Chapter 8

People looked around, seeming to want to find the Crown Prince. However, as everyone knew, it was the masquerade show.

It was difficult to tell who was who because their faces were covered. In particular, the men’s tuxedos. Even if there were special touches, it was just a tiny difference in decoration, making them almost identical. Unless one was very familiar with the attire, they wouldn’t be able to tell who was who.

Idina suddenly had to make one assumption.

‘It’s on purpose.’

It was clear that today’s masquerade show had been thoroughly planned in advance. It was all for the Crown Prince to hide among the noblemen here.

The Emperor’s remarks seemed to confirm this.

“And the Crown Prince will give a very special token to the person who dances with him for the first time today. That woman will become a member of our imperial family.”

Exclamations erupted throughout the hall. The Crown Prince, who had never danced with anyone, even once during the banquets, had finally declared that he would choose his first dance partner.

Perhaps the fact that everyone was wearing the same mask gave someone courage, as someone boldly asked a question between the Emperor’s remarks.

“That means… it doesn’t matter who the first dance partner is?”

It could have been seen as a somewhat rude act, but the Emperor tolerated it with a gentle smile.

“It would be difficult if you’re married or have a fiancé, right?”

The Emperor, who said that, looked very pleased. His face and tone seemed relieved, as though he was glad to get rid of the Crown Prince now.

This hinted that the masquerade show had started according to the Crown Prince’s wishes.

Another condition supporting this theory was soon presented. Suddenly, the Imperial servants began to hand something to the men. The women looked around curiously at what the men were receiving one by one.

The Emperor continued his explanation.

“What you are receiving now is a token that you must give to the woman who dances with you for the first time today. This is one of the ‘rules’ of the masquerade.”

The Emperor began outlining the rules: the masquerade concept, the Crown Prince’s first dance, and the tokens each man was to give.

So, after tonight—tomorrow, or even in the coming days—it would be revealed who the Crown Prince’s first dance partner was.

‘No one will be able to sleep tonight.’

The unmarried noblewomen present here would be excited to be the Crown Prince’s first dance partner. And after the first dance, they would toss and turn in their beds, trying to guess who their partner had been.

At this point, it seemed that the method of selecting the Crown Princess was rather harsh.

When selecting a Crown Princess, they usually evaluated family lineage and basic qualifications—strictly, as she would one day be the future Empress. This kind of method, however, was unheard of. Even the Emperor and Empress, who tolerated this absurd “show,” seemed strange to Idina.

Idina was likely not the only one who thought this way. Someone else asked a question.

“Then, in a place with so many people… how can we distinguish the Crown Prince?”

The Emperor answered with a smile.

“There’s no need to distinguish the Crown Prince. In fact, not distinguishing him is more in line with today’s intention.”

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder. There was clearly a problem with this method of selecting the Crown Princess, which lacked any concrete rules.

However, the Emperor lightly clapped his hands, signaling the end of further explanation, and announced the start of the masquerade.

“Now, everyone, enjoy yourselves. Today is also a joyous day—the day the seat of the Crown Princess, vacant for so long, will be decided.”

The Emperor raised the glass of wine handed to him by a servant, drinking it all in one motion. The people followed suit, lifting their own glasses.

Idina did the same, raising the glass of clear white wine in front of her. Just then, the man who had spoken to her earlier addressed her again.

“Lady, a toast with me?”

With his blue eyes gently slanted beneath his ivory mask, he tilted his wine glass, presenting the rim in front of Idina. The corners of the man’s lips curled upward into a charming smile. Idina returned a faint smile.

Even before she took a sip, Idina had an unsettling sense that she would have her first dance with this man.

It didn’t matter to her. She is willing to share her first dance with anyone except Lilles.

She clinked her wine glass against his at his request. The wine was dry with a rich grape flavor that slid down her throat smoothly.

It was the beginning of a mysterious night.

***
The night at the banquet began to mature, the air filled with the lonely melody flowing through the hall. However, not many people were eager to take to the dance floor. The female nobles all began to scan the room, searching for an Alpha nearby. Among them, a few distinct groups stood out.

One was family. Family members were familiar faces, ones you saw daily. Even under identical masks, you could recognize their body language and mannerisms.