Chapter 3
Chapter 3
To start, their appetites were whetted by the culinary creations of vampire chefs who proudly called themselves gourmets. Next came a soothing interlude: the graceful melodies of pianos played by ghouls who claimed they were once skilled musicians, while ghosts and dolls put on a delightful performance that warmed both eyes and heart.
“Wahaha! What’s this? The strings are all tangled. Hold on, I’ll fix it right away, just give me a second.”
Isabella laughed heartily at the sight of the marionette strings tangled mid-performance, the ghosts struggling with a tug-of-war as they tried to sort the mess.
Soon after, when the strings were finally unraveled, the ghosts twirled joyfully around her, giggling as they went.
“All done!”
“Woohoo! Woohoo!”
Watching them with fond amusement, Isabella took a moment to look around.
A mansion full of monsters, with only herself and her family as the lone humans.
This place, steeped in the murky mana flowing from the Hides Mountains, was inhospitable to any ordinary person. Breathing alone would be impossible for most. That’s why grand banquets overflowing with guests or elegant, aristocratic balls had always been nothing but a dream for Isabella.
And yet, despite its lack of splendor, she dearly loved this warm, unpretentious scene, where monsters and humans mingled freely, cherishing one another without care for differences.
“Sis, hurry up and eat the cake! If you don’t, I’m eating it all!”
“Hey! Leave mine alone!”
Hearing Lloyd’s voice calling her while holding a slice of cake in each hand, Isabella dashed into the crowd with a laugh.
— — —
Who knew how much time had passed in such laughter and chatter?
When the final course, fruit jelly, arrived, Isabella beamed with delight.
‘Oh my! I have to eat this!’
Just as she scooped a generous spoonful and was about to pop it into her mouth–
Watching her fondly, as if he could feel full just from the sight, Edwin suddenly spoke up with unexpected words.
“Come to think of it, our Bella will have to attend the debutante ball soon, won’t she?”
Plop.
The jelly slipped from her spoon and dropped limply onto her dress.
But Isabella didn’t even glance at it. Frozen mid-bite, she turned stiffly to Edwin and asked in disbelief,
“D-Dad? What… what did you just say?”
It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard. Her eyes, shaking uncontrollably, betrayed her inner turmoil.
She waited, barely daring to hope, for him to clarify.
Edwin added, “Hmm… About three weeks left, was it? Preparing for a debutante ball at the Imperial Palace might be a bit tight.”
The moment she heard that, Isabella’s face lit up.
In this empire, turning eighteen, regardless of gender, meant being recognized as an adult.
Among the traditions that marked this milestone, the debutante ball was a grand affair, welcoming young nobles into society with pomp and ceremony.
She had long awaited this day.
Not only was she curious about the Imperial Palace, renowned for its splendor, but she also yearned to see the broader world beyond the estate. Above all, it was the only chance to make friends her own age.
As her excitement swelled, her cheeks flushed with anticipation.
Then Hilda shot to her feet in a frenzy and protested with a sharp voice.
“Heavens, a debutante ball?! In the capital, no less, in high society?! How can we send our daughter to such a dangerous place?!”
Even Lloyd chimed in, echoing the resistance.
“Exactly, Father! Sis has never even been outside the mansion! Who knows what kind of trouble she’ll get into, knowing nothing about the world?!”
“Lloyd! What did you just say?!”
Isabella turned on him, eyes blazing at the outrageous remark. But Lloyd stood his ground, unyielding.
“Lloyd, that’s no way to talk to your sister. And tell me, who was it that kept Bella from ever leaving the mansion?”
“T-That’s…!”
At Edwin’s reproach, Lloyd faltered.
Indeed, the reason Isabella had never stepped beyond the estate was none other than Hilda and Lloyd, who fretted as though the sky might fall and crush her the moment she left.
Bang!
Unable to contain herself, Hilda slammed her palms on the table and raised her voice.
“Honey, that’s not the point! We’re talking about society – the capital! That pack of vipers, no, those noblewomen, they’ll…”
She bit her lip, unable to continue.
It was no wonder. There was another, hidden purpose behind the debutante ball held every April.
While it was said to help young nobles bloom socially, in truth it served as a scouting ground where future spouses, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law were subtly evaluated and matched. In essence, it was a state-sanctioned mass matchmaking event.
Hilda couldn’t bear the thought of her precious daughter being weighed and measured on the scales of noble ambition.
But unaware of such motives, Isabella simply felt hurt.
And then Lloyd, rather than helping, made things worse by blurting out, “How about this. We wait two more years and attend the debutante together when I turn eighteen?”
‘What? Is he insane?!’
Isabella shot him a look as if she’d just heard a ghost say something absurd. Had their parents not been present, she would’ve snapped back on the spot.
“Oh my, Lloyd! That’s a wonderful idea. Then I’d worry less, too. Right, dear?”
But contrary to Isabella’s wishes, mother and son were perfectly in sync, and her dream of the debutante began to fade like a mirage.
“Dad…”
Her last hope now, she turned to Edwin with pleading eyes. She instinctively understood. If she missed this chance, she might never leave the mansion again. And that would mean the collapse of her dream to live in the sun.
After a long pause, Edwin finally spoke.
“Hilda, I understand how you feel. But this is a pivotal moment in Bella’s life. Let’s prioritize her wishes.”
“H-Honey!”
Hilda gasped as if betrayed. Yet Edwin stood firm and turned to Isabella.
“Bella, tell us. What do you want?”
In that moment, all eyes turned to her, the weight of the room pressing on her shoulders.
“I…”
…I just want to make ordinary friends.
The words rose in her throat, but when she saw the bloodshot concern in Hilda’s eyes, she hesitated.
Sensing her struggle, Edwin gently added,
“This is your one and only debutante ball. Do what your heart desires.”
That gave Isabella the push she needed.
“I want to go. I want to see and feel more of the world.”
Edwin’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with her answer.
In contrast, Hilda’s face turned pale as she cried out, “Absolutely not! Do you know how deceitful humans can be?! I won’t stand by and watch my daughter get hurt!”
“Mom…”
Isabella’s quiet call briefly wavered Hilda’s resolve, but soon, she hardened her heart and stormed out of the dining room.
Thus, what began as a joyful birthday party ended with a chill in the air and an unfinished celebration.
— — —
Later that evening, unsettled by everything, Isabella made her way to the small tower on the top floor.
Whooosh!
The moment she stepped inside, a refreshing wind swirled around her through the open windows on all sides.
“Ah, finally. I can breathe!”
The wind, thick with mana, swept away her frustration like a shock to the system. From the tower’s windows, she could see the vast expanse of the estate, offering a fleeting sense of freedom.
The buildings and people looked tiny from afar, like ants. But the lively scenes of townsfolk tilling fields and bustling through the plaza seemed so full of life.
“…I envy them.”
The words escaped her lips before she realized.
Simple, everyday moments she’d never experienced: family outings, sweet romances, shopping and chatting with friends. She yearned for them with all her heart. Which only made the weight on her chest heavier.
She turned her gaze to the garden below.
Beyond the overlapping windows, she could see the gloomy Hides Mountains cloaked in storm clouds, standing in stark contrast to the sunny lands of the estate. It was as if the sky itself had split the world into light and shadow.
With a dry laugh, Isabella pondered: Should I remain the obedient daughter and live in the shade? Or should I take the leap… and step into the light?
She stood at a crossroads.
Just then—
Clip-clop, clip-clop. Hooves approached.
Baal, her familiar, draped a shawl over her shoulders and asked, in his usual matter-of-fact tone.
“Milady, what will you do-ooh? You don’t really plan to back down like this, do you-ooh?”
Whether it was their soul-bound contract or years spent together, Baal knew Isabella better than anyone. And in that moment, his words sparked a realization within her.
“…Pfft!”
Letting out a laugh at herself for all her pointless worries, Isabella straightened her slumped shoulders and grinned brightly.
“You’re right, Baal. I’m not the type to back down.”
“I figured as much, milady-yy. But do you… happen to have a plan to persuade Lady Hilda-ah?”
To that, Isabella replied confidently.
“Nope. Not at all.”
Baal’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
“Mehhh?!”
But Isabella remained unfazed.
“Don’t look so shocked. You know how stubborn Mom is. So whether it works or not, I’m just gonna throw myself at it headfirst!”
With that, she marched down the tower with newfound energy, as if she’d never been downcast.
Watching her go, Baal was struck by a sudden sense of dread and quickly followed, worry etched across his face.
