Chapter 100

‘I had never seen a tailcoat that suited my tastes so perfectly.’

 

The mysterious fabric sold by the Baimery Merchant Group was used throughout; the jacket lacked a front hem, leaving only a long, elegant tail trailing behind. The vest was made of the same color but used a plain fabric without patterns to tone down the extravagance. The sleeves and collar were embroidered with simple motifs and adorned with silver pin buttons.

 

‘To think he finished this in such a short time.’

 

Scarlet repeated exclamations of admiration to herself. Jonas, who had dark circles under his eyes from staying up for several nights, asked her tentatively, “Do you… not like it?”

 

Scarlet looked at Jonas, who was clenching his hands tightly, and her eyes crinkled into a smile. “What if I don’t?”

 

“I-If you don’t like it….”

 

At her bolt-from-the-blue remark, Jonas’s pupils shook as if an earthquake were happening behind them. Scarlet’s bright eyes sparkled with mischief.

 

“I suppose I can’t even play a joke here.”

 

“A joke…?”

 

“I love it. Truly.”

 

In an instant, Jonas’s face brightened, as if he had never been worried at all. A maid standing nearby checked the time and spoke to Scarlet.

 

“We must prepare quickly and depart for the ballroom, Princess.”

 

“Where is Lilithia?”

 

“Lady Lilithia, the Vice-Head Leader, is currently preparing and said she would wait for you in front of the ballroom.”

 

“Let’s go, quickly!”

 

 

***

 

 

“Is this really okay?”

 

I checked my outfit in front of the ballroom doors. I had put the clothes on because I couldn’t refuse Scarlet’s suggestion, but I felt as uncomfortable as if I were wearing someone else’s skin. If Scarlet hadn’t helped me so much, I would have refused, saying this dress didn’t belong to me. But as someone who had received so much help, I couldn’t turn her down.

 

“Lilithia. You look beautiful.”

 

I heard Scarlet’s cheerful voice from behind. She appeared wearing the tailcoat that had been finished just before the start of the banquet.

 

“It suits you incredibly well, Your Highness.”

 

“But why do you look so worried?”

 

I hesitated, then spoke to Scarlet cautiously. “I’ve thought about it, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to wear this dress. Wouldn’t it be better for you to wear it at a different banquet?”

 

The festivities were set to last for three days to celebrate both the kingdom’s founding and the Princess’s birthday. Light banquets were held on the first and second days, and a masquerade ball was scheduled for the third.

 

“I told you, Lilithia. I hate dresses.”

 

“……You did say that.”

 

Ever since I first met her, Scarlet had been wearing trousers; I had never seen her in anything else. In this world, which resembled the Middle Ages, she was a pioneering woman trying to break out of the mold.

 

“Lilithia, if you hate this dress that much, would you like to change into something else?”

 

I waved my hands frantically. If even I didn’t wear it, I could see the fate of Jonas’s hard work—tossed into a warehouse and forgotten—as clear as day. I clenched my fists slightly and looked up.

 

“Let’s go!”

 

Seeing my reaction, Scarlet signaled the knight. The knight opened the doors and announced our names loudly.

 

“Her Highness Scarlet Ligliano, Princess of the Pearching Kingdom, and her sworn sister, Lady Lilithia Baimery, are entering.”

 

‘Why on earth did he describe me as her sworn sister…?’

 

Scarlet walked ahead, but when I didn’t follow immediately, she stopped and turned back to me.

 

“Be confident, Lilithia.”

 

 

***

 

 

No matter how many times I visited a ballroom, I still felt out of place, causing my posture to slump instinctively. Furthermore, the gazes landing on me right now were incredibly overwhelming.

 

“Sworn sister?”

 

“That woman?”

 

“What house is she from?”

 

As the ballroom began to buzz regarding Scarlet’s outfit and mine, she silenced the commotion with a single sentence.

 

“If you don’t like it, get out of my birthday banquet.”

 

‘Ah… Scarlet.’

 

A sigh escaped through my teeth. Scarlet wore a proud smile, and I started to say something to her but stopped.

 

‘I think you just fueled the controversy even more.’

 

The already burdensome stares intensified. I felt a surging desire to dig a hole and hide where no one could find me. As soon as the banquet began, I headed straight for a secluded corner. If only I could use an eraser to erase myself out of this ballroom. I looked at Scarlet, who was laughing and talking in the distance, before averting my eyes.

 

‘The best thing for a mood change is eating.’

 

I salivated at the sight of the various dishes laid out on the long tables.

 

“Wow, this looks delicious.”

 

There were foods I had never seen in the empire, and it was almost blinding. I focused on the food, hovering around different dishes like a glutton.

 

“This wine is really good!”

 

As I took a sip of wine and piled food onto my plate, I felt someone’s presence beside me. I ignored it, thinking it was just another guest coming to get food.

 

“It seems my sister has put the Vice-Head Leader in a difficult position.”

 

I turned my head to see the prince with pale red hair, Siphiel Ligliano.

 

“Hello…?”

 

I hurriedly set my plate down on the table, grabbed the ends of my dress, and curtsied to him.

 

“I greet the Prince.”

 

“So you knew I was the Prince.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Siphiel took my hand—the one holding my dress—and knelt on one knee on the floor with a gentle smile.

 

“However, it seems there is something the Vice-Head Leader hasn’t been told. In our kingdom, this is how we greet royalty.”

 

If he was greeting me with that protocol, it meant the roles of host and guest had been reversed. My eyes widened, and I didn’t know what to do.

 

“No one told me that story.”

 

“Well, my sister hates this greeting. And she probably didn’t tell you on purpose. She’s quite mischievous.”

 

To think that not only Scarlet but the other young ladies hadn’t said a word. Even though I had only met them a few times, a tiny grain of resentment formed in my heart.

 

“There are rumors everywhere that the Baimery Merchant Group Vice-Head Leader’s goods are exceptional.”

 

Siphiel, who was famously known for valuing etiquette, moved with grace and refined manners in every action.

 

“They’re just rumors.”

 

I was glad to see Siphiel, who had approached me with good intentions, but part of me wanted to be alone.

 

‘The food is getting cold….’

 

I could see the meat pie, which had been emitting warm steam, gradually losing its heat.

 

“I feel like I’ve interrupted your private time, so I shall take my leave.”

 

“……!”

 

“I was just about to go eat some food myself.”

 

Siphiel smiled and left, perhaps trying to keep me from feeling embarrassed. I think I had been staring at the food and mumbling a bit too much to deny it.

 

 

***

 

 

I thought I would be able to spend time alone after Siphiel left, but I was soon approached by several young ladies and gentlemen interested in my dress.

 

“Finally, I can catch my breath.”

 

I escaped to the terrace as if fleeing to cool my head.

 

“Whew.”

 

I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even lift a finger, so I leaned against the railing like laundry hung out to dry. It was then.

 

“This must be your first time here.”

 

A man in the darkness spoke to me as if he had been waiting. I jumped, startled by someone being in a space I thought was empty. A brown-haired man who looked like a nobleman was there. He approached me with a wide smile.

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes. This scenery seems unfamiliar to you.”

 

He was speaking in a friendly manner, but there was something greasy about his tone that made me want to keep my distance. However, the man continued to speak kindly.

 

“I sometimes stay here when the party gets boring. I don’t know why such a beautiful woman is here alone, but may I stand beside you?”

 

He phrased it as a question, but he had already made a unilateral move to stand right next to me.

 

“You’re already here…?”

 

“Oh, dear. My bad.”

 

The strange noble shook his head, touching his forehead.

 

“I suppose I’ve already done it, led by my instincts. Let me introduce myself. I am Matte Dalman, the eldest son of a Count.”

 

He slickly stepped closer to me. I tried to move away, but he was quick and grabbed my wrist.

 

“My Lady. Won’t you grant me the blessing of your beautiful name?”

 

The man thrust his face right in front of mine. I could smell the strong scent of alcohol.

 

‘Is this guy doing this because he’s drunk…?’

 

“To think you can make an expression like that. How cute.”

 

‘Please get away! You’re overwhelming me!’

 

Just as my face filled with disgust, I spoke.

 

“If I tell you my name, will you move away a bit…?”

 

I looked at him with an expression full of loathing, and he stroked the back of my hand with his thumb as he opened his lips. My skin crawled at the sensation, and I tried to pull my hand away. He stared at me with a creepy smile.

 

“I want to dive into your eyes, which are like a sea of wine, and swim in them. My Lady, what is your name?”

 

I had tried to escape the ballroom, only to get caught by a lunatic.