Chapter 29: Stealing Yeuju's First Love
My mood improved considerably as I sipped the smooth tea and enjoyed the cake.
"I came to give you this."
I placed the invitation I had taken out of my bag on the table. Aster took it with a smile, as if he had been waiting for it.
He tore open the envelope with the paper knife the servant handed him and smiled when he read the contents.
"Yes. You don't have to come if you're busy..."
I swallowed the words that I hoped he would come. After all, it wouldn't be easy for the emperor of a country to attend a personal gathering outside the palace.
"I'll make time to attend."
My heart beat a little faster at his immediate acceptance.
I had thought I wouldn't expect it, but deep down, I had hoped Aster would come.
I knew he was a good person and that he had a favorable attitude toward me.
'But aren't we in a fake relationship?'
So, I didn't want to be overly affected by his every action.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"Nothing, I'm just grateful that you'll come."
"Isn't this the least I can do for you?"
His words were so affectionate that they could have been toxic. If we had been a genuine couple, I would have been delighted.
Aster is a good person, and I like him, but it should be a human-to-human relationship.
"It seems you don't have high expectations."
He was more perceptive than I thought. Since I'm not good at hiding things, I told him the truth.
"If there's no expectation, there's no disappointment."
A surprisingly indifferent voice slipped out, even surprising myself. Aster looked a bit surprised, then stroked his chin.
"I think I understand why the princess thinks this way, even without asking."
He smiled bitterly and fiddled with the handle of the cold teacup.
Aster personally poured out the old tea and refilled the cup.
"I promise. I'll definitely attend."
Aster said this with a smile and sat across from me.
We didn't mention the promise again, as if we had reached an unspoken agreement.
Finally, the day of the masquerade ball arrived.
I woke up early and started preparing.
The annual masquerade ball held at the Pioneer Duke's residence was one of the most splendid gatherings in the capital.
Guests, hidden by anonymity, attended in elaborate and unique costumes, regardless of gender.
Pretending to know each other at this masquerade ball was taboo, so the costumes were even more free-spirited.
Today, my outfit was a dress designed with a butterfly theme.
The one-shoulder dress fit my upper body well, revealing graceful curves, and flowed elegantly from the waist down.
The dress was made of black fabric with a touch of silver thread, shimmering subtly, and the hem gradually turned a deep blue.
Small diamonds adorned the waist and shoulder line, adding more glamour.
I had tied my long hair up with a headband adorned with several small butterflies, exposing my deeply cut back.
Since I usually didn't enjoy revealing outfits, I felt a bit uncomfortable.
"What are you talking about, miss? This is the bare minimum."
Lily, with a pout, straightened my skirt.
I smiled silently, remembering that Lily had argued for an even more elaborate dress.
"Isn't this outfit too understated?"
Mother entered the dressing room and began to scrutinize my outfit with narrowed eyes.
"If my memory serves me right, the masquerade ball is a place where people show off who can dress more elaborately."
"I think this is just right."
Mother continued to circle me, as if gauging something.
"You've always disliked standing out."
"Don't you remember? At your tenth birthday party, Tatiana was more elaborately dressed than you."
Mother's words brought back an unpleasant memory I had forgotten.
Back then, I had only recently possessed the body and was trying to live as quietly as possible.
It was a time when I had been cowering, intimidated by the original's forced nature.
"Well, if you like it, I can't do anything about it."
I fell into thought. Today, I needed to be the star.
To promote the perfume, I needed to be the most dazzling and noticeable.
I made up my mind and looked at Mother.
"Have you changed your mind?"
Mother smiled meaningfully, as if she had been waiting for this. I nodded and added a condition.
"I don't want it to be too elaborate."
"I know your taste to some extent."
Mother gently touched my head, and a fragrant scent wafted past my nose.
Even Lily, who usually didn't bat an eye at much, gaped at me in amazement.
With a pounding heart, I looked in the mirror.
The small silver butterflies on the headband sparkled and seemed to fly around my head.
As Mother lightly brushed my back, translucent wings briefly appeared and then disappeared.
"Is this not too elaborate but just right?"
Mother smiled at my genuine admiration and placed the elaborately decorated butterfly mask on my face.
"Then, enjoy yourself today."
As I stepped into the ballroom, I could feel everyone's gaze on me.
Mother's magic was even more beautiful in the dimly lit ballroom.
I slowly descended the stairs, heading toward the entrance with a calm demeanor despite the intense attention.
'The reaction is better than I expected.'
I looked at the small table I had prepared for promotion. On the purple silk-covered table, I had arranged the flowers that formed the base of the perfume and the items that inspired it.
There were fully bloomed white roses, pearls, and bottles of perfume.
Well-dressed maids around the table were distributing small sachets and spraying the perfume on people.
"The scent is really intriguing. I don't know how to describe it..."
"It's subtle but not easily forgettable."
Even those who had passed by without interest came back to check the name and brand of the perfume.
I watched from a distance.
People confirming the name of the perfume and whispering to each other.
Until now, I had only felt burdened by the mix of curiosity, jealousy, and envy.
How trivial that self-deception had been.
I didn't always crave attention, but there were moments when I needed to be the star.
I had lived my life as an extra beside Tatiana, letting it drift aimlessly.
Even when my fiancés were taken away, I thought it was because I was an extra.
'I was a pitiful person.'
I had lived a floating life, as if it were a fake one. It was a very convenient way to escape.
I turned at the sudden voice.
A man in a fox mask stood there, scratching his cheek.
I easily recognized the fox.
"Hey, don't call me by my name so casually."
His stern lips were tightly closed, but his playful eyes made me smile involuntarily.
"You look really beautiful today."
"Thanks for the compliment."
His gaze fell on my head and back.
The affectionate look in his eyes was something I hadn't seen from Daniel in years.
I was the same, so why did Daniel's gaze change?
Suddenly, I wondered about his affection level.
The convenient ability to see people's hearts in detail easily tempted me.
Daniel, seemingly unaware of my thoughts, continued to talk.
"I thought you didn't like such elaborate things."
"I didn't know I liked them either."
"Right. You always seemed to be overshadowed by Tatiana in such settings, so it was natural..."
Daniel mentioned Tatiana's name in front of me and then closed his mouth, as if he had realized his mistake.
Daniel was kind and affectionate but indecisive.
His tendency to walk the tightrope between me and Tatiana for over a decade was partly due to his personality.
"Knowing you're sorry is enough."
I smiled at him and took a glass of champagne from a passing servant.
I sipped it and looked at the dance floor. Men and women in elaborate costumes were twirling around.
'Come to think of it, His Majesty hasn't arrived yet.'
The ball was already in its middle phase. Since I didn't really want to dance unless it was with Aster, I considered leaving early.
Turning to look at him with a disinterested eye, Daniel was silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he bowed.
"Would you dance with me?"