~Chapter 42~
A banquet, debauched nobles, and a dark garden.
What else could it be?! Are they insane or what?!
I suddenly became acutely aware of Etienne’s arms wrapped around me for no reason at all.
Perhaps he realized what that sound was too, because the hand covering my mouth slowly loosened.
I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head, so I hurriedly slipped out of Etienne’s embrace. Anyway, that crazed couple probably wouldn’t notice any other presence around them…
In the end, I didn’t ask.
Whether it was jealousy—or just venting his anger.
“That filthy couple!”
“What about them?”
“I stepped out of the banquet hall and went to the garden, and ended up seeing something absolutely obscene.”
“Oh my! What was it?”
Penny’s eyes sparkled.
“Well, the two of them were—! No. I’ll tell you once you’re two years older.”
“Why? I already know everything. I’m an adult too, you know.”
That might be true by this world’s standards. Not by mine.
I forcefully pried her off me despite her youthful looks and student-like face. She looked disappointed, but she still seemed happy. Penny’s plump cheeks lifted high, like a perfectly ripe peach.
“Still, I’m really glad. That you got to attend the banquet too.”
“Yeah.”
I looked at Nathan, who was excitedly giving his outfit one last adjustment. His face was practically glowing, like someone who’d come back from the dead.
My thoughts drifted back to last night.
After hurriedly leaving the garden, Etienne escorted me back to my room.
“We’re leaving first thing tomorrow morning.”
“W—What?”
It felt like the sky was collapsing.
“Finish preparing to return.”
“Why? The banquet is tomorrow…! And from what I saw earlier, Bethes is definitely involved. If we dig a little more tomorrow—”
I lowered my voice. The hallway was empty.
“The fact that he moved so hastily means even Bethes doesn’t have it. It’s better to meet that man called Victor as soon as possible.”
That made sense. But then… what about my dress?
With the plan already in shambles, I’d been thinking I could at least wear Nathan’s clothes and promote them a bit!
“Then let me meet Bethes a little more. There could be more important information. Or maybe there’s another mastermind behind it all—”
“No.”
“Why not?!”
“It’s dangerous.”
I shut my mouth tight. He was right. Meeting Bethes secretly right now was dangerous. To him, I’d be a traitor. I lowered my head deeply.
“Is there another issue?” Etienne asked.
When I looked up, he was frowning. I muttered an excuse in a small voice, feeling embarrassed even as I spoke.
“Well… the plan’s already ruined anyway. So I thought maybe I could attend the banquet while I’m at it. I worked so hard on that dress—nearly got stabbed in the stomach for it—so I wanted to try wearing it…”
“You really thought of that at a time like this. That’s very you.”
Yes, very me—harboring pointless, unrealistic desires. I wanted to attend the banquet, promote my dress, get rich, and buy meat with my own money every day… Fine. Forget it. I’ll give it all up. What am I expecting anyway? Sigh. What am I going to do with all those dresses…
My shoulders drooped. Even a turtle would feel sorry for me.
Etienne let out a deep sigh. I quickly read the mood and flashed a toothy grin.
“I was just talking nonsense. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get ready to leave.”
“Attend.”
“Huh?”
“You said you wanted to wear the dress. I don’t understand why it matters so much, but—”
Really?
My jaw dropped on its own.
“Eek! Stop! My organs are going to burst!”
“Please endure just a little longer!”
“Enough! Seriously, what’s so pretty about this inhuman, creepy waist?! Tighten it any more and I’ll snap in half—this is enough!”
“But—”
I waved the flustered maids away. I was already thin enough!
Though disappointed, they soon immersed themselves in other adornments.
They braided my hair with volume on both sides, then pinned in an outrageous number of dazzling red jewels.
“I love flashy things. Add more.”
“It suits you perfectly. Usually, heavy ornaments overpower the face, but Lady Dahlia’s face is even more striking, so it works beautifully.”
“Really? I want to see. Bring the mirror already.”
“You’ll be shocked when you see it. You always dress modestly, so I never imagined this would suit you so well. You should dress like this every day—men in high society would line up.”
“Oh my, with His Highness around, who would dare? You saw him yesterday.”
The maids blushed.
“Yesterday? What do you mean?”
They exchanged glances, wondering if they should say it.
“They say Prince Etienne looked incredible yesterday. The maids working at the banquet were all talking about it.”
Ah, that? He didn’t even look at another man—
Ugh, how embarrassing.
“Hmm. That’s considered impressive?”
“Of course! When a man can see nothing but the woman he loves—”
“Ahem.”
Penny cleared her throat sharply, and the maid fell silent.
I fell into thought again.
So that’s how it looked to others.
I’d been telling myself not to expect anything, afraid of being disappointed. But with people feeding the fire like this… how could I not expect something?
My chest felt ticklish. I forcibly pulled down the corners of my mouth to stop myself from grinning.
“Lady Dahlia, we’re finished.”
I immediately pushed Etienne out of my thoughts.
“Finally!”
After being a living mannequin for so long, I could finally move on my own.
“The mirror! Show me the mirror!”
They wheeled in a full-length mirror taller than I was.
The moment I saw my reflection, my jaw dropped.
Wow. Damn… this is…!
I was speechless. It was as if all the vitality I’d lost had returned at once. My naturally red lips and flushed cheeks reminded me of roses in full bloom at midsummer.
…Is it narcissistic to say I look like a rose?
If someone else heard me, they’d probably call it princess syndrome.
But what can I do? It’s true!
Every time I moved, the mysterious violet dress—so similar to my eye color—rustled softly. The small jewels embedded at the chest sparkled as if alive.
I examined myself for a long time.
Today, I could rival the other nobles—no, even Sophienne.
Wishing to be beautiful before dying… that was a great wish. Even if I died again, I’d make it all over.
“Wow, Lady Dahlia.”
“Nathan!”
Nathan appeared just then, hands neatly folded as he stared at me. Judging by his swollen eyes, he must have cried quite a bit last night.
“This is exactly how I imagined it when I designed the dress. It’s so… so…”
“What? Pretty?”
He was supposed to deny it flatly—but instead, he nodded obediently.
“Yes. Truly. Her face might be prettier—but today, nothing will be more beautiful than you, Lady Dahlia.”
“Aren’t I prettier too?”
“Well… that’s…”
“…Looks are subjective, you know? I’m sure there are people who think I’m prettier.”
“There probably are.”
One day, I swear, I’ll clamp that arrogant mouth shut with tongs.
Then came a knock. Everyone’s gaze turned toward the door.
“His Highness Prince Etienne has arrived.”
Just hearing his name made my heart clench.
I nodded. The door opened very slowly—at least it felt that way.
He appeared through the gap.
The first thing I saw were his piercing blue eyes. His sharp gaze traveled slowly from my feet up to my face, prickling wherever it landed.
His pale silver hair was neatly swept back, revealing a firm, disciplined forehead. The usual unkempt charm was gone, replaced by an aura of absolute authority.
He wore a perfectly classic tailcoat—two-button vest, long tails.
Many men at the banquet were probably dressed similarly.
But on him, it was different.
The jewels on his chest glittered dazzlingly, yet somehow his face was even more brilliant. His strong brows and perfectly balanced features stole all attention, as if jewels weren’t even worth looking at.
Perhaps because I was nervous, the brief moment he didn’t speak felt endlessly long. An awkward tension filled the room. I stiffened.
No matter how much I dressed up, it probably all looked pointless to Etienne.
I forced a bright smile.
“Why are you staring like that? Am I too pretty?”
“……”
I’d expected a rebuke or scolding—but instead, he stayed silent for quite a while. The smile on my lips slowly stiffened.
“Well… if not, then never mind. As long as I think I look good… I don’t really care about others’ opinions, haha…”
I’d expected this reaction, but I still felt disappointed.
Objectively speaking, I looked great! Would it kill him to give one compliment?
Etienne strode past me into the room. A sharp gust of air followed. As he brushed past, he muttered something.
“What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”
“…I said…”
“Huh? Speak up.”
It was the first time I’d ever seen Etienne hesitate like that.
When I asked again, he didn’t seem inclined to answer.
Ugh! If you’re going to talk, then talk properly!
There are two things in this world that drive people crazy: stopping mid-sentence—and second—
I clenched my fists.
From behind, Simon discreetly flared his nostrils and whispered,
“He said you’re beautiful.”
I narrowed my eyes.
No way.
I trusted Simon—but that was hard to believe.
Etienne said I was beautiful? That ice-cold man? Colder than a metal jungle gym in midwinter? The kind of man whose tongue would stick if you licked him?
