Chapter 63

Ariadne, unaware of it, held the Volt mask and set of jewelry given to her by Cesare, which were creations of the Collecioni costume shop. Isabella, who got into the de Mare family carriage to attend the masquerade ball, immediately recognized them. Isabella had failed to order the fleur-de-lis pattern for this season, which was why she was turned down right away when she inquired about matching a mask at Collecioni.

- "Miss de Mare, I'm sorry, but we cannot accept orders for the same items."

Even if it wasn't the Volt mask, she pleaded to have another mask or even a piece of jewelry with the fleur-de-lis pattern made, but Collecioni's refusal was firm.

- "We received a large advance payment to produce this, so it will be difficult this season. Please contact us before the Feast of St. Michael next year."

That's why the red ruby and green topaz fleur-de-lis bracelet that Isabella had coveted so much, which she saw in the catalog and desperately wanted, was shining on Ariadne's wrist. Watching her older sisters get into the carriage, young Arabella, who was too young to attend the masquerade ball, stomped her feet in envy.

"Big sisters! Bring back lots of fun stories!"

Ariadne smiled, but her warm smile was hidden behind the golden Volt mask that covered her chin. On the other hand, Isabella, wearing a silver Columbina mask that revealed her entire mouth, pouted and didn't respond. Ariadne waved to Arabella, and the carriage soon set off. The atmosphere in the carriage, where the two sisters were seated, was chilly. They glanced at each other but didn't exchange a single word.

Ariadne was admiring Isabella, despite everything. The mask she wore was a silver Columbina mask, intricately crafted to cover only her eyes. Wearing a style that would be fashionable in 2-3 years, Isabella's fashion sense was truly remarkable. As always, she wore a light, luxurious dress, a pale silver silk dress with pearls sewn all over, which was so opulent that she could be seen from 100 piedi (about 40 meters) away. Despite the recent austerity measures by Cardinal de Mare, it seemed she had paid in advance for this year's dress with her abundant resources.

From her bright, luxurious clothes to the beautiful, delicate mouth and jawline revealed beneath the silver Columbina mask, Isabella de Mare's appearance was unmistakable. In contrast, Ariadne was dressed in a way that no one could recognize her, adhering to the concept of the masquerade ball. Her deep golden dress matched the mask, with the lining and edges finished in black velvet. The top of the mask was adorned with a gold headpiece she received as a gift from Queen Marguerite, which almost completely hid her hair.

Ariadne, who was tall for her age, didn't look like a girl at all with everything covered. Her youthful face hidden, her unique calm demeanor made her look like a high-ranking lady. The carriage, which Isabella and Ariadne shared, could have been a bed of thorns, but with their faces completely hidden by masks, it gave a subtle sense of stability.

Isabella's trembling hands, pouting lips, breathing, and the rise and fall of her chest were all within Ariadne's field of vision. In contrast, Ariadne had no exposed skin, and her face was perfectly hidden by the mask, making it impossible for anyone to imagine her expression. This was a strange feeling, a sense of transgression and a bit of omnipotence. Ariadne, though Isabella couldn't see, smiled behind her mask.

The de Mare family's influence was so great that they used a sedan chair, which was typically reserved for the royal family, for their daughters' masquerade ball. With the sound of hooves, they soon arrived at the San Carlo Palace.

As the palace attendant announced their arrival, Isabella, escorted by the attendant, got out of the cardinal's silver carriage, showing off her poise as if to say she wouldn't be outdone, and nodded to Ariadne. Ariadne thought Isabella was putting in a futile effort but smiled wryly and nodded back.

Now that Isabella was gone, no one in the ballroom knew her identity. Ariadne had a plan to meet her friends, Julia and her companions, at the ball, but before joining them, she decided to take a walk around the San Carlo Palace, where she used to live, to reminisce. Opportunities to enter the palace were rare, and even rarer to be alone.

* * *

"I've heard a lot about you."

Larissa de Valois, stammering in Etruscan, was quite different from what Alfonso had imagined. If the portrait sent by the Kingdom of Gallico had depicted a delicate beauty like Isabella de Mare, it would have been believable, but the real Larissa, while not a beauty, had a gentle and bright smile, making her a sincere and kind girl.

Her first impression was better than expected, and objectively, quite good. Unlike the Gallico envoys who used Gallico and acted condescendingly, Larissa de Valois tried her best to use Etruscan.

"It's nice to meet you, Alfonso de Carlo."

"I am Larissa de Valois."

She was a girl with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. Being a year older than Alfonso, she could be seen as more of a woman than a girl. She was about 3 piedi 8 ditto (about 163 centimeters) tall, very slim, with a slightly aquiline nose, which made her look a bit nervous when her mouth was closed, but very gentle and kind when she spoke with her downcast eyes and sweet responses.

"If you prefer to speak in Gallico, that's fine too."

"No, I will try, Etruscan."

Larissa, wearing a golden dress, smiled brightly as she tried to put on her mask.

This not-so-beautiful girl seemed to have fallen in love with the handsome Alfonso at first sight. Her smile never left her eyes and lips, and she reacted strongly to even the slightest of Alfonso's actions. The adults around them watched the young prince and duchess with pleased expressions.

"Hurry up, help her."

Pointing to the duchess trying to put on her mask, Queen Marguerite urged her son, speaking loudly enough for the ladies to hear. Alfonso sighed inwardly but got up and tied the mask's ribbon behind Larissa's head. The prince's touch brushed against her hair.

If the golden Volt mask hadn't covered her face, everyone might have seen Larissa's wide smile.

"Alright, now the old folks should get up. Let the young ones have their time."

As Leo III stood up, Queen Marguerite also rose with a smile.

"You two, have a good time."

Larissa, bending her knee in a quick bow, replied.

"Your Majesty, thank you."

* * *

With Queen Marguerite's encouragement, the two naturally began to converse in Gallico. Prince Alfonso, whose mother was Gallican and who had been taught Gallico from a young age, could speak it fluently.

"Our father was very enthusiastic about our education. My sisters and I are all well-versed in literature, embroidery, music, and art. Especially in poetry and painting, my sister, Suzanne, is very talented."

Prince Alfonso, a perfect gentleman, listened attentively, nodding. He was naturally kind and considerate even when he didn't intend to be. In Alfonso's hearing, Larissa's story often mentioned her deceased sister, Suzanne.

"Suzanne was very beautiful. Her white, translucent skin was unmatched."

Alfonso, looking at Larissa, tilted his head.

"However, Duchess."

Alfonso continued.

"You are also very beautiful with your white skin. Why do you only talk about your deceased sister? Tell me more about yourself."

Larissa's face turned red beneath the Volt mask. It was the first time someone had told her to step forward instead of her sister. Growing up in the shadow of the beautiful and talented Suzanne, she had always been cautious. She loved her sister but also deeply resented her.

Outwardly, she praised her sister with a bright face, as if she didn't envy her at all, a way of being loved that was unique to Larissa. But now, a handsome, blond prince was telling her she didn't have to do that. It was a feeling she had never experienced before.