Clue
1074 Words
The next day.
I need to understand this world as soon as possible. This is my third time traveling through time and space！ And I’m only now realizing the gravity of it.
Each time, I’ve arrived and departed without any clear reason. Let’s start with the mailbox at the door. Last time, I checked an email inbox; now, it’s a real mailbox.
I pulled out a stack of letters and newspapers, flipping through them one by one. Most of these were trivial. Based on the information and the architecture, as well as people’s attire, this place resembled the medieval Western Continent.
One invitation caught my eye. A school opening ball? Nothing like that happened in my last life.
Oh well, I won’t go. I’m socially awkward and never participated in any group activities last time, let alone a ball. Besides, I'm clumsy on the dance floor. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see this invitation.
“You have to go,” Kronos’s voice came out of nowhere.
“You always appear out of thin air. I’m not going—I can’t dance.”
“There’s something we need there.”
“But the thing is… it doesn’t necessarily have to be a ball to find it. I could find another time. Dancing just isn’t—”
“Go. Unless you want to break our contract,” Kronos said coldly.
“You’re really forcing me into this,” I muttered.
In that instant, a golden light burst from my forehead, and Kronos appeared before me with a scythe in his hand. He just stood there, watching me. The light encircling him magnified the oppressive feeling.
He looked down at me with an icy gaze that felt as if it could penetrate to my bones.
“Fine… I’ll go. Can you please take a break, Your Highness?” I said, defeated.
Kronos vanished back into the golden light on my forehead.
What a mess!
But if Kronos insists, he must have sensed something.
Wait… I forgot to ask him all my questions! Damn!
I glanced at the time and place on the invitation—Wells Castle, March 10th, Friday… at 6:00 PM…
Today! Tonight!
Damn it! I’d hoped to have a couple of days to practice, so I wouldn’t be so clumsy. Now it’s too late—I’ll have to go in with zero experience!
It’s 10:00 in the morning. I hurried through breakfast.
Just as I was about to leave, the doorbell rang.
“Che, come in and sit.” I welcomed Su Yan Che inside. “Would you like some coffee?”
“No need, Han.” Su Yan Che smiled. “I came to ask if you’re attending tonight’s ball?”
“Yes, I am.”
He seemed surprised. “I thought you usually didn’t like events, especially social ones.”
“Well… I thought I’d try it. Everyone should try new things. People do change, you know?”
“I thought you weren’t into these things. That’s why I came to see if you’d join me for dinner tonight instead.”
“You’re not going to the ball? Weren’t you the life of the party last life?” I teased him.
“No way. It’s just that we haven’t seen each other in a while, so I wanted to catch up,” he said, looking a bit embarrassed. “And you probably don’t have a dance partner yet, do you? Let me go with you.”
“A dance partner?” Oh, right, I didn’t have one. “Sure!”
“Han, let me take you somewhere.”
With that, Su Yan Che grabbed my wrist and led me outside.
He put me in the car without a word about our destination. I kept quiet and went along.
We arrived at an old and mysterious tailor shop.
Once inside, we were surrounded by dazzling fabrics and ready-to-wear outfits.
“For the ball tonight, you should wear a new dress,” he said.
“Right,” I nodded, my eyes dazzled by the choices.
I settled on an elegant purple dress. Purple… it’s timeless and sophisticated. This would be it.
“I want this one…”
“All the ones Miss Wen looked at, please send to this address.” Su Yan Che handed a slip of paper to the shop owner.
So generous?!
“Che, I…”
“If you like them, take them all.”
…
Before I could respond, we were off to a jewelry store next.
“This one, this one, and that one. And those over there. All of them, to this address.”
Then shoes, a bag, perfume, and more. Buy, buy, buy.
By the time we got home, it was already 4:00 PM.
Everything we’d bought had already been delivered. Was this place always this efficient?
Wait, they even sent a stylist?!
“Han, go dress up. I’ll go get ready as well.”
After more than an hour of preparation, I finally emerged looking like a whole new person!
“Han, you look stunning,” Su Yan Che was waiting downstairs.
“Thank you, all thanks to Young Master Su.” I feigned formality, trying to match the elegance of my new attire.
He chuckled, “It’s rare to hear you speak so politely.”
“Young Master Su, we may depart now,” I said, theatrically lifting my skirt and slowly descending the stairs.
“Alright, Miss Wen.”
…
We arrived at Wells Castle, presenting our invitation at the entrance.
“Young Master Su, isn’t this just a school ball? Why is it held in such a grand castle? It looks almost royal,” I asked, puzzled.
The castle’s location, sprawling grounds, and magnificent decor, not to mention the abundant food—I’d never seen anything like it.
“Miss Wen, did you forget? Our school is the top school in Country Y, and we have nobles among our classmates. Sometimes, it’s not unusual for a young noble to host an event on behalf of the school,” he explained.
“Oh yes, back when we were in Country M, too. Your department was full of nobles and CEOs…”
“Shh.” Su Yan Che covered my mouth with a wry smile. “Better to be cautious.”
I nodded.
“I’m just going to the restroom. Wait here and don’t wander off,” he said.
I stood alone, watching people pass by…
- Writer
