Chapter 053
“Shall we get going now?”
Ray said to Perea.
She nodded and gently stroked Theo’s head. He was still clinging tightly to her.
“Theo, we’ll be back. You’ll be good, right?”
“Mm-hm! I’ll be good!”
“Good!”
“Perea, you didn’t forget we’re going to watch the Rabbit Hero play together next time, right?”
The condition for Theo not going to the opera was simple: he would watch a play alone with Perea later.
In Theo’s mind, since Ray was going to the performance alone with Perea, it was only fair that he also get to watch a show alone with her.
It wasn’t a difficult request at all, so both Perea and Ray had agreed easily.
Of course, just in case, Ray secretly planned to follow them when that time came.
Anyway, Theo decided to stay quietly at the hotel today, looking forward to spending time alone with Perea later.
“Of course. I’m really looking forward to watching it with you, Theo!”
“Hehe! Have fun, Perea! Mm, Ray too!”
Ray was treated like an accessory stuck next to Perea, but at least Theo greeted him. Ray waved at the child and left the room with Perea.
As expected for the first performance of the most popular opera, the front of the theater was crowded with people.
Some wore masks, some didn’t. Everyone looked excited as they waited for the opera to begin.
Vendors nearby called out loudly, trying to attract customers to buy snacks and Eclit souvenirs.
Even in such an excited atmosphere, two people remained stiff and awkward—Perea and Ray.
At performances like this, it was an unspoken rule that when a man and woman came together, the man would escort the woman.
But neither of them had ever experienced something like this before, so their movements were clumsy and unsure.
On top of that, wearing masks limited their vision, making them even more cautious.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Ray noticed her anxious glances and asked. After hesitating, Perea nodded.
“Honestly… I’m really uncomfortable right now. The clothes, the shoes… and I can’t see very well either!”
She spoke quickly, letting out her frustrations. If she had been a little younger, she might have cried and asked to go home.
Hearing her weak voice, Ray tapped his thigh lightly with his tail, looking troubled.
He liked that she leaned on him when she felt uneasy—but he wished the time they spent together would feel enjoyable, not stressful.
To avoid the noisy crowd, he leaned close and whispered near her ear.
“Then how about taking off the mask first? At least until you get used to it.”
“Oh… that’s true. Is it okay if only I take mine off?”
“Of course. I’ll untie it.”
As if he had been waiting for that answer, Ray stepped behind her and carefully untied the ribbon holding the mask.
The mask slid down softly. He caught it before it fell and returned to her side.
“How is it? Better?”
“Yes, I can see much better now.”
“That’s good.”
Ray gently fixed her slightly messy hair. His touch was so careful, as if he were handling fragile glass.
Seeing this gentle side of the man who usually defeated monsters without mercy made Perea’s heart pound loudly.
Right now, Ray looked so dazzling that anyone would believe he was the real prince rather than a guard knight.
His sharp jawline and tall nose were visible beneath the mask. His strong build, wrapped in a formal tailcoat, caught everyone’s attention.
Especially other beastmen stared at his ears and tail with admiration, clear signs that he was a fierce beastman.
Despite all the attention, Ray didn’t seem uncomfortable at all. As a knight of the Imperial Palace and a Sword Master, ordinary people’s stares meant little to him.
Perea, however, was just a normal human. She felt nervous under the attention directed at Ray.
At the same time, she liked how gently he treated her and secretly wished this moment would last longer.
In short, Perea herself didn’t understand her own feelings.
As they endured this strange mix of pressure and tenderness while waiting to enter, someone waved at them from a distance.
“Huh…?”
At first unsure, Perea soon recognized the masked woman walking toward them and smiled brightly.
It was Madam Trukisil, whom she had shared tea with a few days ago.
Even without a mask, Madam Trukisil recognized Perea immediately.
Skillfully weaving through the crowd, she approached and waved her hand excitedly after seeing Perea’s dress.
“Oh my, Perea! Your dress is so beautiful! You feel different from when we last met. Of course, you’re beautiful either way.”
“Thank you, Madam. You look so elegant as well. Your mask is wonderful too.”
Embarrassed by the long praise, Perea thanked her politely.
Madam Trukisil covered her mouth with her fan and laughed loudly. Just like before, she was far more cheerful than most nobles.
“I knew you’d come to see today’s performance, but I didn’t expect to meet you before it started. There are so many people!”
“That’s true. I’ve never seen this many people gathered together.”
Perea answered honestly. It was impressive that Madam Trukisil had spotted her in such a crowd.
Madam Trukisil laughed again and agreed that she hadn’t expected such popularity either.
“Oh dear, look at me. I came with my nephew today. Let me introduce him. His name is Haines Rizein.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Haines Rizein.”
The man behind her stepped forward with a friendly smile.
He wasn’t wearing a mask either. He had thick eyebrows and strong features. He wasn’t overwhelmingly handsome like Ray, but he was certainly attractive.
Since he was introduced by an elder, Perea prepared to bow politely—
—but suddenly a large hand appeared in front of her.
“I’m Ray. Nice to meet you.”
Ray stepped forward, shoulders squared confidently, cutting in before Perea could greet him.
Both Haines and Madam Trukisil were startled. They had noticed Ray standing beside Perea but hadn’t assumed they were together.
After all, a fierce beastman and an ordinary human woman made an unusual pair.
Perea was just as surprised. The Ray she knew usually didn’t introduce himself first—yet here he was, offering a handshake.
Seeing their shocked expressions, Ray lifted the corner of his lips.
“I’m glad to meet someone new while attending this performance with Miss Perea.”
His voice sounded far from cheerful, despite his words.
Madam Trukisil reacted first.
“Oh my! How lovely! I didn’t know Perea had such a handsome friend!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Madam.”
“Yes, yes. Most people don’t come to performances like this alone…”
Perea must have come alone, so I was going to introduce my nephew. The unspoken meaning was obvious.
Though Ray felt annoyed at her meddling, he kept smiling.
“You may not remember, Madam, but we have already met.”
“What? We have?”
Madam Trukisil widened her eyes. She was sure she would remember meeting such a tall, striking young man.
Seeing her confusion, Ray smiled even more deeply.
“I was also present at the greenhouse tea a few days ago with Miss Perea.”
“Oh… oh my?!”
Only then did Madam Trukisil remember the tall, black-cloaked guard standing behind Perea that day.
Now that she looked closely, the height was similar.
To think that such a handsome young man had been hiding under that worn black cloak…
The world was wide, and surprises were many—but this was truly shocking.
