Chapter 49

I finally tore my gaze away from Alec. My left hand was still gently resting on top of his.

‘I wonder if people will recognize Alec with his mask on?’

The thought suddenly occurred to me.

Despite trying to conceal it, Alec’s aura and striking good looks, befitting the empire’s most handsome man, were impossible to hide.

There was a time he came back covered in dirt after being pelted with eggs, yet his broad shoulders and chiseled silhouette made it easy to identify him from 3 kilometers away.

‘But now…’

His demeanor and attitude had changed dramatically.

Even if someone recognized his distinctive height and build, conversing with him would make them doubt it was really Alec.

‘Who knows, maybe Marcel and his cronies have been spreading rumors about Alec’s transformation.’

However, that seemed unlikely.

Their pride would prevent them from admitting they had encountered Alec, especially since doing so would reveal they were beaten by him.

Ultimately, no one here would easily guess who the man beside me was, or who I was.

The music grew louder as we approached.

The stares from people who noticed us felt like a welcome gesture.

Just as expected.

“Oh, and don’t worry. You don’t have to dance,” I reassured Alec with a sudden thought.

We had attended countless balls together, but Alec never enjoyed dancing, so we rarely danced together.

Initially, I felt awkward being left alone, but that quickly changed.

Other men constantly asked me to dance, even with Alec standing right beside me.

After all, dancing was as common as greeting someone in these social circles.

Seeing him unbothered by other men’s advances was always a bit unsettling.

It reminded me that our relationship was built on trust and loyalty, not romantic passion.

The dazzling hall began to reveal itself before my eyes.

Chandeliers poured their brilliant light over us.

* * *

Alec had never been in such a luxurious space before.

He thought he had fully adapted to this world, but entering the heart of high society made him realize he was stepping into a different world.

The sheer variety of dazzling jewels and dresses, the rich music filling the air, and the elegant attendants moving about.

Chandeliers overhead sparkled with countless crystals, as if this brightness would last forever.

Laughter and conversation sounded like birds chirping in a summer forest, while the orchestra in the hall’s far corner performed as if in a grand, complete concert.

It was more vibrant and elaborate than any movie or painting he had ever seen.

Yet, despite this objective marvel, he felt oddly detached.

It felt like stepping into a scene from a film, unable to blend in with the setting.

Reality still felt distant.

“Drink this,”

Louise suddenly said, taking two whiskey glasses from a passing attendant.

“Thank you.”

She handed him a glass and took a sip herself.

Wondering how the alcohol would taste in such a place, he brought the glass to his lips just as Louise spoke again.

“How about we call each other by different names while we’re here?”

“Pardon?”

“Using our real names from the start defeats the purpose of wearing masks.”

“…Ah, I see. Alright.”

“Shall we start with your name?”

Louise’s eyes, visible through her mask, crinkled slightly in a smile.

Meeting her gaze, Alec thought briefly about what name to choose.

“Call me Ian.”

“Ian?”

Alec nodded slightly.

Louise looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled in understanding.

“Alright. Ian sounds quite nice for a made-up name.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a fake name.

Ian was his original name.

Whether this name was given by his real parents, he did not know.

Maybe he would uncover the mystery of his birth in this world?

Other than sharing the same appearance, there was nothing linking him to the real Alec.

“Then call me Violet,”

She added smoothly.

“Alright, Violet.”

Louise seemed pleased with her chosen fake name.

He was making a considerable effort to avoid looking anywhere else by accident because Louise’s appearance was so captivating.

He wondered if all women attending balls were this stunning.

But here, Louise stood out as the most dazzling of all.

“Excuse me.”

In that moment, a low, unfamiliar voice cautiously intruded between them.

Both Alec and Louise turned their heads simultaneously.

Standing there was a man wearing a dark green mask, nervously swallowing hard.

Though tense, he seemed to have mustered considerable courage.

He extended his hand towards Louise.

“Would you honor me with a dance?”

“…”

A dance invitation?

Alec glanced at Louise, then back at the man in the green mask.

Beyond him, Alec noticed a few other men sneaking glances in their direction.

‘Ah.’

Alec suddenly realized that these men were vying for a chance to dance with Louise.

But Alec was Louise’s partner for this event.

Were these men without partners?

Just then, Louise turned slightly towards the man in the green mask and spoke.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve decided to dance only three times tonight due to my limited stamina.”

“What?”

The man’s puzzled response mirrored Alec’s own surprise.

With her characteristic serene yet dignified demeanor, Louise smiled and continued.

“However, I think I’ll accept the proposal of the first person who asked.”

With that, she made a gesture as if to place her hand on the green-masked man’s.

The man, unable to hide his delight, reached out eagerly to grasp her hand.

“Thank you.”

“No, please don’t touch my hand.”

“What?”

Louise swiftly lifted her hand, quicker than the man could react.

Alec’s eyes widened slightly as he watched the scene unfold.

The man, who couldn’t even touch her fingertips, stood there awkwardly, his hand suspended in the air.

Louise maintained her elegant composure and smiled.

“I prefer not to be touched while dancing. Would you mind just pretending to hold my hand?”

With another graceful gesture, she moved her hand over his without making contact.

“Oh, yes. Of course.”

The man in the green mask beamed, making only the gesture of holding her hand.

Louise handed her drink to Alec, who took it somewhat bemusedly.

The two then turned their backs and headed towards the dance floor together.

“…?”

Alec stood still for a moment, watching their retreating figures.

As Louise and the green-masked man walked, the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

What is this?

In the brief moment Alec tried to understand the situation, the women around him glanced back and forth between him and Louise, murmuring in admiration.

Especially the woman in the form-fitting dress, whose slender body was a marvel to behold.

Never had such delicate curves and elegant volume been showcased at any ball they had attended.

Who could she be?

From her neck to her shoulders and arms, the delicate silhouette seemed like something only a skilled artist could create with lines.

The man accompanying her also drew much attention, exuding an air of nobility.

Like a reincarnated knight from legend, his graceful yet restrained demeanor was impressive.

Had such a person ever graced these social gatherings before?

Alec rubbed his temples briefly before lowering his hand.

As he looked up absentmindedly, his eyes met one of the women glancing at him.

She smiled and started to approach him.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Alec preemptively asked,

“I have a question. Can I ask you something?”