Chapter 3.3

The Bureau formed a small task force to raid the capital’s black markets. After purchasing a little here and confiscating a little there (Senior Investigator Jermi insisted that the confiscations were merely the rightful conclusion of a sting operation), they had recently identified a contact within the distribution network. They had even managed to secure a meeting with the contact by pressuring a lower-level intermediary. But…

“The royal palace is hosting a smuggling operation for a royal monopoly item? That’s unbelievably bold.”

“Well, they say the best place to hide a tree is in a forest.”

Moreover, the royal palace, where the ball was being held, would be the most extravagant and crowded place in the capital at that hour. While there were more extravagant places and more crowded places, none combined both traits so perfectly. If anything fell out of a sleeve, they could simply claim it was a gift. Feeling increasingly annoyed, Danielle gave a small nod, only to stop abruptly. Then…

“Who’s supposed to wear that dress? You didn’t know I was coming, did you?”

“Well, about that…”

“…Don’t tell me you or Sir Ivan were planning to wear it. A mask won’t make you look like a woman.”

This year’s royal ball was a masquerade. The venue was admittedly perfect for a covert exchange. But there was no way Lawrence, who looked capable of wrestling a bull, or Ivan, who was thin and frail but still distinctly male in build, could pass as women with just a mask. Katarin, the trainee investigator, wasn’t an option, and the only other female investigator on the task force was… 

Me? 

Danielle’s suspicions grew as she glared at her senior, who stammered in response.

“N-no, there really was someone else. A collaborator…”

“A collaborator? This is classified even within the Bureau’s task force, and you leaked it to someone outside?”

“Well, in an operation of this scale, it couldn’t be helped! Anyway, there was someone who agreed to help with the undercover mission—”

Danielle, who had once been smacked on the back for carelessly uttering the word “smuggling,” now glared sharply. Lawrence, sweating profusely, began explaining the situation. His explanation, which carefully concealed the identity of the “collaborating organization,” was a patchwork of disjointed details. But the gist was this: they had entrusted the task to an external support agency that helped gather information. However, they had suddenly received a message saying that due to unforeseen circumstances, the agency could no longer assist today.

Since the contact had been told that a woman would attend, both Lawrence and Ivan were out of the question. Just as Lawrence was debating whether to beg his beloved Lea, the owner of the dress, for help, Danielle had walked into the office. Truly, the star of the Investigation Bureau shone brightest when she was most needed.

“You were going to the ball anyway, weren’t you? You’ve been invited, you have an evening gown. You’ll just need to be apart from Sir Cyril during the banquet for a short while. Pick up the item and try to gather a few details. If you can do more, I’ll leave it to your discretion. I’ll grant you temporary authority equivalent to a bureau chief until midnight tonight, alright?”

“This isn’t a favor; this is just work. You could just order me to do it.”

“Well, since I’m asking someone who was planning to take time off to have fun, it’s a favor… Speaking of which, why aren’t you out enjoying yourself?”

Now you ask. 

Danielle slumped her shoulders and answered.

“I’m not going to the ball. I had nothing to do, so I came to review some records.”

“Did you fight with Cyril again? You two are just…”

“If you say one more word about how fighting builds affection, I swear I won’t go to the ball.”

“Alright, alright… Forget it.”

Lawrence sighed softly and bowed his head in gratitude. Even though the task force’s work was urgent, he clearly disliked taking away someone’s single day off. Danielle, who insisted she didn’t mind since she had nothing else to do, waved her hand dismissively… before reaching out and snatching Lea’s dress.

“And I don’t have an evening gown. I’ll wear this and head out immediately, so help me get ready.”

“Huh? Wait, when did you fight so badly that you don’t even have your gown?”

“Do you think I’d go around wearing something he bought me? Lea’s dress is prettier anyway. Where’s the mask?”

Once the decision was made, Danielle’s transformation was astonishingly swift. Ivan, who had turned his back in alarm, protested a moment too late.

“Good grief, at least warn me if you’re going to undress!”

“We don’t have time for that! Just explain how to use the mask.”

“You can look now, Sir Ivan. I’m not in my undergarments.”

“Why would you say something like that? Just tell me when you’re fully dressed!”

Although they weren’t quite like the Knights, the Royal Investigation Bureau often dealt with physical exertion, swordplay, and rolling on the ground. Changing clothes wasn’t a big deal, and no one cared about modesty. Of course, Ivan, being a frail mage on assignment, found it hard to adjust to this culture.

“Well, I’m not fully dressed yet. It’ll take a while to tighten and tie all these ribbons… Sir, leave some slack when tying this part. I’m not here to dance.”

“Alright. Stick a finger under each ribbon while I tie the sides.”

He’s like a maid who’s used to dealing with picky noblewomen.

Ivan, who had spent his life immersed in metaphysical matters, felt momentarily disoriented. When they started an intense debate about how petticoats affected undercover missions, with Danielle lifting her skirts for emphasis, he decided to just close his eyes.

“I’m not saying we need to be overly formal, but… isn’t this a bit much? Doesn’t this bother you at all?”

“Well, even if it’s your beloved wife, if you get worked up every time she’s undressed in front of you, that’s also a problem. You have to live with self-control, considering the time, place, and context.”

“I understand what you’re trying to say, but that’s a highly inappropriate comment, Sir.”

“My apologies.”

Everyone in the Investigation Bureau is insane…

Ivan shook his head firmly, trying to return to his rational, mage-like self. He had come to work on his day off for a reason. Handing Danielle a white half-mask embroidered with matching thread, he began explaining.

“This is a prototype under development by the Mage Tower headquarters. Only two have been made, and I borrowed one.”

“Are you sure you borrowed it?”

Ivan ignored the suspicious glances from the two investigators. After all, the Bureau was the one in need.

“This mask has two simple enchantments. One lowers the perception of those looking at you, concealing your identity…”

“So it makes the half-mask, which is barely a mask, function as a real one.”

“Yes, exactly. Additionally, it disguises your voice.”

Though the mask didn’t even cover her mouth, it was surprisingly effective. Holding the mask, Danielle tied the lace ribbon handed to her by Lawrence behind her back.

“And the second enchantment?”

“Huh? The voice isn’t the second one?”

“By our classification, they fall under the same category.”

Ivan mimed tying the ribbon behind her head.

“Try it on yourself. You must tie it with your own hands.”

“Alright. Sir, give me a moment.”

Danielle stepped back from Lawrence, who had been standing close behind her, and unfolded the mask. The subtle decorations on the mask were barely noticeable, and the inside was completely plain. The eye holes were cleanly cut and slightly larger than usual. Holding her breath, Danielle placed the mask over her face and tied the soft ribbons behind her head. Once, twice, she looped them and tied them into a bow. As soon as she finished tying the two sets of ribbons, Ivan clapped his hands.

“Now, Sir Lawrence, try untying the mask.”

“Huh? Oh, alright.”

Lawrence grabbed the ends of the bow and pulled. “Huh?” His startled voice was followed by Danielle’s head being yanked backward. If she hadn’t instinctively resisted, her neck might have snapped. She screamed in shock.

“Ow! What are you doing, Sir?!”

“Uh… it won’t come off. Is this the second enchantment?”

“It’s a basic feature, but it’s highly effective.”

Ivan looked smug.

“For the record, pulling from the front won’t remove it either. If someone tries, they might tear your face off.”

“…Will it really tear off?”

“Don’t test it.”

Well, it’s still a face I’m proud of… 

Lawrence, who was tightening the last ribbon, chuckled, saying, 

“You’ve got goosebumps on the back of your neck.”

Danielle considered kicking her esteemed senior in the shin but decided against it, recalling the layers of the voluminous dress between them.

When she tried untying the ribbon herself, the knot came undone effortlessly. With this mask, she could run, jump, or roll around without worrying about her identity being exposed. 

‘Do I really have to return this? It’d be nice to get this instead of overtime pay.’ 

Danielle loosened her hastily tied hair and combed it with her fingers. Styling it in Lea Weiss’s favorite updo completed her look.