Chapter 50

The curtains opened, and the people in the dressing room came into view. Karina stepped forward awkwardly. A man dressed in flamboyant clothes approached with a serious expression and muttered.

“Perfect. There’s nothing more to adjust.”

The soft lilac dress, accented with a subtle shimmer of pearl, sparkled under the light.

“The Duchess of Edelin will be very pleased as well.”

Karina nodded awkwardly and took the mask handed to her by him, then turned around. Looking into the mirror, she held the mask up to her face—it looked quite fitting.

Karina returned to the fitting room and changed back into her original clothes.

“Are you sure you don’t want to show it to the people you came with?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

The designer, who was tidying up the clothes, asked regretfully, but Karina shook her head immediately.

‘For some reason, it’s embarrassing.’

Since they would see her on the day of the party anyway, she didn’t want to endure the embarrassment now. More importantly, today wasn’t about her.

“Then let’s go. They’re already preparing on the other side.”

The designer guided Karina out of the private fitting room. There was another room prepared separately. Karina stepped into it.

“This is so uncomfortable. Do I really have to do this?”

As soon as the door closed, a disgruntled voice echoed from one side. An all-too-familiar red-haired back was arguing with an employee.

Soon, Kaya turned around. The moment Karina saw her outfit, her eyes widened. Kaya was dressed in a neat wine-colored suit. A ribbon-shaped tie added to the sophisticated atmosphere.

“Kaya, you look amazing.”

“No, that’s not what I—wait, really?”

“Yes, you look great.”

At Karina’s compliment, Kaya, who had been tugging at her tie, let go of it. While the employee adjusted Kaya’s outfit, Karina looked around the room.

“But where’s Noah?”

When she asked, not seeing Noah anywhere, the designer gave her a subtle smile. At his gesture, a few staff members stepped out of the room.

A moment later, the person she was looking for appeared, accompanied by a hesitant voice.

“Is this really how I’m supposed to wear this?”

Entering with his head lowered, Noah stopped moving when he noticed Karina.

His outfit looked a little different from a typical suit. He wore a coat over his suit, giving off a very refined impression. The overall black tone made him look quite different from usual.

In the silence, an unexpected round of applause filled the room.

“This is… incredible.”

Muttering to himself, the designer quickly walked over to Noah. His gaze, scanning Noah from head to toe, was filled with excitement.

“This is unbelievable. How can a fit like this even exist?”

“So it really is strange.”

Misunderstanding the designer’s reaction, Noah looked dejected, but it seemed the comment hadn’t even reached the designer’s ears.

“Actually, this is the first time we’re showcasing this particular men’s suit design from our studio.”

While the designer continued to examine Noah, a staff member leaned toward Karina and whispered. Snapping out of her daze, Karina nodded.

“Your companion has such a good physique. I suggested it just in case, but what do you think?”

Looking again, she realized the suit really did fit Noah as if it had been tailored specifically for him.

She had only brought him along because she thought he might not have anything to wear to the party. The atmosphere, as if Noah was about to be scouted as a model, was almost absurd.

“You there! Record this look exactly as it is!”

In the end, Noah was held up by the staff for quite some time before being let go.

‘It really does suit him, though.’

Freed from the designer’s grasp, Noah stood in front of the mirror, examining himself. Karina reached out and straightened the crumpled lapel of his jacket.

“The lapel was folded. Now it’s fine.”

Noah scratched his head as he looked at Karina through the mirror.

“I’m not sure if this is okay. I’ve never worn clothes like this before.”

“It’s just because it feels unfamiliar. It suits you well.”

“You look good too, Karina.”

“I’m wearing the same clothes as earlier.”

Karina gave a faint, lifeless laugh and had the masks they had ordered brought in. Kaya’s mask was black with gold accents. Noah’s mask was a white half-face mask that covered about half of his face.

Both of them seemed pleased with their masks, touching their faces as they looked into the mirror.

“What kind of mask will you wear, Karina?”

At Noah’s question, Karina pulled out her mask and put it on.

The butterfly mask, which had been adjusted by the studio, looked more glamorous than before.

“A butterfly?”

“Is it too flashy?”

Noah and Kaya, staring at the mask that sparkled like a jewel, let out sounds of admiration.

“Lady Karina, you said you didn’t want to stand out, but you’ll definitely draw attention like this.”

At Kaya’s comment, Karina gave an embarrassed smile, took off the mask, and sat on a chair.

Since the payment was being handled by the attendant who had come with them, all they had to do was wait. Meanwhile, Kaya, seemingly drawing attention from the staff after Noah, was busy dodging them.

“Miss Karina.”

However, the attendant, who was supposed to be handling the payment, approached with a troubled expression and spoke.

“Someone has already settled the bill.”

“What?”

“I wasn’t informed of this in advance, so I’m not sure what’s going on.”

Apparently, while they had been trying on clothes, an unknown customer had paid for their purchases. The attendant left, saying he would look into it further.

‘Who could it be? Was it Father?’

While she was tilting her head in confusion, Noah took a step closer.

“Noah?”

Without saying a word, he picked up the mask resting on her lap and brought it to her face.

Through the mask held close to her face, Karina met Noah’s eyes. It felt like, under the lights, they were the only two people there.

Time seemed to stop momentarily before flowing again, slowly. Very slowly.

***

The preparations for the party progressed smoothly.

Those who received invitations seemed intrigued by the masquerade ball and mostly confirmed their attendance. There were even rumors that nearly every clothing boutique was swamped with mask orders.

‘It was a good idea to have ours made in advance.’

In a way, it felt like half of the plan had already succeeded.

“It’s done, Miss. You can open your eyes now.”

Karina opened her eyes, which had been closed, and looked at herself in the mirror.

Or rather, it felt like she was looking at someone else.

“You look stunning. It’s a shame your face isn’t visible, though.”

“That’s the point of the mask.”

Ignoring Becky’s lament, Karina stood up, letting the hem of her dress flow. The transparent lace, adorned with jewel-like beads, sparkled dazzlingly with every movement.

Finally, Karina pinned her cherished hairpin in place and stood.

Her parents, who had taken longer to get ready than she had expected, were already at the ballroom.

‘The star of the show should always arrive late. Take your time and come out.’

Had it not been for her mother’s words, she would have come out earlier.

But now, there was no choice. Karina quickened her steps slightly. As she entered the hallway leading to the ballroom, she could hear murmurs around her.

Thanks to the mask, she felt much more at ease than usual.

Once again appreciating the importance of the mask, Karina stepped into the ballroom.

“Lady Karina is entering.”

At the attendants’ announcement, the room fell silent. The momentary pressure she felt disappeared as soon as she noticed the sea of colorful masks. It was a relief.

‘A rabbit, a fox, even a cat… It’s like a zoo.’

The thought almost made her laugh, but she managed to hold it in.

Barely maintaining her composure, Karina walked to the front of the ballroom, where two people greeted her.

“You came earlier than I expected.”

“I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

“Even with the mask, your beauty is undeniable.”

Asillis, wearing a sun-shaped mask, coughed awkwardly as he spoke.

“Your father seems quite excited today. Don’t mind him and enjoy yourself.”

Laura, wearing a moon-shaped mask, spoke while rolling her eyes. Karina nodded and turned around.

As she had already observed, the crowd was full of people whose identities were impossible to guess. While she was momentarily distracted, Laura tapped her on the shoulder.

“Even so, you should at least greet the guests, shouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

It was something she had already prepared herself for.

Taking a deep breath, Karina stepped onto the platform and steadied her voice. One by one, people began turning their attention to her.

“First, I’d like to thank everyone for attending this party.”

Her formal greeting fell over the colorful masks like a blanket. It felt as if she were speaking to various animals rather than people.

Among them, two individuals standing in a corner of the ballroom particularly caught her eye.

“…I hope that, at least for this moment, you can enjoy yourselves without worrying about those around you.”

Karina finished her brief speech. At the same time, one of the two she had been watching, wearing a black mask, brought their hand to their mouth. A cheerful whistle rang out, followed by applause and cheers.

Though embarrassed, she didn’t feel bad. Karina slowly stepped down from the platform. Already, attendees were mingling with Laura and Asillis, congratulating her on her birthday.

Given the purpose of the party, it was inevitable.

‘I’ll need to change my mask later.’

Karina repeated the thought to herself as she received endless birthday wishes.

Even with the mask on, her face was beginning to ache from smiling. When she noticed the song had changed, she turned her head. It was about time for the dance to begin. In other words, time for her to slip away.

“You should go. We’ll take care of the guests.”

With her perceptive mother’s encouragement, she had no reason to hesitate.

Karina moved to a dim corner of the ballroom, switched to a dark gray mask, and draped a matching cape over her shoulders. Just as she was about to leave, someone appeared out of nowhere.

“The butterfly I’ve been chasing is here.”

“…”

“May I ask for one dance before you disappear?”

Between the white mask on the man’s face, his sky-blue eyes curved gently.

Somehow, the situation felt familiar. Karina stifled a laugh and took his hand.