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A few days later, the ball that everyone in Mouton had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived.
But no one could have been looking forward to it as much as I was.
‘Alright, today’s the day.’
The banquet was as splendid as expected, and everything was perfectly prepared.
Leonie wore the blue satin dress we had chosen together, and she was so beautiful that even another woman would be left in awe.
“Leonie, oh my goodness.”
The way it fluttered like dragonfly wings suited Leonie perfectly.
I wanted to wear a pretty dress too, but I didn’t forget my role.
Of course, I trembled until the very end, clutching the dress Gerlach had sent. But I resisted well, go me!
‘Leonie is truly beautiful. I’m very satisfied. This is definitely a pass!’
As I picked up a glass of champagne to wet my throat with a content heart, I overheard the voices of the gathered ladies.
“My, Lady Leonie Almaz really came prepared today.”
“Her beauty is unparalleled, indeed.”
“But can such a demure face capture His Highness the Grand Duke’s heart?”
“We’ll see.”
I don’t care what others whisper about.
After all the effort I’ve put in for today.
I’ve prepared for Leonie’s ball with the heart of a mother bird caring for her baby.
Picking a dress that complements her hair color, helping maintain her beautiful hair, and going to great lengths to find matching ribbons and accessories!
“Oh, look at Lady Bernadette next to Lady Almaz.”
“My, Lady Bernadette, really.”
“Why is she wearing such an ashen dress? How could she wear such an ordinary dress?”
Ordinary was a kind way to put it; in truth, it was a dress made of material not even fit for bedding.
I didn’t even know such a drab-colored dress existed until now.
Thanks to this, I became the laughingstock of the gathered ladies, but who cares.
It’s not like they’re going to help my fate, so it doesn’t matter.
“It’s really strange. Wearing that ashen dress makes her face look dull too.”
“And that ambiguous brown hair looks even more ambiguous.”
“Her face might be passable, but with that dress, she won’t catch anyone’s eye.”
“Shh, be quiet. We might get in trouble with Lady Bernadette.”
“That’s right. Lower your voices.”
“Her temper is not to be trifled with.”
In truth, I had barely applied powder to my face and left my hair down without any decorations, just like usual.
Perhaps it was even messier than usual.
“Libe, are you okay?”
While I didn’t care, Leonie looked very angry at the voices coming from all directions.
“Those nasty people. Why are they so interested in others?”
“It’s fine, Leonie.”
I drowned all the malicious words in my glass and swallowed them.
How beautifully I’ve dressed up isn’t important.
My only concern is making Leonie stand out.
No matter what happens today, I must make Leonie and Gerlach fall for each other.
Of course, my plan will be very successful.
Because Leonie is truly dazzlingly beautiful!
Just then, the massive banquet hall doors opened, and the chaotic sound of instruments suddenly stopped.
The one who walked in, straight and noble, was today’s protagonist, Gerlach Cygnus.
‘He does have a face that’s too perfect for this world.’
I forcefully averted my gaze that kept trying to turn back.
That elegantly straight nose bridge and eyes as deep as an abyss. Pale white skin with reddish-brown eyes.
It was when I unconsciously clenched my dry hands.
A subtle but familiar feeling, causing me to instinctively raise my head.
Even from a distance, I could feel his persistent gaze.
Though quite far away, his eyes seemed to pierce through the crowd and grab my wrist.
I tried to maintain my composure, but it wasn’t easy.
“Libe, are you okay?”
“Yes, of course. I’m great.”
I deliberately messed up my hair once more before giving Leonie a thumbs up.
‘No matter what happens today, I’ll bring Gerlach and Leonie together.’
It was as I clenched my fists, steeling my resolve.
Someone approached me with a familiar scent.
“Oh my, meeting you here, Lady Bernadette.”
It was none other than Paley, approaching with a haughty stride.
It was the first time since we had met while fitting dresses a while ago.
Since then, Paley had sent several invitations to have tea together or to see a play.
Each time, I had diligently avoided her with excuses of being busy, having prior engagements, or not feeling well.
In the original story of The Tumultuous Life of Leonie, Paley was someone who took the lead in harassing Leonie alongside me.
I hadn’t realized it before, but I recently found out that Paley had feelings for Gerlach!
‘She’s someone who brings no good by getting close.’
She always loved to dress extravagantly, but today she looked as if she were a peacock gone mad.
‘Goodness, what is all that? She’ll certainly stand out in some way.’
I was trying hard to hide such thoughts with a laugh when she spoke.
“My, Lady Bernadette. Are you unwell?”
“Pardon? Unwell, you say?”
“The dress you’re wearing… it looks just like something a patient would wear.”
As Paley finished speaking, the women behind her covered their mouths with fans and giggled.
Really, do they think covering their mouths makes it invisible?
I was annoyed, but it wasn’t worth starting a fight here, so I awkwardly smiled and was about to turn away.
Suddenly, Leonie stepped forward with a firm voice.
“Lady Isley, it’s rude to speak about someone else’s attire like that.”
“Oh, is it?”
“Of course, you should apologize to Lady Bernadette…”
“Leonie, it’s fine.”
I tried to grab Leonie’s arm and hurry away, but.
“It’s not fine, Libe. The words were too harsh.”
Leonie was so angry that her forehead was flushed red.
I was grateful she was angry for my sake, but getting involved with Paley wouldn’t do any good.
It would be troublesome if Leonie became her target.
Paley is unpredictable in what she might do.
Since she couldn’t join hands with me as in the original story, I couldn’t figure out her schemes.
I couldn’t prevent what might happen, so I tried to avoid it as much as possible, but Paley’s face was turning grim.
“What did you just say, Lady Almaz?”
“If you didn’t hear, shall I repeat it for you?”
Oh, Leonie, why are you doing this! This won’t do. Fine, I’ll play the crazy one.
I snatched the champagne from Leonie’s hand and downed it in one gulp, then said.
“Indeed, the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.”
“…What? What pisses you off?”
“It pisses me off.”
Hey, you’ve never heard that before, have you?
You don’t know what it means, but it just feels bad, right?
That’s why I said it!
“Hey, Lady Isley. What does it matter to you if I wear rags, prison clothes, or patient clothes?”
As I retorted harshly, Paley’s eyes widened.
But I had no intention of giving her time to counterattack.
I’ll show you how to win a verbal fight.
“Do you think you look pretty by putting on everything you have? There’s a saying, ‘Drawing lines on a pumpkin doesn’t make it a watermelon!’”
How’s that for a modern attack!
“Huh, Lady Bernadette now…”
“Oh, shut up. You seem to have dressed up to impress His Highness the Grand Duke, so don’t pick a fight with me and go find him.”
Did you see that time-lag attack!
Then, as I grabbed Leonie’s wrist and turned around.
“Who’s looking for me?”
The one who spoke in a languid voice right in front of me was none other than Gerlach Cygnus.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly cooled as Gerlach appeared unexpectedly.
Paley Isley, who had a cat-like expression just moments ago, instantly changed her facial expression.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”
Paley bowed politely, like a gentle lamb.
I also bent my knees obediently beside her.
Gerlach stared at me intently and spoke in a low voice.
“It seems there’s never a quiet moment where you are.”
Well, that’s not entirely wrong.
With many eyes watching, I was about to pout my lower lip but instead said quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
No, it’s not that I wanted to get angry, but she started the trouble first.
I almost tattled like a student called before a teacher, but I managed to hold back.
Speaking too much in front of Gerlach wouldn’t be helpful in this situation.
Moreover, one more thing.
‘Surely he won’t mention here… that I’m not wearing the dress he sent?’
As I thought about this, my hands began to sweat.
But my quiet demeanor seemed to intrigue him even more.
While I was standing there with an awkward expression without saying much, Paley stepped forward and addressed Gerlach.
“Your Highness, thank you so much for hosting such a beautiful ball. And welcome once again to Mouton.”
As Paley added a graceful greeting, Gerlach responded with a gentlemanly smile.
Paley looked expectant, hoping he would say something more.
“What are you planning to do today?”
Gerlach turned to me and asked.
“Oh, what… do you mean by ‘do’?”
After briefly asking back, I shut my mouth tightly. Gerlach then quietly approached me and whispered.
“Go easy on the wine.”
In a voice barely audible.
“I have many guests today, so I won’t be able to look after you.”
“……”
He took a step back and gave a faint smile.
Huh, what did he just do to me?
“Your Highness, Duke Bertrand from Lorec and his family have arrived.”
At the aide’s words, Gerlach left immediately without even a brief farewell.
As he disappeared, Paley’s face instantly changed back to a cold expression.
Ah, Paley.
It seems acting might be her true calling; it’s a shame to waste such talent like this.
“What did you just do?”
“What do you mean?”
However, her face only turned red and blue, unable to say anything more.
Well, of course, because I really just stood there without saying much.
Meanwhile, the companions standing next to Paley all put their hands on their chests and made groaning sounds.
“Ah…”
“He’s so handsome. What should I do? I think I’ve completely fallen in love.”
“I absolutely can’t give this up.”
“What are you going to do if you can’t give it up?”
“Actually, even if the Grand Duke had an extra eye on his forehead, it wouldn’t matter. How can he be so handsome, like a perfectly carved statue?”
“That’s what I’m saying. Where did His Highness the Grand Duke go?”
“Let’s go stand somewhere near him.”
As if trying to quell the commotion, Paley closed her fan with a snap. As soon as she did, the chattering women instantly fell silent.
“Lady Bernadette.”
“……”
“Didn’t I clearly tell you to behave properly in front of His Highness the Grand Duke?”
I think I heard something like that before.
Having just decided to become a target in place of Leonie, I didn’t back down.
“So what?”
When I responded indifferently, Paley seemed at a loss for words, her eyes widening.
“It seems you didn’t see it earlier. I was just standing still, and it was definitely His Highness the Grand Duke who spoke to me first.”
“……”
“The only thing I said was ‘I’m sorry.’”
Paley couldn’t say anything in response to my perfectly reasonable words and just gripped her fan tightly.
“Well then, my lady, have a pleasant time.”
With that, I took Leonie’s wrist and moved elsewhere.
“Phew.”
After getting away from Paley, I felt completely drained for some reason.
‘Anyway, Lady Paley is of no help in life.’
I adjusted my face and looked at Leonie.
“Libe, how do you know His Highness the Grand Duke?”
“Ah, well, you see.”
I briefly told Leonie about the time I met Gerlach alone at the ball the other night.
“I see. By the way, Lady Isley’s expression didn’t look good. You should really be careful.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Leonie kept fiddling with the knotted bracelet on her wrist as she spoke. She seemed to be anxious about something.
Moreover, Leonie’s expression was somewhat unusual.
“Leonie.”
“Uh-huh.”
Her cheeks seemed flushed, and she was staring blankly at something, almost as if…
“Leonie?”
“Libe, hold on a moment. I just saw someone I know. I’ll go say hello.”
“Oh, okay.”
Then she grabbed her fluttering skirt and disappeared into the crowd.
‘What is this?’
I thought about following her out of concern, but she’s not a child.
I just idly sipped champagne.
Ah, I must make sure to connect Leonie and Gerlach at the ball today.
When Leonie returns later, I’ll suggest we go greet His Highness the Grand Duke again.
By the way, when they met earlier, did they feel something fateful?
While I was thinking about this, I saw a very familiar face in the distance.
Oh my gosh, it’s Mother.
If she finds out I’m here in this shabby dress without proper adornment, it’s over.
I insisted on coming with Leonie to avoid Mother’s eyes.
My hand holding the champagne trembled as I quickly dashed out of the banquet hall.
Even after leaving the hall, my heart didn’t calm down.
Mother was still trying to tie me to His Highness the Grand Duke, questioning if nothing happened that night.
But if she finds out I came to the ball like this.
Oh, just thinking about it makes me dizzy.
After walking down the long, grand corridor for a while, I saw a balcony overlooking the garden.
Touching the ivory-painted railing calmed me down a bit.
“Phew.”
The garden below the railing looked very peaceful.
As the wind blew, I grabbed my skirt with one hand, and the rough texture and faded color made me feel somewhat bitter.
“What is this?”
A wind from who knows where tousled my long, curly hair.
My already messy hair became even messier, but I just let it be.
“Phew, who cares.”
Since coming to this world, I haven’t had a single day of peace.
No matter how hard I tried, things didn’t go as planned, and when I let things be, I found myself in difficult situations.
Just when I was about to give up on everything, I unexpectedly got involved with the Grand Duke. And if that wasn’t enough, I ended up making the heroine in the novel unlucky.
Moreover, I was told that if I don’t live this life properly, I would disappear.
What is all this, really?
“Will this work if I do this? It might be a foolish thing to do.”
While my mind was filled with thoughts, the wind scattered them.
“What is a foolish thing to do?”
At the sudden voice, I turned my head and almost stopped breathing.
“Ah.”
Standing in front of me was Grand Duke Cygnus.
“You were quiet with people, so why are you mumbling to yourself?”
“…”
“You don’t look like you’re enjoying the ball.”
He said he would be busy with guests from afar today, so why is he here?
“I’m enjoying it, Your Highness.”
“I’ve noticed before, but you’re not good at lying.”
“What do you mean lying? It’s true.”
He probably wouldn’t believe me, though.
“Why are you out here alone?”
“What about you, Your Highness?”
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