73 Encounter in the Shadows

73 Encounter in the Shadows
(Ella's POV)

Ever since someone mentioned the imprisoned adult mermaid, I could no longer focus on the banquet.

The hall remained brilliantly lit, crystal chandeliers casting dazzling reflections while nobles raised glasses in animated conversation. Musicians played cheerful dance tunes, and the air mixed wine, spices, and flowers.

Yet in my ears, those words kept echoing.

——Bell tower basement, holding an adult female mermaid.

Colin and I exchanged only the briefest glance.

He continued conversing casually with the nobles before him as if nothing had happened.

I began waiting for an opportunity.

Soon, a young server carrying red wine passed beside me.

The chance had come.

The next moment, I held my wine glass and, concealed by my skirt, extended my toe to block the server's path.

"Ah—" The server's glass slipped from his hands. Deep red wine splashed out, almost entirely soaking my skirt.

The pale yellow gown instantly bloomed with large dark red stains.

"S-sorry! Miss! I'm truly sorry!" The young server went pale, apologizing frantically.

Many nearby guests looked over.

I looked down at my dress with a somewhat helpless expression.

"It's fine." I shook my head gently. "I blocked your path—I should be the one apologizing."

A maid responsible for guest care immediately approached.

"Miss, please come with me. The estate has prepared guest rooms where you can change into a spare gown."

"Thank you." I nodded slightly to Colin and followed the maid from the hall.

The estate was far larger than I'd imagined.

Through long corridors and up spiral stairs carpeted in dark red, we reached the second floor.

The entire building had three floors, each decorated with extreme luxury. Walls hung with oil paintings, ceilings carved with elaborate reliefs, even handrails inlaid with gilt patterns.

The maid opened a spacious guest room where spare gowns already waited.

Attending such banquets required preparing at least two outfits for accidents. My backup differed from the earlier yellow gown—this was deep blue.

The waist design was more pronounced. The skirt fell naturally along my body with a high slit extending to my outer thigh. Less ornate than the yellow dress but more mature and elegant.

Most importantly—it allowed easier movement.

I quickly changed clothes while the maid skillfully organized cosmetics.

"Miss, please sit. I'll touch up your makeup."

I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded lightly.

When she bent to organize the cosmetic box, I quietly slipped a thumb-sized glass vial from my sleeve.

"Could you pour me some water?"

"Of course." The maid turned toward the table.

The moment her back was turned, I uncorked the vial.

Barely visible white vapor drifted out slowly.

The maid had just lifted the water pitcher when her movements slowed. Supporting herself on the table edge, her gaze gradually lost focus as her body softly collapsed.

I quickly caught her, gently placing her on the sofa.

After confirming her breathing was steady, I sighed in relief.

"Thank you for your hard work. Sleep for a while."

I quickly packed away the vial and went to the window.

Time was running short. First, I lifted my long skirt entirely, tying it firmly at my waist. The gown that had reached my ankles instantly shortened above my knees, completely revealing the fitted black shorts underneath.

Then I donned a lightweight black jacket and secured the potions at my waist.

Confirming nothing was overlooked, I opened the window.

The second floor was several meters from the ground, but I didn't hesitate. From my medicine pouch I took a small gray-green herb.

This was called Puffweed, with remarkable properties.

I gently tossed it toward the ground. The moment it landed, the palm-sized plant rapidly expanded like inflating. Within seconds, it became a large mass of plant cushioning soft as clouds.

I climbed out the window and leaped down. My body fell rapidly. The next moment, I sank into Puffweed's soft branches and leaves, completely unharmed.

I quickly rose and drew a small bottle of strong liquor from inside my jacket, sprinkling it on the Puffweed. The moment alcohol touched the plant, it began rapidly contracting and withering. Within ten seconds, the entire plant had turned back to gray-white powder, swept up by night wind and scattered without trace. No evidence remained on the ground.

I brushed my skirt and ran quickly toward the garden.

Night had completely fallen.

The estate garden was filled with tall laurels and neatly trimmed shrubs. Where lamplight couldn't reach lay complete darkness.

I knew Kyle was here. We'd agreed that before the ball began, he'd remain near the garden waiting.

If I failed to appear, he would act independently to find Maris's location.

Since the ball hadn't started, Kyle would definitely be nearby.

After rounding some shrubs, a figure slowly emerged from the tree shadows.

A strange, ordinary face—yet I felt incredibly familiar and secure.

It was Kyle.

"Ella." He called my name quietly.

I immediately walked over quickly, hiding in the shadows.

"Found it." I lowered my voice. "Possibly in the bell tower basement. There are mechanisms—be careful."

I told him everything I'd learned: the tower's location, how to open the basement, and possible traps and devices.

Kyle listened attentively and nodded slightly. "Understood. You stay safe."

I couldn't help grasping his sleeve. "I'll be fine, but you must be extra careful. I'll wait for you so we can go home together."

Kyle looked down at my hand, his expression softening. "Alright, we'll go home together."

"If anything seems wrong, leave immediately," I added urgently. "You're what matters most!"

"I know. Trust that I'm strong, Ella." Kyle gently touched my hair, then his figure quickly disappeared into the woods.

Within a few breaths, he'd vanished completely.

I stood there watching that darkness return to quiet, my chest suddenly tight.

But I had no time to worry—I had to return immediately.

I quickly took another path back to the estate.

Just as I was about to round back to the main building, footsteps came from ahead around the corner.

"Click, click, click."

Steady and slow, growing closer.

My heart sank. It was too late to run now. I immediately hid in shadows cast by a nearby pillar, rapidly untying the knot at my waist.

The deep blue gown fell back down, completely concealing the black shorts beneath. I removed the black jacket, threw it into flower beds, then took out a potion and swallowed it.

Cool liquid slid down my throat as familiar magic quickly spread.

My hair turned golden, pupils became blue, even my voice grew higher and sharper.

Finally, I put my heels back on and lightly regulated my breathing.

The footsteps had reached the corner.

The next second, a tall figure slowly appeared.

"Who's there?" The man's voice carried natural arrogance and command.

I faced away from him, not turning immediately. Only kept my head down, letting loose hair conceal most of my face.

"Hey? I'm talking to you!" Footsteps approached again. "Who are you? Why are you standing here alone?"

I slowly turned around as lamplight shone from the other side. My face remained mostly hidden in shadow.

But when I saw who it was, my breathing imperceptibly paused.

The man before me wore expensive tailcoats with the Church family crest on his chest.

Young, handsome, yet carrying an instinctively repulsive frivolity and arrogance.

This was none other than the estate's master—Dorian.