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chapter 23
Celestine had been thinking about just one thing since earlier.
“That Rio Denheldin bastard.”
No, even in the original story, Celestine had never attended a party like this—so why was he giving her trouble now?
…Just this week alone, her life had been on the line, her mind tossed about like a storm. So she had no idea how peaceful and happy the past few quiet days had felt.
“If that damn man hadn’t sent me an invitation, I wouldn’t even have had to see that comment section or the warning!”
From Celestine’s perspective, this was perfectly reasonable anger. If she hadn’t been given the choice, she wouldn’t be suffering like this in the first place!
“Ha…”
Celestine let out a heavy sigh and brushed her hair back.
“It’s all because of that debutante thing.”
…Asha’s absence from the debutante event had caused massive consequences.
The storyline where Devaltin felt romantic emotions for Asha disappeared, and her first meeting with Rio Denheldin never happened.
There’s the saying about the butterfly effect—a small flap of a butterfly’s wings could cause a hurricane on the other side of the world.
At the time, she thought that was nonsense, but looking back, her situation perfectly mirrored it.
“Fine. Even if the story diverges from the original, I’ll just push it forward myself.”
This time, she had to make Rio and Asha meet. Then Devaltin would see them and get jealous. He might not realize his feelings yet, but he did like Asha.
“Ah, Your Highness!”
In front of the Denheldin estate.
Celestine, standing alone and brimming with determination, suddenly turned bright and smiled as if she had never been annoyed at all.
“Miss Celestine.”
Asha descended from her lavishly decorated carriage, smiling radiantly like a flower, and approached Celestine. Celestine, forcing her eyes to sparkle excessively, raised her lips in a compliment.
“You look absolutely beautiful today, Your Highness!”
“Really…?”
“Of course! You look just like a princess from a fairy tale. Ah, well… you are a princess, so it’s not wrong.”
“I’m delighted that you say so, Miss Celestine.”
Asha responded with a gentle smile, and Celestine felt her heart skip a beat at the unexpected flattery.
“Anyway, let’s go in together! The party is about to start.”
Her heart raced. She needed to enter the party quickly if she wanted to set anything in motion.
“Um, Miss Celestine…”
But Asha suddenly stopped and spoke Celestine’s name carefully, almost shyly.
“Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
“Oh, no. Not at all…”
“Then?”
“May I link arms with you?”
“…Huh?”
“This is my first time at an event like this… I’m a little nervous… But if it’s inconvenient, I can manage…”
Celestine didn’t respond verbally.
Instead, she linked her arm with Asha’s first.
…She really was overwhelmingly cute and lovable. No wonder all the men lost their minds over her.
“Thank you.”
Asha murmured softly, her cheeks lightly tinted.
“Shall we go now?”
As soon as she spoke, Celestine began walking toward the Denheldin estate alongside her, unaware of the way Asha kept glancing secretly at her.
The party hall was the largest in the enormous Denheldin estate.
“Nothing like how it was described in text…”
A lavishly decorated hall, filled with nobles in extravagant outfits. Reading it in a novel, it had seemed mundane, but being here in person made her mind reel.
“Why does everyone seem to be holding… weird things?”
What was that?
Masks?
“Welcome to the party.”
At the sudden voice, Celestine turned to see a butler smiling politely.
“You may not have heard, but the theme for this month’s party is a masquerade.”
The butler handed masks to Celestine and Asha.
“Today, even royalty and nobles are simply guests enjoying the party. I hope you both have a pleasant time.”
No sooner had he finished than he turned away to guide others, leaving Celestine and Asha staring at the masks in their hands.
Celestine’s mask had a leopard-like pattern, giving it a tiger-like appearance, while Asha’s looked like a black wolf.
It seemed each mask was carefully chosen to match its wearer.
“Wow… they really went all out.”
So this was part of the concept? She didn’t remember that being mentioned. Wasn’t it just a regular party?
“I was a little worried about being the center of attention, but this is actually a relief.”
Asha smiled lightly, unaware of what Celestine was thinking.
“With this mask, I can even hide the fact that I’m Princess Asha.”
Celestine understood perfectly what she meant, but said nothing in response, awkwardly smiling and following Asha as they put on their masks.
“Now… how do I move forward?”
At least they had safely arrived at the party. Now what? Celestine’s mind raced.
—It took forever just to get here with the invitation…
“….”
—You’re a princess—how could you even get here? If you’re bringing her without permission, Celestine’s head’s on the line. If not… it would make no sense. lol
—So… when do I meet Rio?
—At masquerades like this, people usually can’t recognize each other, then somehow get tangled together. Can’t wait.
“…Thank goodness someone told me what to do…”
First, find Rio.
Then introduce Asha, subtly step away, observe the two, and wait for Devaltin.
Celestine looked around, preparing to act.
Suddenly, a pumpkin—literally—rolled toward her along a vine.
“Welcome to the party.”
Turning, she saw someone wearing a cute dog mask.
The mask covered the face reasonably well, but things like voice and hair color weren’t hidden—of course, Rio could recognize her for the same reason.
“Good evening. Isn’t it lovely?”
“Oh, yes. It is.”
Celestine smiled awkwardly, relieved that the mask was there.
“A tiger and a black wolf…”
Rio glanced between Celestine and Asha, muttering.
“For women, those are rather bold masks.”
“Well, compared to a prince wearing a dog mask, I’d say so.”
Celestine replied with a slightly reluctant voice.
“I’ve noticed before, our Tiger Lady has a very bold side.”
“…”
“It’s a charm none of the other ladies possess. We’re grateful you’re attending the party.”
Rio smiled slightly, looked around briefly, then stepped forward and whispered in Celestine’s ear.
“I heard about the trouble you had with Viscount Winsel.”
Celestine froze.
“No wonder you didn’t look well at the last banquet.”
“…”
“I don’t know all the details, but for a party where identities are hidden behind masks, I thought it would let you attend comfortably.”
What? So this unnecessary mask was because of me?
“Anyway, I was worried, but you seem to be doing well, which is a relief.”
“Oh… yes…”
“There’s a balcony over there. Wine, warm tea, everything is ready. Why not join me and have a conversation…”
“Now, Rio Denhe… no, that dog prince!”
Celestine cut off his words abruptly, thinking:
“This time, I’ll make sure it follows the original story!”
Her determination burned brightly.
