A Third-Rate Villain Tries Her Best Today 59

Chapter 59: What You Hold in Your Hand is a Picture of Your Happiness Drenched in Happiness

The Full Bloom ballroom was much larger and grander than the small ballroom at the Lopetrefer residence. Sue gaped at the sight, barely able to close her mouth.

It was a place that often appeared in the novel. Sue had played the role of a nuisance, tripping Halo, spilling food on her dress, and ultimately getting kicked out of the ballroom by an angry Fritz.

‘I have to avoid that.’

Sue walked further inside, determined.

The September Festival was a ball that all sixth-year students could attend and enjoy, so there were students from other grades as well. She could see children, not even ten years old, dressed up in dresses and shoes, socializing and laughing.

Sue straightened her back and walked with confidence. She was usually known as ‘that person’ to the lowerclassmen and ‘that bitch’ to her classmates, but not today. The mask, concealing her face, gave her a sense of confidence.

The ballroom wasn’t full yet, but there were quite a few people who had arrived early, like her. She spotted two girls, wearing masks with handles, chatting happily.

“May I join you?”

Sue approached them hesitantly, but her voice was clear.

The two girls, who had been complimenting each other’s dresses, turned to look at her. They greeted her simultaneously.

“Of course! Blessings upon the empire!”

They looked like they were in their fourth or fifth year. She couldn’t see their faces behind their masks, but they seemed to be welcoming her. For the students of Full Bloom to welcome Sue Byron… It was a first, and she felt tears pricking her eyes. She clasped her hands together and spoke in her sweetest tone,

“My name is Marie. Pleased to meet you.”

Since the theme of this year’s September Festival was a masquerade ball, everyone had chosen nicknames instead of using their real names. Sue had chosen Marie, a common name, hoping to blend in and enjoy the ball without any trouble.

“I’m Isti!”

“I’m Tegasa. Marie, your dress is pretty too!”

“Thank you, Tegasa. Isti’s dress is pretty too.”

Isti and Tegasa, oblivious to her true identity, were interested in her and created a cheerful atmosphere. Sue sighed inwardly in relief as she joined their conversation. It seemed like her constantly wearing her hair in a braid had created a strong impression.

Today, she had let her hair down and was wearing a spiral headband made of white topaz. Her voice was also higher than usual, so she didn’t think there was any risk of being recognized.

“By the way, Marie, what do you think of this year’s festival? The masquerade ball, I mean.”

Isti asked. Sue answered without hesitation,

“It’s my favorite theme, so I was really looking forward to it.”

Isti giggled and continued,

“Me too. I like the masquerade ball theme. They said it was an old trend that faded away, so I got a lot of help from my sister and mother, and it was even more fun!”

Tegasa chimed in,

“Hehe, I feel a little uncomfortable not being able to see people’s faces.”

“But it’s much better than last year’s funeral ball!”

Isti retorted, grimacing at the memory of last year’s funeral ball, and Tegasa agreed enthusiastically.

“Of course! It’s fun to choose masks… But it’s a shame that we can’t see their faces because of the masks.”

Isti nodded vigorously as Tegasa trailed off wistfully.

“That’s true. Part of the reason why I look forward to the September Festival every year is to see how handsome and beautiful they are.”

“Right?”

Sue tilted her head, unable to follow their conversation.

“They?”

“Master Fritz and Master Acrea!”

Ah, them.

Tegasa adjusted the handle of her mask and continued,

“Don’t you want to see Lady Lopetrefer’s dress? She was so beautiful every year…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She was always beautiful. Too beautiful, in fact.

Sue chatted with the two girls for a while, then they parted ways. She continued to socialize with other guests, exchanging trivial conversations. No one suspected her or treated her badly. Everyone was friendly and pleasant.

‘Yes, this is it. This is what I endured all that pain for.’

Sue couldn’t stop smiling, even though it hurt. Her lips wouldn’t come down.

***

It was almost 6:50, and Sue decided to use the restroom before the ball officially started. She opened a side door of the ballroom and walked down the hallway.

“Whoa!”

She tripped and fell forward, still not used to wearing a mask. The pain from her bruises was worse than the pain from the fall itself. She quickly grabbed her mask, which had fallen to the floor. She heard a familiar voice.

“There you are.”

Woo Acrea, his gentle smile as dazzling as ever. He wasn’t wearing a mask, and he stood before her, his emotionless voice and smile as charming as ever.

“Did you fall? Are you alright?”

He approached her and extended his hand. Sue prioritized fixing her mask over getting up. Fortunately, it seemed like he hadn’t seen her face. Or maybe he was pretending not to. Sue steadied her racing heart and took his hand, standing up.

“Thank you, Master Acrea.”

“I’m glad you’re not hurt, Lady Byron.”

“…I’m not Byron.”

Perhaps it was because she was afraid of being recognized and ruining her chance to enjoy the ball. Sue responded instinctively.

“Haha, sorry, I can’t play along. I’m busy.”

“……”

Acrea ignored her words, as if it was pointless. Then, before Sue could back away, he handed her something.

“Lady Byron, you said you would help me if I needed it, right?”

Her head snapped up, her body stiffening. She inwardly applauded her slave mentality for not saying anything rude.

Sue looked at Acrea, confused by his smiling face, and brushed her hair to one side. Then she tossed it back over her shoulder. She brushed it to the other side again. She fidgeted with her hair.

…I don’t get it! Sue spoke, sweating profusely under her mask.

“Yes, of course. Do you need my help with something?”

“Yes.”

Acrea answered simply and handed her a few sheets of paper he had been holding.

What is this?

Sue slowly examined the papers. They looked like a script for a play. But she quickly realized that it wasn’t a script for a play.

The first page had the words “For the everlasting glory of Fritz and Lopetrefer” written in archaic language. Was it really necessary to use archaic language? But she couldn’t focus on such trivialities, her eyes darting around nervously behind her mask. As she read through the pages, she couldn’t hide her confusion and bewilderment.

It was a script, but not for a play. It was a script written for a single person, a scenario designed for a specific purpose.

Acrea, who had been watching her reaction, explained casually,

“The lights will go out during the ball. You’ll understand what’s going on when you read the script. I want you to come up to the podium and say these lines.”

“…Master Acrea.”

“Yes.”

Sue spoke hesitantly.

“Is this… the ‘good idea’ you were thinking of?”

She remembered their conversation at the academy dining hall.

“Yes.”

Acrea nodded matter-of-factly.

As I thought.

“I was going to tell you when we met on the street the other day, but the timing wasn’t right.”

Sue stared at him blankly. Because she had also just remembered something.

“Don’t tell me… what you were going to say at Lake Libra…”

“Yes, it was this. But I haven’t had the time since then. I couldn’t go out of my way to look for you, Lady Byron.”

Sue chuckled nervously, her shoulders trembling.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

So that’s what he had meant by those strange words.

“It’s a good event for the September Festival.”

Is it really?

For the first time, Sue detected a hint of self-interest in his doll-like smile. She didn’t answer, dumbfounded, but Acrea continued explaining the event, unfazed.

“The lights will go out at 8:10. After the new dishes are brought in…”

He explained the upcoming event in his gentle voice. Sue tried to absorb his words, but a sigh was building in her chest.

“…You can just leave after that. I’ll leave it to you.”

Sue nodded silently. But she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. She touched her neck and said,

“I said I would help, but… is it really okay for me to do this?”

“Huh? …Ah, you’re worried.”

Acrea finally remembered what had happened at the meeting room. The incident where Sue Byron had been rejected by everyone. But he smiled brightly, as if it didn’t matter.

“It’s fine. People won’t be paying attention to you. You’re wearing a mask.”

Then I’ll leave it to you. I’m busy, so I’ll be going.

He left those words behind and disappeared again. But he wasn’t heading towards the ballroom. It seemed like he still had some preparations to do. He wasn’t wearing a mask because he wasn’t a participant. Being the vice-representative under Fritz must be tough.

“No, never mind…”

Why do I feel sympathy for him, in this strange situation?

I’m the one who said I would help, so what can I say?

Sue chuckled hollowly under her mask. It didn’t seem like a happy chuckle. Well, let’s just endure it, since the ball is supposed to be fun. She felt a pain in her cracked lips. Was it the exhaustion of being a slave, or the anxiety of being Sue?