The Great Wish - Chapter 3.4

Vol.1 Chapter 3 Part 4 

Sienna quietly entered the ballroom. She was wearing a red butterfly mask and a matching red wig. 

'There's quite a lot of attendees.' 

The number of people inside the hall had far overcome the limit for this ballroom. It was almost impossible to walk around without bumping into other people. However, the path in front of Sienna opened up like the ebbing waves of the sea. 

Wanting to avoid brushing up against her, the people made sure to give her enough space as they backed away. Sienna sighed as she felt all eyes on her. 

'The mask and the wig didn't matter in the end.' 

When she heard that it was to be a masquerade, Sienna looked forward to it. She thought that she would be able to interact with the people at the party without her identity being revealed. 

She realized too late how foolish that thought was. Everyone could see the top of her head. There wasn't a lady here that was as tall as her. She might as well be screaming, 'I am Princess Sienna.' 

"Welcome." 

A man in a blue half-mask and a blue wig approached her. He handed her one of the two champagne glasses in his hands. 

"Are you enjoying the masquerade?" 

She knew who he was the moment she saw him. She also recognized his voice since she had spoken with him before. The man was Joseph. 

Sienna silently took the champagne glass. 

"My feet automatically began to take me to you the moment I saw you enter the hall, milady." 

As if showing off his good looks, Joseph crinkled his eyes and smiled widely. The smile had won the hearts of many ladies, but it only made Sienna wonder about his true intentions. 

'He should know who I am, so why is he...? Ah, I see. Is he just pretending not to recognize me? So this is what a masquerade is like.' 

Sienna realized that if people weren't meeting for the first time at a masquerade, it was impossible to truly hide one's identity. Their eyes, their voices, their mannerisms... There were many ways to recognize a person. 

"A minuet is playing just in time. Can I request this dance from you, milady? Will you take me as your partner?" 

Another hand suddenly cut in front of Joseph's outstretched hand. Joseph frowned as he turned his head. Joseph had the rights to her first dance. Assuming he had a superior title to this mysterious man, Joseph regained his composure. 

"What do you think you're doing?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"I requested this lady's dance first. What rude behavior is this?" 

Joseph openly showed his displeasure. 

"Go away. Know your place." (Joseph) 

The man in the half-mask smiled as if he were mocking Joseph. 

"It seems that you have the skill to peek behind masks. Unfortunately, I don't know who you are. Do you know me? You might not know who I really am." 

"I...!" 

Joseph sputtered in rage, opening and closing his mouth. Saying 'How dare you speak to me that way!' seemed unsightly to say. If this were any other event, someone might have been able to back him up, but this was a masquerade. 

Even though this was all a ridiculous pretense, rules were rules. If he broke them now, he would the subject of gossip forever, and he didn't want to do anything to lose face. 

"Doesn't the butterfly decide..." 

The man in the half-mask turned and gazed at Sienna. 

"Which flower it wishes to land on?" 

"Oh my." 

Somebody's soft murmur reflected the thoughts of every spectator that was watching this scene with great interest. 

From the very beginning, everyone's attention had been directed at Princess Sienna and Joseph. They hadn't been expecting much. They were sure that once the predictable formalities were made, the couple would begin dancing. As they all thought about this predictable outcome, everyone began to feel bored. 

However, a twist had arrived. They wouldn't miss this for the world. 

The noise in the hall began to die down. Two men had offered one woman their hands. A minuet began to echo through the hall. However, nobody knew the identity of this new character who was asking for the Princess's first dance. 

Who could he be? Everyone racked their brains to figure out who this mysterious man in the half-mask could be. Whose hand would the Princess take? 

Sienna looked into the eyes of the man in the half-mask. He was staring straight back at her. Sienna frowned. 

Those black eyes. That familiar voice. 

'Kuhn.' 

Sienna silently mouthed his name. The man's lips bent into a crooked smile. With his hand outstretched, it seemed as if he was confidently telling her that she would definitely be taking his hand. Even though his self-assured behavior was hateful, she was glad to have met him in such an unexpected location. 

As Sienna continued to look at Kuhn, Joseph's expression began to twist. 

When Sienna placed her hand on top of Kuhn's, everyone who was waiting with bated breath could finally breathe. 

Peculiar sounds of admiration or cheer began to echo in the hall as everyone went back and mingled together. Kuhn pulled Sienna's hand and led her to the center of the hall. 

Joseph's clenched fist trembled as he glared at the mysterious unwanted guest. He could hear the sound of people snickering around him. Thankfully, his flushed face was hidden behind his mask. 

'That man. He won't get away with this.' 

Joseph ground his teeth and walked to a hidden corner of the room. He called for a servant and whispered his orders to him. The servant nodded stiffly and disappeared further into the residence. 

'You won't live to see tomorrow, you bastard.' 

Joseph's eyes sparkled with a frightening gleam.