[I’m happy, Ria.]
“You really… Even if it’s a surprise, there’s a limit. That tiara, that was from you too, wasn’t it?”
A soft chuckle echoed from the other side of the crystal orb.
It was the communication device sent along with the gift before the attendant left.
The communication orb, currently being developed at the Magic Tower, was said to still be in its early stages and incapable of prolonged use.
Originally a type of magical device meant for short, radio-like messages, this was supposedly the first one created for long conversations.
Since the Imperial family supports the very existence of the Magic Tower, they must have been offered the newest prototype first.
“I seem to remember my feet being mercilessly stepped on during your fancy steps back in the day. Did you forget?”
[Of course not. I still have nightmares about that day.]
Still, I want to be your first partner, Luca added in a soft voice. I rested my chin on my hand and fiddled with the crystal orb.
“Anyway… you’d better brace yourself. I’ve been practicing, but my feet don’t always do what I want.”
But there was a more pressing question I’d been wanting to ask. I hesitated before cautiously bringing it up.
I hoped for a good answer.
“How are things… with Her Majesty the Empress?”
A fleeting silence followed, lasting as long as an hour to my ears.
Gulp—
[My mother and I are both deeply grateful to you, Ria.]
Which meant…
[She wants to see you again. Would you meet her if you came to the palace next time?]
“Of course…!”
I nodded deeply, my face flushed.
‘Thank goodness.’
A year later—long if long, short if short—someone might close their eyes with lingering regret toward their children, and those left behind might shed tears of remorse.
If anything like that happened to someone dear to me… I wouldn’t have been able to bear it.
“I’m really glad.”
After that brief call with Luca ended, I got up and compared the card paper with the handwriting on the parchment he had sent.
“No matter how I look at it, this is Luca’s handwriting.”
A charm for happiness. Among the many messages—
Just as I wished happiness for him, maybe Luca wished the same for me.
Thinking so, I couldn’t bring myself to turn away a hand that reached out to be on my side, so I accepted his offer to be my partner.
Drehan said he would respect my decision.
Even so, he seemed a little disappointed and offered to continue practicing with me as a partner.
It seemed he had prepared formal shoes for the ceremony, as expected of a blood relative.
The purple sapphire shoes on the red cushion in front of me were proof.
Both Drehan and Luca must have been well aware of my dancing skills—the heels were practically nonexistent.
When I tried them on, they were as comfortable as sneakers, as if both had prioritized protecting their own feet when placing the order.
The thought made me chuckle.
Time flew by, and it was already the morning of the debutante ball.
“You must wake now, my lady.”
I opened my eyes, still half-asleep, to see Garnet’s back.
I hadn’t slept well the night before, kept awake by thoughts of Luca’s poor feet, and whether I could protect Rachel’s well-being—the royal siblings haunted my rest.
‘Get it together. Even in a tiger’s den, if you keep your wits—just keep your wits….’
“Ah! My lady! Please don’t go back to sleep!”
I realized then just how far nobles could go when they set their minds to beautifying someone.
After finally escaping the bath in which my body had been steeped in precious oils, a new ordeal awaited me.
My silver-pink hair was stretched and curled repeatedly by Garnet, Sister Serin, and the other maids, all wearing solemn expressions.
The practiced and delicate hands produced a hairstyle so perfect it left me speechless.
Maybe it was the oil, but my hair gleamed more than usual and fell in soft waves to my waist.
They braided it in a half-up style, decorating it with tiny unknown flowers whose scent seemed to linger.
Finally, they pinned in a hairpiece crafted from pure white diamonds.
Next came the masterpiece debutante dress, crafted over sleepless nights by a master artisan for this very day.
The dress fit so perfectly, it felt like it had been made for my body alone.
After putting on the small crown Luca had gifted me and the matching jeweled shoes, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
Though I hadn’t done anything myself, I felt like a magical girl after her transformation.
Just seeing the maids tearfully whispering, “Spring has come to Laies,” made it clear how lovely and perfect I looked.
Garnet and Sister Serin clapped with pride and led me to the mirror.
“Wow…”
It was a face I saw every day, yet today was different—it was the best version yet.
You’d think I’d be immune by now, but I guess my weakness for beauty from my past life still lingered.
I really did look like a descendant of elves.
All those poetic praises in literature about elves came to mind naturally.
“So pretty—”
I muttered without meaning to as I looked myself over, and Serin laughed gently.
“Of course. Among all the young ladies at the debutante ball today, our Lady Ria will be the most beautiful.”
“Oh, come on…”
Could I really believe that? I didn’t know.
There was Rachel, the Empress’s daughter and a true unrivaled beauty. And Senia, the beloved heroine of the novel itself.
Even so, my appearance today was enough to put up a fight.
‘Not that it matters.’
At any rate, I had long given up on the wish to remain a low-profile extra in this novel.
If anything, I just hoped I wouldn’t embarrass myself by stepping on the crown prince’s feet tonight.
Knock knock—
Whether the door was made from premium hardwood or the knocker’s hands were unusually firm, the knocking sound was especially crisp.
At my nod, Garnet opened the door.
“Presenting His Highness the Crown Prince, the sun that illuminates the empire’s sky!”
Everyone in the room, led by Garnet, bowed respectfully to Luca.
His smooth black hair and deepening red eyes made me realize once again just how stunningly handsome he was.
Wearing formal attire matching my dress, he looked so good I began to worry whether I might look shabby beside him.
Maybe I should’ve gone more extravagant… But as I was thinking that, Luca strode up to me, knelt on one knee, took my hand, and left a soft kiss on it.
“You are truly the most beautiful in the world.”
You really have no shame, do you? Saying something that embarrassing first thing in the morning.
You’ve clearly never dated anyone, yet here you are… Is this a male lead buff?
Feeling my face heat up, I replied,
“You too.”
That was as far as I could go.
If I opened the floodgates of Luca praise, I’d never stop—and Serin and the others would tease me forever.
In fact, just outside the door, Terry and Ben were already peeking in and giggling.
Luca was already guaranteed teasing material.
“Shall we go, Ria?”
Taking his arm, I descended the stairs.
Luca held my hand so gently, as if I were a feather, not a person, that a mischievous idea popped into my head—I pretended to stumble.
Though my balance was perfectly fine, my fake gasp sounded convincing.
“Ah, ah…!”
“Ria!”
Surprisingly, despite usually being sharp, Luca fell for my terrible acting and caught my waist in a flash.
His arms were as solid as a bed, barely budging despite the sudden movement.
“Sorry, just a joke…”
Luca looked down at me with eyes that said, ‘Let me list 100 reasons why that was dangerous,’ so I quickly escaped his arms and resumed walking down.
My dress hem kept getting caught underfoot, but Luca silently stepped in to hold it up, making the descent much easier.
At the bottom of the stairs stood the three men of the house—all looking more dashing than usual.
Their signature silver-white hair, emblematic of Laies, looked nothing like mine.
If I stood among them, someone might say I was a contaminant.
But the warmth in their gazes made me decide to ignore such voices from now on.
“You’re early.”
“Ria! You look like an angel, my darling little sister!”
Miller practically flew over, subtly pushing Luca aside to hug me.
Father and Drehan followed with their own comments.
“I second that, daughter.”
“You’re worthy to be called my sister.”
Father and Drehan both had awkward expressions, proving once again how alike they were.
Miller, by contrast, was the family outlier…
“Ah, I was so taken by my daughter’s beauty I almost forgot to greet Your Highness.”
Father chuckled awkwardly and offered a formal greeting to Luca, who was still holding my hand despite Miller’s interruption.
“May the goddess bless you. I greet the Crown Prince.”
“Completely understandable. Ria is so dazzling today that I almost—”
I quickly covered Luca’s mouth.
I couldn’t afford to die of embarrassment before walking into the lion’s den.
He was worse than a cat-obsessed butler bragging about his pet.
Though I stopped his words, the three men seemed to get the gist, and cracks appeared in their poker faces.
I turned away and pulled Luca by the hand toward the door.
“Alright, Father, brothers! See you at the banquet!”
Finally, seated in the imperial carriage, I looked at Luca seriously.
“Did you eat something weird this morning?”
“I’d rather think so. Otherwise, the Ria I’m seeing right now is just…”
“No.”
I covered his mouth again and leaned back into the seat.
