The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 32
Chapter 32
I clenched onto my shawl as I rolled my eyes.
Isn’t this too revealing, Alissa? Showing bare shoulders isn’t anything special, but showing the chest this much is….
I peeked down at myself, then hurriedly looked up. I had worn the dress as if I were possessed, but now that it’s worn, the design was even more shocking. In addition, the mask wasn’t one that covered the entire face so it revealed the mouth area, which made me even more nervous. While everyone else was showing off their outfits, it made me stand out more since I was the only one trying to cover myself with a shawl. I made my way to the corner and tried to hide myself to avoid the glancing gazes, but the entire hall was full of people.
“…..I guess people have nothing else to do.”
I moved to a more secluded area, found a seat, and sat down. I fiddled with the glass I had in my hand and wondered if I should drink to ignore the gazes, but soon gave up. As I’ve only drank alcohol a few times before, I thought I would never forgive myself if I got drunk and caused a scene. Besides, my goal for coming to the ball wasn’t to enjoy myself, but to talk to the Crown Prince, so I reminded myself to behave.
In any case… I wonder when the Crown Prince will arrive? I know it’s natural for the main character to appear late, but it would be nice if he came a little earlier.
I continued to feel pressured from the gazes around me.
“Lady?”
I turned and raised my head to see a tall man in a gold mask with one hand on his chest and the other extended towards me.
“Would you care for a dance?”
I groaned as my head went blank.
Wait, is he requesting a dance?
This sort of situation was familiar and natural for other people, but it was embarrassing for me since it was my first time experiencing it. I looked at the man’s face that was hidden behind the mask then back at his hand.
What happens when you hold hands with another?
I bit my lip while organizing my thoughts.
How can I dance when I don’t even know how to?
I shook my head lightly and the man’s eyes showed a shocked expression.
“I apologize. I’ve been feeling unwell, so…..”
I clenched and pulled my shawl tightly, and the man shook his head with a slight exclamation. He showed an apologetic expression.
“I didn’t realize that….. I apologize, Lady. You were so beautiful that it gave me the courage to want to be the first to reach out to you.”
What do you mean beautiful…..? How can you tell when everyone is wearing a mask?
I’m not fond of untruthful, honeyed words, but I still nodded my head and raised my glass to show that it was alright. It was also a sign to show that I no longer wished to converse with him. Fortunately, he seemed to be quick-witted, and I soon saw him walking away as he glanced back at me. I saw him head back to a group of young noblemen who patted him on the back, and sighed in relief.
I hope the Crown Prince comes soon.
I cocked my head and sighed inwardly. I tilted my glass and the yellow wine flowed into my mouth. I didn’t expect it to be strong because of the sweet scent of lemon, but as soon as I tasted it I pulled the glass away quickly.
“Ugh…..”
I put my glass down on the table and frowned. I thought the drink would be fine because of its lemony scent, but because of its strong alcohol content, my stomach started to feel hot.
I’ll probably get drunk right away if I take another gulp.
I decided it was best to not take anything else and looked around. There were nobles who were dancing to the rhythm of the music and others who were boasting about their own brilliance in their intoxicated state. I somehow felt isolated since I was the only one sitting still in this place where others were busily chattering from here to there. As I was thinking about what to say to the Crown Prince when I met him, a voice was heard from the side.
“Excuse me…..”
Is it another dance request?
I turned my head and saw a familiar face. I saw the faint reflection of her eyes behind the mask, her dark brown hair was put in an up-do so her jawline was clearly visible. She was quite a beauty.
I wonder who she is.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
She pointed at me and nodded, then smiled and spoke quietly.
“We bumped into each other earlier over there…..”
“Ah….. did you get injured, by chance?”
So she’s the one I bumped into. Is she here to get angry at me?
I looked at her with a worried expression, but she shook her head as if telling me no and spoke.
“It isn’t that. I just came because I was curious about something.”
“Curious about something?”
The woman looked at the empty chair next to me, grabbed it and moved it to an appropriate distance and sat in front of me. She picked up the glass of wine I had drunk from, shook it leisurely, and drank from it.
That’s quite strong.
I looked at her with a worried expression, but the woman smiled as if it were irrelevant and spoke again.
“Is this your first time attending a masquerade ball?”
“Pardon?”
“Your shawl.”
I slowly nodded my head as she gestured with her finger to the shawl wrapped around my shoulders.
“Normally, people would express themselves with their outfits and jewels at masquerades. Which is why I’ve never seen anyone wearing such a dark-colored shawl. Oh! It wasn’t intended to criticize you, I only asked since I was curious.”
The more I heard her voice, the more I grew a sense of familiarity. I imagined the face of the woman who came to mind and narrowed my eyes.
Wasn’t Verissa afraid of me?
Unlike Asterin and Verictus, Verissa tended to avoid me because she was afraid of me. She would never approach me first and talk to me in a soft tone like she is doing now. Of course, she may not have noticed that it was me because of the unfamiliar dress and mask, but my voice, hair and eye color were still the same. Therefore it was strange to not know. As we were having our conversation, I didn’t think much of what Verissa said and started thinking about what she was up to, but there was nothing I could think of.
Should I try to sound her out?
I chewed on my lips in contemplation when Verissa spoke first as she placed the empty glass back on the table.
“You know what? My younger sister is quite interested in the Flowers of the Ball.”
“What are the Flowers of the Ball?”
“As you know, there’s always a ball on the last day of festivals. Most participants will dance when the last song is played, which is when the most beautiful lovers are given the title as the Flowers.”
I do remember how Asterin was grinding her teeth in frustration saying how she didn’t get it last year, but is that what it is?
I had no idea since I never attended a ball before.
“If you’re also interested in the Flowers of the Ball then…..”
“No, I’m not really interested in things like that.”
Verissa closed her mouth as I cut off her words. She stared at my face and mask, rolled her eyes as if she knew, and spoke quietly.
“Did you know? Everything requires courage. It takes courage to ask someone to dance and to walk up to a stranger to chat with them. But….. there are also times when even great courage will be needed.”
She spoke with strength in her voice, almost as if she didn’t need a reply.
“I needed courage like that. Fortunately, this masquerade ball gave me that courage, but….. I’m afraid I’ll become a coward once more once I take off this mask.”
“Everyone has courage.”
“That’s true, but not everyone can use it.”
She smiled and turned her head. The sound of applause was heard from the center of the ballroom.
Is the main character finally here?
I saw someone with ash-grey hair and got up from my seat. Verissa’s gaze also shifted along with my movement.
“I hope you are able to become a courageous person even when you take off your mask. I’m in a bit of a hurry….. farewell.”
I walked past her. I had no idea what her intentions were to come up to me and talk, but we definitely weren’t close enough to sit face to face and have a good conversation. No matter what anyone else says, Verissa was also a member of the Brixia family. I glanced back and saw that she was also looking back at me.
“…..I wonder what she’s thinking?”
It was something I couldn’t figure out.
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