Chapter 269 - Behind the mask
Leaving the gallery, Scarlett wove her way through the bustling crowd as she exited the Emperor’s Forum with the weight of numerous gazes pressing upon her. The attention was far more palpable than what she’d experienced during the banquet, but that wasn’t particularly surprising given her recent brief role as the centerpiece of the proceedings. As she began navigating the extravagant corridors of Dawnlight Palace, the throng of people gradually dispersed around her, with most returning to the banquet hall for the intermission, while others drifted into ornate lounges that dotted the spacious hallways.
Palace attendants stood at attention here and there, their postures straight and expressions neutral as they were ready to cater to the guests’ whims. Scarlett veered down a less-traveled hallway, her footsteps echoing softly as she made her way to the ladies’ room.
The restrooms in Dawnlight Palace were a marvel of opulence, their walls adorned with intricate gold filigree that caught the warm light of crystal chandeliers, while wide mirrors polished to a fine sheen reflected the grandeur. Individual chambers, presumably fit for royalty and their esteemed guests, offered privacy to those seeking it, but Scarlett didn’t linger to admire the decor. She bided her time near the entrance, watching as a couple of ladies walked past, their curious and perplexed whispers not escaping her notice.
When she was sure there were no eyes upon her, Scarlett activated her [Charm of Expeditious Change]. In an instant, her attire shifted, and a hood appeared to obscure her face. Carefully, she peered back into the corridor outside, her gaze landing on a servant passage she’d noted earlier. A lone guard stood sentry, rigid and alert.
Invoking the ability of her [Garments of Form], Scarlett was enveloped by a swirl of mist. In the blink of an eye, she materialised inside the passage, leaving the guard none the wiser. Walking with deliberate slowness, she moved forward, her senses heightened as she listened for any approaching footsteps. Considering her distance from the banquet hall, though, there would likely be fewer attendants in this area.
Her recollection of the palace layout was hazy at best, not to mention mostly based on an outdated game map, but she had a general sense of her bearings. The unadorned servant passages proved more navigable than the main corridors, and she ascended several floors as she searched for her destination.
As long as she stayed clear of the imperial quarters and certain other heavily guarded areas, she should be fine. Worst-case scenario, she could probably talk her way out of any unexpected encounters, but it would be a nuisance.
After some educated guesswork and careful exploration, Scarlett found herself in a hallway that seemed more familiar than the others. She stayed close to a wall as two servants bustled past, their arms laden with polished silver trays. Once they were out of sight, she continued her search.
Rounding a corner, she spotted a door at the hallway’s end, flanked by two palace guards. Her brow creased in mild surprise. She hadn’t expected it to be guarded. That complicated matters somewhat.
After a moment’s deliberation, she decided a direct approach was the best option. Especially considering who she was meeting. With a thought, her clothes shimmered and transformed back into the elegant gown she had worn earlier. She strode down the hallway with purposeful steps, maintaining the air of someone who belonged there. The guards’ eyes tracked her movement as they spotted her, hands resting lightly on the hilts of their weapons, poised but not overtly threatening.
As she reached them, Scarlett briefly considered trying a polite smile, but quickly abandoned that idea. Instead, she fixed the guards with a steady gaze. “Is this room’s incumbent currently inside?”
One guard eyed her closely. “No, they’re not. Your Ladyship, may I ask what business brings you here?”