RYL Chapter 08

Chapter 08

It was the perfect opportunity to expose Mathieu’s wrongdoings.

I walked over to my wardrobe and looked through the dresses Lilianne had picked for me, each labeled with a number.

Was I supposed to wear dress number 10 for the ball?

Lilianne had even written down the matching colors and makeup style for it.

Recently, I had been asking my personal maid, Emma, to do my makeup that way.

Lilianne would always adjust it when we met, but I had learned to copy her makeup and hairstyle at least somewhat.

I had planned to ask Emma for help again on the day of the ball…

But when I remembered how Ophelia and Sophia had been bothering Emma, I sighed.

Something felt off.

And sure enough…

Much later, when Emma entered my room to help me prepare for bed, she looked troubled.

“My lady, I’m so sorry… The madam said she’s short on staff… so I have to help her on the day of the ball.”

Hearing that, I let out a long sigh.

“I see, it can’t be helped.”

Did that mean I had to do it myself?

But I was terrible at makeup…

“Oh, and… the young miss borrowed one of your accessories from the dressing room…”

“What…?”

I hurried to my dressing room and found that the necklace Lilianne had gifted me—designed to match my ball gown—was missing.

I seriously wanted to rip her hair out.

Doesn’t she know that borrowing clothes, makeup, or accessories without asking is the worst thing you can do between sisters?

If she were my real sister, half her hair would be gone by now.

As I took a deep breath, looking furious, Emma anxiously fidgeted beside me.

I shot her a sharp look before sighing.

There was no point in getting mad at a maid.

***

The day of the ball arrived.

Before leaving, I watched Ophelia and Sophia busily preparing.

“What? Why are you just standing there like a ghost? Don’t tell me you actually wanted to come with us?”

I ignored Sophia’s mocking remark, keeping a blank expression.

Despite practicing all night, I had completely failed to do my hair and makeup properly.

I planned to ask Emma for help after Ophelia and Sophia left.

That meant I’d arrive at the ball late, but it was my only choice.

I just had to wait for them to leave…

But then—

A grand carriage rolled up in front of the estate.

Looking closely, I saw the emblem of the Sinclair Marquisate.

Ophelia and Sophia, who were almost ready to leave, widened their eyes in shock.

“Oh my, look at that! Isn’t that the Sinclair Marquisate’s carriage—the hosts of today’s ball?”

“It really is! Could they have sent it for us?”

While they got excited over nothing, a well-dressed attendant stepped out of the carriage.

He walked up to the estate and knocked on the door.

Ophelia and Sophia, thrilled, rushed to greet him.

The door opened, revealing the serious-looking man, who spoke.

“Is this the Devonshire Count’s residence?”

“Yes, it is,” Ophelia answered elegantly, full of excitement.

The attendant continued indifferently.

“Is Lady Claire von Devonshire here?”

Ophelia and Sophia’s excited expressions froze instantly.

“Huh? Claire?”

“I’ve come to escort Lady Claire.”

Leaving the stunned mother and daughter behind, I slowly approached the attendant, awkwardly scratching my cheek.

“Um… as you can see, I’m not ready yet.”

The attendant smiled and extended his hand.

“No worries. Everything is prepared at the Marquisate’s estate. You only need to come.”

Lilianne, you’re the best!

The anxiety I had felt moments ago disappeared.

Straightening my back, I gracefully placed my hand in the attendant’s.

Then, I turned to Ophelia and Sophia with a calm smile.

“Well, I guess I’ll be going ahead. See you at the ball.”

I beamed at the two dumbfounded women before stepping into the carriage.

***

After changing into the dress Lilianne had prepared, I stood awkwardly in front of the mirror.

“Oh my! Claire, you look stunning!”

Lilianne clasped her hands together, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

I scratched my cheek, feeling shy.

As soon as I arrived at the Marquisate’s estate, the maids had whisked me away and dressed me up in a flurry.

“Claire, no one else could look as good in a red dress as you do.”

“R-Really?”

I awkwardly gazed at my reflection.

The dress was overwhelmingly glamorous—a striking red gown with an elegant updo.

The makeup was light, except for the subtly shaded eyes and bold red lips, making me look even more feminine.

“Claire, your hair color is a blessing. It looks pinkish with pastels, but with bold colors like this, it appears red… Compared to you, my silver hair seems plain.”

I had always thought my hair was just thick and stiff, but hearing Lilianne say that made it sound quite special.

My hair did indeed change color depending on the light.

At night, my hair looked like a deep brown, almost black. On bright days, it appeared orange, and in sunlight, it even had a pinkish hue.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror again.

My usually messy, thick hair—impossible to manage without proper care—was now neatly styled, thanks to the maids’ efforts.

It was loosely tied up, with a few strands deliberately left to frame my face, making my pale neck stand out even more.

As I stared at my unfamiliar appearance, Lilianne approached from behind and gently stroked my shoulder, smiling.

“Tonight, Claire, you will be the most beautiful woman at the ball. So, let’s give that playboy viscount a proper rejection.”

I chuckled at her words.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Seeing my smile, Lilianne grinned too, then took a step back with a lighthearted expression.

“Alright, time for me to get ready as well.”

“Should I wait for you?”

“No, if we arrive together, the viscount might get suspicious.”

I nodded in agreement.

“I planned to pretend I didn’t know you until later, but I wanted to be the one to make sure you looked your best tonight.”

Wow, even the way she talks is beautiful.

Feeling touched, I looked at Lilianne, who then playfully pushed me toward the door.

“Go on ahead and enjoy the ball. I’ll take my time getting ready and enter at the right moment.”

It made sense. The host of a ball usually appeared last.

I nodded and started walking toward the ballroom.

By now, my stepmother and Sophia must have already arrived.

I was curious to see their reaction when they saw me.

I didn’t expect them to compliment me.

Would they be jealous instead?

That would be just as satisfying.

With those thoughts, I finally reached the entrance of the ballroom.

I handed my personal invitation—given to me by Lilianne—to the attendant at the entrance, then straightened my posture and stepped inside.

Immediately, I could feel the eyes of countless guests turning toward me.

“Who is that lady?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen her before… Which noble family is she from?”

“It’s surprising that someone so stunning isn’t already well-known in high society.”

“Could she be a noble from the countryside?”

I heard whispers as people tried to figure out who I was.

I hadn’t attended many social events, but I had accompanied my father, the Count of Devonshire, and my fiancé, Mathieu, to a few.

Back then, people barely acknowledged my existence.

Now, it was strange to see everyone so focused on me.

Some people, however, did recognize me.

Among them were Ophelia and Sophia, who had seen me recently.

Since I had put in extra effort today, Sophia’s mouth even hung open in shock.

I confidently walked toward them.

“You arrived early, Mother. And you too, Sophia.”

As I calmly greeted them, the crowd murmured in surprise.

“Did she just call the Countess of Devonshire ‘Mother’?”

“Oh my, does that mean she is… Lady Claire?”

“If she’s calling the Countess ‘Mother,’ then it must be either Lady Sophia or Lady Claire… It has to be her!”

People stared at me in disbelief, their faces full of shock.