Chapter 40
The September Festival. The September Festival…
“How about… masks?”
She spoke in a small but clear voice, without hesitation.
“Masks?”
Fritz asked back. Sue nodded slowly, deliberately ignoring her swollen left cheek.
“Yes. A masquerade ball. We’ve never had that theme while we’ve been at the academy… and since everyone will be wearing masks, no one will know who’s who. It’ll be fun.”
“Masks… now that you mention it, a masquerade ball has never been suggested… That’s a good idea. I’ll bring it up at the next representative meeting. Thank you, Lady Byron.”
Fritz pondered her suggestion for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“…It’s an honor to be of help, Master Fritz.”
Sue, momentarily captivated by his smile, quickly snapped out of it.
As expected of the protagonist. He might be strange on the inside, but his appearance is flawless.
Just as she was having those silly thoughts, Fritz suddenly stared at her face and asked with a puzzled expression,
“But what happened to your left cheek?”
“Ah, this.”
Sue, startled, moved her hand away from her cheek. It was noticeable even though I was covering it?
Of all people, it had to be Fritz who noticed. Fritz, who was completely oblivious to everything.
“Hehe. I accidentally bumped into a wall earlier. It must be a little swollen. I apologize, Master Fritz. Was it unsightly?”
Sue chuckled nervously, even though she knew it was a ridiculous excuse. She knew that the three of them would forget about it soon enough, no matter what she said.
“I see. Come to think of it, I once bumped into a wall and my face swelled up too…”
See? If I just say something random, I get an even more ridiculous answer.
Fritz smiled as if he had found unexpected common ground.
“If you’re not feeling well, you should go to the lounge and rest for a while. It would be a great loss to the Atlantis Empire if your beautiful face was ruined.”
“Oh my, thank you for your concern!”
“Pfft.”
Sue ignored Evan’s unconcealed snicker and pretended to be flustered by Fritz’s overly chivalrous concern.
“…Brother, can’t we go somewhere else now? We’re done talking.”
Evan, who had gotten bored, tugged at Fritz’s sleeve.
“Go ahead, Shina. Grand Duke Sain will be looking for you soon. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Acrea said, stroking Evan’s hair. Fritz patted his chest lightly.
“Okay, I understand. Well then, enjoy the rest of the ball, Lady Byron.”
“Yes, I hope you and Master Evan have a good time as well, Master Fritz.”
Fritz then disappeared into the depths of the ballroom with Evan, probably towards Grand Duke Lopetrefer. But Sue’s hand was still covering her left cheek. Acrea, who had seemed like he was about to leave, was still standing in front of her, smiling brightly.
“A masquerade ball is a rather outdated theme, but it was a good idea, Lady Byron.”
Sue chuckled wryly at his words, unsure if it was a compliment or sarcasm. She knew it was neither to him.
“If a masquerade ball is chosen as the theme for the September Festival, you might be selected as a temporary member of the festival preparation committee. Would that be alright with you?”
Sue hesitated for a moment at his polite question.
The September Festival was the biggest event held at the academy, so it was too much for the academy’s representative committee to handle the preparations alone. That’s why they selected about ten temporary members every year, and it seemed Acrea was letting her know that she might be chosen.
She didn’t mind working or being on the temporary committee. In fact, she would be happy if her suggestion was chosen, and it would be exciting to help the representative committee.
The problem was, as always, Enzhe. Would she tolerate Sue Byron being by Shina Fritz and Woo Acrea’s side for days? Especially now that she had fought with Fritz, it was a risky proposition.
“It would be an honor to assist the student representatives.”
Well, what other choice do I have?
In the first place, as Acrea had said, the chances of a masquerade ball, an outdated theme, being chosen for the September Festival, were slim. Acrea nodded readily at her vague acceptance.
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Yes, and I hope you enjoy the ball, Master Acr… Ugh.”
But the conversation was cut short. Sue’s senses abruptly shut down.
“Lady Byron?”
A prickly sensation spread through her body.
“…Lady Byron?”
Acrea, sensing something was wrong, called out to her again and tried to approach, but Sue, instinctively sensing danger, stepped back.
“Gasp… Ah…”
Sue suppressed a scream, covering her mouth as a wave of nausea washed over her. Her vision blurred, and she clung to a single thought.
I can’t faint here.
It was an instinctive judgment, as if her body had long remembered it. Sue stumbled and leaned against the wall, her legs weak.
“Lady Byron, are you alright?”
A burning pain, like a searing fire, engulfed her body. From her waist to her collarbone, her back, her hips, her arms and legs – they were all writhing.
Two black snakes, twisting and turning, violated her body with a sickening, repulsive sensation.
Acrea knelt down to check on her. Sue, clutching her chest, could only open and close her eyes repeatedly.
“Lady Byron, where does it hurt?”
Something was definitely wrong. Just as Acrea looked up, about to call for a doctor, Sue gritted her teeth and grabbed his wrist.
“…I’m fine.”
“Lady Byron?”
“I’m fine.”
“What… you look like you’re in a lot of pain.”
“I said I’m fine.”
The words were short, clipped, almost spat out. Acrea didn’t believe her for a second. She didn’t look fine at all. And for some reason, there wasn’t a single servant in sight. And Sue Byron was here, in this situation.
Sue, unable to hold on any longer, collapsed. Before Acrea could catch her, she forced herself to stay conscious, reaching out to brace herself with her hand on the floor.
‘…Damn it.’
So much for mercy. Enzhe was always going to be like this.
Three slaps. There was no way Enzhe’s ‘punishment’ would end there.
Enzhe Lopetrefer was still venting her anger. She had the power to control the two snakes on Sue’s body, no matter where Sue was. This was why, this was exactly why Sue couldn’t escape from Enzhe.
“Ah… Ugh…!”
Tears welled up in her eyes from the burning pain. Sue bit her lip hard and lifted her head. Acrea’s handsome face was right in front of her.
“Ha… Ah… Master Acrea.”
Sue took a deep breath. And in that split second, she frantically searched through ‘Sue’s’ memories. ‘Sue’s’ memories were like a textbook to her, who had no experience in this.
Just as she was about to lose it, the thought of wanting to die consuming her mind, Sue forced herself to speak.
“I’m… fine. I’m fine, so please don’t call anyone else. I’ll… I’ll take care of this…”
The corners of her lips twitched upwards. Why do I have to smile at him, even in this situation? She didn’t know, but it seemed like that’s what ‘Sue’ had always done.
She couldn’t draw attention to this situation. For Sue Byron to collapse at the Lopetrefer ball, where everyone was supposed to be happy, was exactly what Enzhe wanted.
To draw attention to Sue for the wrong reasons, to humiliate her, to disgrace the Byron family, to dampen the mood of the ball, and Enzhe would be enjoying it all, imagining it all. It didn’t matter to her what happened afterward.
Sue clenched her fists. Her manicured nails dug into her palms. The soft fabric of her dress crumpled in her grip.
‘Shit.’
It wasn’t for the sake of her family, but she didn’t want to give Enzhe the satisfaction.
Let’s just get through this quietly. As quietly as possible. It was just a game to Enzhe, a way to amuse herself, no matter what happened.
Acrea, flustered by the sudden situation, looked around a few more times before asking Sue again. His voice was calm, demanding an answer.
“…Lady Byron, tell me, what do you want to do?”
“Ah, ah… I’m fine. I’m really fine. Thank you for your concern, Master… Acrea.”
Her head was spinning. She didn’t even know what she was saying.
She didn’t forget to smile, even as she was sweating profusely. Her head was spinning. Sue leaned against the wall and stood up.
“I’ll just go to the lounge for a bit…”
“I’ll take you.”
“Just the thought! …Thank you. I can go alone… No, I mean, my maid… Ten… Ten…”
Cold sweat dripped down her body. Her vision swam. Or rather, it was the world that was spinning. Unable to focus, she just stood there, repeating the same words over and over. Her mind was half gone, consumed by the endless pain.