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Chapter 6
Masquerade Ball
It was a man she had been meeting far too often for it to be a coincidence. On top of that, a shop that sold masks—could it be that he was also attending the masquerade ball hosted by Roland Count’s family? Grace felt a sense of doubt.
“How are you here…?”
“I came because I have something to buy.”
“Are you here for a mask?”
“No, I’m here to buy a hat.”
“Ah….”
The two naturally matched their pace and walked into the shop. Inside, there were elegant masks and old-fashioned hats on display. The man, standing beside Grace, casually looked through the masks and asked.
“Since you’re buying a mask, are you going to a ball?”
“Yes, I’m going to the masquerade ball hosted by Count Roland’s wife.”
“Ah, Lady Roland. She’s a cheerful person.”
“You know her?”
“Yes. People also say she’s a bit eccentric, but she’s very upright and treats people without prejudice. That’s why she hosts masquerade balls. A lot of different kinds of people will gather there.”
“I see.”
So that’s why she invited me, Grace thought, nodding as if she understood. Her worries about the ball eased just a little.
“This will be a suitable first masquerade ball for you.”
“How did you know it’s my first time?”
“You came to buy a mask. Isn’t it your first time?”
“No, you’re right. It is my first time. I don’t usually enjoy social events.”
“It will surely be an enjoyable time.”
The man looked around the shop and picked up a mask decorated with white feathers.
“This one should suit you.”
The mask, decorated with white feathers and beads, looked subtle enough to cover her face without standing out.
“Yes. I’ll take this one.”
Grace called the clerk without hesitation, and the man suddenly burst into laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You didn’t even try it on before buying it?”
“As long as it covers my face, that’s enough.”
The man shook his shoulders, trying to hold back his laughter.
“Well, it’s not easy to completely hide that face anyway.”
“A mask is just a mask. What’s so difficult about it?”
While they were talking, the clerk wrapped up the mask. Watching Grace pay, the man smiled brightly as if he were enjoying himself.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, take care.”
The man opened the door for her, and Grace politely bowed before leaving the shop. As usual, she did not take a carriage and instead walked slowly back to the Broughton estate.
When she arrived at the estate, a tailor was waiting for her.
Grace’s eyebrows shot up in shock, and her eyes widened.
“Why? I can just wear one of my existing dresses.”
“Now that you’ve bought a mask, the dress must match it!”
Her mother, unusually excited, examined the mask. Then, she, Lisa, and the tailor gathered in Grace’s room.
Grace placed the mask somewhere visible, and she had to change dresses several times. In the end, they chose a light sky-blue evening dress that matched the white mask.
On the day of the ball, Grace boarded the carriage in her dress. The evening gown was off-shoulder, tight from the chest to the waist, and then flared widely from the hips.
Her hair was styled up, and she wore her mother’s diamond necklace around her neck. Even though it would be covered by the mask, she had taken time to carefully apply makeup.
Inside the carriage heading to the Roland Count’s estate, Grace already felt exhausted. As she tried to lean back, Lisa stopped her.
“Miss, be careful with your hair.”
“Alright, Lisa.”
Looking at the rapidly changing scenery outside, Grace recalled the letter she had exchanged with Aiden before leaving.
To Mr. Aiden Turner.
Aiden, do you know what I did today? I bought a mask and matched a dress for it. I did this for the masquerade ball hosted by Lady Roland.
My mother seems quite excited about attending a social event after a long time. She even had a new dress made.
On the day of the ball, I will wear a white mask and a sky-blue dress.
If you see me, please greet me warmly. I will also greet you warmly in return.
Thinking about attending a social event after so long makes me both excited and nervous. And thinking about meeting you makes me both hopeful and anxious.
But it is true that I am looking forward to that day. I will be waiting to meet you.
Sincerely, Grace Dream.
After Grace sent the letter, Aiden’s reply arrived just in time before the ball. She opened it inside the carriage.
To Miss Grace Broughton.
At the hour when the moon rises, I take up my pen to write to you. If I see this moon three more times, I will be able to meet you.
Grace, I will be honest. I am greatly looking forward to the Friday night when I will meet you. Like the moon waxing each night, my anticipation grows.
I will be wearing a black mask. Many gentlemen will likely wear black tailcoats and black masks. Because of this, I think it will be impossible for you to find me.
I will find you instead. I will not miss you in your white mask and sky-blue dress.
I look forward to seeing your emerald eyes.
Sincerely, Aiden Dream.
The carriage slowed as it arrived at the Roland Count’s estate. In the garden, there were strange statues, including sculptures that looked almost like Buddhist figures. The unstructured garden created an odd atmosphere.
The mansion itself combined Oriental-style folding screens, extravagant decorations, and large potted plants, creating a unique impression. In the long gallery, various paintings, including oriental artworks, were displayed.
At the entrance to the ballroom, Lady Marianne Roland was greeting each arriving guest in a luxurious satin dress. Grace approached nervously.
“Welcome! Who might this beautiful lady be? Please forgive me for not recognizing you because of the mask.”
“I am Grace Broughton. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Oh! Thank you for coming! Miss Grace, I hope you have a wonderful time today.”
“Yes, thank you, Madam.”
“I’m sure you’ll be glad you came.”
Lady Roland smiled warmly without hesitation and even lightly embraced Grace. Grace, slightly overwhelmed by the unexpected welcome, entered the ballroom.
The ballroom was darker than expected. There were many Oriental-style decorations and plants inside. Hanging lanterns with Eastern designs glowed softly.
With masks already on, the dim lighting made it even harder to recognize people.
Lisa whispered while looking around.
“Lady Roland has quite unique taste.”
“True.”
“They say all kinds of people gather at her ball.”
That was believable. The fact that she was invited at all proved it.
“You don’t even have to be a noble. Writers, musicians, painters, actors—many artists attend.”
The large ballroom was filled with people wearing various masks. Ladies in elegant evening dresses and masks, and gentlemen in well-tailored tailcoats and simple masks were gathered in groups, chatting.
Just as Aiden had said, there were so many men wearing black masks that it seemed impossible to find him. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any other woman wearing the same outfit as her.
As she kept looking around while walking, she accidentally bumped into a man in a group conversation.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. I should be the one apologizing.”
The man smiled gently and waved it off. A woman with him spoke urgently.
“So what happened after that, Mr. Houns Gray?”
Mr. Houns Gray?
Grace’s ears perked up. Without thinking, she turned sharply and stared at the man she had bumped into. The man gave an awkward smile.
“Oh my, are you the author Houns Gray who wrote ‘The Werewolves Love Me Too Much’?”
The words slipped out before she could think. Houns Gray blinked and then nodded. Grace’s heart began to race with excitement.
“Oh my! I’m such a huge fan! I own all your works, from Werewolves to the Artificial Human series! Your novels are perfect!”
“Haha, that’s too much praise.”
“It’s not too much at all! Meeting you here is such an honor!”
Grace extended her hand for a handshake. Houns Gray gladly shook it.
“Haha, now that you know who I am, I should hear your introduction.”
Grace froze.
She could not reveal her pen name, Licht Dalton, and if she used her real name, her reputation might make things awkward.
“I….”
The woman in the pink dress beside her smiled and interrupted.
“If it’s difficult to say, you don’t have to. This is a masquerade ball after all.”
“Thank you. One of my close associates is Licht Dalton.”
“Licht Dalton! That’s a very interesting writer!”
“Licht is a huge fan of Mr. Gray.”
“Is he not here?”
“No, Licht prefers to live in seclusion and write.”
A woman in a purple dress next to her added,
“I heard that the famous recluse of the Broughton family has also come to this ball.”
“The famous one?”
“Yes. I heard she accepted Lady Roland’s invitation.”
Suddenly becoming the topic of conversation made Grace’s heart beat faster.
“What do you mean by ‘famous’?”
Grace asked, and a gentle voice answered.
“Oh my, you haven’t heard the rumors about Miss Grace Broughton?”
“No, I haven’t attended social events for a while.”
“An absolute beauty!”
“What?”
“She is known as an unmatched beauty. They say her platinum hair and emerald eyes are like the goddess Adelina come to life.”
Grace’s eyebrows twitched in embarrassment. She was glad she was wearing a mask.
“Have you seen her in person?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“But those who have say she looks like a painting brought to life from the Rococo era, like a doll that moves.”
“That can’t be….”
“And she is said to be sickly as well, adding to her mystery.”
“Sickly?”
Grace herself had no idea about this. It seemed her parents had created such rumors to explain her absence from social events.
“Yes. She is known to have a weak body and rarely attends social gatherings. But beauty like that cannot be hidden. In the end, she ends up marrying the Railway King.”
“There are rumors that the Turner family pushed for the marriage because of her beauty.”
“That can’t be….”
At Grace’s murmur, a firm voice replied.
“There was a servant who worked at the Broughton estate and came to our house. I asked them, and they said she was as beautiful as a siren.”
Grace held her head. A headache she didn’t even have seemed to form.
“Oh my, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’ll rest over there for a moment. Please continue your conversation.”
With Lisa supporting her, Grace walked toward a wide chair placed near the wall. Watching her leave, the others spoke.
“Even with her mask, she seemed like she had remarkable beauty.”
“Yes. And she looked tired even before the ball began, so she must be weak.”
“It was too dark to see her eyes clearly, but her hair was definitely platinum.”
“She didn’t introduce herself.”
“She said she came to a social event after a long time.”
“Don’t tell me….”
Their eyes turned toward Grace.
“That person… Miss Grace Broughton?”
