I’m Supposed to Be the Neglected Princess in the Future, but Something Seems Strange... - 6 - Masquerade Ball Night

With perfect makeup done by Mira and a mask covering half her face, Rose stepped through the doors of the fated masquerade ball.

It was a dazzling world like nothing Rose had ever seen before.

The elegant sound of a waltz filled the air, and sparkling chandeliers lit up the dance hall.

Men and women wearing masks and dressed in fine clothes smiled brightly, dancing and chatting happily.

(Wow… amazing.)

Rose moved to the corner so she wouldn’t get in the way of the dancers. She was completely enchanted by the beautiful scene, like something out of a picture book.

Sadly, even though she knew the basics of dancing, she had never actually danced before. There was no way she could join such a refined group.

But just watching was already enjoyable.

(No, no! I have to look for my sister!)

Rose quickly shook her head. She almost forgot her real purpose for being here.

She didn’t come just to have fun. She was here to find her sister Lea and stop her from disappearing.

(Where is she? There are a few people with black hair… Ugh, it’s harder to tell who’s who when they’re all wearing masks.)

She narrowed it down to three people by looking at their height and hair color, but she couldn’t tell which one was Lea. And she couldn’t just walk up and speak to them one by one. If Lea noticed her, it might ruin everything.

(My sister should have a beauty mark near her mouth. If I get a little closer, I might see it.)

One of the women was in the middle of the dance floor—too hard to approach. Another was surrounded by three men—also not easy to get near. The third was drinking champagne near the balcony. That one, at least, Rose could try approaching.

If she got lucky, she’d find her sister on the first try. If not, she could cross that one off the list.

Rose pretended to head toward the balcony and quietly walked toward the first candidate.

Just when she thought she was about to get close enough to see the woman’s face clearly—

“Hello, Miss Butterfly Mask.”

A tall man suddenly appeared in front of her, and Rose nearly jumped from surprise. She had been so focused on the woman that she hadn’t noticed him coming.

It seemed like he was talking to her.

His hair was a color like citrine—familiar, but she couldn’t remember who he was because of the mask.

(So this mask is called a Butterfly Mask?)

The butterfly-shaped mask Mira had prepared for her was apparently named just as it looked.

“Um… good evening.”

That should be the right greeting for this kind of event. She learned that from a novel, so it might not be totally right, but she just wanted to get through this and get back to her plan.

“It’s a lovely night, isn’t it?”

“Yes, very.”

“Meeting a pretty butterfly on a night like this… I must be lucky.”

“Oh my! There’s a butterfly here?”

They were on a ship, so maybe a butterfly had wandered in from somewhere. Rose looked around, wondering where it was. In front of her, the man’s shoulders shook slightly.

“Pfft… I knew it. You are on the Red List, aren’t you?”

There was something familiar about his teasing voice. Rose frowned slightly under her mask.

“Are you… Mo—”

“Shh! What’s the rule here?”

“Oh, right.”

Rose quickly closed her mouth. But she was now certain—the man behind the smiling mask was Count Molt. His hair color was different, but he probably wore a wig just for tonight. It was a beautiful citrine shade.

“Well then, my lady, may I have this dance?”

“Uh…”

He reached out his hand, and Rose hesitated.

She really wanted to check if the first woman had a beauty mark. Plus, she had never actually danced before. But while she was hesitating, Count Molt grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dance floor.

“It’s okay. Just stay close to me and follow my lead.”

“But…”

Now that she was already on the dance floor, she had no choice. She couldn’t just run away. She’d have to check the second woman’s mouth while they danced instead.

(Be brave, Rose. The music is slow. I think I’ll be okay… right?)

Count Molt pulled her close, and their bodies were pressed together. Rose turned bright red at how close they were, but the count, who was clearly experienced, didn’t seem fazed.

Holding her waist, he guided her forward, and she followed, taking slow steps.

“That’s right. Think in three beats. Just leave the rest to me.”

His voice was right by her ear, but instead of blushing more, Rose focused on not stepping on his feet. She stared at the floor, repeating in her head: Three beats, three beats.

“…My lady, dancing is meant to be enjoyed.”

Count Molt sounded a little exasperated. But for a beginner like Rose, there was nothing fun about it.

Finally, she started whispering out loud, “One, two, three,” and the count seemed to give up on helping her enjoy the dance.

“You’re the first woman I’ve danced with who only looks at the floor…”

With a slightly hurt voice, he led her out of the dance hall.

Then he handed her a glass of champagne, and Rose suddenly gasped.

(Oh no! I forgot to check the woman’s mouth!)

She thought she could check while dancing, but once the music started, she got too distracted and completely wasted the chance.

As she sipped from her glass with a gloomy look, Count Molt accepted a plate of fruit from a waiter and offered it to her.

“I gave you that invitation because I wanted you to have fun. Didn’t you enjoy it?”

“Huh? No! That’s not true at all!”

“But it seems like your mind is somewhere else.”

Of course it was. If she couldn’t stop her sister from disappearing at this masquerade ball, Rose’s whole future would be ruined.

“You’re lying. Didn’t I tell you before? I’m good at spotting lies.”

“Ah, uh…”

“Besides, with you, your face shows everything. Even with a mask, I can tell what you’re thinking. You’re not good at lying. Not like someone I know.”

“Someone you know is good at lying?”

“Yeah. Even I was fooled. Maybe because everything about her was lies. She was like a bundle of lies—I didn’t notice until it was too late.”

“Wow! Is she an actress or something?”

Rose’s eyes sparkled. Someone who could lie that perfectly must be a professional.

Count Molt looked slightly troubled, then laughed, his shoulders shaking.

“Ah… you really are something. If all women in the world were like you, the world would be a much more beautiful place.”

“?”

“Anyway, that’s why I’m good at spotting lies. So if you’re ever in trouble, I’ll help you. But… I wonder what has your heart so distracted?”

Rose couldn’t possibly say “My sister’s disappearance and my dark future.”

Just as she fell silent with a worried expression, the lights in the hall suddenly went out. The ballroom was covered in darkness.

Rose screamed from surprise, but before she could panic, Count Molt pulled her close, making her eyes widen in shock.

“Don’t move. It’s dangerous in the dark. But don’t worry—it’s just a show.”

“A show?”

“Yup. A secret performance that only a few people know about. Look toward the balcony.”

How does Count Molt know about a secret show only a few people know?

As Rose looked toward the balcony—

Bang! A loud sound echoed, and fireworks lit up the night sky.

“Wow…”

Rose leaned forward in awe, still held in Count Molt’s arms.

“Amazing…”

More and more fireworks burst in the sky.

“So beautiful! Wow!”

Rose completely forgot herself and cheered like a child. It was the first time she had ever seen fireworks.

Clapping her hands in joy like a little girl, she made Count Molt chuckle quietly.

“I’m glad I planned this if it makes you this happy.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing. Look—here comes the biggest one.”

Just as he said, the final firework was the largest.

It bloomed like a giant flower in the night sky, then faded away like falling petals.

Rose, spellbound, kept gazing out at the sky even after the lights returned to the ballroom.

And so, she completely failed to notice that the woman near the balcony—the first of her sister candidates—had quietly vanished from the hall.