A Masquerade of Roles and Revelations

The grand hall was awash in a hazy, warm golden glow.

Overhead, the chandelier rotated slowly, casting an array of light spots, both large and small, across the room.

The walls and furnishings were adorned with a crystalline material, causing the light to twist and refract beneath the opulent draperies.

Staring too long at the shimmering display could induce a dizzying sensation, as if one had stepped into a psychedelic dreamscape.

This was a masquerade ball, a realm where nobles mingled and indulged, a world utterly unfamiliar to Saranya.

Though she hailed from a noble family in the northern territories, the banquets of her homeland bore no resemblance to the lavish affairs held here.

If left to her true nature, she would have long cast aside all decorum, diving straight for the food to devour it with gusto.

“Please, lovely lady, help yourself.”

“Oh…”

A server presented a tray laden with stemmed glasses, each holding a pale red, specially concocted sweet wine.

It seemed to have been infused with honey and dusted with a subtly spicy, fragrant spice, its aroma remarkably enticing.

Saranya licked her lips, reached for a glass, and brought it to her nose for a sniff, before taking a small sip.

The moment the wine touched her tongue, her eyes sparkled with delight.

‘Delicious! I want more! This… this is practically ambrosia!’

Unable to resist, she tilted her slender neck back and gulped down two large mouthfuls.

“Hiss—”

Kaelan, her face a mask of exasperation, gave Saranya a sharp pinch on her side.

Only then did Saranya, her face flushed, set down the empty glass, grab a handkerchief to dab her lips, and promptly pick up another fresh drink.

The witch picked up a glass of sweet wine, gave a slight nod, and subtly motioned for the server to leave with her eyes.

The server immediately nodded in understanding, tugged at a white glove, and retreated several steps away from the pair.

“Whatever I tell you to do, you will do. Do you understand?”

Kaelan turned, issuing a frigid warning, and Saranya quickly nodded.

“Yes, my lady…”

“The guests are steadily increasing in number.

Even though the ball is a regular event hosted by the Tidesong Sisterhood, none of their members have appeared yet.

Our main target, Lenix, is also nowhere to be found… I don’t know enough about them to guess what they’re planning.”

“Then, my lady, what should we do?”

“Let’s find a spot with a good view of the entrance and wait for Aivy to arrive.”

“Alright—”

Arm in arm, the two approached an empty table.

Soon, several servers emerged from the kitchen, covering the table with an array of exotic delicacies.

Saranya could barely discern what was on the platters, her culinary knowledge as a fervent eater extending only to distinguishing meat from vegetables.

‘It smells so good… so good… My lady, may I… eat?’

Drool escaped her lips, her expression beneath the mask radiating extreme longing.

However, as her superior had yet to touch her cutlery, Saranya, bound by noble etiquette, could only endure.

“Little Ya, are these elaborate formalities making you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll try my best to overcome it!”

“I don’t want you to overcome it.

I want you to be completely focused, to concentrate on helping me!

You good-for-nothing, you’re such a headache!”

Before Saranya could utter a word, Kaelan gently tugged her arm, then suddenly leaned into her embrace.

“Since that’s the case, let’s switch roles, Little Ya…”

Saranya, startled, quickly steadied her lady’s waist, pulling her into a close embrace.

“Exactly, hold me just like this.

Imagine I am your concubine, and you, my lady, have brought me here today solely for your amusement…”

“Ah, mm…”

Saranya swallowed hard, slowly taking her seat like a puppet.

Kaelan settled beside her, one leg resting intimately against her side, and whispered sweetly into her ear.

“Eat, my lady. Eat as much as you desire…”

Suddenly, Saranya’s thoughts drifted far from the food.

She picked up her cutlery, haphazardly put some items onto her plate, and ate a few bites without much thought.

Kaelan remained still in her arms, one hand cradling a stemmed glass, the other gripping Saranya’s cloak at her chest, her eyes fixed on the space between Saranya’s brows.

Her posture was both endearing and alluring.

The young witch’s gaze was soft, her demeanor natural, as if she were truly just a beloved companion by Saranya’s side, dutifully awaiting her lady’s meal.

“Feed me.”

Kaelan parted her lips slightly, a slender, elegant finger tracing circles beneath Saranya’s collarbone, issuing the command in a tone of playful request.

Saranya’s mind reeled from Kaelan’s teasing.

She haphazardly speared a small, red fruit glistening with sauce and brought it to Kaelan’s lips.

“Mmm… too sweet…”

The young witch complained softly as she chewed and swallowed the food, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

She even deliberately nipped the fork with her canine teeth, leaving Saranya utterly dumbfounded and speechless throughout the entire exchange.

Saranya’s cheeks were flushed crimson, her mind completely bewildered.

After withdrawing the fork from Kaelan’s mouth, she even forgot to spear another piece of food, instead absently placing the empty fork into her own mouth.

“Pfft…”

Kaelan let out a soft chuckle, lowered her head to sip her wine, then raised her glass to offer Saranya a drink.

As the wine warmed her, Saranya’s body grew steadily hotter, and a hint of intoxication entered her gaze.

Just then, Kaelan leaned closer once more, nipping gently at her earlobe before tilting her head back slightly, adopting a posture that invited a kiss.

Saranya gasped, lowering her head until their noses touched, ready to savor Kaelan’s lips.

However, a sudden, chilling remark from her lady froze her mid-air, instantly sobering her.

“Someone is watching us…”

“Is it Aivy?”

“No, it’s a man.”

Beneath her, Kaelan moved gracefully, meeting Saranya’s breath and delivering a light peck to her lips, bringing their intimate moment to a halt.

Saranya shifted her gaze to the unexpected guest, her blue eyes beneath the mask gradually hardening.

It was a tall, slender young man, standing upright, arms crossed, leaning against the doorway.

Upon noticing Saranya and Kaelan’s gaze, he showed no signs of haste, instead stepping forward to approach them.

Judging by his demeanor, he didn’t appear hostile.

Could he merely be approaching them to strike up a conversation?

Both women rose, securing their wine glasses, ready to handle the situation appropriately.

After all, this was the Tidal Mirror Hall, and everyone present was either wealthy or noble, not to be trifled with.

Even if the man harbored lustful intentions, aiming to court either Saranya or her lady, they would still need to ascertain his intentions before politely dismissing him.

The young man passed through a crowd, seemingly encountering an acquaintance who promptly pulled him into their midst.

It was quite some time before he reappeared in their line of sight, this time accompanied by a woman.

He held her arm with a rather gentlemanly gesture, making it difficult to discern their relationship.

‘He doesn’t seem like an enemy.’

Having made her assessment, Saranya linked arms with Kaelan and approached him from the other side.

“We meet again, Miss Haia.”

“Mr. Dump?!”

Despite wearing a mask, Saranya recognized the voice.

It belonged to none other than Wolsen Dump, the lecturer from Vero City University, who had been her opponent during the divine officer selection’s theological debate.

Trouble had erupted immediately following the debate, prompting her to rush alone to the second floor of the cathedral, leaving Paresha and Dump in the ground-floor antechamber.

Since then, she and Dump had not crossed paths again.

“Miss Haia, if I’m not mistaken, the lady beside you…

Forgive my immense curiosity, but aren’t you her escort?

How is it that you were just…?”

Dump deliberately paused, winking at Saranya, his expression seeming to ask, ‘Do you two always engage in such elaborate displays?’

Saranya was profoundly grateful for her masquerade mask; she had no idea what expression was currently plastered across her face.

“Ah-ha, haha… Mr. Dump, let’s not discuss that for now.

After such serious events transpired at the cathedral, I trust you’ve been well?

And this lady is…?”

“I am very well, thank you for your concern, and I apologize for my impertinence!”

Dump offered a kind smile, glancing at the woman beside him.

She nodded to him, prompting him to turn back to Saranya and make a welcoming gesture.

“Let’s retire to a private parlor inside for a proper discussion.

Miss Lenix is a high-ranking guest here.”

Dump’s suggestion seemed to hold no apparent downsides.

Saranya scrutinized the woman named Lenix.

She appeared to be quite young, wearing a wrinkled, grayish-white mask, and her beautiful emerald eyes blinked playfully at Saranya.

“Then, thank you, uh, Miss Lenix…”

“Please, lead the way.”