It's Too Late for Regrets - Chapter 9.0

The day she happened to meet Grand Duke Eleanor, Ines never saw the person she originally meant to meet.

By the time she arrived in front of the statue of Eucalyptus, the sun was already leaning on the statue’s shoulder.

She sat in a small, old teahouse next to the flower shop and waited for another hour, but she didn’t see even a single strand of golden hair.

Feeling sorry for the person who might have waited for her, she left a letter with the florist to ease her heart.

But before she even had time to feel regret, a reply came the very next day.

There is no need for you to feel sorry.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Even though I said I would wait there first, something urgent came up and I couldn’t stop by.

Still, instead of waiting until next Wednesday, I think it would be nice to see you—even if it’s just in passing. What do you think?

I happened to receive an invitation to the perfect place.

Oh, of course, our weekly Wednesday meetings still stand.

Inside the letter was an invitation.

It was an invitation to a party held by the House of Duke Heselid.

Ines opened the box of letters Clara had organized. She took out another invitation with a hawk’s wing emblem spread to one side and compared the two.

They were exactly the same.

“…Did His Majesty really send this?”

Even if it was a big event for the duke’s birthday, it was strange for an emperor to be invited to a noble’s private party.

But as soon as Ines opened the invitation and read it, she understood.

It wasn’t an ordinary party.

It was a masquerade ball.

Masquerade balls were an old tradition in Lezan.

They first became popular in Lezan and spread across the continent, becoming a favorite pastime among the nobility.

But it wasn’t just about wearing masks and dancing. Masquerade balls had rules.

Everyone had to hide their identity and family name behind a mask.

Formal speech was required. Anyone who was found out had to remove their mask.

The ball ended when someone found the host and removed their mask.

Until then, even if it passed midnight or reached dawn, the ball continued. No guest was allowed to leave until the host was discovered.

Of course, if the host wasn’t found by the early morning, they usually revealed themselves at the right moment.

Also, everything said and done behind a mask was kept strictly secret. The moment the mask came off, the dream ended.

Bringing what happened at the ball into real life was considered rude and shameful.

So, in other words, the masquerade ball was a kind of secret escape for the nobles in the strict and formal Lezan society. The more rules a place had, the more likely there were hidden indulgences. It made sense.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a masquerade ball.”

The Countess, wearing a half-mask with black feathers, chatted brightly.

Ines was sitting with her in a carriage heading to the Duke of Heselid’s mansion for tonight’s event.

“No one will recognize you, Celia. That hat hides you completely.”

Ines had tied up her bright red hair and covered it with a white hat that hid her entire head. She wore a golden butterfly mask on her face.

“But even if your face is covered, the elegant charm of my daughter cannot be hidden. Oh dear, what if a bunch of useless bees swarm around you tonight?”

“That won’t happen, Mother.”

“No, I’m worried. His Majesty should’ve come on a night like this…”

The Countess sighed softly as she adjusted Ines’ mask, which had slightly slipped.

“He’s a busy man… I suppose he won’t come this time either. He only attended a few times when he was young and then stopped coming.”

Ines smiled awkwardly.

No one knew who would attend the masquerade ball, except for the host, the Duke and Duchess of Heselid. Still, the Countess was certain His Majesty wouldn’t come to a place like this…

But he sounded so excited in the letter…

Ines remembered a line from the letter she had received.

Just attending isn’t much fun. How about a bet?

If I find you first, you grant me a wish.

Of course, if you find me first, I’ll grant what Ines wants. How about it?

Naturally, Ines was bound to win.

He didn’t know what she looked like now.

Ines recalled one of the few clear memories from her past.

In front of a house blooming with roses, the man who looked into her eyes and smiled like sweet chocolate.

The cool curve of his lips, his gentle jawline, the arms and chest that always seemed open just for her.

With such vivid memories, it wouldn’t be hard to find him.

And since he didn’t know what she looked like now, maybe it was better that her face was hidden tonight.

After all, she planned to tell him everything about her current situation—but just in case he didn’t believe her, it was good to have this little advantage.

But honestly, she wasn’t very worried. Rather…

…This will be fun.

Ines fiddled with the gold mask that covered more than half her cheeks and nose.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but she had a strange feeling he would recognize her instantly.

So everything that would happen tonight would just be a fun game.

The carriage stopped in front of the Duke of Heselid’s mansion, and the door opened wide.

Even the servant who opened the door and reached out to escort her was wearing a mask.

Ines took his hand and stepped out of the carriage.

The first-floor hall of the mansion, where the ball was held, was already full of nobles.

Hats, dresses, and masks decorated with flowers and jewels sparkled under the chandelier, dazzling the eyes.

There were all kinds of people: young singles, middle-aged couples, and even noble children.

The Countess took Ines’ hand and naturally blended into the crowd.

“Starting with a volta dance—tonight’s ball is full of energy!”

Lively and cheerful music filled the hall. As the Countess led her, Ines quickly scanned the room.

Blond hair, blond hair…

She tried to spot the brightest, most shining blond hair, but it wasn’t easy. The fluttering dresses of young women and the tall heads of men kept blocking her view.

It really did feel like a game of hide-and-seek. She was both the seeker and the one hiding.

Ines’ eyes began to sparkle with growing interest.

“Oh my, Lady Crow!”

Suddenly, someone appeared and blocked their path.

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