The mask that she took out from the Castiel family wasnât too big or too small, and it fit perfectly on Connieâs face.
Originally, the black jade jet was often used as an accessory to express mourning. Thatâs why somehow, the costume that Scarlet chose for tonight was a jet-black mourning dress with a tight neck.
The old Montrose manor is a mansion with a vast site area located on the outskirts of the Royal Capital. Montrose itself is a count family who was suspected of rebellion and was purged around 100 years ago. It is a mansion with an anecdote that many attempts have been made to dismantle the mansion, but every single person who attempted it died suspiciously, so no one was approaching it now.
=====
[Your invitation?]
A man dressed in a jet-black cloak that completely wraps his body and a hand wearing white gloves, asked with a business-like tone. There is a clown smile mask that covers his entire face. While only giving a fleeting glance at him, Constance answered the manâs question without changing her complexion.
[ââIn the hat of Count John Doe.]
After a brief silence, the guide man puts his hand on his chest with an exaggerated gesture. Then, he gave a graceful bow like a stage actor.
[Welcome, uninvited guest.]
The gate opens with a rusty noise. Connie straightened her back and stepped forward into the pandemonium where evil went rampants in the same place.
=====
The hall saloon was swaying mysteriously. The luxurious chandelier hung from the ceiling is lit with flames, creating a slight amount of light and darkness for the surrounding. But, unironically the oil lamps, rather revealing the shadows of those who gathered there, the lights was only obscured them instead.
An incense burner that will remind you of foreign spices was burned, and several tents were installed in the hall. However, the cover is made of silk that is so thin enough to been seen through, and there are occasional moans from inside. Connie hurriedly turned her eyes away when the black shadow silhouette of men and women watching at each other was reflected.
In the corner of the hall, several beautiful foreign children are dancing to the mysterious music that I am not familiar with. I was staring at the situation in which several masked people of unknown gender, let alone their age, were watching the dance. Scarlet snorted. âââSuch a good hobby they have there.â
While wondering what she meant by that, I shrugged my shoulders, turned around quickly and went to the host to pay my respects.
A woman was sitting on the couch of the velvet chaise longue placed in front of the fireplace. She wore a sensational dress with plenty of open chest on a fabric that seemed to be thin and soft like underwear. She has an ebony fan in her hand. Her face is not showing clearly because her eyes are covered with an elaborately decorated mask that imitates a butterfly, but it is probably one generation above Emilia Caroling. Is it perhaps the same age as Aria? Her bloody red lips were impressive.
[Oh, this time it was Deborahâs turn around. Itâs a hit.]
Scarlet said as if itâs interesting. Apparently, they know each other.
The bewitching hostess â Deborah looked at me when she noticed me, and she smiled loosely.
[Whatâs your name?]
To that word, Scarlet gently lifted the edge of her mouth. Connieâs familiar with it, itâs a terribly arrogant and charming smile.
Before she noticed it, there was a crowd around her. Many curious gazes were directed through the mask at Connie. Usually, she would be freezed and cower herself in that situation. However, Connieâs heart was mysteriously calm.
Deborahâs gray eyes are coldly narrowed down at the person who didnât reply immediately. Connie kept her gaze and opened her mouth without turning away.
[ââYou can call me Eris.]
At the edge of her field of vision, Scarlet put her hand on her cheek and there was a happy expression on her face. This is a fake name that she often uses. And itâs one of the words that was left by Lily Orlamunde.
The noise stopped completely. Silence dominates the vicinity.
[My, that certainly is nostalgic, isnât it?]
It was Deborah who broke the silence.
[Ten years ago, there was another person with that name.]
While hiding her mouth with an ebony fan that she unfolded before Connieâs aware of it, she spun words with a bouncy voice as if she were talking about fun memories.
[But, that person was careless. Her neck and torso were separated in a blink of an eyeââ]
The fan closed with a clicking sound.
[I wonder if your neck will keep connected when the time comes?]
With a graceful gesture like dancing, the tip is directed toward Connie. Itâs pointing to her neck, which is tightly covered with black fabric. Someone quietly screams. A dress with a tight collar. Now Connie understand the reason that was appropriate to worn it at the evening party tonightâââ
So, thatâs what she means.
Scarlet laughed with satisfaction in the tense atmosphere.
=====
There are whispering voices. Of course, the topic would be about Connie.
However, no one is approaching her so far. Connie, who had no idea what to do, moved to pick up the light meal that was prepared next to the wall. An old-fashioned bell is installed in the corner. If you look closely, it seems that they are installed not only here but also at the four corners of the hall. As she tilted her head, she heard Scarletâs let out amazed sigh.
[You can still eat well at this time, huh.]
Even if she wanted to make an excuse, she was so nervous that the supper didnât go through her throat. When she was scrutinizing the bite-sized fish and meat stuck in a small skewer, she smelled a soft and sweet scent. When she wandered her gaze, there was a woman drinking a colorful cocktail. A young lady, probably a few years older than Connie, in a rosy dress with her wide open back. Scarlet muttered.
[Oh, thatâs a nostalgic face. Itâs Jane.]
Jane? I donât know the facial features because she was wearing a mask, but the smooth nose, the plump and glossy lips were terribly alluring.
And here, Connie noticed a serious problem. Now that everyone is wearing a mask, she doesnât know who they are. So, if she finds suspicious people, she needs to remember their appearance. However, even if she meets someone who has removed the mask, she wouldnât know who they are.
[Is there something wrong, Miss Eris?]
Suddenly she was called out and it made her shoulders tense. Connie looked back with a renewed vigor, and when she saw the other person, her tension slumped.
Because, no matter how you look at that fat giant, it was that Viscount of Harmsworth.
[Good grief, your beautiful mask that doesnât look like there will be two of them at all. But, Iâm sure your real face beneath the mask would be more beautiful. When thinking about it, this encounter is both good fortune and also regrettable.]
[U-ummâŠ]
[But, this is also a part of fun too. Tonight, where weâre hiding the truth and enjoying the fleeting freedom.]
No, youâre not hiding anything. I would say nothing is hidden about the Viscount. Rather, he is the only Viscount without any misinterpretation. When he noticed Connieâs warm eyes, as if there was no doubt of his identity, he nodded as if they reached understanding.
[Excuse me that I cannot give my true name. Please call me who is hidden under the full moon ââ Ham.]
Why do you even bother hiding then?
The voice inside her heart was inadvertently almost letting out into her mouth, but she hurriedly suppressed her mouth, however the Viscount did not seem to care.
[ââThis big feast is rare these days.]
Harmsworth slowly looked at the hall.
[There was an old saying, if you want to hide the leaves, then go to the forest, but what kind of rotten leaves were brought here tonight, I wonder?]
Masked people chatting. The swaying tents. Adorable foreign childrenâââ
[Do you think so too?]
The Viscount looked at Connie after saying that, but his line of sight did not match. His gaze somehow turns to the area where Scarlet is. She wondered if he could see her for a moment, but perhaps it was just a coincidence. Because the Viscount turned around as if nothing had happened.
When Connie tried to say something, the bells that were installed in the four corners of the hall all sounded loudly.
The guests stopped moving and looked at each other as if they were confused. Connie also instinctively saw Scarlet immediately.
[What is that sound�]
[This isââ]
Scarletâs face becomes grim. There is a loud noise near the entrance. High-pitched screams. What is happeningââ