Doesn't have to be someone at the estate

You try to think which of the girls would be best suited for this event. Ideally, you would bring Abby since she's your most trusted girl at the estate, but she's been extremely helpful and attentive to your needs since Nigel's passing and you don't want to make her do something she's clearly **** to participate in. Abby sits there looking at you, not offering any suggestions.

You cycle through the girls contracted to you that you can remember in your mind, although there are still quite a few that you've barely spoken to or seen around. However, you don't know them well enough to know they'll react in such a setting, especially if the purpose to the party is to swap partners. In fact, you're not even sure that it's covered by their contract.

After wrecking your brain for a while, you realize that you don't have to bring someone from the estate, and you smile.

"I know who to bring," you say.

"Who?" Abby asks.

"A friend. Not 1 of the girls here."

Abby raises an eyebrow. "Okay... do you need me to do anything?"

"Nope. I've got it. I guess I should go get ready then," you say, walking away with the invitation in hand. You pull out your phone and send a text to the person you have in mind, "We're going to a fancy party tonight. Get glammed up. I'll pick you up around 6."

After that, you go about your day leisurely, having a nice meal prepared by Julie the chef before you use the powers of your rings to run some errands and get the stuff you need for the evening's event. By the time it's close to 6, you're all dressed up in a tuxedo and you activate your teleportation ring from your room, bringing you to the foyer of Olivia's mansion.

You had expected to have to wait, but Margot is already ready and waiting in the den and she looks up from her phone when you appear out of nowhere. She looks absolutely stunning in a golden dress and all dolled up.

"You look amazing," you remark.

"You don't look that bad yourself," she says with a smirk. "Haven't seen or heard from you in a while. Where have you been?"

"Here and there. Busy with other things. Miss me?"

Margot shrugs and smiles. "I've been so bored. It's nice here, but I wish I could go somewhere. I'm excited about this party," she says, sounding enthusiastic.

"Good," you say, handing her a mask while putting 1 on yourself.

"Oh, a masquerade party?! Fun!" Margot says as she puts her mask on. You had given her very few information about the party, including the most important part, which you've decided to leave as a surprise.

When the 2 of you are ready, you take Margot's hand and activate your magic rings to pause time and teleport to the address where the cruise ship is docked. Then, making sure that nobody is watching, you let time resume and you and Margot go to board the ship. There are several similar dressed couples and there's a short but fast-moving line to board.