Monday night, the time for the ball was fast approaching.
Ronald estimated the time and dressed up before boarding the carriage to the Organ District.
The place where Countess Leticia resided was a manor she personally rented, and she was responsible for the ball being prepared that evening.
As for the part involving other forces...
At most, the investigation bureau would have people nearby to provide necessary protection.
The carriage drove toward the Organ District, passing through a lush green area before arriving at the destination.
Ronald could see clearly from the carriage.
Outside the Countess’s manor, at this moment, some private carriages were parked outside the estate, and lower-level servants who could not enter stood around obediently waiting for their masters.
Further away, there were also ordinary people who had simply come to join in the excitement, but since it was the venue for the Countess’s ball, they did not dare to barge in recklessly, merely gathering outside.
As the distance gradually closed, Ronald’s carriage slowly stopped outside the gate.
Still ahead of everyone else, an investigator in plain clothes stopped the carriage early and said respectfully,
"Mr. Ronald, you’re here as well."
Ronald smiled and nodded, then voluntarily stepped down from the carriage.
He first paid the driver, then continued speaking to the investigator:
"You guys should have received the list of participants from the Countess beforehand, knowing I would come."
"What should I be aware of tonight?"
The investigator beside Ronald immediately replied:
"The more troublesome matters, we’ve actually handled in advance."
"However, since Ms. Leticia has invited some complex personnel, please just be cautious not to expose anything from our side during the ball."
Hearing the investigator’s sole request, Ronald subconsciously retracted the black mist hidden in his sleeve cuff.
The Countess’s secretive background made him wary.
Thus, before leaving home, Ronald had prepared the power of "Fury" for reconnaissance.
After casually chatting for a bit more,
Ronald then bid farewell to the investigator and walked to the manor’s entrance to hand in his invitation and enter the ball.
He arrived quite early.
At this time, the ball had not officially started.
Even so, Ronald could still see Countess Leticia in a red gown slowly walking in the courtyard, skillfully greeting each guest arriving at the manor.
In addition, Leticia was accompanied by two tall maids, each holding a tray and walking slightly behind her on both sides.
With Ronald’s keen hearing, he could even discern the content of her conversations with people.
Even with complete strangers.
With just a few simple words, Leticia could aptly draw the guests closer, her excellent social skills evident.
A few breaths passed.
Just as Ronald observed the courtyard now set up for the ball, Leticia, while conversing, spotted his figure.
She smiled and said a few words to the guests.
The Countess instructed her maids not to follow, picked up a high-stemmed glass from the tray, and walked alone towards Ronald.
Almost close to Ronald’s side, Leticia began:
"Mr. Ronald, I’m pleased you could accept my invitation."
"Is there anything you need tonight?"
Ronald pondered for a few seconds, then organized his words and read out the role he had established earlier with an emotional nuance:
"You should know, madam, that I am now working for a trading company."
"These kinds of balls are also part of normal work requirements."
"You don’t need to pay too much attention to me, I’m really not suited to these kinds of crowded events."
Before he crossed over, Ronald had probably read a few classic books on psychology.
From the last encounter with the countess and her reaction, as well as her status, such a reaction was likely the best way to pique her curiosity.
And the countess’s reaction, both on her face and in her heart,
did indeed completely match Ronald’s expectations.
After Ronald, young and handsome, expressed his awkward refusal,
Letitia’s eyes clearly showed delight.
Boldly leaning her right shoulder against Ronald, she continued to speak in a teasing tone:
"Since Mr. Ronald doesn’t like such gatherings, Letitia certainly won’t make things difficult for anyone."
"This drink, as an apology between us, you wouldn’t mind, would you?"
The countess’s words were incredibly ambiguous.
Her ’apology’ didn’t explicitly point to anything specific.
Was it Ronald who was drinking to apologize to her, or was she apologizing to Ronald?
Faced with this ambiguously provocative language,
Ronald chose to adhere to the character he had always displayed.
His face showed a very troubled expression as he hesitantly took a step back before he refused:
"Sorry, Miss Letitia."
"I really don’t have the habit of drinking."
Ronald, standing before her, believed he was the one who needed to apologize.
Hearing this response, the countess believed she had gauged Ronald’s character with her test.
Since he was of a more submissive character,
the conversations that followed would be much easier to steer.
So, raising an eyebrow, Letitia straightened her body and asked with a troubled tone:
"Mr. Ronald does not drink because of religious beliefs, local customs, or some other reason?"
Ronald answered with a wry smile:
"It’s a personal habit."
"I don’t really like the feeling alcohol gives."
Hearing such a response, Letitia’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
"So Mr. Ronald’s refusal is just a simple dislike for Letitia, so much so that he wouldn’t even give face by drinking this small cup that definitely won’t get one drunk?"
Ronald immediately shook his head in denial:
"Lady, I didn’t mean that."
"This really is just a personal habit..."
"Alright." Just as Ronald began to explain, Letitia raised her hand to stop him, her expression wounded as she downed the drink in her hand, and her tone subsequently softened.
"Mr. Ronald, I think I understand what you mean."
"However, out of a learner’s desire, I hope to have a good talk with you after tonight’s ball, as a person who possesses books, you surely won’t have the same reservations in teaching as you do in drinking, right?"
"Greda is currently the country with the most open academic atmosphere."
Having said this, she nodded her head and walked towards other people in the courtyard without waiting for Ronald’s response:
"There are new guests here, I won’t disturb you any longer."
Watching the countess’s departing figure, Ronald’s face showed hurt.
But his heart was quite delighted.
After all, the messages from the power of ’Fury’ indicated that throughout their entire conversation, the countess’s mood was very good!