OBS Chapter 4133 The Charming Ladies' Club
Chapter 4133 The Charming Ladies' Club
Chapter 4133 The Charming Ladies' Club
After dinner, Shad and Vigo prepared to depart. Of course, not everyone else waited for the results at the Fragrant Residence. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Iluna, Vanessa, and Flora would meet Shad and Vigo outside the club.
Iluna is a chosen one, Vanessa is a thirteenth-order being, and Flora possesses multiple transformation forms, which everyone believes are extremely useful in urban environments.
Before setting off from the Fragrant Mansion, Shad, of course, did not forget to put on the white mask with pink floral patterns given to him by "Desire." This mask was a derivative of a relic, but Shad planned to return it to the mermaid after using it this time and not keep it in his possession.
As for Vigo, she prepared a lace mask with feathers inserted on the side. Both Shad's mask and Vigo's mask only covered the upper half of their faces, since no one would cover their entire face at a masquerade ball, as it would affect the various functions of their mouth.
An unmarked carriage carried the two away from Fragrance Mansion in secret. They then changed to another carriage in the lower city before returning to the upper city.
The "Glamour Ladies Club" isn't actually open to the public. It's located at Hazel Estate, which sits on the eastern edge of the city. The estate's owner has lived in the North for many years, leading to long-standing rumors of it being haunted—in reality, people have occasionally witnessed the club's nighttime activities.
The manor house itself is closed off year-round, while most club activities take place in the greenhouse located in the northwest corner of the garden at the back of the manor.
The greenhouse is surrounded by dense yew and ivy, and can only be accessed from the outside via a hidden iron gate and a private carriageway. The greenhouse is perpetually adorned with flowers and has a vast interior space suitable for balls, banquets, and numerous other events.
Of course, there are also hidden doors in the greenhouse that connect directly to many rooms inside the manor, where men and women can conduct their private activities.
Viggo provided all of this information to Shad in the carriage; her local connections were sufficient for her to investigate even this superficial information. As for the true owner behind the club, even the Astley family didn't know, but Viggo suspected it was a powerful figure in Willendale.
She wore a black dress tonight and deliberately applied makeup to make her skin appear dull before leaving the Fragrant Mansion, in order to prevent her powerful charm from causing trouble for her actions tonight.
The carriage was stopped outside a hidden iron gate at the back of the manor. Viggo then showed the invitation that Shad had found, and the carriage continued to carry the two of them forward, following the dim light of the gas lamps until it stopped in the middle of the garden.
The rain has stopped tonight, and the garden is more vibrant than ever after the storm. Although the owner of the estate is rarely in town, the garden is exceptionally well-maintained.
After Xia De led Wei Ge down from the carriage, he looked around and then saw the glass greenhouse, hidden by fences and rose bushes, not far ahead on the path.
"A rose bush."
Shad shook his head; there was no way Mr. Asmon would appear in such a setting.
The cast-iron frame was covered with frosted glass, from which only a corner of the greenhouse could be seen, and the frosted glass made everything inside the greenhouse, illuminated by gaslights, appear hazy and indistinct. However, Shad could already hear music and laughter, which contrasted sharply with the desolate night.
He didn't bring the Night Watch, but he did carry the leather outfit belonging to the opera company's "Third Actress," while Vige's mother carried the leather outfit herself, as she didn't really like being in contact with such things.
As the two walked hand in hand along the path toward the greenhouse, Xia De whispered a reminder:
"In a little while, you'll have to act like you've had a very intimate relationship with me, so it won't seem strange."
“I understand, it’s just acting, it’s very simple. I even asked Galina for advice. But if I say anything inappropriate, you can’t hold it against me.”
"Of course not. Our primary goal is to find the tanner, so let the show begin."
Two waiters dressed in butler's uniforms, who looked even younger than Shad, stood guard outside the door. They checked Vigo's invitation again before allowing the two to enter.
After the glass door opened, there was a narrow oak entryway, with a heavy, dark green velvet curtain blocking the view from the outside. As soon as the curtain was lifted, the previously muffled music and laughter became clear, along with a refreshing, subtle floral fragrance. The fragrance was not pungent at all; even Shad found it pleasant.
Once inside the greenhouse, the situation wasn't as decadent as Xia De had imagined.
The room was well-lit, with stained glass shades on the gas lamps mounted on cast iron supports. Several brass chandeliers suspended in mid-air created just the right amount of light and shadow. Silver candlesticks with beeswax candles lit in the corners and among the flower stands emitted a faint, sweet fragrance when burned.
The greenhouse is oval-shaped, with tiered flower racks along the walls. Xia De could only recognize a small portion of the colorful flowers. In the center of the greenhouse was a water lily pond, with the edges carved from pure white marble, featuring semi-nude girls and vine patterns, while large white and pale pink water lilies floated on the surface.
Beside the water lily pond and around the flower trellises against the wall, mismatched yet stylistically unified seating was scattered. Deep burgundy velvet sofas were placed haphazardly among the flower trellises, casting shadows on anyone sitting inside. On the chairs by the water lily pond and the small round table next to the sofa, sat silver ashtrays, porcelain teacups, and slender-necked crystal wine bottles.
The air was filled with the scents of flowers, beeswax, a hint of whiskey, women's perfume, leather, and a touch of damp earth. Several small oil paintings in ebony frames hung on the walls, mostly depicting mythological themes such as nude fairies, Dionysus's revelry, and moonlit rendezvous.
This place is both a luxurious retreat for the nobility and a semi-public, secret boudoir. It is opulent, refined, and cultured, yet it exudes indulgence and transgression at every turn. Although this outsider had never been to a similar setting before, he had to admit that it was indeed very professional.
Beside the water lily pond, a young woman with her eyes closed was playing the violin with rapt attention, while men and women wearing masks and blindfolds chatted and joked, some sitting and some standing, without engaging in any overly inappropriate behavior. It's worth noting that the maids and servants in the greenhouse did not conceal their faces, but the violin-playing woman also wore a black lace blindfold, indicating she was also an invited guest.
Shad glanced at the people in the greenhouse without making a sound, but he didn't find any vampires, fake humans, or anyone who looked like a leatherworker, or even any ring sorcerers.
The scene was much more normal than Xia De had imagined. Wei Ge noticed Xia De's subtle expression and, as she led him by the hand to the sofa in front of the flower stand, she whispered affectionately in his ear:
"What do you think you'll see? Shameless people undressing right here in a place like this?"
She put it quite politely, but that was really what Xia De initially thought.
Although both were wearing masks, to the club's host, Shad and Viggo were still strangers. Therefore, shortly after the two sat down on the sofa between the flower stands, a noblewoman wearing a butterfly mask that covered half her face and carrying a feather fan approached.
"Good evening, ma'am and this handsome young man."
She greeted the two of them in a lighthearted tone, then sat down directly next to Wei Ge:
"You may call me Lady Butterfly. I will be hosting tonight's event. I've noticed that you seem to be new guests, and you're carrying rather unusual invitations. May I have the honor of getting to know you both?"
The woman who called herself "Madame Butterfly" was just an ordinary person, and Shad didn't sense she was wearing leather. Viggo, having drunk the blood wine beforehand, was in good condition. Wearing gloves, she shook hands with the woman.
"Of course. However, the lady who gave me the invitation said that they don't check official identification here, right?"
Madame Butterfly laughed:
"Of course not, but I'd like to know the purpose of your visit. And, if it's convenient, the nature of your relationship. Rest assured, the Charming Ladies Club has a history of 150 years, and no one's privacy has ever been compromised here."
Wei Ge then produced the explanation she had prepared beforehand:
"This gentleman is the mistress of a certain important figure in the capital. He recently came to Arcadia City to relax and we happened to meet. I also ran into him. It was a very pleasant time. Young people are so lucky. Spring is also a wonderful season."
As Viggo spoke, she pinched Xia De's arm:
"Later, to find some excitement, the lady we met gave me two interesting leather outfits. I wanted to try something different with him. The first time, I pretended to be a stranger and struck up a conversation with him. He took me to his apartment for the night, and when he realized it was me the next day, his expression was hilarious."
Viggo chuckled, while Xia De made an awkward expression.
"So, is it that the clothing was damaged in a special way, and therefore needs to be repaired?"
Madame Butterfly asked inquisitively, covering the lower half of her smiling face with her feather fan. Her mask only covered the left side of her face, so Shad could tell she was around thirty years old.
"You guys are being too reckless. This kind of clothing is different from the expensive fabrics of Willendal, and it's unlikely to have quality problems easily."
Wei Ge shook her head:
"No, no, I don't want to repair it, I want to damage it."
She glanced shyly at a certain part of Xia De's body:
“I wanted him to wear that special costume and play games with me, but once he put it on, the source of joy disappeared. The lady who gave me the invitation said not to damage the special costume myself, so I came with him in order to open a gap of the right size in the right place.”