Chapter 15

「I will endure even if you tear and burn this letter. I only hope that you read it through to the end.

Recently, unpleasant rumors have been circulating about Gopher Allnight. Judging by your noble character, you might have already turned a deaf ear to them. Unfortunately, what I want to tell you is much the same. Please attend the upcoming masquerade ball. Two individuals will be there together.」

At the end, there was a request:

“Please keep this letter our secret. Even if you refuse my request, I will understand. Let me repeat: I am on your side. Only I am on your side.”

***

In the office of the young duke at the Allnight Duchy, Gopher placed a file on the table. Considering it was the result of exhausting every informant in the capital, the file’s thickness was disappointingly thin.

“A fallen noble couple took in a child. The couple lived in the forest, avoiding interaction with others. Villagers heard a child was living with them but never saw them. When the child reached adulthood, the couple died in an accident, and just before that, their registration papers were filed.”

Gopher smirked.

“So, no one can confirm that this ‘child’ is Eos Liche?”

“My apologies, young duke.“

“I expected this. Stand up straight.”

This result was inevitable, given the limitations of his private information network. He had moved forward, hoping for a stroke of luck, but he was met with the reality he anticipated.

“Should we dig further into Weiley?”

“How, when we can’t even pinpoint the region? Even a small nation is a whole country. Do I have enough people to search it all?”

A cursory investigation alone would take months of dedicated effort, with no guarantee of uncovering clues.

“Let’s end this waste of time here.“

“…Yes, young duke.”

After sending away his subordinate, Gopher stood and glanced out the window. Below, his investigation target came into view.

A silver-haired figure strolling nearby. A conspicuous color, though it didn’t belong to Bleria.

Gopher felt a strange irritation in his throat.

‘Eos Liche.’

He had been uneasy ever since he heard Mixel was staying in the annex, but it peaked when he was introduced to the woman.

“I was worried about not having a place to stay in the Empire. I’m so grateful the lord permitted me to stay.”

“Hmm, I grew up in this country but don’t know my origin. Actually, I don’t remember my childhood. My late parents adopted me… I came to the Empire to find my real family.”

She had rambled on unprompted, even when asked only if she was from Weiley.

If unintentional, she was just a fool lost in her own story. But Mixel was the person aiding her “search for family.”

A silver-haired woman claiming to have lost her childhood memories and come in search of her family. Her intentions were all too obvious.

If that weren’t suspicious enough, a note from her had arrived recently.

「I want to talk where the Count’s eyes can’t reach. Please attend the ball with me.」

If his investigation had yielded results, he could ignore this. But in the current state, he had no choice but to go. Whether it was a trap or not, there would be something to gain.

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance.

He had secured an invitation, spread rumors about the ring Bleria always wore and even prepared a different ring.

“Sorry to Bleria, I suppose.”

But that was better than spreading scandals. She cared deeply about appearances.

Thinking of her face soothed his irritation slightly.

Gopher slowly rubbed his lips and suddenly felt a gaze. Eos Liche was staring at him. When their eyes met, her face broke into a foolish smile.

‘How annoying.’

Gopher narrowed his eyes in a smile back at her, then drew the curtains.

***

Bleria stared at the letter with a sunken gaze. Just as Harriet said, all sorts of things happen before a wedding.

Is Gopher going to the masquerade ball with that woman?

“Ridiculous.”

With the wedding and title succession ceremony fast approaching, Gopher barely slept four hours daily.

Why would he attend a masquerade ball, which he didn’t usually enjoy, to create a scandal? Unless the “Gopher“ mentioned in the letter was someone else with the same name, it was unthinkable.

Bleria crumpled the letter, then paused. She needed to identify who had sent it. She was about to call a maid when a knock came at the door.

“Are you in?“

“…Come in, Harriet.”

A woman with her hair tied back lightly poked her head in.

“Has the dressmaker left already? I wanted to see you try on the dress, but I missed it again.“

“It’s already loose and unsightly. Please see it properly on the wedding day.“

“Unsightly? The most beautiful woman in the capital would look like a masterpiece in rags.”

Uncomfortable with the flattery, Bleria averted her gaze. Harriet grinned.

“What’s that letter?“

“Oh, this…”

Before Bleria could answer, Harriet had already picked it up and read it. Her elegant nose wrinkled. Bleria quickly spoke.

“Just as you said, Harriet, it’s nonsense meant to upset me. I’ll find out who’s behind it.“

“Make sure you do. Whoever it is, this prank has gone too far. And the masquerade ball they mentioned—there’s only one coming up, right? How unfortunate.“

“…Do you know where it is?“

“The ball hosted by the Redbirds Count’s family is happening today. Remember? I mentioned before—a friend who owns a grand theater.”

At Harriet’s words, Bleria searched her memory.

She had been introduced to him on another occasion—Beckers Redbirds. He was a childhood friend of Harriet and Damian.

It was a relief to know where the ball was being held, but she was also flabbergasted.

Calling an event happening today “soon”—was the language meant to exaggerate, or had the letter been delivered earlier, only to be discovered late?

‘How am I supposed to go without an invitation?’

Did they hope to see her embarrassed after barging into the ball uninvited? Indeed, she didn’t seem so foolish.

Feeling a headache, she pressed her fingers against her temples.

“Do you want to go?“

“What?“

“I have an invitation Beck sent me. I was originally going to go with Damian, but he seemed too busy, so I didn’t bother. Since it’s a masquerade ball, you don’t need a partner, right?“

“That’s not really necessary…“

“You’re curious, aren’t you? You want to see for yourself.”

It felt like a large needle was piercing her heart. Bleria immediately opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Her lips slowly closed, and by the time they pressed together, she had no choice but to admit it. Harriet was right.

The letter likely meant nothing, but the mention of a silver-haired woman—of all people—nagged at her. She wanted to confirm that it was nothing.

When Bleria reluctantly nodded, Harriet took her hand.

“Then let’s go.”

***

“Harriet! You said you couldn’t come!”

Despite the last-minute attendance, the host welcomed the new guests warmly. A man with striking red-gold hair and a well-groomed beard beamed at them.

“Things turned out that way. How have you been, Beck?“

“No new catastrophes, I hope. Though Damian must be fuming, right?“

“There you go again, talking nonsense.”

Beckers Redbirds’ gaze landed on Bleria. They had crossed paths twice or thrice, but he seemed unsure of her identity.

“And this lady accompanying you?“

“You don’t recognize her just because she’s wearing a mask? Who else but our lady could look this stunning?“

“But her…”

Beckers trailed off, his eyes flicking to Bleria’s hair. Instead of the familiar silver hair over her black dress, a cascade of rich blonde locks fell.

“Of course, it’s a wig.“

“Then, you must be… Ah, my apologies. It’s an honor to have you here, Lady Bleria. I’m Beckers of the Redbirds.“

“Thank you for your hospitality, Count Redbirds.”

After exchanging greetings, they headed inside.

Traditionally, the host and hostess would open the ball, but unfortunately, Beckers Redbirds was recently divorced.

In place of his ex-wife, his long-time friend Harriet was to share the first dance with him.

“Wait nearby for a moment, would you? I’ll be back soon, so don’t wander off.“

“All right, Harriet.”

But as soon as the dance began, Bleria stepped away. She avoided the hands of a few men who offered to dance and glanced around. Her movements weren’t overly conspicuous, but she couldn’t make them too obvious.

‘There’s no way Gopher would be here.’

Logically speaking, this was foolish. Trusting an anonymous letter and showing up like this?

Thanks to Harriet, she didn’t look out of place, but in truth, this was a waste of time. He wouldn’t have given her a ring if Gopher had an affair.

Bleria fidgeted with her bare finger. She had removed her ring to avoid anyone recognizing it, but the absence felt strange.

There was no way Gopher was actually here.

…Right?

Suddenly, a wave of uneasiness swept over her. Was it indigestion? Or perhaps just nerves?

The throng of people in front of her, the countless masked faces obscuring expressions—yes, it must have been that.

‘I’m sorry, Harriet, but I need to leave.’

Lowering her gaze, Bleria began walking. She wished it could be that easy to avoid what was coming.

“Surely, that must be Lord Gopher?”

Her steps came to an abrupt halt.