Please Don’t Come To The Villainess’ Stationery Store! - Chapter 54

We didn’t say much in the wagon.

Sitting diagonally across from me, he was sitting with the wind blowing in from the open window.

‘He’s really good-looking.’

Dark skin, black eyes, and fine hair uncommon with the Imperial people.

The most impressive was that even though he was wearing a thin black suit, his body was still large.

‘…He’s not just good-looking.’

Watching his side profile, I thought quietly inside.

‘I think he’s a good person.’

I definitely didn’t think he’s a good person because he had a nice body.

It meant that he seemed like an adult who won’t pry into my family relationships.

I asked him casually,

“Do you go to parties often?”

“No, it’s been a while.”

He doesn’t talk about other people’s lives as gossip and even has a sincere answer. He seems like quite a good man. It’s too bad he’s only a one-day partner to a party.

“I’ve prepared masks for us to wear together.”

I spoke, passing on a mask that only showed the eyes, which grew at the end.

Today’s party was set up to be held while wearing a mask. This was more comfortable for me because I was the center of attention for noisy gossip in society.

The mask I prepared today was a butterfly mask in a basic shape.

I smiled at him with my mask on.

“Don’t you think it’ll be fun?”

With an indifferent touch, he fixed the mask on my face.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

‘It’s… a little weird.’

My heart isn’t beating because this man is handsome. Somehow, when I’m with this man, I feel at peace.

‘I’m strangely comfortable.’

I feel like I’m breathing heavily and I’m getting some good energy.

It was only for a short time that I agonized over the feelings I couldn’t explain.

The carriage quickly arrived at the Maxon mansion.

The interior of the house was very splendid, fitting for the Maxon family, who was called the Emperor’s right-hand man and the ruler of the imperialists.

“We’re here now.”

The people at today’s ball will be the spectators of a fun turnaround.

I stared out the window.

Despite wearing masks, I could see familiar faces one by one.

They must be trying to enter the ball too, maybe as uninvited guests.

I grinned and pulled myself up from the stopped wagon.

When the sun set, the masquerade ball began.

Young ladies and young men covered their faces with masks and gathered together inside the large hall of the Maxon mansion.

Unlike the usual parties, there was no order of entry, and no one’s identity was announced.

I looked around as I walked into the hall holding Mathieu’s hand.

There was a free atmosphere, starting from very young ladies to older ladies.

I was nervous about the ball after a long time, but as I began to enter, the memories of etiquette remained in my memory.

I first approached Lady Moodcella Maxon, the only unmasked Lady and the host of the ball.

“Lady Moodcella.”

I bowed my head lightly and greeted her.

Lady Moodcella slightly tilted her head as if she didn’t know me.

I whispered quietly with a soft smile.

“I’m Meldenique Vaveloa.”

“Ah!”

Lady Moodcella burst into exclamations.

“In addition to the members of the Academy circle, I’ve invited a number of nobles who are close to me.”

It was obvious that if it was a noble acquainted with Moodcella Maxon, it would be a noble of the Emperor.

I nodded at her.

“Since it’s a masquerade, I can’t tell who is who, but that’s fun in its own way, isn’t it?”

“But I think everyone can recognize me?”

“That’s true, I wonder how?”

A seven-year-old boy, wearing a fancy mask, spoke and moved away.

I smiled and nodded.

“They’re all good people, so I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Yes. I will.”

Just as she was moving away, Lady Moodcella turned to Mathieu.

“Who is the gentleman you came with? I don’t think it’s your fiancé, Duke Hesman.”

Lady Moodcella’s face became cold.

Of course, it’s not a problem to accompany someone who’s not your fiancé as a partner.

But it was different for Moodcella.

‘Cause she’s had a history with a cheating man.’

Moodcella Maxon’s ex-fiancé, Sir Angmond, had a history of cheating with a young country girl and demanding an annulment.

‘Moodcella’s case of being hit in the back of the head is just like mine.’

Maybe that’s why, in the original book, when she heard about the official love affair between Duke Hesman and Duke Vaveloa’s young lady Sheria Vaveloa, she made comments criticizing them.

Receiving Moodcella’s searching gaze, I looked down and passed an answer bluntly.

“Yes, he’s someone I know.”

She seemed to have misunderstood, but it wasn’t time to resolve the misunderstanding yet.

“It’s a masquerade, so it’s a secret.”

I thought of the rules of masquerades.

‘You’ll be surprised later when Mathieu takes off his mask, right? Because he’s handsome!’

Mathieu bowed slightly and whispered in a low, languid voice.

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

The low-pitched voice was sweet, but Lady Moodcella did not withdraw her doubts.

But it wasn’t time to explain yet.

“Hm… yes, for now.”

I nodded my head as she headed away.

After a while, the banquet began with an orchestra performance.

‘I’m not a good dancer, but I have to dance.’

I headed to the center of the banquet hall with the others.

Mathieu danced well, unlike his comment of rarely attending parties.

The problem was me.

I stepped on his foot a few times to the unfamiliar dance. He didn’t even groan even if I stepped on his feet.

Rather, he gave me support every time I stumbled.

‘I’m so sorry I could die.’

After a few accompaniments, I stuck to the wall exhausted.

“Let’s rest a little.”

“Are you tired?”

Listening to his low voice, I smiled lightly.

“Yes, I haven’t danced in a while. But didn’t we match quite well?”

I was having a light conversation with Mathieu when a young lady approached us carefully and talked to us.

“Lady Meldenique Vaveloa, right?”

“What can I do for you?”

It seemed that she recognized me even though I was wearing a mask and had been watching me for a long time.

“If you have time, perhaps, would you go on a walk with me?”

Taking a walk during a ball usually meant ‘let’s become friends.’

When I hesitated to answer for a moment, Mathieu came between me and her, and blocked us.

“The Lady had made an engagement with me.”

“Ah…”

The girl didn’t think she would be rejected, so the face behind her mask turned red.

‘Well, a little bit would be okay.’

I spoke softly, grabbing Mathieu’s arm.

“It’s okay. I’ll get a little wind.”

But Mathieu seemed worried.

He paused for a moment, bowed his head, and slowly whispered into my ear.

“She may be a dangerous person.”

His black eyes were looking down at me.
(This part is literal, like, he’s tall so…)

Is it my illusion that the bored man’s eyes contain subtle worries?

I pushed him carefully and whispered,

“No, she looks like a good person.”

“…uh, let us go.”

I nodded at the flustered Lady and put down my drink I was holding on the table.

“Yes.”

We drifted out side by side.

However, she was silent until we reached the outdoor garden across the hallway and past the balcony.

I suddenly realized that she was shivering pitifully.

I looked her straight in the eyes and asked.

“Are you perhaps in need of help?”

At the end of my remark, we stopped walking. If she needed help, I was going to do my best to help.

“That, so…”

She and I were standing in the middle of the Maxon mansion’s garden.

The grass, with only a few lights and without a single knight, was too quiet.

I could only hear the sound of chirping in the distance.

The Lady In front of me raised her eyes and shook her lips.

“I-I’m sorry!”

At the end of the remark, she clasped her dress and ran away clumsily.

I looked at her back running away quickly.

‘What?’

But my body was suddenly stuck to a big lamp behind me from some force.

Paak!

It was a violent push almost to the point of hitting.

“Meldenique.”

When I looked up, Duke Hesman, Lenox, looked down at me with a horrible look.