IBDSID Chapter 14

14. Incredible Coincidence!

In response to Roselia’s confident words, Melda muttered with a puzzled expression.

“Well… it’s more of a decoration than a mask…”

“That’s right. Unlike those old masks like the Lugbelzet-style masks that cover one’s entire face, the Raphelios-style masks highlight more of the wearer’s features”

Unlike the Lugbelljet-style masks that cover the entire face, the Raphelios-style masks only cover the eyes or one eye, adorned with splendid peacock feathers around them, adding elegance and glamour.

“And now is the perfect time to host a masquerade ball before they become popular. Just imagine a beautiful lady wearing a mask adorned with peacock feathers among the other rustic ones.”

For a moment, Melda gazed into the air as if lost in imagination at Roselia’s words.

Seeing Melda’s expression, which seemed captivated by her imagination, Claucet looked at Roselia with renewed admiration.

Once Melda snapped out of her trance, she stood up excitedly.

“I must tell Mr. Jeffrey right away! Let’s make masquerade the theme of the debutante ball! We must order Raphelios-style masks as soon as possible!”

Watching Melda enter the mansion happily, Claucet smiled slightly.

“Melda sure seems to be over the moon.”

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

At Roselia’s matter-of-fact statement, Claucet narrowed her eyes.

“It’s really amazing how you catch on to trends quickly. Like with the hair updo fashion incident… How do you stay so up-to-date? While being a man at that.”

Although Roselia already knew this information from the novel, she just smiled casually.

“I guess I just got lucky. However, I can’t guarantee that this masquerade ball will also become a trend.”

In the original novel, masquerade balls started gaining popularity with the one hosted by the Crown Princess, but it was uncertain if the same would happen this time as well.

Watching Roselia closely, Claucet soon smiled meaningfully.

“Alright, I’ve decided. You’ll also participate in my masquerade ball”

“Excuse me…?”

Perplexed by Claucet’s serene smile, Roselia asked if she misheard.

“Are you perhaps suggesting that I assist at the party as a servant…?”

“No. Not at all. I simply wanted you to attend my masquerade ball.”

Roselia looked at Claucet with a puzzled expression.

Occasionally, there were nobles who attended parties with their domestic staff, disguised as accessories. However, such cases were mostly among noble ladies who had a certain standing in society.

As Claucet was now an inexperienced young lady debuting in society, if she were to bring her domestic staff to her debutante ball, it could cause rumors.

“It doesn’t seem like a good idea…”

“I’m fine with it, so what? Besides, it’s a masquerade ball. If you wear a mask, hardly anyone will recognize you, right?”

Well… that was a valid point. As long as I don’t take off the mask, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

Moreover, it might be reassuring to keep an eye on Claucet, who could wander off anywhere…

Roselia reluctantly nodded her head.

“Fine then. Just keep it a secret from the Duke.”

“Alright! That cold-blooded guy doesn’t care about my debutante ball anyway, does he?”

Despite the somewhat tangled relationship between the siblings, Roselia simply gave an awkward smile, knowing from her past experience that meddling would only cause trouble.

* * *

Since there was still about a month left until the debutante ball, Roselia decided to look for the next painting to sell to the Princess.

In the original story, the Princess becomes interested in the background of an unknown female artist.

While disguised, the Princess rescues a woman who is being beaten by men. Unfortunately, the woman dies shortly after due to an illness, but as a token of gratitude, she presents the painting she had created to the protagonist.

And soon, it becomes the Princess’ second most cherished painting.

Timing-wise, the female artist still has some two months to live. But the problem was… her location…

After checking her attire and adjusting her slightly oversized hat, Roselia approached a man who appeared to be the owner of the store. The man, wiping his glasses, glanced at her briefly.

“Is this your first time here?”

Trying not to appear too stiff, Roselia replied in a firm tone.

“Is there a woman named Nadia here?”

Upon hearing her immature voice, the man glanced down at her for a moment.

As he was someone who had seen countless naked women, Roselia couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat, wondering if he had noticed anything.

(Pr note: what roselia means is that she’s scared of being exposed.)

But soon, the man casually spoke as if it was nothing unusual, as if he was used to seeing small men like her in a place like this.

“looking for Nadia, aye?”

“Yes? Oh, um, yes…”

“Well, well, we have all sorts of customers looking for that weak little woman… Men with all sorts of different tastes, you know.”

It seemed like the man thought she was a customer looking for Nadia for the night.

Choosing to follow along instead of coming up with excuses, Roselia obediently followed the man. If she had said she just wanted to see Nadia’s face and leave, the rough man might have kicked her out.

Anyway, Roselia thought, as long as they meet, it doesn’t matter what happens.

The man who arrived at the shabby door pointed to it with his chin and reached out his hand.

Since she had never been to a place like this before, she couldn’t gauge how much to give. Hesitantly, Roselia took out roughly one verang and placed it on the man’s hand. It was part of the income she earned from assisting Claucet with her domestic work, aside from the money from selling paintings.

The man looked down at the one verang in his hand, his eyes squinting, and then he chuckled softly before disappearing down the corridor.

‘Is it more than I thought?’

Roselia shrugged her shoulders, and soon after, opened the door, guided by the man.

Inside was a scantily clad woman sitting listlessly by the bed with a vacant expression.

The woman seemed surprised, as if it was unexpected for someone to enter her room.

“It’s been a while since I had a customer like you…”

Saying that, the woman’s smile lacked vitality.

Despite her thin and emaciated appearance, with disheveled hair, she seemed to have been quite a beauty, with features that appeared refined under the dim bluish light.

However, her sunken eyes, saggy skin, and frail arms and legs didn’t hide how much her illness had worsened.

“Are you Miss Nadia?”

“A rather polite customer, you are.”

The woman, smiling leisurely, slowly approached Roselia with a puzzled expression.

“I didn’t expect a customer like you…”

Giving a sweet smile, the woman seemed indifferent.

Though her silk undergarments peeked through her gown, it didn’t give off a seductive vibe but rather revealed bony shoulders and ribs, making Roselia feel uneasy.

“Miss Nadia, right? Do you draw paintings?”

Nadia, who seemed to be misunderstanding something, approached Roselia, erasing the smile she had been wearing formally.

“Me? Drawing? Where did you hear such a strange thing?”

Strange. It should be the woman named Nadia…

It was highly likely that the woman was lying.

“Why hide the fact that you draw paintings? I’m here to buy that painting.”

“The little lady is saying funny things… What kind of painting would a busy bar woman like me draw?”

Nadia, after saying so, sat on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs.

“Are you going to do it? Or not?”

“What?”

“I only make money by selling ‘that’ here. If you don’t want it, then leave.”

Roselia found herself speechless at the woman’s resigned gaze.

“Why… Why do you go to such lengths?”

At Roselia’s bitter question, Nadia gave a bitter smile.

“This is how I’ve been living so far, what else is there to do? If you’re going to continue wasting my time, then please leave. There are other customers I must entertain.”

Roselia had no choice but to leave the room.

She realized early on that trying to convince Nadia further was futile. Nadia may have been smiling since the moment Roselia entered as a guest, but she was drawing a line.

Whether it was a man or a guest who entered the room, the result would be the same.

But… if it was another woman. Or a woman in the same line of work, the response might be different.

With a determined expression, Roselia stepped out of the bar.

* * *

Roselia, with her blonde hair flowing, stood confidently in front of the bar owner.

The bar owner, holding a purse, looked puzzled, wondering if he had misheard.

“So… you’re giving me this money in exchange for pretending to work here for the day?”

The man seemed to not quite understand.

Work is work, lady. What does pretending to work mean?

Usually, the women here get paid by the hour, so he was confused when this woman said she would pay instead.

“Yes, just pretend to work here. Please don’t assign any guests to me. That’s what the money’s for.”

The man’s gaze swept over Roselia as she spoke.

With a healthy and graceful figure, translucent fair skin that seemed to glow from within, and jewel-like green eyes, she exuded a freshness and an indescribable air of confidence that was rare among women in this profession!

As a woman, her allure was overflowing to the point of being irresistibly tempting.

The man, unconsciously swallowing his saliva, spoke hesitantly.

“Don’t say that. We’ll pay you a good hourly rate, so why not work officially…?”

“Listen. What do you think the money I gave you is for?”

Under her somewhat imposing demeanor, the plump man quickly lowered his tail and spoke.

He had assumed she was a wealthy merchant’s daughter just visiting the bar out of curiosity, but now he decided to let go.

“But, Miss… If you’re going to work here, or at least pretend to work, you should change your clothes first…”

Roselia, puzzled by the man’s words, looked around.

All the women here, clinging to the guests, were dressed in tight-fitting outfits that revealed half of their chests.

Roselia’s expression turned slightly sour, but she thought it wouldn’t hurt to be a little more perfect to approach Nadia.

Since she would only be here for a moment and had no intention of serving guests, she didn’t mind much.

Roselia awkwardly walked out into the corridor, wearing the thin dress the owner handed her.

The dress clung tightly to her waist revealing the curves of her chest, making her feel exposed. The thin skirt stuck to her legs, awkwardly exposing her hip and leg lines.

Deciding to just go straight to Nadia’s room, Roselia briskly walked down the corridor. But her steps abruptly stopped as she saw a familiar man walking towards her from the opposite end of the corridor.

He wore a displeased expression, clearly uncomfortable, and seemed to be in a hurry.

‘Why is Duke Valtezar here?!’