An Early Engagement - Chapter 15
“They all look so happy.”
At her offhand remark, Damian glanced down at her.
“Are you… not enjoying yourself?”
“No, I am. Of course.”
Shirley quickly shook her head, but her expression was bitter.
This ball was a long-standing tradition. Held just before the peak of summer heat, it was a masquerade where many couples formed, and everyone looked forward to it. But Shirley couldn’t muster any excitement.
The thrill of a masquerade lay in the excitement of meeting someone while hiding your true identity.
But that was a joy reserved for those who hadn’t yet found their match.
For Damian and Shirley, who were already engaged, it was just a party where they wore masks—nothing more, nothing less.
The moment the two appeared at the ball together, everyone immediately knew who they were.
Eros and Psyche.
Their matching costumes and masks complemented each other perfectly, making them stand out even more. The noblewomen who spotted them began whispering behind their fans.
“Those two… must be Damian and Shirley, right?”
“Most likely. Even with the masks, their beauty is unmistakable. Together, they’re impossible to miss.”
“My, what a lovely pair they are, no matter when you see them.”
“Absolutely.”
“I wonder when their wedding will be? They’ve been engaged for quite some time now…”
“Perhaps the Duchess of Lafez wants to keep Shirley close a little longer?”
“That could be.”
“But the Duchess of Elpart must be eager to welcome her daughter-in-law and see her grandchildren soon. Their family is quite small, after all.”
“Anyway, their families are so close that they’ll likely visit each other often even after marriage.” As Shirley walked arm in arm with Damian, she had to be grateful for the mask covering her face. Otherwise, there would have been no way to hide her stiff expression.
The chatter about her and Damian wasn’t exactly wrong, but hearing it made her want to cover her ears.
Everything felt unbearably uncomfortable.
“Shirley?”
At the soft call from beside her, Shirley looked up. Damian had leaned in close, his face tilted toward hers.
Behind the mask, his blue eyes flickered with concern.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Ah.”
Meeting Damian’s gaze, Shirley shook her head lightly. Here she was, lost in her thoughts while her fiancé stood right beside her.
“I just… want to rest for a bit.”
She slipped her arm out of Damian’s as she spoke.
“……”
Damian glanced at his now-empty arm, his expression unreadable behind the mask.
“Feeling dizzy? Should I get you some water?”
“More than that… could you take me to the lounge?”
She didn’t want to dance or do anything else. She just wanted to escape the crowd’s gaze.
“Alright.”
Damian took her arm again, pulling her closer to him.
“Lean on me if you’re dizzy.”
The arm firmly wrapped around her waist was so steady that Shirley couldn’t bring herself to say she was fine.
“I’ll just rest for a bit, then.”
At the door to the women’s lounge, Shirley quickly spoke to Damian before opening the door and slipping inside.
She thought she heard Damian say something from behind, but she didn’t turn back.
*Thud.*
Only after the door closed did Shirley let out a quiet sigh. Looking around the spacious lounge, she realized that since the party had just started, no one else was there. She quickly removed her mask.
There was no way to explain this suffocating feeling, no one to confide in. She felt pathetic, filled with nothing but frustration and resentment. After all, everything was already decided.
Shirley glanced around and then made her way to the farthest corner, settling into a spot where she hoped to go unnoticed.
She buried herself into the sofa, crumpling the butterfly wings on her back, and let out a deep sigh.
*Damian must have left by now, right?*
The thought of leaving Damian standing alone outside the door made her feel uneasy. She hated how she had turned away from him, even though she knew his eyes had been filled with worry.
*Getting married in this situation… Is this just the pre-wedding anxiety all brides feel?*
Her thoughts began to spiral, one after another.
*Click.*
The sound of the door opening was followed by the footsteps of several people.
Laughter bubbled, and the rustling of dresses dragging across the floor filled the room. Just as Shirley was about to sit up, realizing her moment of solitude was over, she heard a familiar voice.
“That’s strange, why is Damian alone?”
It was Amy. She was part of Shirley’s social circle but not someone Shirley was particularly close to. Unlike Melissa, who got along with everyone, Shirley was more reserved and had only a few close friends.
“Shirley’s been missing since earlier.”
