Chapter 1

Saint Evangeline’s Day. This was a day when the legend said that spending the night with someone of the opposite s*x would lead to eternal love, and under that excuse, the young nobles of the Renoua Empire would throw all sorts of parties and indulge themselves to their heart’s content.

Among them, the most popular and also the most dangerous party was the masquerade ball hosted by Earl Grangel.

It was a place that guaranteed perfect secrecy, never revealing who attended, and had multiple bedrooms prepared so guests could freely share their love. There was even a security device installed so that once someone entered a bedroom, it couldn’t be easily opened from the outside. It was the perfect party for enjoying a night of deviation.

As provocative fantasies, which normally had to be hidden, actually unfolded, those attending Earl Grangel’s masquerade ball would cover their faces with masks, and even use expensive magic potions to change their hair and eye color, enjoying a night of freedom.

On Saint Evangeline’s Day, which had come around once again, Elina, the daughter of Viscount Harris and a mage of the Callium Grand Duchy, stepped into Earl Grangel’s mansion with anxious eyes. The heat of the party was palpable from the moment she entered, and she felt sweat gathering in her hand clutching her skirt.

“With steps that slow, you’ll only get inside by tomorrow morning, Elly.”

The woman walking briskly beside her waved her fan, urging her on. The eldest daughter of Earl Freya and also a mage, she was the one who had coaxed Elina into coming here.

“Daisy, is it really okay for us to do this? His Grace…”

“Elina. I’ve told you over and over, but not even His Grace the Grand Duke can control your every move. And do you know how hard I worked to get an invitation here? Stop complaining and just come along.”

Unable to watch Elina suffer over her unrequited love any longer, Daisy had dragged her here, telling her to forget one man with another.

Daisy herself, believing she’d have a political marriage anyway, was determined to enjoy life to the fullest before then, so she couldn’t understand Elina, who had pined for one person since childhood.

“But I still feel uneasy about swapping shifts to come out.”

“If you’re worried about His Grace finding out, don’t be. He’s not so free that he checks the duty mage roster, and it’s not like you’ll run into him here. Would someone like him come to a place like this?”

Daisy sharpened her already catlike eyes and turned Elina’s shoulders toward her. Meeting Daisy’s confident gaze, Elina shifted her eyes awkwardly and nodded.

“Th-that’s true. There’s no way he’d come here. His Grace the Grand Duke…”

“Exactly! What’s the problem? Even if he did come, with your hair and eye color changed, he wouldn’t recognize you. Right?”

It made sense. Elina straightened her shoulders, still held by Daisy, and nodded. That’s right. She hadn’t done anything wrong, so there was no need to shrink away.

She couldn’t just keep watching Terence’s back forever. Given the difference in status, there was no way anything would happen, so she hadn’t even confessed, only chased after him with her eyes for years.

‘I’m not even a real noble to begin with…’

She had returned to the Grand Duke’s castle after graduating from the magic academy just to see him up close, but she couldn’t go on living like this. He would soon find a match suitable for his rank and leave.

Hadn’t there been rumors lately about marriage talks with the Rowen Dukedom? If he was preparing for an engagement, he’d be busy and wouldn’t care whether she came here or not.

Instead of clinging to a hopeless love, the mage’s impulsive way of thinking led her to this place, determined to break free and forget. She couldn’t give up here. Fired up, she grabbed Daisy’s arm and spoke solemnly.

“You’re right, Daisy. Let’s go in.”

Daisy’s sharp eyes immediately softened at Elina’s words. She smiled in satisfaction, linked arms with Elina, and hurried her along.

Every time Daisy turned her head to scan the ballroom, the feathers on her peacock mask fluttered gently.

“Hmm. I wonder if there are any decent men here.”

The party hall, filled with dreamy smoke, was already hazy and heated. The closer they got to the center, the more intense the displays of affection became.

A woman in a bat mask and a man in a crow mask danced, hands roaming each other’s bodies; a woman leaned into a man while drinking; couples kissed, hands exploring each other in the middle of the hall; a man buried his face in a woman’s skirt, muffled moans audible; people walked arm-in-arm toward the hallway lined with bedrooms… Everywhere, people were immersed in pleasure, openly revealing their raw desires.

This was Elina’s first experience with such a scene, and she struggled to hide her embarrassment. Fidgeting with her white-feathered mask, she stopped in her tracks, but Daisy, already excited, dragged her to a table and handed her a glass of champagne.

“Here. Drink up and enjoy yourself. Okay? Cheers!”

“Ch-cheers…”

The sparkling golden liquid flowed between Elina’s red lips without pause. Squeezing her eyes shut, she gulped down the champagne and soon felt a tipsy sensation, exhaling with a sigh. The drink was stronger than she expected, and her mood improved quickly.

Surprised by how much more comfortable she felt, she reached for her chest and picked up a second glass, sipping and glancing around. Daisy was already across the room, chatting and laughing with a man in a mole mask.

“When did she get all the way over there?”

“Did you come alone, My Lady?”

“…!”

Watching Daisy, Elina jumped in surprise at the sudden voice from behind. She spun around, startled, to see a tall, slender man.

Wearing a mask adorned with colorful jewels, he lifted the corners of his mouth in an exaggerated greeting and kissed the back of her hand.

“Your beauty stood out even from afar, so like a butterfly to a flower, I was drawn to you.”

“Uh… yes.”

He spoke without lifting his lips from her hand, so his warm breath brushed against her skin. The damp, heated sensation felt unpleasant, so she tried to pull her hand away, but the man showed no intention of letting go.

Instead, he stroked her exposed arm and looked up, smacking his lips.

“Such smooth skin. I bet it feels amazing to touch.”

“…”

Taken aback by his sudden harassment, Elina’s lips parted in disbelief. She decided it was best not to raise her voice here, so she firmly pulled her hand away and steadied her voice.

“Sorry, but I’d like to be alone right now.”

“Don’t play hard to get. Come with me. I’ll make you feel good. Yeah?”

She thought she’d been firm, but he wasn’t listening at all. He pressed closer, playing with her hair and brushing her ear.

“It’s not easy to find someone as skilled as me here. Every woman who’s tasted me begged for more.”

“You’re being extremely rude for a first meeting. I’ve already said no.”

Avoiding his hand, Elina replied coldly, biting her lip. She was starting to regret coming here. Only weird, perverse men approached her. It was true what they said—if you do something out of character, trouble follows.

Stupid Elina. She should have just stayed at the Grand Duke’s castle. The more trouble piled up, the more she hated herself. What was she thinking, trying to break free?

While she was lost in thought, the man stretched out his arm to block her path, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, and waved it.

“If you knew who I was, you’d regret not giving in. Right?”

Elina, distracted by the fluttering handkerchief, bit her lip harder.

‘That’s… the crest of the Marquis of Betel.’

The man before her was none other than Jorua, the notorious playboy son of Marquis Betel.

Elina’s expression darkened. She had considered using magic to push him away, but if a mage from the Grand Duchy used magic carelessly on a high-ranking noble, it could cause trouble.

It was taboo in the Empire for a mage belonging to one house to use magic at another noble’s house without permission.

Moreover, her magic was unusually strong in offensive spells, making it hard to control her power. Even a gentle push could send someone flying across the room.

No matter how secret this masquerade was, if the Marquis’s son ended up thrown across the hall, Earl Grangel would surely intervene.

If Jorua’s life was endangered, Terence might be put in a difficult position, so she couldn’t defend herself recklessly. Besides, she could feel Jorua’s gang watching nearby.

He seemed confident, glancing over at them and smirking, as if he’d prepared something in case things went wrong. With so many witnesses, it was hard to use magic discreetly…

Either way, if anyone found out she’d used magic, Terence would be in trouble.

‘Even in this situation, I’m worried about Terence.’

Frustration welled up, her eyes reddening. Jorua, apparently pleased to see she recognized him, laughed and dragged her by the wrist toward the bedroom hallway.

“Let go of me…! No…!”

“Wow, you’re really playing hard to get. Not satisfied with this? What, only His Grace the Grand Duke is good enough for you? With your looks, you must have big ambitions.”

She struggled with all her might, but couldn’t overcome his strength. Looking around for help, she saw Daisy was nowhere in sight, and everyone else was too absorbed in their own pleasure to care.

With faint moans, laughter, and music mixing in the noisy space, she realized that even if she screamed, it would be useless.

They said all physical contact at the masquerade was consensual, but that was a complete lie. Embarrassed, Elina’s face flushed red, and tears welled up in her eyes. Rather than being dragged away, maybe she should just use magic…

“This lady has a prior engagement with me.”

At that moment, Jorua’s hand fell away, accompanied by a low, cool voice.