.

“I have to show that the duchy is safe with this ball. Even the distinguished guests gathered at peace because it’s the official ball held by the Duke…” 

Nike’s chatter continued until we reached the waiting room. 

He barely stopped speaking when opening the amethyst embroidered door.

“You just have to wait for the ball to start here. Have a good time!” 

It was said that the Bauner family would wait behind the central staircase and show up after a certain number of people had gathered.

I went into the waiting room, remembering what Verney had said.

It was a simple room with an ebony sofa and a table.

Alan, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up as soon as I entered.

As soon as I met him, I opened my mouth in amazement.

‘You are really good-looking.’

Alan was like a statue made out of black pearls and quartz. 

His face, half covered in a smooth, black mask, was mysterious like a devil in a fairy tale, and the sterling silver chain on his cloak and the silver embroidery on his uniform were melted together with his unique elegance.

“What’s wrong, Lily?”

As I stood still, Alan approached me with a tilted head.

I barely returned to my senses and spoke in a fresh voice.

“Oh, Dad is so cool.”

Alan blinked and gave me a small smile as he hugged me.

“Lily, you’re pretty too.”

‘Are you serious? Even though I dressed like this?’

When I doubted Alan’s words, Hugo stuck his head out from behind him.

He looked like he was stunned when he saw my outfit.

“Lily, did you choose the clothes yourself?”

“…Is it not good?”

What I wore was a huge piece of cloth.

A traditional ghost costume that showed no skin except for holes for the eyes.

Of course, compared to Alan’s uniform or Hugo’s white suit, it was shabby.

‘I thought it would be okay because I picked it out of the clothes they prepared for me….’

I pushed my hand out of the cloth and scratched my head.

When I felt awkward, Hugo shook his head in bewilderment.

“No way. It’s just… it’s a little surprising. There were a lot of other clothes, too. There were some that I ordered myself.”

Then someone stuck his head in.

“Duke, we’re ready for the opening speech!”

Alan put me down beside him and stood up. There was no sign of nervousness at all, although he was due to make a major announcement in mere moments.

He said as he passed by the door.

“You just need to come out when I call, Lily.”

“…Yes?”

Those were unexpected words. 

After Alan’s opening speech, I thought it would be okay to sneak into the ballroom… but it wasn’t that?

“You are my daughter, so it is natural for me to introduce you.”

If that was the case, then there was no reason for it to be a masquerade!