The Walian Family's manor was only two streets away from the hotel Helene had rented, so the distance was not far. Just five minutes later, the carriage stopped before a building with an obvious Gothic style.
"The Walian Family is very fond of this style Emperor Roselle named 'Gothic.'
"It is said that the first truly 'Gothic-style' outfit was specially designed by the young Roselle to please the Countess Valin of the time...
"Of course, that is merely a rumor. According to our Soren Family's records, this style actually existed as early as the Third Epoch... Emperor Roselle merely improved it and made it more modern."
Helene linked arms with Abner, handing the invitation to a servant as she introduced the place in a low voice.
It seemed the original novel had described the Giant King's Court as being full of Gothic architecture...
But this style should have suited vampires better. Lilith did not seem to like it much, though... The Goddess's churches in Winter County were all Gothic buildings instead.
As his thoughts wandered, Abner entered the ballroom together with Helene.
Since it was a Bal Masqué, everyone was theoretically concealing their identities from one another, so there was no host waiting to receive them.
Under the servants' guidance, Abner and Helene entered the main hall and were left free to mingle.
This was actually common at private balls in places like Intis. Roselle had described it in his diary as well: such events merely provided a place for "socializing," and hosts generally did not concern themselves with how their guests interacted.
Looking around, Abner found that, unlike Loen's customs, Intis ladies and young misses dressed far more openly. Nearly every gown exposed more than half of the wearer's shoulders and fair chest, displaying their beauty without reservation.
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