CHAPTER 93 - THE MASQUERADE PARTYAfter hearing the man behind the thin screen laughing jovially at the evidence he presented, Ezekiel felt his goosebumps and fears increase.
Crazy man!
What man could laugh out loud at his wife's infidelity? Was he not only old, dying and had a very bad character, but was he also insane? Maybe because he was a dying old monster, it made him have a bad temper and crippling madness. Ezekiel felt a chill run down his spine.
But if this was the type of man Harriet married, Ezekiel felt a little relieved. Harriet must have hated him so much and she couldn't wait to leave him. With a little push, maybe they could split up, and even if they didn't, Ezekiel could still win in Harriet's eyes when compared to this man.
"The secret lover and the man my wife really loves, huh?" Liam Almandine asked in a cold voice that somehow sounded livelier than usual. Then Ezekiel heard Liam speak in a mocking mumbled voice, "Interesting. I'll tell her this when she gets home."
Direct confrontation?
Well, Ezekiel had already accepted that this old man was insane and unreasonable. Maybe he was also the type to start an argument the second Harriet approached him. But at the same time, Ezekiel felt Liam sounded a little more excited than before.
Wait.
Did he also have an interest in ambitious and rational women who were willing to sacrifice everything, including their morals and reputation?
That type of woman was indeed attractive–ah. Ezekiel was completely swayed by Harriet Goldlane's charm. He slightly regretted not trying to get to know her in the first place. After all, the innocent and sweet type of woman like Cecilia could be found anywhere, but Harriet was so unique and attractive.
He couldn't wait to hear what would happen to them. He couldn't wait to get to Harriet after she admitted that she prefered the throne and power over her morals and her unfortunate relationship with this dying man.
After all, Ezekiel wouldn't force Harriet to break up with her secret lover, just like Ezekiel wouldn't break up with Cecilia.
If Liam Almandine actually approved of Harriet's relationship with her side lover, couldn't he also agree to the relationship that Ezekiel would build with Harriet?
Ezekiel could really accept any scenario as long as he could have Harriet!
"My wife will be home soon. You get out of here and don't you dare appear in front of her," Liam's voice was cold and deep again, sounding horrifying, though not as scary as his crazy laugh earlier.
Ezekiel furrowed his brows in disappointment. Apparently, to get Harriet, he'd have to get them divorced first.
Alright. Whatever the outcome, Ezekiel could accept it.
He walked away from the room and was satisfied with himself. After discovering the deepest desires of his soul, he felt extremely free and relieved. He was glad he chose Cecilia a year ago and dumped his relationship with Harriet, which made him know himself.
He wouldn't settle for a single romantic adventure, and with a woman like Harriet who was rational and knew how to separate heart and ambition like him, he was sure everything would turn out perfectly.
***
Harriet decorated her hair with pearl beads, and then wore a bone-white dress which was the latest design from her boutique subscription that carried a classic theme from several decades ago. As Harriet let her long wavy hair unravel down her shoulders, Liam smiled with satisfaction.
Last night, Liam had helped Harriet tie her hair, so today, Harriet's hair looked more bouncy and voluminous. There was nothing wrong with Overnight Styling for a masquerade party, considering that Harriet didn't need to really follow the trend of the capital. Moreover, this event was organized by the club she founded.
She turned to Liam, who was wearing a bone-white suit that looked classic and elegant. The two of them looked like a pair of ghosts from centuries ago who was still roaming the world out of boredom and laziness to ascend to heaven–or descend to hell.
"Your mask is very interesting, Madam," Liam complimented when he saw the mask Harriet had kept in a box. The Masquerade mask was Harriet's special mask, a white snake mask with one eye hole on the right side.
"Actually, this is my mother's mask," said Harriet quietly. She then smiled and held up another mask box. Harriet showed it to Liam who was still furrowing his brows at her previous words and opened the box.
Another white mask appeared in their vision.
It was a white wolf mask with golden stripes around its eyes. Harriet smiled proudly showing the mask design. It was the one she ordered yesterday, which turned out to be perfect and ready at just the right time.
"This is for me?" Liam asked.
Harriet nodded. "Let's go before we're late for the club's weekly masquerade party," said Harriet then.
It had been three days since they had arrived in the Capital.
Liam was able to walk on his own two feet, although he had to use a cane to help him stand up straight. His cane was also a brand new cane without anyone's name engraved. Liam who was still standing on the spot saw Harriet starting to put on her long gloves that covered up to her elbows.
Beautiful, he thought.
Harriet looked like a woman from his youth era. And that made him feel a little sore. If only they could meet sooner–if only Harriet could be born sooner…
Well, still he was grateful to meet Harriet now, rather than never.
He held out his hand to the ready Harriet, and the two of them got out of the hotel room to leave in their luxurious and elegant horse-drawn carriage. And before they got to the club, inside the carriage, they put on their masks.
Wolf and Snake – a strange pairing, but it made sense considering that both were feared by many. Beasts, monsters, venomous and terrible creatures.
Tonight, they were ready to play-act.