John Doe means nameless, Scarlett told me. And ćCount John Doeās evening partyć is a masquerade ball of unknown organizer that has been going on since long before her debutante.
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[The seventh verse of the middle stem is an archaic word from Old Pharis, meaning seventeen days. That means a week from now. So, we have to hurry up and sneak into my parentsā house.]
Constance Grail tried her best to comprehend what she was told as a matter of course, but she is like she still couldnāt get rid of the small bone stuck in her throat, so she decided to ask again.
[ā¦..The Castiel House?]
What part of what recent talks could possibly lead to the Duke of Castiel?
As she tries to figure it out, Scarlett sighs in exasperation.
[Did you even listen to what people were saying? Itās a masquerade ball where people gather to hide their identities, remember? āāā Do you have the important masks?]
Of course, she didnāt have it. And, for that matter, she had never been in need of one until just now. Perhaps it was the voice of her heart that appeared on her face, as Scarlett sniffed at Connie as if she were mocking her.
[Donāt have one right? That is why you can use mine. It-it canāt be helped, I can lend it to you as a special treat! You should be honored!]
[Eeh! I donāt wa-. I mean, you donāt have to go to the trouble of sneaking ināāā]
[You mean just buy a new one? You are silly. You have no idea, but itās probably a lot more expensive than you think.]
Certainly that is difficult to do for someone who is in debt. Connie was at a loss for words.
Besides, Scarlett continued. Even though they hide their true identities behind masks, the identity of the masks is often a tacit understanding, she said. The more famous a person is, the more obvious the tendency is, especially if it is Scarlett Castiel, who is famous for her good looks. Most of the people in the room were probably aware of it, though they did not say it as a matter of etiquette. She was a regular guest at Count John Doeās evening party. So, if she wore the mask that Scarlett loved to wear, someone who knew what was going on at that time might call out to her.
Although it made sense, whether it could be carried out is another story. To Scarlett, it might be like going back to her parentsā house to pick up a few things, but to Connie, it was just trespassing and theft.
Connie decided to put her answer on hold for the moment and changed the subject.
[Did Mrs. Godwin really know nothing about it?]
[Maybe.]
Scarlett affirmed quickly.
[She was always very good at pulling out of a situation, because she was so timid though she may look like that. Even ten years ago, if she sensed the danger, she would have run away even if the truth came to her. Besides, she is not very smart to begin with. Even if the information was right in front of her, she might have missed it.]
[Soā¦whatās the point of this evening party?]
[Iām sure you knew that there was someone who knew the truth. Count John Doeās evening party was the perfect place to gather information. The place has always been full of godless lowlifes.]
In other words, that meansāāāsheās going to give her a chance, so stop clinging to her. Scarlett stopped talking once she had said that much. Then, she gave an unusually innocent smile.
[Besides, this is a good opportunity for you, Constance!]
[A good opportunity?]
[Yes, a good opportunity to pay off debt. I told you I have something I can rely on.]
Indeed, Scarlett said on the day she demanded to help with her revenge.
āāāItās not that there arenāt ways to help.
In other words, Connie ponders. Does that mean that Count John Doeās evening party would be a perfect matchmaking opportunity for Connieāāāwho has never met anyone before?
But, howeverā¦.
[How could the exchange be warmed up with both wearing masksā¦ā¦?]
As she folded her arms and seriously pondered what to do, Scarlett scowl in exasperation.
[You silly. Who told you to look for a fiancee candidate? You know, most of the people who come all the way to the dance wearing masks have some kind of secret. It doesnāt matter if itās a man or a woman. We just need to find a weakness in anyone and blackmail them for money.]
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The rain comes gently.
The light of the oil lamp has just been turned off. Looking up from my bed, darkness spreads across the ceiling, and only the sound of the rain echoes through my body as if it were accusing me.
Scarlett is nowhere to be seen. Recently, Scarlett has become able to sleep. Of course, she is not really sleeping. She just closes her eyes and tries to sleep as she used to do before she died, and then she suddenly loses consciousness. Then, strangely enough, she disappeared from Connieās sight. It doesnāt seem to be that she disappeared, though.
āāāThis is what you have brought upon yourself.
Suddenly, I heard Randolph Ulsterās voice coming from the darkness. Closing my eyes, I remember the disastrous scene at the Godwin mansion. Various eyes were watching Connie. Fear, anxiety, amusement. And āāā malice.
āāāblackmail them for money.
Maybe Scarlett Castiel is not as bad as rumors. But she is not a good person. Her perception of right and wrong is fundamentally different from Connieās.
The rain doesnāt stop. Connie pressed her folded hands to her eyes and let out a sigh.
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I just couldnāt sleep, so I went down the west staircase leading to the kitchen to drink some warm milk. Then I noticed that the candlesticks were lit. It seemed to be in a hurry. It was so suspicious that I approached the sound.
[Fatherā¦ā¦?] (TL Note: Otou-sama)
In the hall was a well-prepared Percival Ethel. Beside him also was her mother, who was wearing an easy to move outfit. What on earth is going on?
My father recognized the voice and looked over at me. āConnieā he said, his expression somewhat grim.
[Itās sudden, but Iām going back to Grail territory. Aria is with me. You will stay here with Rayli*.] (TL Note: Nickname for *Rayleigh, Connieās little brother)
[At this late nightā¦ā¦?]
Moreover, it was raining outside. Ethel nodded and continued speaking as if it was nothing.
[āāāThe horse came just now. Apparently, the loan sharks are getting impatient because they donāt know when they will be able to get the money back. The due date is still a long way off, though. It seems that they have been harassing the people for the past few days with threats. It is said that the young man who resisted was assaulted today. Fortunately, the people around joined in and they were only slightly wounded.]
At one point, there is a pause in the conversation. The slightly distorted eyes show the color of pain.
[āāāIf theyāre going to hit people, they should hit me. If they want to curse, they can curse me all they want. Why donāt they do that? How much better it would have been if they had. But I guess that would be pointless. In fact, these methods are the most difficult to bear, which is a problem.]
After saying that, Ethel fell silent, and Aria gently embraced him.
Soon after, my fatherās follower arrives and tells him that everything is ready.
His large, firm hand gently caressed Connieās cheek.