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[CHAPTER 113]
Aristocrats naturally walked out into the central hall in pairs. Among the splendid dresses, I glanced at the Duchess of Wentworth and the Duchess of Loisen in turn.
Neither of them seemed like they were going to dance.
“I suppose I should return to my seat. I would only get in the way if I danced.”
The Duchess of Wentworth fanned herself as she turned. Then, she glanced at me coldly and said,
“Your father asked you to come home once. It won’t be long now.”
She seemed displeased about me going home, but as it was a message from the Duke, there was nothing to be done.
“Yes, I will find the time soon.”
With my reply, the Duchess of Wentworth stepped back. I offered an awkward smile to the Duchess of Loisen.
It would be hard for anyone to see us as a mother and daughter. Still, the Duchess of Loisen seemed unfazed.
“I should head in as well. I enjoyed our conversation today. If you have time, feel free to visit the Loisen residence anytime.”
I bowed politely to the Duchess of Loisen.
“Yes, I enjoyed it as well. I will see you next time.”
The Duchess of Loisen waved lightly and made her way to the edge of the hall.
I considered going up to the podium, but seeing it was empty, I headed elsewhere.
I leaned against a pillar, hiding in a corner where I wouldn’t be seen.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
The ball was far from over, but the tension had already drained my energy. Still, as soon as a small break appeared, I couldn’t help but think.
‘So, how is Sylvia doing? Is she managing well?’
***
Just outside Lumiere Hall, doors lined the corridor, serving as rest spaces for guests during the long ball.
There weren’t endless rooms, so they were mostly reserved for foreign envoys, royalty within the empire, and dukes and marquises. One exception was Count Layton Ascard. Considering his position as Master of the Mage Tower and its special nature, he had a waiting room as well.
Unlike the hall filled with dancing and music, the corridor was quiet.
Someone walked through it silently—Sylvia Norman.
‘Which one is the Master of the Mage Tower’s waiting room?’
From the outside, the doors looked the same. At that moment, one of the doors opened and someone came out.
Startled, Sylvia pressed herself against the wall and murmured quietly,
“Veilration.”
A brief blue shimmer appeared on her hand, and her body gradually faded. It was a type of invisibility magic.
Up close, it could be seen, but at a glance, it blended perfectly into the background.
Though it was an advanced spell difficult for an apprentice mage to master, she had practiced diligently and could use it skillfully. Veilration had saved Sylvia’s life multiple times.
The people walking out of the room were a middle-aged lady and a nobleman, too engrossed in each other to notice Sylvia.
“Marquis, will we meet again?”
“Madam, if your heart desires, there will always be another chance.”
“Phew, he has an upset stomach today, so I came alone…”
“I will contact you again someday.”
“Of course, Marquis.”
They lowered their voices, suggesting their relationship wasn’t public. As soon as they passed the end of the corridor, they went separate ways as if they were strangers.
“Phew…”
Sylvia felt relieved that she wasn’t discovered. She continued scanning the doors and shook her head.
‘I’ll have to use this method even though it drains a lot of mana.’
She placed her hand on each door, sending a pulse of mana inside. If a door reacted, it would be the Master of the Mage Tower’s room. It would mean there were magical tools or potions inside.
As she checked the third door, footsteps suddenly echoed from both ends of the corridor. They weren’t nobles; they were knights patrolling the ball.
The knights weren’t as sensitive as mages, but they reacted more keenly to mana than ordinary people.
Her invisibility spell had long since worn off, and casting it again would take about an hour.
Sylvia quickly entered the room she was checking and held her breath.
“……!”
She almost screamed when she saw a man sleeping on the sofa, snoring loudly, but she managed to cover her mouth.
Footsteps passed by quietly. Fortunately, they didn’t check the room and just walked past.
Sylvia stealthily exited to avoid waking the man. This room had nothing to do with the Master of the Mage Tower.
Looking at the remaining doors, she sighed.
‘When will I finish checking all of them?’
She realized she had underestimated this task. It seemed impossible to find the Mage Tower Master’s room before the ball ended.
‘There must be another way…’
Her thoughts wandered to that day when they returned by carriage from the slave auction, attacked by the Mage Tower Master. Just before it happened, Amelia’s bracelet had reacted. Sylvia pressed her lips together and gazed toward the hall, where a faint light leaked out.
***
The hall glittered brilliantly under candlelight and magical lamps. The bright light made the pillars cast shadows that were perfect for hiding for a moment.
This small space away from everyone’s eyes was a temporary sanctuary for catching her breath.
“Phew.”
She had to go back out, but she didn’t want to.
Had Vincent returned? Looking around, he still hadn’t arrived. The conversation must be taking longer than expected.
‘Then just a little longer.’
Anyone who came would only be eager to scold her anyway. Nobles dancing in the center of the hall and laughter nearby distracted her, but she deliberately ignored it and waited a little more.
Occasionally, she pretended to adjust her dress when someone passed.
While waiting, she sensed someone approaching. She considered adjusting her dress again, but the atmosphere around her changed subtly.
“There you are, Princess.”
The gentleman’s voice came surprisingly close, right beside her. Startled, she turned her head and met ash-gray eyes looking down at her.
She stepped back immediately.
“Yes, I was resting for a moment. If you need this pillar, I can move.”
She wanted to keep her distance for now, avoiding his gaze. But the next words made her stop moving away.
“Is Sylvia doing well?”
The moment she heard her name, her shoulders stiffened.
“I heard Sylvia came with you, Princess. I wanted to greet her, but she is nowhere to be seen.”
She slowly turned and faced Count Layton Ascard. He smiled, holding two glasses of champagne, offering one to her.
“It doesn’t seem very strong. It should help ease your tension.”
Too scared to refuse, she carefully took it, and he lightly clinked the glasses with hers.
As she brought the glass to her lips, pretending to sniff the aroma, he showed the empty glass and grinned.
