The next morning, I received a message from my parents saying that they wouldn’t be attending the masquerade after all. They had decided to stay at the estate and rest instead, partly due to my mother’s chronic back pain, but also because they wanted to spend a quiet, intimate day together.

Ultimately, it would only be Hilbardo and me who made our way to the imperial palace.

As the masquerade was scheduled to begin at six in the evening, I decided to spend the day exploring the lively district of the capital with Merita.

The streets were lined with shops far more charming than anything in Pardia or Stroud. The roads were neatly paved, and the city felt vibrant — alive in a way that was impossible to ignore. There were even stages set up for street performances, and fountains so large that one could swim in them.

Wherever I looked, I saw couples, both noble and commoner. Unlike in Stroud, where affection was kept subtle and restrained, here it was displayed openly and boldly. The air itself seemed warmer, filled with a passion that made everything feel more vivid.

“Oh my…”

Merita, who was born and raised in Stroud, covered her mouth in surprise.

Couples were kissing and embracing in the streets, their bodies pressed close together in a display of complete uninhibitedness.

Even I, someone not accustomed to such scenes, felt my face redden with embarrassment.

“Miss, why are people lining up over there?”

Merita pointed to a stall that was stacked high with large boxes.

I watched closely as people bought things from it.

The items were small bottles containing nuts coated in a white powder — I couldn’t tell whether it was sugar or spice.

A couple passed by, sharing hazelnuts from one of the bottles. The sweet, nutty aroma teased my senses as it drifted through the air.

“Merita, should we try some too?”

I had only asked casually, but she immediately headed for the line as if she had been waiting for it.

When I asked if she wanted some, she smiled softly.

“My husband would like it, I think.”

‘Would His Highness like it too?’

It looked sweet, but since I had never tried it before, I couldn’t be sure.

As I moved slowly forward in the queue, I found myself wondering what I should say when I gave it to him.

Before I knew it, it was my turn.

I ordered the powdered nuts and the almonds that had been soaked in honey and carefully dried.

At that moment, I thought of the perfect excuse: the cat figurine I had received in Pardia.

I could say it was simply a gift in return.

Lifting the bottle to eye level, I studied it with quiet care. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.

“Miss, let’s head over there next.”

Merita strode forward without hesitation, seemingly determined to give in to all the shopping urges she had repressed since her days as head maid.

She really had impressive stamina!

***

After having lunch at a restaurant in the capital and taking another stroll through the shopping district, we returned to the estate.

Merita excused herself, saying that she needed to prepare for the masquerade ball, and left me alone in the bedroom.

I couldn’t help but wonder when I should give him the gift.

Then, my gaze drifted to the box on the balcony.

It was just like the ones at the Pardia and Stroud estates.

I stepped outside, picked it up, and carried it back in. Thankfully, it was empty.

I carefully placed the bottles of nuts inside, ensuring they wouldn’t tip over, before gently closing the lid.

‘How should I deliver it?’

I wanted to leave it on his balcony, just like he had done.

But climbing the outer wall like Hilbardo was impossible for me.

And sneaking into his bedroom… was something I simply couldn’t allow myself to do.

“Lady, this is Tibel Dresen. May I come in for a moment?”

Just then, Viscount Tibel arrived.

Unable to hide my relief, I opened the door wide.

The viscount’s brows lifted slightly in surprise before returning to place.

“His Highness the prince said something urgent came up, so he will be late returning. I came to ask what you would like to do about entering the ball.”

“I’ll go alone. I won’t wait, so please tell His Highness not to worry about me.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The viscount bowed slightly in understanding.

Before he could leave after completing his errand, I stopped him.

“Viscount, I have a favor to ask.”

“Please tell me.”

“Could you place this box on the balcony of His Highness’s bedroom?”

It felt a little embarrassing, having only one small glass bottle sitting alone inside a large box that had to be carried with both hands.

“Yes. I’ll bring it there at once.”

Without hesitation, he accepted the box.

I stopped him again just as he was about to turn away.

“Do you need anything else?”

The white-haired old gentleman asked kindly.

Placing the bottle of honey almonds into the box, I said,

“Please send this one to the butler at the Stroud estate. And tell him to place it at the child’s… at Jaive’s grave.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Viscount Tibel answered with a faint smile.

I thanked him with a pleased smile of my own.

***

It was unusual for all the nobles of the empire to gather in the capital.

Hilbardo had secretly arranged a meeting with Duke Iane and the other disaffected nobles.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform them of his intention to overthrow the emperor.

Some of those present wanted Hilbardo to become emperor himself, but he gave them a firm answer.

“Barnes Johann will ascend the throne. I do not want the emperor’s seat.”

Some were probably disappointed, but since it was Hilbardo’s wish, they had no choice but to accept it.

Despite their differing wishes, they were able to gather like this because the nobles recognized Johan’s character and qualifications as a ruler, too.

They knew he had received more training from Hilbardo than from his father.

That is what they chose to believe.

“We will follow Your Highness’s will.”

“We will do anything. Please trust us and leave it to us.”

They were nobles of the Empire, but they were also parents who had been unable to defy the Imperial Order, instead sending their children to war.

Some wept while holding the belongings of children who had returned dead. Others watched their surviving children lock themselves away in their rooms and wither away slowly.

To these parents, Hilbardo was a saviour who would protect them from the tyrannical emperor.

“You must take care that word does not get out. The current emperor is not an incompetent man.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“We will obey your command.”

Meeting the eyes of everyone present, Hilbardo said,

“And one more thing. Raise private soldiers who can march at any time.”

Duke Iane asked why.

Hilbardo showed them Johann’s letter and said,

“The emperor is planning to unify the continent.”

A murmur spread through the room.

Those quick to understand traced the emperor’s recent actions back, and then sighed as they realized what was happening.

“The moment the emperor orders the unification of the continent, our blades will turn towards the imperial palace.”

A sense of dignity settled over Hilbardo’s face, befitting a man who would alter the course of a nation’s history.

His voice, too, carried unwavering resolve.

***

Those attending the masquerade cast aside all formality and noble restraint, fully surrendering to the night’s pleasures.

Wearing a red gown that felt like the perfect armor and a bright, golden butterfly mask, I sat quietly at a table and listened to the musicians playing.

Raian was in the banquet hall, but the woman was nowhere to be seen.

Rachel had mentioned that someone staying in the building opposite the townhouse rented by the Duke of Stroud had heard fighting all night. The sound of breaking objects and a woman’s cries had been so loud that no one had been able to sleep.

‘Yes… that’s how it should be.’

Perhaps it was just my mood, but the wine tasted particularly sweet and rich when I took a sip.

In a place where one could guess someone’s marital status just from the color of their hair and eyes, unmarried men and women moved their bodies seductively, pretending not to be aware of each other’s situation.

As expected, Raian recognized me.

He strode straight towards me.

Beyond the black leopard-print mask, his blue eyes wavered.

“Violetta.”

His voice, low as he called my name, sounded hoarse—like he had caught a cold.

I looked up at him without answering.

His gaze, his expression, even the slight tremor of his mask revealed the turmoil within him.

“Do you have a moment?”

I set my glass down with an audible clink before replying,

“Say it here.”

“This is not something others should hear.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

His face was hidden by the mask, but from long experience, I knew he was probably frowning deeply.

He always did when I refused to comply.

“About Sola… I will apologize.”

“Why are you apologizing for something she should be doing?”

A thought I didn’t like crossed my mind.

‘Birds of a feather flock together.’

Raian and Sola… their nature wasn’t so different after all.

“I don’t know how to comfort the wounds you’ve suffered.”

Now?

After they had festered, burst, and even been cut away—would they disappear just because of a few words of comfort?

“Don’t feel sorry for me. Don’t try to comfort me, and don’t carry any guilt. Just like you always have.”

The words I had kept buried poured out like a flood.

My hands trembled from anger.

“Violetta. If you would only return to Stroud, I am prepared to give you anything you want.”

“Really?”

At his unrealistic promise, I let out a hollow laugh.

“Then bring Jaive back to life. That’s what I want.”