In the blink of an eye days pa.s.sed, and the night of the last masquerade ball I decided to attend arrived.

　Mostly out of a sense of duty, I dyed my hair black with magic and slipped away from the castle and headed towards the venue.

　I hadn’t even reached it, but I couldn’t help already wanting to return home.

　Before entering the venue, while confirming there were no watching eyes I put on the mask.

　In place of a ticket for today’s event was a distasteful mask with a b.u.t.terfly motif.

　The golden color sparkled in the light and brought memories of my original hair color, spiraling my mood into melancholy.

　After paying my respects to those present, it would be over.

　While telling that to myself, I entered the dance hall.

　Since I was a little late the ball had already begun, and I spied men and women in masks chatting pleasantly here and there.

　I could only think that any of of those faces were similarly covered as mine, and had trouble restraining the nausea I felt rising.

　The moment they were aware I arrived, amorous glances were sent from here and there around the hall.

　Wanting to make eye contact. Wanting to be called out to. It was that kind of unabashed gaze.

　If it was the me from before, I would’ve non-committedly chosen one of them who I hadn’t slept with before and called out to them. But I wouldn’t do those things anymore.

　I ignored the gazes I felt and searched for the event sponsors. I knew that they were the only one wearing a black mask.

　After finis.h.i.+ng my greetings, I would return home without delay, just when I thought that.

　I suddenly saw that girl within the depths of the hall.

　――――I thought my breath would stop at the impact.

　Even though she wore a mask she was comparably beautiful. Her delicate figure and her straight posture. Each and every one of her movements were lovely. The dignified ambience she brought to that place was almost as if her surroundings were different from the rest.

　In every single meaning she felt out of place at this venue, and she was alone in that place wearing a silver mask.

　There was no one around her. Of course.

　The s.p.a.ce she occupied was the area where people went to take food.

　The people who came to this evening party were mostly people who sought to have s.e.xual relations with the strangers who attended, so outside of their purpose they wouldn’t enter that s.p.a.ce.

　They were able to obtain drinks from anywhere, and because finding a partner was more important they all gathered in the hall.

　The area for food and drink was prepared for form’s sake, since this was an evening party after all.

　At that place with proper manners and having fun enjoying the food, coupled with her appearance she was unusually conspicuous.

　I had never seen that girl before.

　Essential to my position, once I was involved with someone I could remember them.

　Even if they hid their face with a mask, from their eye or hair color, their attire or the build of their body, or their gestures and behaviour, if I compiled that comprehensive information it was easy to pinpoint their ident.i.ty.

　But, no matter how I referred to the people I met in those memories, her figure didn’t exist.

　As if I would be able to forget.

　If I met her once, I wouldn’t be able to forget such an impressing woman.

　I can declare it.

　Probably made from a soft material, whenever she stirred about the girl’s silver dress glittered in the light. Her long pale brown colored hair that reached her back further served to adorn her.

　After taking a deep breath, I realized that I was charmed by her.

　As if waking from a dream I suddenly became aware of the surroundings, and understood that the surrounding men were also conscious of her like I was. It was only natural.

　They glanced at her here and there wanting to make eye contact with her somehow, but being engrossed in the food she didn’t even notice those men.

　At that time, having been wholeheartedly focused on eating, the girl suddenly stopped moving.

　Unbearably curious about her state, as I continued observing she gently slackened the corners of her lips into a smile.

　How cute……!!

　With such a plain faced smile expressing her joy, I thought my heart was in a vice grip.

　I couldn’t see her face because of her mask.

　But I felt like that smile from the bottom of her heart greatly jolted something inside me.

　Watching over her, I was entirely spellbound by her.

　But it seems I wasn’t the only one to see her smile, and I could feel the presence of the men who saw her approaching closer to her.

　Men other than me were approaching her.

　Just by thinking that, rage boiled from the bottom of my stomach.

　――――I won’t allow that.

　Reflexively thinking that, I sent the men a restraining look.

　Then, I walked towards her.

　Receiving my gaze, the men stopped their movements at once.

　Without letting that opening go, I hurriedly approached her.

　She didn’t notice me at all.

　She had been enjoying the food to her heart’s content, but as if realizing something she suddenly raised her face.

　In a panic, she rushed towards the hall.

　We pa.s.sed by each other for a moment.

　More so than not even wanting to make eye contact with me, I lost my patience at her who wasn’t even aware of my existence.

　I wanted her to gain recognition of me.

　Those feelings swelled up, and while knowing it was against the rules, before I knew it I had called out to her.

「Milady.」

　Reacting to my voice, she stopped her legs and turned back.

　Meeting eyes with the beautiful amethyst pupils that lay deep within the mask, I froze for a moment.

　I felt like my heart was jumping and pounding heavily.

「Do you have business with me?」

　Her soft and gentle voice hit against my ears. That voice was captivating.

　Watching as I was perplexed, she didn’t give off such feelings of disgust or scheming at all towards I who had ignored manners.

　Feeling relieved, I immediately bent my knee.

　No matter what, I didn’t want to let her escape. I thought so instinctively.

　Deliberately creating a charming smile, I spoke as courteously as possible.

「Yes, with you. Good evening, milady. I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you, but have you attended here often?」

「Good evening. It’s a pleasure to meet you. As you’ve said, tonight is my first at this Masquerade Ball. I wasn’t familiar with the etiquette, so I escaped over here. But to know that it is my first time here, you must know a lot. Have I done anything ill-mannered?」

　Even while saying so, her confidence was fully overflowing.

　She probably never even considered she could make the littlest mistake. I thought her dignified behaviour was charmingly beautiful, and inferred she was from quite a high-ranking n.o.ble family.

　No matter how I looked at her, she didn’t seem to be the type of person to come to these sorts of places.

　Once again, I desperately combed through my memories, but I couldn’t find any information matching her.

「Ill-mannered, nothing of the sort. Your manners are perfect. Not that, but it is my first time witnessing someone of your caliber of beauty.」

　Making free use of flowery words, I sought to catch her interest.

　Taking her hand, I dropped a kiss. Touching her smooth skin, my body naturally became heated.

　This was a first for me.

「……You’re skilled. I’m wearing such a mask, you shouldn’t be able to tell if I’m beautiful or ugly.」

「Even so. Your exuding elegance and your behaviour told me that you are a very beautiful woman.」

　Perhaps if I wasn’t noticed by her, some other man would have taken her away.

　Just thinking of it gave me chills.

　I didn’t want to let any other man take her. And above all else, I wanted to know her better.

　With those feelings, I desperately appealed to her.

　With a girl that I really wished for, I never knew that I could speak words without end.

　But she took an unexpected development.

「……And? I wonder if it’s fine to ask the reason why you called out to me.」

　In the middle of speaking, she spoke as if to intercept.

　For a moment, I thought she was refusing and chills ran down my back, but it didn’t seem to be the case.

　With an expression that plainly said it was bothersome and with words to proceed already, I was filled with wonder.

　Certainly, the one who ignored the rules and spoke to her first was me, but I never thought she would do the same thing.　

　She was different from all the women I’ve seen until now.

　While looking at her dumbfoundedly, something that was hardened inside me began to unravel.

「Fufu, you’re a hasty person. I was just thinking that I wanted to know you a little more in detail, is all. I have no objective other than that.」

「Really?」

　Before I realized it, I began speaking to her in my normal manner.

　I was hesitant she might be uncomfortable with it, but rather she seemed to show relief instead.

　In a better mood because of that, I began to solicit her with more enthusiasm.

　Of course, I was serious. I don’t remember ever having appealed so desperately to a woman before.

「How harsh. Are you doubting me? I really just wanted to get to know you……Actually, just before, I arranged a room to rest in. If it’s fine with you, would you like to continue the conversation there?」

　As expected, was it too direct? Repentance p.r.i.c.ked at my heart, but it was blown away after she slightly nodded. What a relief.

　The moment I thought that, unbelievable words came from her mouth.

「……Indeed. I was also just thinking that I would like to get to know you better.」

　”Will you allow me to accompany you?”

　Saying that, she looked at me with upturned eyes from behind the mask.

　Even leaving behind my heart that pranced and beat furiously from her upturned gaze.

　――――Unbelievable. I didn’t think there was a woman who ignored the rules to this extent.

　Staring at this unprecedented girl who defied and broke protocol as if saying it wasn’t needed, for some reason laughter welled inside my heart. She betrayed me in a good meaning.

　That free spirit as well. Along with her visage, even though I just met her she fascinated me to no end.

　――――I had no choice but to consciously accept it now.

　I fell in love with her.

　I was felled by her instantaneously.

　”Love is something you fall into” was a good saying.

　Even though I had refused love to such an extent, she blew everything away and swept me off my feet.

　I didn’t even think of leaving that place anymore.

　Some way or another, she had to fall to the same extent as me.

　No, I’ll make her fall.

　――――I want her. I want her no matter what. She’s the only one I want.

　……So this was love. Towards the feelings I never felt before, unlike my usual self I was having fun with it.　

　Contrary to my boiling heart, each part of my mind was cold and clear.

　I won’t let it be for only tonight.

　So that I could have her by my side from now on, I began calculating legitimate ways to keep her in my grasp with great vigour.

　Even now, I didn’t know her name or her status.

　I couldn’t let her escape in such a situation.

　Suddenly, I noticed the girl s.h.i.+ver. Taking myself back, I prompted a conversation.

　I neatly hid my raging heart.

「What’s wrong?」

「N-no, it’s nothing.」

　Inclining her head confusedly, I wrapped my arm around her waist and with feigned composure I guided her to the separate room.

　I was aware of the women’s disappointed gazes and the men’s envious gazes directed towards us.

　Too bad for them. You men will never touch this girl for your entire lives.

　With those thoughts, I intentionally shut out those gazes from my consciousness.

　Touching her, her feeling was tender, and from her a sweet floral scent was emitted.

　From her scent my temperature throbbed.

　It rose to an unbelievable degree.

　Allowing herself to be invited to a separate room was to say it was okay to embrace her.

　If it was for her who I yearned for, then I didn’t care what kind of monotonous s.e.x it was.

　Wondering what was with me until now who had suddenly changed sects, I laughed bitterly at myself.

　To bury myself in the person I love, how satisfying it must be.

　The expectations made my heart quake pa.s.sionately.

　But, it wouldn’t do to lose my head. At least, not until I learn of her ident.i.ty.

　Instructing myself once again, with her, we migrated to the prepared room.