Ch. 23 All Of Those Are For You

The masquerade ball's day arrived before she knew it, but Aria was not as excited as the Chavau girls.

Tracy and Krista rummaged through their wardrobes all day to look for dresses to wear tonight, even though they had bought many outfits yesterday.

There didn't seem to be any clothes that could make them feel satisfied.

At least Aria didn't have to worry about the two girls interrupting her work or bossing her around like she was their slave. The two girls were too busy beautifying themselves as if they believed no one could rival their beauty.

Aria walked over to the kitchen and saw Rousell cooking a stew.

According to her request, Rousell did not leave the room and rested in his room for two days. And recently, the man came out of the room and went back to work as the family cooker.

The evil mistress didn't question the chef's absence because she knew the older man wouldn't be able to work because of the punishment he received. Instead, the evil mistress planned to make Aria the temporary cook to replace Rousell.

But because Quinn often came to Chavau's house and took Aria away from morning to night, the evil mistress couldn't execute her scheming plan. And now that Rousell had recovered miraculously, the older lady had no reason to suppress Aria.

"Miss Aria, I have some fresh bread for you." offered Rousell to Aria while giving a packet of round bread.

Aria smelled the aroma of coffee on the bread, and it was mouth-watering. But…

"No, thanks. I don't want to get you into trouble like last time."

"Don't worry. I made it especially for you. The people in this house have no respect toward coffee bread."

Aria giggled lightly at that. It's true. The only person who liked to eat butter-filled coffee bread was her alone.

"Then I will accept it gladly. Thank you, Rousell."

"My pleasure, miss."

Aria devoured her bread while sighing in pleasure. It felt so strange not doing any errands all day while she had gotten used to doing a lot of work for as long as she could remember.

This morning when the evil witch wanted to make her do the laundry, Quinn had invited her to go shopping, and only a few minutes ago, Aria returned home. Her best friend even stated emphatically that Aria would come with her to the masquerade ball and would come to pick her up at five in the evening.

The lady's house decided not to order Aria to do anything so that the girl wouldn't look exhausted. Lady Chavau might be able to fool the others and maintain her image as a good benefactor. But she had a hard time tricking Quinn, especially since she was an elf descendant who could see what others couldn't.

"Rousell, Quinn wished to take me to the ball tonight. Do you think I should come along?" Aria had considered Rousell like her father, so she was used to telling small things about her personal life. And she also always asks for his opinion when she wants to do something.

"Is there anything stopping you from going?"

"Nothing, although I'm pretty sure the Chavau girls don't want me to leave."

"Then do as you wish, miss. If you want to come, then come. If you don't want to, there's no need to come."

"I didn't want to come, but I promised Quinn to be with her tonight. She said tonight was her last night in this world."

"Is she going back to the fairy kingdom?"

"Well, that's what she said."

"Then what made you not want to come?"

"Today is the day the werewolf realm portal door opens. There will be a lot of werewolves coming tonight."

"Then?"

"I don't want to meet a werewolf."

Rousell laughed loudly at that. "Miss Aria, not all werewolf kid is bad. They can become loyal friends and passionate lovers for their mates."

"I feel comfortable having an elf companion like Meryl or a half-breed like Quinn. I would be happier if there were a human girl who would be my friend."

"Well, tonight might be your chance."

"My chance of what?"

"To get a human girl as your friend. I heard the all-girls academy from the North district is also coming tonight. They don't know you, and I'm sure they'll want to be friends with you."

"They will? Do you think they want to be friends with me?"

"Miss Aria. You are the friendliest girl I've ever met. You are a strong-willed girl yet kind toward others. If it weren't for the Chavau sisters spreading bad rumors about you or threatening others, I'm sure you already have a thousand friends."

"That's too exaggerating, but thanks."

"Do you have a dress for the party?"

"Quinn has already prepared it for me. She said she'd come to pick me up at five, and then I'd change at her house."

"Why don't you change here? Why do you have to go to her house first?"

"She couldn't believe the girls wouldn't ruin my dress when they saw me wearing it. She said she bought me a fairy kingdom dress just for me."

"Oh?" Rousell seemed interested in what kind of dress Aria would wear. "Are you going to take a photo of it? I'm curious about fae's trademark clothes."

"Of course. I'll take a picture of it and send it to you."

Rousell smiled happily at that and resumed his cooking.

At precisely five o'clock in the evening, Quinn arrived in front of the Chavau house, and together with Aria, the two walked back to the Harrowcroft house, which took ten minutes on foot.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrowcroft welcomed Aria's arrival even though they had never paid any attention to her before. Their children also felt indifferent toward Aria in the past.

The two of them never bullied Aria, nor did they want to be her friends. The only human girl willing to be friends with her was Quinn only, as she was the half-breed and fearless toward that bullier.

Nevertheless, Aria greeted everyone in the house politely and smiled kindly. After all, they were a family that Quinn held dearly, and she didn't want to create a rift between Quinn and her uncle's family.

By the time they arrived in Quinn's room, a pair of chocolate-like eyes had widened at what she had seen.

Quinn grinned from ear to ear, seeing how shocked and awe-stricken her friend was.

"All of those are for you."