Richard Duquesne’s birthday banquet was, without exaggeration, the most eagerly anticipated event among the Eastern elite.

Not only was he one of the wealthiest figures in the New Continent, but his notorious taste for extravagance and his peculiar love for only the finest things were well-known facts.

So when an entire day’s access to a massive lakeside park was restricted to the public, and fairy-like lanterns began to glow throughout the grounds, the guests’ anticipation grew.

Although it was still early in the summer, the event began in the evening, and the crisp air paired beautifully with the sky, which was tinged with lilac.

However, Alicia, irritably fiddling with her butterfly mask, was grinding her teeth.

“Hah, what the hell is this?”

Was this a joke? To put on such a ridiculous masquerade for such distinguished guests! Women who have spent their lives being pampered shouldn’t be left to their own devices.

‘Why didn’t Cordelia ask for my input?’
‘Did I make a mistake leaving it all to her?’

Sure, her body was free from the work, but now her nerves were all on edge.

“Cordelia, are you preparing everything properly?”
“Yes, Alicia. I’m doing my best.”
“What kind of preparations? I should at least know that, shouldn’t I?”
“I’m sorry. Nothing’s been finalized yet… but we’ve locked down the venue.”

Even with repeated phone calls and reminders, the girl kept dodging around with vague answers.
In the end, Alicia only found out about the masquerade theme after the invitations were already sent.

‘She’s bound to mess it up… She always used to rely on my opinion. Without it, this is going to be a disaster.’

However, when the center of the park transformed as if by magic into a grand Abéron-style banquet—the very embodiment of Old Continent cuisine—Alicia couldn’t hold herself back any longer. She immediately set out to find Cordelia.

“What is this, Cordelia!”

“Welcome, Alicia.”

“This—this event, how could you… Isn’t it far too… too undignified?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! How could the daughter of the prestigious Hadrian family think of a masquerade for her father-in-law’s birthday?”

“There’s no reason not to.”

Cordelia replied with an air of indifference and serenity, while Alicia—alone in her rising fury—seethed.

‘This wretched woman must have planned this entire party just so she could wear something that made her look as breathtaking as possible.’

Cordelia’s gown—white satin with a subtle blue sheen—clung flawlessly to her torso, flaring out in elegant pleats just above the knees.

A pearl necklace shimmered with a warm, golden glow under the lights, and a golden laurel leaf held her lush hair in place.

Her look, without a hint of excess, was enough to make anyone think she had stepped out of a myth. In the soft dusk, the faint halo of light surrounding Cordelia made onlookers swallow dryly in awe.

Alicia, watching, felt the kind of bitter envy that made her want to commit murder just to take her place.

But before anyone could approach Cordelia and shower her with praise, Alicia knew she had to act quickly. She had to regain control before anyone else stole the moment.

She reprimanded Cordelia in a hushed voice, quiet enough that the nearby guests could still hear her clearly.

“Cordelia! Even if Lucas and the others thought it was OK, you should have used your common sense. Your husband spoils you far too much.”

“……”

“No matter how badly you wanted to do something daring, shouldn’t you have planned according to Richard’s age and dignity? A gathering like this—”

She was trying to create the impression that enjoying this event was bad taste. But before anyone could pay her any closer attention, a loud, boisterous voice echoed from the park entrance.

“Haha! Who would have thought that such a crowd of Eastern elites would gather just to celebrate this old fool’s birthday? What a sight!”

It was none other than the man of the hour himself: Richard.

He strolled in with a magnificent cloak, trimmed with golden tassels and decorations, draped loosely over one shoulder.

Like a lion that has grown fat and content after conquering its territory, Richard clearly revelled in the spectacle.

“Lord Richard!”

Alicia quickly rushed over to him. Her dull husband lacked the charm or tact to make an impression, so she had to do it herself.

“Oho, Cordelia!”

But Richard’s attention was already on his noble daughter-in-law. A prized trophy, and more importantly, someone who had a talent for opulence that matched his own—he was visibly pleased.

“Absolutely splendid, Cordelia. You really know my tastes to perfection.”

“…Thank you, Richard. The Iridescent team helped me quite a bit.”

“Haha, modest as always. But knowing how to put servants to good use is a talent too, you know.”

“……”

Cordelia only smiled, her eyes appearing hollow.

The world around her was loud and filled with movement and noise, yet she felt disconnected from it all. It was as if her mind and body were separated by glass.

Then again, wasn’t this how life among the upper class always was?

Pretending there were no problems. Never letting the internal rot show because survival in this glittering world meant concealing all pain.

After all, everyone here had some festering wound. But if you showed it, seeking sympathy or comfort, you were treated like a fool.

Cordelia refused to be seen as foolish. She would not be the pitied wife. She would not be blamed for being ungrateful. She would not become the target of greedy eyes.

‘Endure it all.’

Until the day she left—she would endure.

While preparing for the party, she quietly gathered jewellery that could be sold without arousing suspicion.

As soon as she found a safe city in the west to settle in, she would leave.

Otherwise, the pain would become unbearable — it might even choke the air from her lungs.

“…Madam.”

A familiar voice called to her from behind. Even without him saying her name, Cordelia could have guessed who it was, based on the hushed, breathless admiration of the women around her.

Lucas had arrived, wearing a black bat-shaped mask and sporting a red rose instead of the traditional boutonnière.

But Cordelia recognised him for what he truly was — an incubus in disguise. A demon who deceives without shame and seduces without remorse.

“Come with me, madam. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Yes, of course.”

Cordelia followed him obediently. Although Lucas had requested a few names be added to the guest list, none of them were particularly unusual. However, one name stood out in particular:

Of course, Lucas would want certain people to attend his father’s event. This was the first time, though, that he had deliberately and specifically invited someone he hadn’t previously been close to.

‘The one Lucas especially requested to be invited this time…’
‘Roderick Winfred.’

He had dressed to suit the masquerade theme, but his round, tomato-red face already glowed with a noticeable flush from drink.

“Thank you for coming, Roderick. I believe this is the first time I’ve introduced my wife to you.”

“Hello, Mr. Winfred. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, Lady Duquesne! Haha—Lucas really does have everything, doesn’t he? A beautiful, accomplished bride and the glow of newlywed bliss!”

Cordelia let the hollow compliment slide past her like air. Instead, she quietly combed through what she remembered about Roderick.

The only thing she could confirm was that he belonged to the New Continent’s military division.

‘But he’s clearly not a soldier.’

He must be involved in the administration, but if the information was this vague, then something was clearly being hidden.

What exactly was Lucas hoping to gain from him?

Before she could ask, he took her hand and smiled. His piercing blue eyes shone dangerously brightly, and that alone told her that he had no intention of revealing anything more.

“Once you’ve greeted all the guests, slip away and get some rest inside if you’d like, madam.”

“……”

“You must be exhausted from planning this whole banquet.”

“Yes… that sounds good.”

By ‘inside’, he meant the building tucked away in the lakeside park, which was some distance from the noisy centre of the celebrations. Nestled amongst the greenery, it was the perfect place to cool off.

Cordelia gave a faint smile and quietly excused herself. She was tired of standing beside Lucas, and of the polished, pretentious New Continent elite.

***

“Miss Vanderbilt!”

The lake park was alive with music and dancing, a brilliant spectacle of light and movement and Alicia stormed through it, searching furiously for her co-conspirator.

Wherever she went, she could hear people whispering about how much Richard praised his daughter-in-law, and it made her feel sick. But seeing Louisa — who had promised to cooperate with her — prancing around in a bright red Queen of Hearts dress and giggling as though she hadn’t schemed at all truly pushed her over the edge.