ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ʙᴜᴛʟᴇʀ: Book of Mystery

Part 9.2 "An awkward incident after a difficult day"

"So, first we search for the Viscount..."

"Viscount Druitt is such a man, I can't wait to meet him!" Madame took the confused girl by the hand. "Stay close to me today so you don't get lost," she said with a wink.

Sebastian and Ciel disappeared from the girl's view, and Lera kept an eye on Madame.

"So... what's happening now?" the girl asked, somewhat nervously smiling, now more than ever wanting instructions for each subsequent move.

Various men began to approach Madame Red, causing the girl to immediately feel flustered. They simply talked to her and flirted, to which Madame responded with equally languid words.

Soon, music began to play, beautiful and danceable, and the men started inviting the women to dance, who readily agreed. Not a single woman refused, everyone was having fun and enjoying the evening, while Valerie examined the hall, the tables laden with various snacks and drinks, and the beautiful lights outside the mansion windows.

Then, the "show" began, and they started "cutting" Sebastian...

Though the balls were beautiful, they were very boring. The first impression of the scene was good, but the atmosphere felt off. The girl concluded that it was better to stay at home and drink tea, even if without Ciel, or even if with him. It seemed Valerie began to long for the mansion. She hadn't stayed there long, but long enough to get used to the warm blanket on the bed and the beautiful view outside the window. Long enough to get used to the high ceilings, luxurious walls, and the pleasant smell of tea that permeated almost everywhere.

Now she couldn't imagine her morning without: "Good morning, miss, the weather is lovely today, isn't it?" Or: "Good morning, Miss Valerie, I hope this tea lifts your spirits for the day, as the weather isn't particularly attractive today"—but the girl loved cloudy weather and rain. How did she manage to get used to this in just a few days? Sometimes, in such a luxurious place, she felt uncomfortable; she couldn't get used to the fact that to get to another room, it took not thirty seconds but at least five minutes, and sometimes she simply couldn't believe she was living in such a place. She couldn't believe it wasn't a dream.

She didn't know what to do here, and didn't know what girls did at balls when they were bored; she was afraid of making a mistake. Trying to find an answer to the question "What to do," Valerie looked at Madame again, this time with a sad look. To her surprise, her temporary mother noticed the dull look of her daughter, got up from the chair, and easily pushed the unfamiliar men aside, who stood there in confusion and disappointment.

"Dear, are you bored?" asked the queen of red.

"It's my first time at such events, and I have no idea how to truly enjoy the party," Valerie looked down in disappointment.

Madame didn't hesitate, she gently lifted the girl's chin and looked her straight in the eyes. A strange and distracting gesture, just what was needed.

"If that's the case, don't think I'll leave it at that, come with me and I'll tell you what to do," she took the confused girl by the hand and led her to a corner. "So, listen, the most interesting thing at balls are the conversations, especially if you know what to talk about. And how do you find out?" Madame brought a finger to her lips. "I'll tell you now. It's like catching a good fish."

The girl furrowed her brows at Madame's playful tone and looked at her seriously. What is she going to show me?

"What's the point of these places? Earn your place!"

"A place? What does that mean?"

"Become the queen of the ball! Be unique and mysterious! For starters," Madame produced a red lipstick from somewhere and applied it to the girl's lips, "that's the first step. Second, you need to know nothing here, go to the center of the hall and stand with a grand but disinterested look. At that moment, when you do, at least two people will approach you, and moreover... they will be men," the mentor winked.