Chapter 4: Malice Beneath the Mask

About a week after arriving at the Midoji household, I was taken to a social gathering for the first time. According to Ryo, it was an occasion where I couldn't possibly avoid being introduced as a contract bride.

"Don't say anything unnecessary. If asked, give a vague answer."

"If you intend to treat me like an object, I understand that much without you having to tell me."

I thought I was just making a lighthearted remark, but Ryo looked surprised. Then, for once, he let out a slight smile.

"You're stronger-willed than I thought."

"Are you complimenting me?"

"Who knows?"

I put on the dress that had been prepared for me, put on a mask, and entered the venue. It was a spacious hall in a different mansion than last time. Beneath the chandelier, masked ladies and gentlemen were whispering to each other, glasses in hand.

"That girl is the contract bride, apparently."

"Apparently, it's their fourth child. How sad."

The whispered words, meant to be heard, pierced my ears. I straightened my back and pretended not to hear. I never imagined standing beside Ryo would be such a heavy burden.

"Your name is Riko, right?"

The person who spoke to me was a beautiful blonde woman. Her eyes, peeking out from beneath her mask, were as sharp as jewels.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Charlotte Vern."

"nice to meet you"

"I've known Ryo-sama since we were children. We'd even talked about getting engaged a while ago."

Behind the overly polite tone, there was a clear underlying hostility. Not knowing how to respond, all I could do was offer an ambiguous smile.

"I wonder how long this young lady, who was taken in as collateral for a debt, will be able to stay here."

With those words, Charlotte gracefully departed. I could hear the stifled laughter of the women who seemed to be her entourage.

My hands were trembling. I didn't know if it was frustration or fear.

"Don't worry about it."

Suzu, who had somehow come to stand beside me, said softly.

"Don't just say 'don't worry about it' so easily. You might be used to places like this, but I..."

"I'm not used to it at all."

I was taken aback by his unexpected words and fell silent.

"I hate places like this too. Everyone hides their true feelings behind a mask and is sizing each other up. But if you run away, you're playing right into their hands."

Those words gave me a little bit of courage.

I suddenly stopped in a corner of the venue, near a display of old portraits. There were paintings of what appeared to be successive heads of the Midoji family. Among them, I spotted a familiar face.

That man in my dream... He looks so much like Ryo, but there's something about his eyes that's different.

"This person"

An elderly guest nearby told me in a hushed voice.

"He's Ryo's older brother, Takeru. He passed away about 200 years ago."

My heart skipped a beat. It was the man from my dream. And the butler's name was also "Son."

"Is there someone with the same name working as a butler?"

The guests looked puzzled.

"A butler? No, the Midoji family hasn't had a butler for a very long time."

It sent chills down my spine.

Who exactly was that person I'd been seeing every day for the past week?