Chapter 4.2
As Natalie stood flustered, she noticed Miss Windsor’s cold gaze directed at her. Yet Mr. Wharton, undeterred, only pulled Natalie closer.
“It’s a nickname filled with love. Every time I say it, I can taste the sweetness of love lingering in my mouth.”
With his arm firmly around her, Natalie found herself leaning against his chest. She straightened her neck in an attempt to avoid getting too close, but her eyes inadvertently met Mr. Wharton’s.
“Isn’t that right, Sasha?”
“…Of course.”
Even after her response, Mr. Wharton continued to stare at her. Natalie couldn’t decipher the meaning behind his gaze.
What more does he want?
Confused, she could only meet his eyes. Then, Mr. Wharton slightly parted his lips and whispered, ‘My name.’
Ah, he wants me to call him by his name.
Suddenly burdened by the weight of this unexpected task, Natalie’s lips felt dry. She moistened them a few times, hesitated, and finally spoke.
“Of course, Eddie.”
A satisfied smile finally spread across Mr. Wharton’s face. It was a radiant smile, like a blossoming flower.
As Natalie stared blankly at his beautiful smile, she felt Miss Windsor’s piercing gaze on her. Edgar met her green eyes, which looked up at him with determination as she called him by a tender nickname. Despite his claim that the Phantom of the Flavium Theater couldn’t deceive anyone, Edgar seemed to have a talent for acting.
He wanted to leave a kiss at the corner of Natalie’s eye, as a compliment for her excellent improvisation. But he held back, not wanting to startle the novice liar too much.
“Well then, we’ll be leaving now. We have matters to attend to, just the two of us.”
The matter in question was finding Natalie’s mask. However, judging by the way Miss Windsor clutched her skirt tightly, she seemed to interpret his words differently. After all, jokes often carried double meanings.
Edgar took Natalie’s hand and headed toward the central staircase. Instead of pulling her hand away, Natalie held on. Her grip was timid but firm enough to make Edgar smile.
“You’ve improved your acting.”
“I must have learned it from you, Mr. Wharton.”
“Mr. Wharton?”
Hearing the unchanged title, Edgar pulled Natalie’s hand closer to him.
“Mr. Wharton?”
“……”
Natalie’s startled eyes widened, and she avoided his gaze. Edgar tilted his head to meet her eyes, but she tried to escape toward the staircase railing. Edgar followed her, step by step.
Before long, Natalie’s back was against the railing. Edgar’s gaze dropped to her tightly pressed lips.
“Who did you say you learned it from?”
“Mr.…”
The moment he heard the first syllable, Edgar closed the distance and kissed her. Natalie couldn’t finish her sentence, her words cut off by the kiss.
Startled, Natalie pushed against Edgar’s shoulder. He pulled back after a brief, playful kiss. Natalie clamped her lips shut, as if to protect her target from another ambush. She even tried to cover her lips with her hand, but Edgar quickly caught her hand and pinned it to his chest.
“Who did you say you learned it from?”
“……”
Her refusal to call him by his name displeased him even more. Edgar tilted his head as if to kiss her again, and Natalie hurriedly exclaimed.
“You, Edgar!”
After shouting his name, Natalie squeezed her eyes shut. Her furrowed brows suggested she had made a monumental decision.
Edgar recalled his own words about how one should close their eyes when kissing. A smile tugged at his lips.
“Why are your eyes closed?”
“……”
“Are you waiting for something?”
As soon as he said that, Natalie opened her eyes wide and replied.
“No.”
Her tone was so firm that Edgar felt a slight pang of disappointment.
Natalie sighed and looked around.
“Please… only do this when we’re alone.”
Her expression was serious as she made her request. It wasn’t that she disliked the kiss; she simply disliked being the center of attention.
Edgar’s mood instantly lightened.
“Alright.”
Even after his agreement, Natalie still seemed doubtful. She raised her hand toward him.
“Promise me.”
Edgar looked down at the small pinky finger extended toward him. He had signed many contracts but never sealed one with a pinky promise.
“Pinky swear.”
His contract partner was insistent. Following her lead, Edgar hooked his pinky around hers. Natalie tightened her grip on his finger.
As their pinkies interlocked, Edgar asked,
“As long as we’re alone, right?”
The details of a contract were always important.
“For example, behind a curtain.”
At Edgar’s added clarification, Natalie frowned. He continued.
“Or behind a tree, or under a dining table.”
“…You’re not suggesting we do such things while eating, are you?”
“Why not? Is that not allowed? You’re quite particular. I’ll try my best.”
Natalie was the first to release her pinky.
“You promised. It’s not about trying; you have to keep it.”
“Understood.”
As Natalie lowered her hand, Edgar caught it again. After all, she hadn’t said he couldn’t hold her hand.
As they ascended the staircase, her voice calling his name echoed in his ears.
You, Edgar.
It was a name he heard every day, one he didn’t usually attach much significance to. But the way it sounded in her clear voice carried a pleasant resonance.
As Natalie reached the last step of the staircase, she rubbed her ankle. The new shoes, tailored to match her formal attire, seemed uncomfortable. It was clear that if she walked any further, her feet would begin to ache. Edgar released her hand.
“Would you like to wait here while I fetch the mask? I’ll be back shortly.”
“Take your time.”
She replied generously.
Edgar smiled as he locked eyes with her.
“I’ll be quick.”
***
From the railing on the second floor, Natalie could see the crowd below, dancing together. She stood alone in the quiet space, observing the scene. Normally, she would have felt a sense of relief and comfort in finally being alone. Yet, strangely enough, the silence left by Mr. Wharton’s absence, who had been chatting beside her, felt hollow.
Natalie rubbed the back of her hand where Mr. Wharton’s lips had touched. Although she had told him to take his time, she found herself wishing he would return quickly, as he had promised.
As she looked down at the lively people filling the grand hall, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. She had been waiting for that sound so intently that, despite the loud music, she recognized it immediately.
Natalie turned around, her face lighting up.
“Miss Maron.”
But it wasn’t Mr. Wharton. It wasn’t the person she had been waiting for, but someone she hadn’t expected to meet. Dressed in his usual neat suit, just as always…
“Are you waiting for Edgar?”
It was Mr. Salinger.
Natalie, too surprised to respond, simply stared at him with wide eyes. In the meantime, Mr. Salinger took a few more steps forward and stopped in front of the railing. His gaze shifted to the scenery Natalie had been watching moments ago.
“Everyone seems happy. What role are you playing, Miss Maron?”
Following Mr. Salinger’s gaze, Natalie looked down at her own attire. Normally, she would have worried about whether her words and actions seemed clumsy in front of Mr. Salinger. Even if she thought she looked impressive, she always feared appearing ridiculous to him.
But because her costume had been prepared with Mr. Wharton’s help, she felt a newfound confidence and courage to speak.
“I’m a ghost. The ghost of the Flavium Theater.”
“I see.”
Mr. Salinger’s expression remained calm and unchanged. His reaction seemed as indifferent as when he had heard about ‘The Mysteries of Udolpho’.
However, instead of worrying about his opinion this time, Natalie brightly added,
“It’ll look even better with the mask. Mr. Wharton asked his friend to make it for me.”
Natalie glanced at Mr. Salinger’s outfit. The guests at the masquerade ball were dressed in roles that were easy to identify at a glance. But Mr. Salinger, dressed as he always was, looked like nothing more than an ordinary gentleman.
“What role are you playing, Mr. Salinger?”
“I’m a gentleman invited to the ball.”
Natalie was momentarily at a loss for words, surprised by his unexpected answer. Mr. Salinger’s role was simply a gentleman—Mr. Salinger himself.
“…Then perhaps you’re a protagonist in a romance novel. Gentleman protagonists often appear in those stories.”
Natalie tried her best to respond cleverly. Mr. Salinger smiled.
“It’s a relief to know there’s a protagonist I can play.”
“Everyone is a protagonist tonight.”
Natalie smiled warmly. Perhaps she had learned a little from Mr. Wharton, who was so skilled at interacting with people.
“Do you like Edgar?”
“……”
The sudden question wiped the smile from her face. Natalie stared at Mr. Salinger with wide eyes. Her newfound conversational skills disappeared in an instant.
“It seems clear that Edgar has feelings for you, Miss Maron.”
Below them, the dresses of the dancers swirled in circles. In Natalie’s mind, Mr. Salinger’s words spun just as relentlessly.
“But do you also have feelings for him?”
“……”
“I know you have a kind heart. If you’re unable to reject Edgar’s affection…”
The music softened into a gentler melody. The swirling skirts of the dancers settled. At last, the meaning behind Mr. Salinger’s words became clear to Natalie.
“…Are you saying I’ve taken someone as my lover out of mere kindness, even though I don’t have feelings for him?”
“There are often people who try to mend their broken hearts with romance.”