Chapter 16

Nearby, a group of noblewomen were chatting, and a familiar name slipped from their lips.

“Of course. It’s definitely unusual for him to be at Redbirds.”

“You can spot him even when he’s alone, but he arrived with Lady Bleria as her partner.“

Bleria’s eyes darted around. She instinctively touched her hair. The blonde wig was still in place, and no one was looking her way.

‘Who are they talking about? I’m right here.’

“Was that Lady Bleria by his side? She seemed a bit different.“

“Who else in the capital has silver hair like hers? You must’ve been mistaken. Look, she’s even coming out now.”

Bleria had no intention of turning her head, but it felt as though someone had forcibly tilted it. In the center of the ballroom, two figures emerged from among the dancers.

The tall man was unmistakably Gopher. The woman he escorted stood out, dressed entirely in black—a mask, a gown, and a shawl draped over her shoulders. Her silver hair cascaded down, catching the light.

“I heard a silver-haired beauty was whispering to him behind the annex.”

A maid’s voice echoed inside Bleria’s mind like a hammer blow.

‘Gopher wouldn’t stir up a scandal at a time like this.’

The two began to dance. His arm circled her waist. Their hands intertwined, clothes brushed, faces occasionally coming dangerously close.

It was all normal for dancing, but they seemed too intimate. Bleria felt nauseous but couldn’t look away.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Then, as the woman twirled, lifting their joined hands, a ring glinted on her finger. Bleria recognized it instantly. She instinctively touched her own hand, but her ring finger was bare.

“Ah.”

A masked face. The same ring Gopher had given her. And unmistakably silver hair left uncovered.

It no longer felt strange that the woman dancing with Gopher was called “Lady Bleria.

‘Someone else has taken my place, and it feels so natural. Of course. I’m just a fake, pretending to be someone else.’

The realization hit like a collapse from within.

“Ah!”

Lost in thought, she collided with a passerby. It didn’t hurt, but the wine the person carried spilled onto her dress, soaking her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry! Let me clean that up!“

“It’s fine…”

Bleria trailed off, wary that someone might recognize her voice. She hesitated and glanced around. The commotion had drawn attention.

Apologies and murmurs blurred into a confusing hum.

Too loud.

‘Gopher might notice. He could already be watching.’

With her lips pressed tightly shut, Bleria took a few steps back. One step, two, and then—

“Lady?”

Ignoring the voice calling her, Bleria turned and fled. She rushed through the ballroom, searching for a secluded spot. The more she moved, the whiter her mind became, and all senses faded.

She only regained awareness when she pushed open the terrace door.

“Hah… hah…”

Leaning against the closed door, Bleria caught her breath. Despite doing nothing strenuous, her breathing was ragged.

And she was hot. Despite the midwinter cold, her vision spun. She blinked hard, but the spots in her sight didn’t clear.

‘What am I even doing?’

It was true Gopher had done something improper. But so what? Many nobles kept mistresses after marriage.

This wasn’t something to be shocked over. Their marriage wasn’t one of equals nor born out of love. She had no right to feel jealous.

‘It’s all the same unless I ask for a breakup…’

Breakup.

The word chilled her. And then—

“Your hair’s sticking out.”

A voice she didn’t recognize cut through her thoughts.

Bleria jolted, barely swallowing a scream. As she looked up, a half-extended hand came into view.

The man was as tall as Gopher and had dark skin. His cravat was missing, and several buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing rugged muscles beneath.

His drooping eyes and refined features gave him an air of laziness. The rich, wine-colored curls confirmed Bleria’s hunch about his identity.

The man raised an eyebrow.

“Why so startled? I was here first.“

‘I didn’t even realize someone was here. Her face flushed slightly.‘

“I’m sorry. What about my hair?“

“Look. There.”

Following his gesture, Bleria noticed a strand of white hair sticking out.

She fumbled to fix her wig, but shaking hands made it difficult. Even her fingers trembled.

“Please, just stop it!”

Overwhelmed by frustration at her foolishness, Bleria clenched her wig tightly and yanked it off.

Since her hair color had already been revealed, she figured it didn’t matter if anyone saw. But she regretted it immediately.

Her hair, flattened and messy from under the wig, looked nothing like the lustrous silver locks from before.

‘I can’t stand the sight of it.’

She quickly hid her hair from view.

“Well, should I pretend not to have seen anything, Lady Bleria?“

“…Do as you please, Count Dice.”

Since he had used her name, Bleria returned the courtesy.

There was only one person in the capital who would dress like that.

His name was Mixel Luke, a cousin of Gopher’s. He had inherited the title of Count Dice early from the Duchess of Allnight and left for a foreign country.

“How did you know it was me? Did Gopher tell you?“

“There was no need. Your appearance stands out too much.“

“What’s the big deal about having red hair and eyes?“

“If you don’t want to be recognized, you should button up your shirt.“

“Wow, I’m endlessly grateful for the golden advice.”

He smirked and buttoned the lowest button on his shirt. Bleria narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Now that I’ve buttoned one, can I smoke a cigar?“

“Go ahead. I’ll fix my wig and leave anyway.”

Mixel Luke pulled out a cigar but snapped it in half.

“Come to think of it, I can’t light it alone.”

Even with the broken cigar in his mouth, he looked content. Despite not lighting it, he acted as if he were savoring something.

Another addict.

“But do you really want to go back in there? Your fiancé is dancing with another woman.“

“Where you come from, dancing must be seen as a very intimate activity.“

“That woman is my lover.”

At least now, Bleria understood why the woman was staying at the Allnight estate. She calmly replied,

“Whoever it is doesn’t matter to me.“

“So you think that’s normal? Giving a ring to someone else’s lover and dancing with her at a ball for everyone to see? Wouldn’t that piss you off?”

Mixel Luke spoke with a cold sneer.

“I can’t do anything because of my grandmother, so I must vent somehow.“

“Whatever the case, dealing with your frustrations is not my problem.“

“Wow. No empathy at all. You’re just like your brother. Aren’t we in the same boat?“

“No, we’re not.“

“Then it’s not venting. If that were my goal, I wouldn’t be acting so gentlemanly.”

Gentlemanly?

Bleria rolled her eyes instead of responding. When their eyes met, his previous hostility seemed to dissipate.

He didn’t look embarrassed but straightened his posture, leaning casually against the wall. With a deliberate smile and a playful bow, he extended his hand.

“In that case, how about it? Care to engage in some private socializing with me?”

“…”

“I’m joking. No need to get so serious—you’ll hurt my feelings.“

“I didn’t even raise an eyebrow.“

“Your eyes were scary. I’m annoyed right now, and you don’t seem too happy either.“

“So?”

“I’ll stay in the Allnight estate’s annex until your wedding.”

Mixel Luke smirked like a mischievous child playing a prank. Resting his hand on the door handle, he whispered,

“If Gopher gets on your nerves, come find me. No one’s more eager than me to mess with him.”

Bleria didn’t respond. Mixel Luke gave a casual wave and disappeared, closing the door behind him with a soft thud.

“Hah.”

Bleria sighed and walked toward the balcony railing. But after just one step, she heard a knock at the door. The timing was so close that she immediately thought of Mixel Luke.

“Did you forget something…?”

The person at the door wasn’t Mixel Luke Dice. It was a servant she had never seen before.

Since she hadn’t put her wig back on, Bleria instinctively touched her face and was relieved to feel the mask still in place. The servant’s eyes lit up at the sight of her silver hair.

“Ah, here you are. I’m glad you haven’t left yet. You dropped this earlier, didn’t you?”

He held something out to Bleria—a locket that holds a picture. It wasn’t hers, but the design felt oddly familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere.

“Lady?“

“Right, thank you.”

Bleria accepted the locket, and the servant bowed before leaving.