Masquerade Ball (1)
“Ugh, ugh....” I clutched the hem of my dress tightly, staring only at the floor.
The gazes, the gazes were too blatant. Thanks to my hypersensitive senses, I could pinpoint exactly where everyone was looking—not missing a single spot.
“...D-Did I really have to wear this?”
I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole and hide. Glancing at the puddle on the floor, I saw a slutty woman in a dress that clung scandalously to her curves.
Why the hell did I put this on...!!
It was like a noble upgrade to that trashy Dongtan look. But looking around, most of the other women were dressed like this too.
It's a romance fantasy, right? A rofan, damn it!!!
As I fidgeted with the skirt hem, the maid beside me spoke up.
“Of course, ma’am. Isn’t today a special day?”
Seeing myself all prettied up felt so awkward. I was a total guy inside.... Wearing something like this made me feel sinfully guilty, no joke.
If I’d known it’d come to this, I never would’ve won that damn tournament...!!
That was right. The reason I was stuck in this embarrassing beauty-trash outfit? The victory celebration for the Subjugation Tournament.
“Congratulations, Ashu Kan Hart.”
“Thank you.”
Clap clap clap!! Thunderous applause filled the hall.
The grand duke gripped Ashu’s hand with a smile that was downright chilling. Ashu looked uncomfortable, awkwardly shaking the hand in return.
For father and son, it was an unnaturally twisted scene. In front of all these people, even the grand duke hid his hatred for Ashu perfectly.
It was creepy as hell. More cons than pros in showing his true colors, I guess. He had to play the doting father.
Still...
I let out a satisfied snort, my face beaming with triumph.
It’s finally over.
The past three days had been exhausting—I thought my skin was cracking, it felt so dry and ragged.
More than anything...!
Character: Ideal
Strength (C) | Agility (S) | Intelligence (F) | Luck (B)
Trait: The One Who Lost Her Memories.
You are Ideal, but not her. Raise Ashu Kan Hart to reclaim your lost memories.
Trait: (Unlock condition met!)
Trait: Locked
Trait: Locked
P.S.: May you reach a happy ending in the end.
Ashu Kan Hart Training Degree: 23%
Side Quest Complete!
Reward Issued!
Reward: Free Appearance Change Ticket (Cooldown: 7 days)
I finally got it!!
“Kyaaahooo!!”
I threw my hands up and shrieked in joy.
“What the...?”
A few people stared oddly, so I cleared my throat and sat back down. Gotta rein it in a bit.
I’d always been like this—when I got excited, I lost control sometimes. But I couldn’t help being thrilled. I’d gotten exactly what I’d been dying for.
Free Appearance Change Ticket!!
With this, I could escape any situation, anytime. Even if I bolted today, the grand duke—or anyone in the world—wouldn’t find me.
I wonder what traits I unlocked. Since the condition was met, I could probably unlock them later.
Better do this back in my room, just to be safe. Safety first, always.
Hee hee, giggles bubbled out. I finally felt like I’d pulled off something big.
Gotta test the Free Appearance Change Ticket in my room too.
No more wanted status. My real isekai life was finally starting!
“Disciple! You did great!!”
I bounced over, waving wildly. My chest jiggled painfully, but it wasn’t too bad.
Ashu glanced at me, face flushing red as he whipped his head away.
...? What’s his deal? Did I do something wrong?
Maybe he was still sulking about me confirming those rumors earlier. Kids gonna be kids. He didn’t act like one, but moments like this hammered it home.
Still, seeing how much he’d grown made me proud. I snorted smugly without thinking.
“Then, to all the young lords and ladies of the noble houses who participated, thank you for your hard work.”
The grand duke boomed out. The noisy hall fell silent in an instant.
“Please enjoy the ball being held tonight before you go.”
With that, he left without a second glance. What a straightforward guy. I’d expected some principal-style speech.
Ashu was waddling stiffly toward me from afar.
“M-Master!!”
Thud thud thud.
“Wh-What.”
Like a matador dodging a raging bull, Ashu swerved away in panic. I had to slam on the brakes mid-stride.
...Harsh.
Dodging his master’s hug like that. What a naughty disciple.
“Y-You do know there’s a ball tonight, right?”
“A ball?”
Of course I did. The grand duke just announced it.
But it’s got nothing to do with me.
I already had to watch my identity exposure. No way was I showing my face there. The tournament was enough spotlight.
“But I’m not going...”
“Sorry, no can do.”
“Hiiiyaak!!”
I jumped in shock at the sudden voice behind me.
“You...”
“P-P-P-Prince...?”
Prince Byrn grinned slyly. Ashu scowled, glaring daggers at him.
“Why’re you here?”
“To see the winners.”
“I didn’t wanna see you.”
“Still a brat as ever.”
Invisible glares clashed fiercely in the air. Watching these future main villain and hero kids at it was oddly fascinating.
“Anyway, you have to attend. Winners lighting up the ball is tradition.”
“...He’s right.”
Ashu bit his lip, annoyed.
“Winners must attend the ball.”
“M-Mandatory...?”
Emergency. This was bad. The tournament was solo, so low profile. But a ball? Different story. Becoming the center of attention among all the nobles... For a shut-in like me, impossible. Plus, risk of my wanted status leaking.
Guess I’ll have to trust the mask...
Couldn’t use the Free Appearance Change Ticket either. If the grand duke found out I could disguise myself, it’d complicate things—widening the net to anyone else.
“You look troubled.”
The prince smirked beside me. No idea how he read my expression through the mask, but scary guy.
Ten years old for real...?
Probably same age as Ashu. But his speech, his presence—a prince was different.
Meanwhile, my precious disciple was...
“What’s that look?”
“N-Nothing...”
Immature in his own way. Yeah, that’s my usual Ashu Kan Hart. He trusted me more lately, but that brattiness was eternal.
“Don’t worry. For some reason, the grand duke made this ball a masquerade.”
Byrn grinned.
Masquerade...?
Suddenly? I could guess why. With all nobles gathered, if my identity slipped, even the grand duke house would be in trouble.
...Should I be happy or not?
Bitter feeling. The assassins in the tournament, the escort knight... Ashu must’ve seen his own during my fall. Yet no word. Why?
...Better not ask.
Would just step on a landmine. I’d hear his backstory after the tournament anyway. No rush.
“B-But... how does a masquerade even work?”
Ashu muttered lowly. Makes sense he wouldn’t know. No social experience.
Me neither.
...Wait, this is bad. If we both suck at it, what then?
If it went like the novel, we’d pair up and dance, faces close.
...Good thing my disciple’s a kid.
Even as a woman now, dancing cheek-to-cheek with a guy? Hard pass. Made me wanna puke just thinking.
“Don’t sweat it.”
Byrn crossed his arms confidently.
“I came prepared for you two.”
“P-P-Prince, you...?”
Why’s the kid suddenly like this? Didn’t he hate Ashu? Ashu eyed him suspiciously too.
“Prepared for me? Why?”
“Hmm... A gift for the next grand duke.”
“I’m no next grand duke or heir.”
“Nah.”
Byrn’s eyes sharpened with conviction.
“I trust my eyes.”
Ashu stared at him like he was crazy.
...Things were veering weird. No side story of Byrn helping young Ashu, right?
Not the point anyway. I’d braced for plot tweaks meddling.
“Um, uh... I have a question...”
“What.”
I raised my hand timidly. Ashu looked over.
“For a masquerade... do I have to wear a dress?”
I really didn’t wanna. This was a matter of my manhood.
The two brats in front of me pitied me in unison.
...Even from ten-year-olds, that look stung a bit.
“Obviously.”
“What kinda nonsense is that.”
I nodded reluctantly, swallowing tears. I was the adult here. Ashu’s master from a grand duke house.
So why did I feel like bottom of the food chain? No clue.