chapter 30

“Layla is a good child who doesn’t know how to lie,” Serenity spoke up first. “If you say that about her, she’ll be hurt.”

After she finished, she smiled at Tu Nan and winked at her.

Father stuffed a piece of steak into his mouth and chewed noisily, speaking indifferently, “Layla wouldn’t care at all.”

He gave Tu Nan a sinister smile. “My dear daughter, you wouldn’t blame me, would you?”

Tu Nan nodded. “Of course a daughter can’t blame her father. But Father, I still want to attend the Masquerade Ball…”

“Enough, Layla,” Father interrupted her impatiently. “I’ve made up my mind. Tomorrow night, you will stay home and not go anywhere.”

After dinner, Father returned to his room to rest, while Tu Nan stayed behind to help Serenity clear the table.

This used to be Cinderella’s job, but now that Cinderella was gone, it was up to them to do it.

“You did that on purpose,” Tu Nan said in a low voice to Serenity as she put away the plates one by one. “You could have told him I was fine.”

“And what good would that do me?” Serenity wiped the water off a plate, glancing at Tu Nan with a half-smile. “I was just telling the truth. I hope you aren’t upset, my… good daughter.”

…

Tu Nan frowned. “What’s your task? Maybe we can work together.”

Serenity’s smile faded. She shrugged, clearly not intending to reveal her task.

“The first thing I learned in an Instance is never to trust others.”

“Having more partners is better than having more enemies,” Tu Nan said calmly.

“Fine,” Serenity mused. “If you can manage to attend the Ball on your own tomorrow night, maybe I’ll consider working with you.”

“As for now,” she put the plate back in its place, “I think I’ll go rest.”

—

This time, only a few nobles and well-known figures in the kingdom were invited to the Ball. It was unlike last time, when anyone of the right age could attend.

Father had strictly forbidden her from going to the Ball, Serenity refused to help, and without an invitation, it would be very difficult for Tu Nan to sneak in.

She had to think of a way to get into the Ball.

Tu Nan leaned against the window, deep in thought.

All invitations to the Royal Palace were unique and matched to specific identities. Forging one was out of the question.

A cool night breeze carried snippets of conversation, easily overlooked during the day, to her ears.

Tu Nan paused, instinctively looking out the window.

Cinderella’s yard, untended for days, was now overgrown with weeds. Bird hid among the branches of the Tree, chattering about the day’s events under cover of night.

“Poor Araya, her mother is so ill, yet she still has to work at the Royal Palace.”

“Well, the Ball is tomorrow, and they’re short-staffed.”

“I saw her sitting by the river crying when I came back just now. Such a pitiful girl…”

A few words were enough for Tu Nan to piece together the situation.

The Royal Palace, preparing for the Ball, did not allow Maid to take leave. But Maid Araya’s mother was gravely ill, leaving her in a dilemma.

Tu Nan tapped her finger lightly on the table, quickly coming up with an idea.

A few minutes later, Tu Nan changed into simple clothes and slipped quietly out the door.

Father had drunk a lot that night and was snoring loudly. He was unlikely to wake up easily. Tu Nan needed to leave immediately to find Araya, the girl the Bird had mentioned, and strike a deal that would benefit them both.
Following the information revealed by the Bird, Tu Nan asked a few passersby and soon arrived at the lakeside.

At this moment, dusk had just fallen. The lake reflected the moonlight, shimmering with ripples and light.

She couldn’t be sure if Araya was still there, so she could only try her luck along the shore.

Luckily, Tu Nan’s luck was not too bad; soon she heard the faint sound of crying from afar.

She braced herself and immediately ran toward the sound. A simply dressed brown-haired girl was sitting by the lake, her head buried as she sobbed.

“Sorry to bother you. Are you having some trouble?”

Araya looked up in confusion. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying so long, and the thin skin around them even stung a little.

Her eyes were a bit blurry. She blinked hard and finally saw the person in front of her clearly.

It was a very ordinary-looking girl, wearing a simple white long dress, rather thin, with slightly high cheekbones. She didn’t look easy to approach, but her eyes were unexpectedly gentle.

“Are you… talking to me?” Araya pointed at herself in a daze.

“Of course.” Tu Nan smiled, trying her best to look harmless. “You’re the only one crying here.”

“S-sorry…” Araya’s face turned bright red, and she stammered, “Did I… disturb you?”

“Not at all.” Tu Nan shook her head. “But it’s already quite late. Why aren’t you going home? Why are you here crying alone?”

Araya’s tears fell again.

She thought she had nearly cried herself dry, but tears kept falling uncontrollably.

“My mother is seriously ill, but tomorrow I still have to go to the Royal Palace to work,” she choked out.

“Why not hire someone to take care of your mother?” Tu Nan asked.

“I have no money.” Araya cried even harder.

“Poor girl.” Tu Nan squatted in front of her, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped away her tears. “How about this: tomorrow, I’ll go do your work for you, and you stay home to care for your mother. How does that sound?”

Araya was stunned, clearly not expecting such a solution. She was tempted for a moment, but then hesitated, “But… what if someone finds out…”

“Isn’t tomorrow the Masquerade Ball?” Tu Nan blinked. “I heard everyone has to wear a mask. Who would know the person behind the mask isn’t you?”

“That’s true…” Araya was still uneasy. “But…”

“Can you really bear to let your mother be home alone without anyone to care for her?” Tu Nan lowered her head. “To tell the truth, I fell in love with the Prince at first sight, but now he is going to marry someone else. My heart is troubled, and I just want to see him one more time before he marries. Even if I can only witness his happiness from afar, I think I will feel satisfied.”

“So that’s how it is.” Araya immediately felt sympathy for her feelings.

She was a kind girl and couldn’t bear to see another girl hurt by love. After hesitating for a while, she finally agreed to Tu Nan’s proposal.

“Don’t worry, I will be cautious and won’t make things difficult for you,” Tu Nan promised her.

Araya nodded gratefully, then as if suddenly remembering something, reminded her: “My work isn’t difficult, but the Royal Palace is not an ordinary place. As a Maid, there are many Rule requirements you must follow. Please remember them well.”