Aubrey 27

 Chapter 27

    ***

    Sponsored by Bongbongie’s mom. Thank you (⅓)

    ***

    Aubrey found a long gallery next to the entrance to the hall. There, like her, people who had taken off their masks to avoid the hot hall were gathered together and enjoying refreshments. 

    “The Countess of Ravant’s personality is truly wonderful.” 

    Aubrey, who was about to head there without thinking, stopped. She looked a little closer and saw Barbara. In addition, the Duchess of Karnus. Could the handsome man standing next to her be the Duke of Karnus? 

    But they don't look alike at all. The only similarity between the Duke of Karnus and Khaled was their tall stature and somewhat cool aura. 

    If the Duke and Duchess of Karnus were here, did that mean that the man would also be here? 

    ‘It’s probably better to go somewhere else.’

    Aubrey grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands and turned. 

    As she wandered around looking for a place to rest, she soon reached the point where she was exploring the Palace. As a result of looking for a place where there were no people, Aubrey ended up in a truly deserted space. 

    The moonlight flowing through the window dimly illuminated the room. In a large space that could have been originally used as a living room, upholstered sofas were spread out and an unlit fireplace was visible. She wasn’t sure, but it didn't seem like it was open to guests. 

    Aubrey hurriedly tried to return the way she came because she felt like she was in a place she shouldn't have been in. A single door came into view. She didn't even realize it was a door because it had the same decoration as the wall, but it had a handle. 

    Aubrey pulled it carefully and the door opened. She was surprised for a moment and took a deep breath of the fresh night air. And just like that, she was outside. 

    The place Aubrey left was in the middle of a long corridor. 

    Aubrey took another deep breath after examining the vaulted ceiling, the huge pillars at regular intervals, and the lattice floor. Then she started walking through the dark corridor with no one around. 

    It was like a different world from the noisy and hot dance hall. She could hear the sound of water flowing in the distance, and sometimes the sound of insects crying. Perhaps it was an illusion, but she thought she could hear people laughing. 

    Favorable glances toward her and voices with nice speaking styles intersected in a dizzying manner. In it, Nicholas Atherton’s voice was particularly clear. 

    “Will you give me the honor of having my first dance with the Lady?” 

    A man who grew up without any shortage and yet was so polite. Aubrey laughed softly. 

    Aubrey remembered his face as she danced. The lips that drew a friendly line, the gaze that never seemed to leave her even though she was wearing a mask. 

    Soon her imagination spread to the scene of Nicholas Atherton proposing to her. 

    He was polite and would kneel down on one knee and take out the ring he had prepared. The background should be Count Ravant's garden. In that beautiful space filled with flowers in full bloom and the sweet scent of flowers, a kind and gentle man… 

    "Oh." 

    Aubrey, who was laughing to herself, suddenly stopped when she heard someone else's voice. 

    Unlike the sparkling hall, the dark corridor was so long that the end could not be seen. Who was in the middle? It was when Aubrey squinted her eyes and stared at the dark front. 

    “Ha.”

    The sound made her hair stand on end. It was a wet sound. It could be the sound of lips overlapping and falling, or it could be the sound of kissing skin. 

    The problem was that the sound continued. 

    “Ahaha. Stop. Stop." 

    Followed by the sound of a woman’s tickling laughter. 

    A sparsely populated corridor. Nobles who gained freedom with just one mask. Various romances were blooming. 

    Aubrey swallowed her saliva without realizing it and hid behind a pillar. Then she stuck her head out and looked at the place where the sound was coming from. 

    A woman in a flowing dress was leaning against a pillar. The white skin was visible quite clearly in the dark. There was a man of similar height standing in front of her... 

    Aubrey quickly covered her mouth. This was because the man who was kissing her suddenly buried his face in the woman's chest. Next, a woman's breathtaking moans were heard. 

    Aubrey froze. 

    What on earth did she see? How could they do that outside where anyone could find them? 

    Soon, the man's hand roughly lifted the hem of the woman’s dress. He inserted his hand between the woman's white exposed legs without hesitation. The woman threw her head back and let out an anguished moan. 

    “Ah, Jeffrik. Don’t do this here.” 

    The moment Aubrey heard that name, she couldn't believe her ears. 

    When the man lifted his head from her chest, the woman cupped his face and said, “Isn’t it too shameful to bring your wife along and do this?” 

    Instead of answering, he roughly moved his hand between the woman's legs. The woman leaned her head back again and let out a passionate moan. 

    Her stiff feet slowly took a step back. Aubrey wondered what she was seeing, but didn't want to see it anymore. 

    Aubrey slowly retreated and hurriedly came inside through the door she had opened. 

    In a dark room, she belatedly calmed her startled heart. 

    “W-what on earth…” 

    As she carefully placed her hand on her chest, she could clearly feel her heart beating. 

    “I saw it wrong. No, I heard wrong, no, I heard wrong.” 

    The low sound of her heels was heard behind her as she froze in embarrassment. 

    Aubrey glanced back and felt her entire body go cold. Khaled Karnus, stylishly dressed in a tailcoat, was standing there. At his feet was a crumpled black mask. 

    As if he had just entered this place, he let out a deep sigh and rummaged through his jacket pocket. The moonlight that came through the window diagonally crossed his bare face. He was lighting a cigar in his mouth when he suddenly looked her way. 

    The match light illuminated his face red for a moment. It was an unwelcoming gaze. 

    Aubrey belatedly realized that she was wearing a mask and slightly bent her knees towards him. He also nodded once. 

    Just pass by like this. She’d already seen unbelievable situations, and now she’s involved with this horrible man. 

    It was time for Aubrey to walk away, pretending like nothing had happened. 

    “Are you okay?” he asked. “You seem quite surprised.” 

    It was a very gentlemanly tone and voice. Aubrey answered in as casual a voice as possible. 

    "Yes. I’m just coming back from getting some fresh air.” 

    Well then, she was about to leave, but something stopped her. 

    Khaled opened the door to the corridor with a cigar in his mouth. 

    It was natural that he too would witness Jeffrik’s affair, or the affair of a man she hoped was not Jeffrik. 

    “Now, just a moment.” 

    Aubrey quickly turned and walked towards him. 

    “I think it would be better not to go outside. It seemed like other people were having an important conversation.” 

    She talked like that with her head down. Just when she thought it was okay for an excuse she just made up, he answered. 

    "Ah. Okay." 

    He nodded lightly and stepped back. She stood facing him. Even in that short silence, her throat felt dry. 

    “Okay, then I’ll go.” 

    As she was about to leave, black shoe feet blocked her path. 

    “Not that way, Lady.” 

    The sweet name ‘Lady’ once again flowed into her ears, but it felt different from before. The suddenly cool air settled on the back of her neck and shoulders. 

    “If you’re looking for the lounge, I’ll show you around.” 

    Aubrey wanted to run away right away, but Khaled was strangely polite. 

    Well, he was that kind of man. A gentleman who was kind to everyone except her. 

    It was obvious that if she refused his favor, she would arouse suspicion. Aubrey had no choice but to move her lips and smile. 

    Khaled took the lead and started walking in the opposite direction from where Aubrey had come in. Aubrey walked a couple of steps behind. As the light came in from the opposite entrance, his broad back gave off a strange feeling. 

    A very big person. And a person she hated so much. 

    Just as Aubrey was swallowing dry saliva, the two left the dark living room and crossed the empty hall. Soon they reached the stairs leading up to the second floor. 

    When Aubrey stood in front of him and hesitated, the man who had been walking ahead glanced back. 

    “I’m taking you to the break room.” 

    Aubrey had no choice but to climb the stairs after being told not to misunderstand. Meanwhile, she wondered what she could say to get rid of this man so as not to arouse suspicion. 

    Khaled's steps stopped in front of a room. The white, heavy door had a golden rose-shaped handle. 

    “Let’s go in.” 

    “Thank you." 

    Was it liberation now? Aubrey sighed and opened the door. Five or six gentlemen were sitting on a cream-colored sofa in the middle of the room, smoking cigars and chatting noisily. 

    "I'm okay. It's okay." 

    Nicholas shook his head as he took a bite of the cigar offered to her. Even the brief glimpse of his side face was filled with joy. Aubrey was about to call his name. 

    “What on earth are you thinking?” 

    The gentleman standing with his back to the long window asked. 

    “Did you really even care about that girl?” 

    “You’re talking too much. I keep it in mind what you said. I guess I'll just try it once. Unless the heir of the Atherton’s family has gone crazy. Am I right, Nicholas?” 

    She didn't even have time to think about what the hell was going on.

    “It’s because she’s so pitiful.” Nicholas' answer was clear. There was no hesitation. “I’m being nice to her because I feel sorry for her.” 

    Her feet moved slowly due to the dull impact. Just as Aubrey was about to pull her half covered body back, a cool breeze settled on her shoulder. 

    Khaled lowered his body slightly and whispered in her ear. 

    “Did you see it? What does everyone think of you?” 

    A heavy bass sound instantly pulled her down to the floor. 

    “Poor Miss Sandalwood…It’s time to go home.”

    ****

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