Chapter 1
The music grew louder, and one after another, delicious wines were brought out.
The banquet was in full swing now, and one might have expected the atmosphere to relax—but the young ladies and gentlemen of the nobility were still on edge.
After all, the star of the evening had yet to arrive.
And at last—
“Lady Penelope Calix, daughter of the Duke, and her partner, Lord Heres Fitznum, are entering!”
At the herald’s clear announcement, people exchanged loaded glances.
It all happened in an instant.
The doors to the banquet hall opened, and in came Penelope Calix and Heres Fitznum, the main figures of the night.
Lady Penelope Calix was, as always, beautiful and dazzling.
Her glossy crimson hair was worn loose in soft waves, with a jeweled comb set atop her head, inlaid densely with red diamonds.
It was her only hair ornament, yet it looked more exquisite and delicate than the royal tiara itself, leaving everyone momentarily spellbound.
And that wasn’t all—earrings, necklace, dress, even the shoes peeking out from beneath the hem… everything was resplendent.
Some might have called it excessive adornment.
But the delicate, finely shaped features atop her deer-like slender neck made it all seem effortlessly natural.
And then there was the man beside her—Heres Fitznum!
Lord Heres looks stunning as always…
His outfit was the picture of perfection.
Heres appeared in a deep-colored, tailored suit that paired impeccably with his ash-gray hair, the cut emphasizing the strong lines of his physique.
He was a striking man, with a smooth, refined face that carried a somewhat irritable edge.
But tonight was different—the smile playing at his lips was unmistakably that of a man in love.
He bent toward his partner and murmured something.
Penelope Calix gave his arm a playful tap with her fan and scoffed.
“So today’s theme is aloofness, is it?”
The young ladies murmured behind their fans.
Indeed, the subtle eyeliner lift in Penelope’s makeup tonight lent her gaze a decidedly coy air.
“…It must be today!”
“Yes—the day!”
In their eyes, sparks flared.
Even the bashful debutantes who had been blushing at the sight of Heres Fitznum vanished in an instant—replaced by the fierce energy of rival huntresses.
The young men lingering nearby, hoping to strike up a conversation, stepped back from the sheer force radiating from the ladies.
“Today’s sacrifice will be me!”
“No, me—move aside!”
They waged a silent war as they advanced toward Penelope Calix.
Whether she was aware of their intent or not, Penelope calmly swept her gaze across the hall.
And then—
She dropped her wine glass.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she spilled her drink directly onto the gown of a young baron’s daughter loitering at the edge of the hall.
“Ah. My.”
At those few words, the room fell utterly silent.
All eyes turned to the two young ladies.
Penelope’s gaze traveled up and down the ruined dress.
“Oh dear. You were dressed so plainly, I didn’t even realize you were there.”
“Ah… I…”
At her blatant remark, the baron’s daughter’s face flamed scarlet.
The younger girls who had been watching clutched their handkerchiefs in agitation.
Penelope, however, remained utterly unruffled.
“Seeing you has put me off entirely. My mood is spoiled. Heres, take me back to my estate. I’d rather play cards at home than linger here in this frame of mind.”
“As you wish.”
Heres Fitznum pressed a kiss to her hand and escorted her out of the hall.
The baron’s daughter, drink-stained and humiliated, bit her lip.
As the crimson-haired beauty disappeared beyond the doorway, the hall erupted in chatter.
“Goodness, Lady Calix! How could she… today of all days?”
“Right? She’d only just arrived! This is far too quick!”
“Exactly—I thought she’d at least stir things up twice before leaving… but she’s gone already!”
In the meantime, a blonde young lady approached the unfortunate baron’s daughter.
“Um, my lady?”
“Y-Yes?”
The country-born girl, attending her first capital-city ball, felt the weight of everyone’s eyes upon her.
Never in her life had she imagined she’d suffer such an insult her very first time.
And yet—
“What’s your secret? How did you manage to catch Lady Calix’s attention?”
“I’m so jealous. I thought I would be tonight’s chosen one!”
“How did you seize such a stroke of luck? Oh, it should have been me who got splashed!”
“I even dressed more plainly today just in case! What a waste—if I’d known, I would’ve gone all out!”
The baron’s daughter could barely follow the torrent of words flying at her.
“Uh… pardon?”
Her bewilderment made their eyes go wide.
“Don’t tell me—you didn’t know?”
“I have no idea what you’re all talking about…”
“My word. You really are blessed.”
“I truly don’t understand—”
One of the older young ladies raised a finger to her lips.
“Shh. You’ll find out soon enough. Just know this—you’ve been given a tremendous piece of good fortune.”
No sooner were the words spoken than a group of attendants approached.
“Our lady wishes to compensate you for the ruined dress.”
“A gown from the capital’s finest boutique has been prepared—please, come this way.”
In a daze, the baron’s daughter allowed herself to be led away.
The others watched her go, sighing with barely concealed envy.
“She’ll be the star of tonight’s banquet.”
“When will it be my turn to be chosen by Lady Calix… sigh.”
“Still, why does she sponsor young ladies in such a… peculiar manner?”
“You know how the duke’s daughter is—never very straightforward. She must be too shy to do it plainly.”
“Truly, she’s delightfully unpredictable.”
“Yes, and such fun to be around!”
And so, Penelope Calix’s notorious reputation—or was it fame?—grew ever higher that night.
