Episode 50

As the banquet reached its peak, Peter hurriedly descended from the second floor and approached me.

“Chase! S-switch!”

I glanced at the clock. There was still quite some time left until our scheduled shift change.

“Already…?”

“I thought you might be tired!”

…Peter’s face looked more tired than mine.

His face was flushed red.

“Hurry up and go! We can’t leave the spot unattended.”

Peter almost snatched the bottle I was holding and gestured towards the second floor.

There was no way Peter would be this nice to me without a reason.

It was suspicious, to say the least.

Of course, as he mentioned, there was less work to do on the second floor compared to the first. Since it was where the lounges were located, the nobles drinking there would send the servants away…

I suddenly stopped thinking.

I realized why Peter’s face was flushed.

No… It’s not that late yet. Are they really already getting intimate?

Feeling annoyed, I glared at Peter silently. Feeling guilty, Peter avoided my gaze.

I sighed inwardly.

“What about you?”

“Me? I need to stay on the first floor.”

“…I meant Abel.”

“Then just say Abel from the start! Abel is on the second floor too.”

In that case, it was better for me to go upstairs. I thanked Peter and went up to the second floor.

Peter called out behind me, saying that he was switching with me because Abel was on the second floor.

…I didn’t believe him.

As I hurried up to the second floor, I saw Abel standing rigidly, his face stern. But as soon as he heard my footsteps and saw me, his expression softened.

“How’s the situation on the second floor?”

“Just fine-.”

But mid-sentence, Abel’s face hardened again, as if realizing something.

“You… You switched with Peter?”

“…Yeah.”

Hearing my answer, his face instantly turned grim. Judging by his expression, the atmosphere on the second floor was even more intense than I had imagined.

“I’m old enough now, so what does it matter?”

“…”

Seeing Abel’s lack of response, I quickly added.

“…Is it a bit much?”

His expression seemed to ask if I was serious.

“If it feels awkward being together, I’ll stay on the second floor alone.”

After all, Abel had to go to the post office on Delphia’s request. It wouldn’t be bad for him to be on the first floor beforehand.

“Forget it. Let’s just stay here.”

“…”

I was a bit taken aback by Abel’s uncharacteristic behavior.

I expected him to tell me to go downstairs or avoid being with me.

Even Abel seemed to find my silence odd.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“N-no, it’s just surprising.”

From the second floor, I had a clear view of the people dancing in the hall below. I watched the revelers in a trance, captivated by the sight.

The hems of the dresses fluttered like butterfly wings with each movement.

As I gazed at the beautiful ladies, I quietly spoke.

“The Lady is doing much better.”

“…”

“…Just saying.”

Abel, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

“…I’ve been thinking.”

He continued in a calm voice.

“I think it’s better for her to have forgotten about me.”

His voice was so serene that I thought I must have misheard him.

“What did you just say?”

“Im not someone who suits her in the first place.”

I never imagined Abel would think this way. It’s one thing to have such thoughts, but voicing them is another matter.

I had no idea what to say to him.

A lively waltz echoed throughout the ballroom.

…It must be because he hasn’t seen Isis in a long time that he’s thinking this way.

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, just listen to the music.”

Abel chuckled softly.

“Yeah.”

It seemed he knew he was talking foolishly.

In any case, it was clear that Abel and Isis needed to meet as soon as possible.

“…Wait a moment.”

Then, something glimmered outside the window, catching my attention. Though the light was faint, it was enough to draw my eyes.

Was it a noble adorned with glowing jewelry?

But this is the second-floor window…

Leaving Abel standing by the railing, I approached the window.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing my unusual behavior, Abel followed me to the window.

We could see the garden below. It was located right next to the ballroom and only opened during special events like the banquet.

Usually, a sharp fence blocked entry, prohibiting anyone except the gardeners and Raiden.

Today, however, it was open, and I could see couples holding hands and strolling through the garden maze.

“…Do you see anything strange?”

Abel asked cautiously. I shook my head.

Was I mistaken?

Trying to push it out of my mind, I engaged in idle chatter with Abel. Yet, there remained a nagging feeling.

The light was too large to be a firefly. And there wasn’t a clean water source nearby where fireflies could thrive.

“…I need to use the restroom.”

I couldn’t just ignore it. Abel looked at me curiously but nodded.

I hurried out of the ballroom and headed towards the garden.

In the labyrinth-like garden, I saw couples whispering sweet nothings to each other and some drunkenly passed out.

…Was I mistaken?

Maybe I was overreacting to a small light.

I sighed inwardly and left the garden.

But then, the light reappeared. Flickering like a candle flame about to go out, it shone steadily.

I wasn’t mistaken. Like a person entranced, I followed the light.

It disappeared in front of the main building. I looked around to find it again but saw nothing.

…Was I dreaming?

With everyone at the banquet, the main building was empty. It was eerily dark, making me shiver.

Should I return to the ballroom? As I pondered, the light reappeared from a third-floor window.

And that window belonged to Raiden Akaruth’s room.

…Could it be Raiden calling me?

But how could he use such an absurd light to lead me? I’d never heard of him commanding fireflies.

Ah, if he were a wizard, maybe…

…Wait, wizard?

A sense of foreboding gripped me. I rushed to the main building.

Inside, it was pitch dark, as if the darkness swallowed all sound.

I decided to comply with the darkness. I removed my shoes and held them to avoid making noise.

I quietly climbed the stairs. The third-floor corridor was just as dark and deserted.

Everything seemed normal, except for Raiden’s slightly ajar door.

It was strange. Raiden always kept his door shut tight. He wasn’t careless enough to leave it open.

As I considered this, I heard a rustling from inside his room.

The sudden noise broke the silence, startling me. I instinctively stepped back to find cover.

But then, I felt something soft and unfamiliar under my feet.

Did I step on a mouse?

But then, I sensed a heavy breath above my head.

…Could this be someone with the person inside?

I took a deep breath and counted silently.

One, two, three…

At three, I struck the side of the figure behind me with my elbow.

“Ugh!”

He groaned in pain.

Seeing my chance, I tried to escape. But the person grabbed my arm.

I struggled to break free, but it was no use.

…Who is this? Who are they?

The clouds covering the moon parted, letting in some light. I squinted to see the person’s face.

As the face became visible, I bit my tongue to keep from screaming.

…Why was Theodore here?

Could Theodore be in league with the person inside?

Hearing our commotion, the person inside Raiden’s room went silent.

Theodore glanced at Raiden’s door, then dragged me into an adjacent empty room.