"Good night, Elliot," I said with a smile. Our head butler bowed to me before leaving me to my room. Once he left, instead of my bed, I headed to the closet. I changed out of my pajamas into a simple dark blue dress and boots. Grabbing a large, plain cloak meant for the winter seasons, as that was the best I have, I donned it, completely my attire for the night. I didn't want anyone to recognize me, as sneaking out can cause a scene with my status.
Just find Emory, befriend him somehow, then I can come back unnoticed. That's the plan, once I get out of the estate of course. I remember Isadora snuck out of the mansion using a tree in the novels. Through that same way, I can leave this place too. I just need to get out of my room. My room is on the 2nd floor, so I need to get downstairs somehow.
There was a window I could consider, but I didn't have anything to climb down with. Guess I'll have to leave via one of the back doors of the mansion.
But that means I needed to traverse the mansion. Slowly, I peek outside my room. I could see no one in the hallways, meaning there was no better time than this. I took a deep breath, and stepped outside my room.
Making as little sound as I could, I made my way to the stairs. Just as I was about to reach the back, I heard footsteps.
Shoot, they're coming this way. I can't make it to the back door in time. Without a second thought, I bolted into the nearest room to hide. They might have heard me. I'm not sure but I need to find a way outside.
Reaching for the window, I bolted out the house just before that person came to check the room I was just in.
☆✧—-*--✪–*----✧☆
Normally, nobles like Violette and others wouldn't attend commoner's festivities. Which is why I'm wearing this cloak. I don't want to attract attention. I didn't want anyone to recognize me and bring word back to my house that I was out.
I'm sort of sad I can't enjoy the festival to the fullest because I'm on a mission. I'm here to Emory as soon as I can. No room for fun for now. I don't remember where he is though. He doesn't appear until way late into the festival. I don't have time for that, I need to act quick. If I don't find him, he may leave for the night.
As I traverse around the district, I kept getting distracted by all the stalls. All the delicious looking food, all the fun looking games. Ah, if Isadora were here I'd hang out with her. No no, she'd only be a distraction.
Had she'd been here, nothing productive would have been done. Though, I feel really bad telling her not to come.
Emory… just where could you be in a place like this?
Think. What did he wear to this place?
He was wearing a cloak. It was a deep blue color, with silver curve patterns. I should be able to find someone with that description easily.
A cloak with silver curve patterns…
I look around once again.
Wait, why are there multiple people wearing cloaks? I don't remember this ever being mentioned in the original novel.
The more I thought about an answer, the more cloaked and hooded people appeared. Just what is going on here?
As I walked around, someone bumped into me.
"Ah!"
They bumped into me so hard, I started to fall to the ground.
"Watch out!"
The person, whoever they were, caught me before I fell. They had their hands around my waist, preventing my fall.
When I looked up at them, I could clearly see it was a man. He was much taller than me. Perhaps just making it to 6 ft? He too, wore a large cloak. I managed to peak under the cloak. He had deep black hair, with bright purple eyes
What beautiful eyes…
Seconds went by and I came to my senses.
"D-do you mind!?" I said, avert my gaze from him.
"I don't actually."
"HAH?!" I yelled instinctively.
This guy-! Does he have no shame at all?
Scoffing, I quickly backed away from him. I dusted myself off and adjusted my cloak. The man took a second to study me.
"Are you here for the auction as well?" He asks, dusting his cloak as well.
An auction? At a time like this?
"What auction?" I raise a brow.
The man's mouth opened in a 'Ah'
"My apologies. I didn't realize you were just here for the festival," He laughs it off, turning away to walk off.
"Wait!" I grabbed his cloak before he walked away, "Auction? What auction?" I don't remember there being an auction in the novels. Sure, it could be something going on in the background, but it could also be more. Asking now could give me some answers, "What exactly is this auction selling? Where is it?"
"Ehhhh? What's the lady so curious about?" He smirks, looking down at me.
"How crude" I rolled my eyes, "I suppose I wouldn't want to go into a place where dirty businesses congregate," Images of vile, corrupted circles of criminals in a large hall start flashing in my mind. Surely, it'll just be a waste of time to go there.
The man chuckles my words away "Haha, why am I getting the feeling you are looking down at me? After everything I've done for you, you still don't hold back, huh?"
I felt a chill go down my spine. Does Violette know this person? I don't recognize him at all.
"Was my pastries just that bad?" He leaned in, making sad puppy eyes inches away from my face.
What the fuck? Pastries? The fuck was he talking about?
Is he a chef? Did he work for Violette before? He does not look like someone who would work for her of all people.
"I don't care who you are. I don't even recognize you," I scoffed, my face contorting in confusion.
"Ah, I suppose I don't blame you. I don't even have make-up on!"
Huh.
"Haaa, anyways I'll get going now. You shouldn't be conversing with commoners, Lady Violette," He pulls his cloak from my hands, and jogs off. Never looking less carefree than when we were talking just now.
He knew who I was? Well, I am a noblewoman. It's not weird. But that begs the question that I don't know who he is. Just who is he?
There was never a man with purple eyes in the novels. There's the villainess, but that definitely isn't her. Purple eyes are more common in other countries. Is that man a foreigner?
Shoot, there are things that are outside my knowledge, this is troublesome. I could be in a lot of danger if I don't know what's coming up. Or who is coming up. I need to befriend Emory soon.
Where is he?
I look around, trying to spot individuals with hoods and cloaks. Hoping to see Emory in the crowd, I began to wonder.
"Enchanted charms! Come get these exotic charms of your own!" Someone shouted right beside me. I turn to see a stall. Hanging all around were different charms, jewels, and scrolls. A middle-aged man with a clean face and outfit owned the stall.
"You there, young lady! How would you like to buy something from my store?" He extends his hand out to me. At the front of the shop were charms and magic stones all laid out on display. So pretty, my eyes ate them all up.
Slowly, I approach the store. Taking a look at the charms on display, I picked one up that looked interesting to me.
"These are enchanted?" The charm I have in my hands had a symbol resembling a theater mask on it.
"Ah, what good eye you have!" He picked up more of the charms. Looks like they're in a set, since they all look similar save for the color.
"Those charms are enchanted with a spell," The shopkeeper smiles, before leaning close to whisper, "A spell that can transform the wearer's appearance."
My eyes went wide. A charm that can disguise a person? That's interesting. There's different types of charms and spells used in the novels, but disguising oneself? That's a new one. I'm not sure how these will come into handy though.
"Only for 1 hour though! I'll give you a good deal for 3 of them! 300 gold!"
300 gold?! That's so much for 3 hours worth of disguises!
My jaw was agape "Ha…Is it really worth that much?" My voice quivered.
"Normally I would sell them for 150 gold each. But you seem like a lady with good taste. So I'll give you a discount," He explains. Ugh, it's already discounted, and it's still so much.
Well… 100 for a charm like that…
Whatever, I'm a noblewoman anyway. 300 gold is nothing for me. And besides…
"Alright! I'll take them!"
…That man really got me curious about this auction.
I quickly scurried away from sight. Holding one of the charms in my hands, I inspected it. I think I'll test them out.
Following a trail of cloaked people, I quietly walk among the crowd.
Eventually, I was led to a building near the outskirts of town. The festival was a good distance away now. Only the lights in the district can be seen from this far away.
Adjusting my hood, I look at the building. It was large, and while overgrown, it was still in good condition. I was hiding behind an alleyway. I was standing there for a good while, before it seemed the doors had opened. People were beginning to enter.
Looks like the main event has started.
Holding the charm close to me, I tried to recall how to activate it. The novels explained that charms like these must either have mana poured into it, or have blood dropped on it. Since I can't activate my mana yet, I bit my index finger until it bled. I then stained the gem on the charm before hanging it on my dress.
Then, a spiral of gray lines spun around me. I feel my hair becoming shorter. Looking at it, I can see I now have a black pixie cut. I touch my face all over, feeling the shape of it different from once before.
It worked.
Quietly, I got in line with the crowd, and blended until I managed to enter the building.
A large hall was before me. It was rather ordinary aside from its size. People gathered and found a place to sit down. I, too, quietly sat down on the chairs here. The stage in front of me was the centerpiece, where they are preparing the auctioned items.
"We're glad you are all here with us!" A man announced, his enthusiastic voice booming throughout the hall. "We shall be beginning, my beloved guests!"