Chapter Title: Initiation
Adelaide stood up abruptly and looked around. She couldn't see Cesare's tall figure in the black tabard and tricorne among the people.
*...No, it can't be.*
It felt as if the warmth that had enveloped her had vanished instantly. Her heart began to pound violently, and her mind became crystal clear, as if doused in ice water. She knocked on the bar table to call the bartender. The bartender, who had been polishing a glass, responded cheerfully.
"Looking for the gentleman? He has left his spot."
*Left his spot...*
Adelaide thought blankly.
"Because there's a Moretta."
Moretta. The name of the mask she was wearing. The bartender smiled slyly with narrowed eyes.
"Oh dear. Didn't you know the significance of a Moretta mask?"
"..."
"The original name of the Moretta mask is Moretta Muta. 'Muta' means 'mute.' In high society, wearing this mask means..."
The bird-beak mask man grinned widely.
"It means you won't say anything no matter what happens to you. Or it could mean you want something to happen."
Just as Adelaide's eyes widened, hands reached out from behind and grabbed her.
---
Cesare climbed to the sixth floor using the secret stairs behind the bar. A manager wearing a green Brighella mask and a long-tailed coat was waiting for him.
"It's a pleasure to see you here after such a long time."
"Spare me the flattery."
Cesare scoffed and tossed aside his hat and mask. The sixth floor of the Galeotto Club, a night social club exclusively for nobles, was a space solely for Cesare. Most of those doing business in Fornatie borrowed business capital from the Stellone Bank, so they each had a space reserved solely for Cesare.
"How about a 'Francesca'?"
The manager offered a cigar box. Cesare nonchalantly picked a cigar, cut the end, and lit it with a flintstone. Soon, a spicy aroma-filled smoke rose in the air. Cesare exhaled a faint sigh with the smoke. The manager smiled and looked down to the first floor over the railing.
"But you brought a Moretta today."
"It just happened."
"Is that okay?"
"It's something she has to experience sooner or later."
Pouring himself a glass of Glenkelan, Cesare approached the railing, which provided a clear view of the first floor. Adelaide was standing with her back to the bar, looking wary. She was as tense as a cat with its fur bristled.
"The Moretta lady seems very nervous."
"It's an initiation. She should be."
"Oh, she really came without knowing anything! How mischievous."
The manager laughed obsequiously. Cesare remained silent, watching Adelaide with downcast eyes. The 'initiation' involved making someone new to high society wear a Moretta mask and tormenting them. Although it was a perverse culture, one could never truly enter the center of social circles without undergoing it. Those from noble families generally knew about this to some extent. Adelaide, however, did not.
"..."
With a heavy gaze, Cesare watched Adelaide as someone in the crowd took her stole. With the black sable fur stripped off, her smooth, white back was exposed. Adelaide reached out for the fur in embarrassment, but a man grabbed her hand, causing her to recoil in surprise. A woman pushed Adelaide from behind, causing her to stagger. The move was malicious. As Adelaide stumbled forward, another person took her hat. Her intricately styled hair became disheveled. Although her face was hidden by the black Moretta mask, her head, shaking as she looked around nervously, clearly showed her confusion. People seemed to notice that Adelaide had truly come to the initiation unaware. Even from a distance, Cesare could see Adelaide breathing heavily in the midst of the jeering crowd.
*Master, should I intervene?*
Aegir's voice came through a small communication stone embedded in his boutonniere. Looking around, Cesare saw Aegir wearing a Volto mask, blending into the crowd. He was looking up, seeking permission.
*The young lady seems very distressed.*
"..."
Cesare took a deep drag from his cigar. Adelaide was staggering but still holding on. She didn't seem to think about taking off the mask and crying or calling for someone to protect her.
"Continue."
*...*
Aegir seemed to have something to say but fell silent. The initiation continued. A circle formed around Adelaide, with people poking her, caressing her arms, or startling her from behind. The level of harassment gradually escalated. The excitement of the crowd was palpable even from the upper floor.
"...She's unusually oblivious today."
Cesare muttered to himself, holding a cigar and a glass of whiskey. One would think she'd realize what it means to be the only one wearing a Moretta mask in such a large hall. A woman usually quick-witted seemed unusually slow today. It was the same when she entered the hall. She had caught everyone's attention the moment she appeared. Yet she didn't even blink, maintaining her calm demeanor.
*Is it because she's never lived as a 'woman' before?*
Then, someone burst out from behind Adelaide and pushed her with a large belly. Adelaide finally fell to the ground. Due to the tight evening dress, she looked like a mermaid caught in a net. Adelaide slowly lifted her head. The golden eyes that had been so full of life were now dulled by fear. Everyone watching, including Cesare and the manager, fell silent for a moment. The sight inexplicably evoked a sense of omnipotence and pleasure. Like an adult teasing a child with tales of monsters under the bed.
"...Ha. This is crazy."
Cesare felt blood rush to his center and clicked his tongue in disbelief. Fortunately, the tabard concealed it. If not, it would have been impossible to hide. She was turning him into a deviant. Realizing something, Cesare looked sharply at the manager beside him. The manager, too, was staring at Adelaide without moving. The eyes inside the Brighella mask gleamed darkly as if possessed. Seeing the bulge in the manager's pants, Cesare didn't hesitate to throw his drink in his face.
"Argh!"
The manager's temple burst open.
"Get lost if you don't want to die. Before I cut it off."
"My apologies...!"
Knowing his fault, the manager retreated while bleeding. But even in his last moment, his gaze flicked back to Adelaide. Cesare ran a hand through his hair.
*Damn it.*
He came to feel better, but his mood only worsened. Turning sharply, Cesare saw Adelaide still on the ground. Men who seemed slightly deranged were touching her shoulders or back. One was even trying to unbutton her back. Thankfully, Aegir swiftly removed a man pretending to strangle her.
Watching this, Cesare silently discarded his cigar. He had expected and even desired this scene, yet it wasn't enjoyable. Despite repeatedly trying to get up and shaking off hands, Adelaide didn't call for help. She was clearly scared but persisted. Did she really think he had abandoned her? Or was she too dignified to seek help from the head of the Bonaparte family?
"..."
*Tap. Taptaptap. Taptaptap.*
His two fingers drummed rapidly on the railing. Realizing his hand's agitation, Cesare scoffed. Gripping the railing with a veiny hand, Cesare glared down at Adelaide.
*Just admit it already. Men are all the same, and you're too naive to see reality. So just cry, flee, or cling...*
At that moment, Adelaide, who had been lying on the ground, swiftly stood up and backed up against a table along the hall's perimeter. There were bottles of alcohol on the table. When Adelaide's gaze turned towards them, Cesare remembered the scissors that had once been held to his throat.
"Aegir. Stop her from grabbing a bottle."
*Yes.*
Cesare, too, moved quickly towards the stairs leading to the first floor. He hadn't intended for bloodshed. But contrary to his expectations, and without Aegir needing to intervene, Adelaide didn't reach for the bottle. Instead, she looked at the bottles, then at the crowd, and back at the bottles, trembling with a look of distress. She looked like a herbivore too scared to move.