Chapter Four: The Man Behind the Mask
1025 Words
Chapter Four: The Man Behind the Mask
POV: Melissa / Mary
Why was HE here already?!
I stared at the silver-haired man standing before me while my brain completely stopped functioning.
Sea-blue eyes.
Cold but handsome face.
Elegant black suit.
And that mysterious smile that made him look both dangerous and beautiful at the same time.
Cassian Vale.
The second male lead of The Wolf.
Or more accurately—
The hidden male lead everyone loved more than the Crown Prince.
My soul nearly left my body.
Because unlike Ethan, who was openly cold…
Cassian was unpredictable.
In the novel, nobody truly understood him.
He rarely appeared in public, avoided unnecessary conversations, and always wore black gloves that covered his hands completely.
People feared him because of the strange rumors surrounding him.
Some said he was cursed.
Some believed he secretly killed people.
Others claimed he was connected to dark magic.
But the truth was far more terrifying.
Cassian Vale was a wolf.
Not an ordinary wolf.
A legendary black wolf feared by the empire itself.
And only two people knew his secret.
The Emperor.
And the Marquis family that raised him.
Everyone else remained completely unaware.
Including the heroine.
Including the Crown Prince.
Including Melissa.
Well…
Original Melissa.
But unfortunately for me, I had already read the novel.
And now the hidden wolf himself was standing right in front of me.
Watching me carefully.
“…You look frightened,” Cassian said softly.
I immediately forced a smile.
“Not at all.”
Lie.
Huge lie.
This man could literally tear people apart.
Physically.
He tilted his head slightly.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“…Then why are you gripping your drink like you’re preparing for battle?”
I looked down.
Oops.
I slowly relaxed my hand.
“Habit,” I replied awkwardly.
Cassian stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a quiet chuckle.
Wait.
He laughed?
Hold on.
Cassian almost never laughed in the novel.
What is happening already?!
“You’re interesting tonight,” he murmured.
Danger.
Danger.
EXTREME DANGER.
The second male lead noticing me this early was absolutely not part of my survival plan.
Because every person connected to the main story eventually suffered.
And I wanted peace.
A long peaceful life.
Preferably with food.
Lots of food.
“I think this is our first proper conversation,” Cassian continued calmly.
I blinked.
Oh right.
Original Melissa barely interacted with him because she was too busy obsessing over Ethan.
Honestly, another terrible life decision.
“Y-Yes,” I answered carefully.
His blue eyes studied me closely.
“You changed suddenly.”
My heart skipped.
Why does everyone keep saying that?!
I laughed nervously.
“Almost drowning changes people.”
“That excuse worked on the Crown Prince too?”
I froze.
Oh no.
This man was smarter than Ethan.
Way smarter.
In the novel, Cassian always noticed things others ignored.
Which made him terrifying.
And right now, it felt like he could see directly through me.
I quickly changed the subject.
“You attended the ball earlier than expected.”
“I could say the same about you,” he replied smoothly.
Fair point.
Before I could answer again, the ballroom suddenly grew quieter.
The large doors opened dramatically.
A man entered wearing luxurious golden robes decorated with jewels.
The Emperor.
Everyone immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
I copied the others quickly.
The Emperor walked through the ballroom calmly, greeting nobles politely.
Then suddenly—
He stopped walking.
Right in front of Cassian.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
And something strange passed between them.
Something hidden.
Something secretive.
My chest tightened immediately.
Because I remembered this scene.
In the novel, this tiny moment had been an important clue.
The Emperor already knew Cassian’s true identity.
Not only that—
He was the one protecting Cassian’s secret from the entire empire.
Nobody understood why until much later in the story.
The Emperor smiled faintly.
“Cassian.”
“Your Majesty.”
“You rarely attend royal events.”
“I was invited personally.”
The Emperor chuckled softly.
“Yes… I insisted.”
Their conversation looked normal to everyone else.
But knowing the truth made it feel completely different.
The Emperor’s eyes suddenly shifted toward me.
“And Lady Melissa.”
I nearly jumped.
“M-Me?”
“You caused quite a stir tonight.”
Several nobles nearby immediately pretended not to listen.
The Emperor smiled knowingly.
“Breaking away from my son so publicly must have taken courage.”
My face burned in embarrassment.
Why did everyone keep talking about it?!
“I simply realized I was being foolish,” I answered honestly.
The Emperor looked amused.
“That realization came rather suddenly.”
Ah.
Even the Emperor is suspicious.
Wonderful.
Cassian quietly observed the entire interaction beside him.
Then unexpectedly—
“You handled the situation well,” he said.
I blinked in surprise.
“…Thank you?”
The Emperor looked mildly shocked for a second before laughing softly.
“Well, this is unusual.”
“What is?” I asked carefully.
“Cassian rarely compliments anyone.”
I turned toward the silver-haired man in disbelief.
Cassian simply took a sip of his drink calmly.
Why do I suddenly feel proud?
No.
Bad Mary.
Do not get emotionally attached to mysterious wolf men.
That never ends well.
Suddenly, music began playing loudly again.
The Emperor smiled.
“It seems the next dance is beginning.”
Nobles immediately began choosing partners.
I slowly stepped backward.
“Nope.”
Cassian raised an eyebrow.
“…Nope?”
“I mean,” I corrected quickly, “I don’t plan on dancing tonight.”
Honestly, Melissa’s original dance scene at this ball was one of the most embarrassing moments in the novel.
I refused to relive it.
But before I could escape—
Cassian suddenly extended his hand toward me.
The entire ballroom became silent again.
Oh no.
OH NO.
Not again.
“Dance with me,” he said calmly.
I stared at his hand in horror.
Because in the original story…
Cassian Vale never asked anyone to dance.
- Writer
