Chapter 160: Chapter Hundred And Fifty Nine

The day of the grand ball finally arrived. The Benson mansion was buzzing with busy energy from the early morning until the sun began to set.

Upstairs in the master bedroom, Camilla sat patiently in front of her large, polished vanity mirror. The room was lit by several warm oil lamps. A young, skilled maid was standing behind her, carefully pinning her curly hair into an elegant, complicated updo. A few soft, loose curls were intentionally left down to frame her pale face perfectly.

Camilla looked at her own reflection. She was wearing a breathtaking, deep emerald-green ball gown. The dress was made of expensive silk. It had a modest but beautiful neckline that sat nicely on her shoulders, and the waist was fitted perfectly to her small figure. She looked absolutely stunning.

Knock, knock.

A soft knocking sound came from the door.

The door opened just a tiny bit. A footman in a neat dark uniform stood by the bedroom door and spoke respectfully into the room.

"My lady," the footman announced. "The carriage is ready."

Camilla looked at the footman through the mirror.

"I’ll be down soon," Camilla replied softly.

The footman bowed and closed the door.

Camilla turned back to the mirror as the maid did her final, finishing touches on her. The maid fastened a simple, beautiful silver necklace around Camilla’s neck.

"You look perfect, My Lady," the maid whispered happily.

"Thank you," Camilla said. She stood up from the vanity stool. She smoothed down the silk skirt of her green dress. She walked out of the bedroom and gracefully walked down the grand staircase.

When she reached the grand foyer on the ground floor, she looked toward the open front doors. She found Mr. Murry waiting for her by the carriage in the courtyard. The older housekeeper was wearing his absolute best, most formal black suit.

Camilla walked out the front doors.

"My lady," Murry greeted her, bowing very deeply as she approached.

Camilla looked around the courtyard. There was only one carriage waiting. The General’s warhorse was nowhere to be seen.

Camilla frowned slightly. She was puzzled.

"What about the general, Uncle Murry?" Camilla asked, looking back at the housekeeper.

Murry let out a soft, slightly apologetic sigh. He placed his hands neatly behind his back.

"The general is busy with something at the camp," Murry replied smoothly. "He sent word an hour ago that a sudden, urgent military matter requires his attention. He said that he would join you at the old house later tonight."

Camilla stared at Murry for a second.

Inside her mind, her internal voice let out a loud, highly annoyed scoff.

"Busy?" Camilla thought to herself, crossing her arms mentally. "Of course he is busy. He is always busy hiding behind his swords and his ’duties’. Just when I think he is acting like a normal human being, he runs away to play in the dirt with his soldiers. He probably just wants to make a grand, dramatic entrance all by himself later."

She pushed the slight feeling of disappointment completely down into her stomach. She did not need him to hold her hand. She could handle a party full of snobby nobles all by herself.

Camilla uncrossed her arms mentally and simply shrugged it off.

"Okay," Camilla replied casually. Her voice showed absolutely no sadness.

The footman stepped forward. He held out his gloved hand and carefully helped her step up into the carriage. Camilla sat down on the soft velvet seat, arranging her large green skirts around her legs.

Murry followed after her. He climbed into the carriage and sat respectfully on the opposite seat. The footman closed the door with a solid click.

The driver cracked the leather reins, and the carriage left for the ball.

The journey took over an hour. The old Benson family home was located far away from the busy center of the capital city. It was situated on a massive, sprawling private estate surrounded by thick forests and high stone walls.

The carriage finally arrived at the large, paved courtyard of the old Benson’s family home.

Camilla looked out the small carriage window. The estate was absolutely magnificent. It was three times the size of Damon’s military mansion. Hundreds of bright, glowing lanterns were strung across the trees and the entrance.

The courtyard was completely packed with people. Dozens of expensive, highly decorated carriages were lined up in a long row.

The guests were going in one after the other. They were dressed in their most expensive, colorful clothes. However, the line to get inside was moving very slowly.

At the front doors of the estate, heavily armored guards belonging to the old Duke were standing in a strict line. The guests were showing their paper invitations one by one.

Furthermore, they were being actively searched for security reasons before being allowed to enter. The guards were politely but firmly checking the noblemen for hidden daggers or small weapons. Duke Carson was a former military man, and he took the safety of his home very seriously.

Camilla watched a very fat, pompous nobleman complaining loudly as a guard patted down his expensive coat.

"The security here is very tight," Camilla thought to herself, her assassin’s eyes analyzing the guards’ positions. "Good. At least I don’t have to worry about a random thug breaking into the party tonight with a club."

The carriage driver pulled their carriage directly up to the front steps, bypassing the long line of regular guests. The Benson family carriage had special privileges.

The footman opened the door. Murry stepped out first, and then he helped Camilla step down onto the stone pavement.

Together, Murry and Camilla walked up the wide stone steps. They bypassed the complaining fat nobleman and got directly to the front door.

The strict guards at the door immediately stopped checking the other guests. They stood up perfectly straight, clapped their boots together, and bowed deeply from the waist.

They recognized the Lady of the house instantly. They did not ask her for an invitation, and they certainly did not dare to search her dress.

"Welcome, my lady," the head guard said respectfully. He turned his head slightly. "Welcome, Mr. Murry."

Camilla smiled a polite, gentle smile at them.

"Thank you," Camilla replied softly. She stepped past the bowing guards and went inside the massive estate.

The grand ballroom was absolutely spectacular. The ceiling was painted with beautiful golden designs. Three massive crystal chandeliers hung down, filling the room with brilliant, sparkling light. A small orchestra was playing cheerful, lively music in the corner. The room was completely filled with hundreds of nobles laughing, drinking wine, and gossiping loudly.

Murry stopped walking just inside the ballroom doors. He turned to face Camilla.

"I will have to leave you here, my lady," Murry spoke politely. "As the Duke’s proxy, I have many administrative duties to attend to behind the scenes tonight to ensure the ball runs smoothly."

Camilla looked at the large, noisy crowd of strangers. She did not know a single person in this room.

She nodded her head understandingly.

"Okay," Camilla replied. "I’ll go and look for grandfather."

Murry bowed deeply and quickly walked away, disappearing into a side hallway meant for the serving staff.

Camilla was left completely alone near the entrance of the crowded ballroom.

She stood still for a moment. Several young noblemen turned their heads to look at her. They noticed her beautiful green dress and her striking red hair. They began whispering to each other, wondering who the beautiful, lonely woman was.

Camilla noticed their stares. She immediately felt a deep wave of annoyance.

"I do not want to talk to these arrogant fools," Camilla thought to herself. "They just want something to gossip about and i won’t give them that opportunity. I need a quiet place to breathe before I go find Duke Carson."

Camilla decided to take a stroll.

She turned her back to the noisy crowd. She walked smoothly along the edge of the ballroom walls, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She found a set of tall, glass doors standing slightly open to let in the fresh air.

Camilla slipped quickly through the glass doors and stepped outside.

She found herself in the massive back garden of the old estate.