How could he not understand such basics? The man in the new mask was clearly a local noble unfamiliar with the Cardiff social scene.
Or, absurdly, perhaps he was someone who feared neither the Crown Prince nor the duke.
‘For example…’
Someone else came to mind, but Ariella quickly denied it, thinking it couldn’t be.
“It’s alright.”
However, the slow voice that flowed out dispelled her worries.
“Count Fletcher will be known to have stumbled due to excessive drinking.”
A very low, cold voice. Perhaps due to his rough breathing, it felt even more ferocious than before, but it was a voice she could not mistake for anyone else.
It was indeed Duke Ashbon.
The one who had danced with her, the one who had protected her from Count Fletcher. It was all Nobert Ashbon.
Ariella couldn’t believe it and merely moved her lips. After taking several deep breaths, her voice finally came out.
“Your Grace, Your Highness…?”
“Isn’t it forbidden to ask for identities at a masquerade ball?”
Ariella became even more confused by his words, which could be taken as either a joke or advice. Before she could retort, Nobert continued.
“Please go first. The noise was loud, so people will be coming soon.”
As he said, she could hear murmurs coming from somewhere. It didn’t seem too far away.
If people caught sight of such a scene, it would be troublesome in many ways. There was also a possibility that Lizzy and Aaron would twist it into a story about how she had committed an indiscretion.
However, leaving everything to Nobert and running away felt like a betrayal of her conscience.
“Then what about you? What will you do?”
“I think one witness to the count falling from the terrace will be enough.”
Nobert gestured toward the terrace not far away. Then he grabbed the unconscious count by the nape of his neck and lifted him up.
He meant to throw the count over the terrace railing. Since it was the first floor, he wouldn’t be seriously injured, but the thought was shocking.
However, there was no time to be more surprised.
The sound of footsteps was getting closer. If she delayed even a moment longer, she would surely be caught.
Ariella turned without hesitation. She grabbed her cumbersome skirt and began to run.
She thought she heard a few more heavy sounds behind her, but she didn’t look back as she ran. Thanks to that, she was able to leave the Riv Marquis family safely, avoiding the eyes of the people.
It was only after she arrived at the Duke of Bedford’s residence that she realized she had forgotten to express her gratitude in her haste.
***
The capital of Waveland, the Cardiff social scene, was turned upside down by stories of discord between the prospective Crown Prince couple and the hidden mistress of the Crown Prince.
Media outlets rushed to report the sensational issue, and the nobles who had attended the ball boasted about what they had seen with their own eyes.
Most people’s reactions were similar.
“I heard the Crown Prince is head over heels for his mistress? If that picky person is like that, how pretty must she be?”
“What does it matter if she’s pretty! She’s so wicked. Poor Princess Bedford. She waited for eight years, only to be treated worse than a mistress.”
“Well, having a mistress is common… By the way, I heard the mistress’s name is ‘Lizzy.’ Does anyone know who she is?”
“I’ve never heard that name before. Anyway, whoever she is, the Duke of Bedford must be feeling quite upset.”
People lamented Ariella’s situation while seizing the opportunity to belittle Bedford. It seemed that Aaron had taken measures, as public opinion about him was not too bad, but everyone clicked their tongues at the mistress, Lizzy, for daring to enchant someone who was to become the Emperor.
It was the expected reaction. Ariella ignored the sympathetic gazes of the servants and read various newspapers and newsletters for several days.
‘Just as the duke said.’
There was hardly any mention of Count Fletcher. If there was, it was just a line stating that the count had fallen from the terrace after stumbling due to excessive drinking.
‘It must not have been just a simple fall…’
The Fletcher region, located on the border with Ashbon, sometimes dealt with monsters crossing the border, and Ashbon helped with that. Considering their interests, it was entirely understandable.
However, there was one point that she could not comprehend.
‘Why?’
Why did Duke Ashbon ask her for a dance and then go out of his way to save her from such danger?
‘For what purpose?’
No matter how much she pondered, she could not find an answer to this.
“Do you need help?”
Thinking back, he had also offered help in the garden of the Lambert family.
