“Esthera,” Azriel put an invisibility spell on Marthi again, who followed her behind, thinking that she should make him a relic for certain. The carriage that they had rented beforehand was waiting in front of the inn. As soon as Azriel and Maylie got on it, it set off. The mansion of the Duke of Madriol was not too far away. The carriage arrived at the mansion very soon. The guard who checked her invitation at the entrance stepped aside. A servant who was in charge of greeting guests opened the door of the carriage. The servant, who was going to escort the lady with a kind smile, was stiffened for a moment as he saw Azriel.
“Thank you,” Azriel held the servant’s stiffened hand and stepped out of the carriage. Looking at the reaction of the servant inside the carriage, Maylie’s face turned even more satisfied. She thought. ‘He would’ve been completely blown away if she didn’t cover half of her face with a mask. Well, I’m sometimes surprised even though I see her everyday, but now she’s all made up,’
“Enjoy your time, My lady,” Maylie yelled.
“Oh… Okay. I’ll be back,” Azriel almost asked why Maylie was calling her a lady out of nowhere. Recalling Deborah Colte’s attitude, Azriel said goodbye as if she was an ordinary noble lady. The carriage Maylie was riding went back. Azriel headed to the ballroom, guided by the servant. The servant’s steps were slow. He kept glancing at her. Bothered by him, she frowned a little, and the servant, who was walking ahead of her, suddenly fell with a loud noise. “Urgh!”
‘Agh! Marthi!’
At the same time the servant screamed, Azriel screamed inwardly. Marthi, who followed her in his invisible form that was only visible to her, tripped the servan’t foot as if it was nothing. Marthi looked back at her with eyes that seemed to be saying, ‘I did well, didn’t I, master?’ Azriel pressed her temple with a gloved hand. It seemed that it was not a good choice to bring Marthi along. The ballroom was a garden house on one side of the garden of the mansion of the Duke of Madriol, which was bigger than a decent second-story house. It seemed an outdoor ballroom was chosen as it was a nice spring day. The garden was full of small lamps, ribbons, and Mayflowers that were generously set up. The garden house that was standing in-between them looked like it was buried in fireflies gleaming with white lights. Layers of curtains that were fixed with Mayflower brooches were drawn in-between the pillars of the garden house, which was normally empty. Beyond light-colored curtains, shadows of people were shown through. Cheerful and elegant music flowed out. The servant escorted her to the entrance of the ballroom and held out an intricate Mayflower decoration consisting of satin. “You may put this around your ear, lady.”
It was used to hand over to a favorable person just like the commonor’s festival. The servant politely bowed and returned. Azriel saw the servant’s chin was reddened from the impact of hitting the ground, as he turned back. She sighed again and said, fixing the Mayflower decoration on her ear. “Marthi, enjoy yourself in the garden and try not to get caught.”
“Enjoy myself? I can’t do that. It’s the time to fulfill my duty as a familiar spirit when you are taking a break, master,” Marthi refused.
“There’s no need for a fire-spitting familiar spirit at a ball.”
“But just in case…”
“I will call you if anything happens, so just enjoy yourself and don’t worry about me. It’s close by.”
“It’s too late if you call after something happens.”
“Marthi, can’t you trust me? Do you think my magic is inadequate?”
Marathi shook his head quickly at Azriel’s remark. “No, you are strong, master. I didn’t mean to ignore you, master. I apologize.”
“I’m not angry with you. I’m just saying that you shouldn’t be too worried, so just relax.”
“Okay…,” Marthi sulkily replied and fluttered away. Azriel saw the translucent lion cub hiding inside some bush and entered the ballroom. As soon as she entered, there was an invisible stir. Although it was a masquerade, the range of attendees was very limited as the invitation was sent only to a certain level of nobility. Thus, the people who were attending ‘the Night of Mayflower’ held at the mansion of the Duke of Madriol were all high-ranking nobles or their acquaintances.
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