“Uhm, checkmate, I guess?”

“Impossible…”

The man wearing a black mask across from Avril was dumbfounded. Behind them, Wallace and Kathy, whose masks had been removed, gasped along with several other guests.

I agreed to play to chess to avoid starting a commotion, but it turns out it was the perfect method for keeping Lord Wallace here. Otherwise, I’m sure he’d get in Lord Dylan’s way. Then, before I knew it, I was on a winning streak. I have to thank Kathy for giving me this opportunity.

Earlier, Avril saw how tense the atmosphere between Dylan and Wallace was. If Wallace were to leave that room, he might encounter Dylan elsewhere and hinder his business.

In order to keep Wallace in check, Avril decided to accept several challenges after defeating Kathy in their match.

On the other hand, Kathy, who had challenged Avril and ended up having to reveal her own face, seemed proud for some reason.

“Everyone, did you know? The piece she asked me to remove was strangely specific! You wouldn’t think her an amateur ignorant to the rules? I thought she picked it on a whim and accepted it, but I lost!”

“I’m sorry about that. I can’t reveal my true face here, so…”

Today, Avril didn’t need to pretend to be a villainess, so she replied honestly. At her gentle smile, Kathy seemed even more content.

“I have to wonder, though. Wallace, did Lady Avril get tired of you? Say, what if she dumped you because you’re too boring? I’m sorry to hear that.”

“What…!?”

Wallace was fuming, but Kathy stuffed his mouth with a peanut to gag him. That gesture was seared into Avril’s retinas.

What a bad girl-like gesture…! No, this isn’t the time to fawn over her! It’s almost time for Lord Dylan to conclude his business! I have to return to the hall as well.

Would she be able to dance with Dylan as promised? So far, Avril had only ever danced with either her tutor or Chris.

Dylan had been too busy to attend her lessons, so Avril never even saw him dance.

Surely, it’d be wonderful if I could dance with Lord Dylan!

Just imagining it made her forget her actual purpose for being there, and her heart skipped a beat.

Thus, Avril decided it was time to leave, but the man sitting across the chess table refused to budge.

The man who had just been defeated by Avril stared at her. His reddish blond hair, tied in a ponytail, swayed. Then, he gave a fearless grin.

“—Stunning. I heard about you, but I never imagined you’d be such a talented woman.”

“I’m honored to receive the compliment.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t remove my mask, so in exchange—”

The man casually placed a wad of cash on the table. Avril stiffened at the unbelievably large amount of money that had been carelessly laid on top of the table.

“!? No, I can’t accept this. Ladies and gentlemen, you barely pose a challenge to me.”

Even though her gaze was faltering, she somehow managed to stick to the villainous setting, and everyone’s head immediately hung from dejection. Chris was the only one who burst out laughing.

However, the man with a black mask and reddish blond hair narrowed his eyes in surprise.

…I feel like he has a slightly different atmosphere about him.

Everyone was looking forward to the masquerade ball. Since it was just a game, everyone let loose and lived in the moment.

Nevertheless, something was odd about that gentleman. Despite seemingly familiar with the place, he maintained a certain distance from women, and even treated her like a lady.

Perhaps, he didn’t come here to play.

As he stood up, the black-masked gentleman drew closer and whispered into her ear.

“…Aren’t you here to do something else? I take you didn’t just come here to play?”

“—!”

He is—

At that moment, the voice she’d been yearning to hear echoed within the room.

“—It seems like I’ve kept you waiting for quite some time.”

---

***T/N: he’s the legendary second male lead for us to fawn over

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