The gossip was so thoughtful, it even helpfully introduced the backstory of the original novel’s heroine.
“Maria made her debut this year, didn’t she? Debuting at twenty-one — so late, like a true country girl. Maybe she thought her face would carry her.”
“If marriage was decided by looks alone, Natalie Redfield would’ve been wed ages ago.”
“She filtered out every man just by relying on her face and ended up with no prospects. If she’d just lowered that nose of hers a bit, she wouldn’t still be on the market five years later.”
“Maybe she just stayed single because she wanted to dance with more men?”
“Ahahaha!”
The lady I was dealing with burst out laughing.
Gossip must really be that fun. Not even realizing the sister they were badmouthing was listening just behind them…
Then suddenly, one of the ladies whipped her head around.
“Hey, Dori Redfield. What do you think?”
“P-pardon?”
“Don’t pretend to be surprised. You were eavesdropping on us, weren’t you?”
“…”
“Don’t force that angry face. Everyone here knows how your sister always looks down on you.”
Wow…
That shamelessness left me speechless.
Another lady tried to stop her, but the one who spoke just said, ‘It’s fine, Dori is sweet,’ like a school bully poking at the quiet kid in class.
She lifted her chin high and spoke.
“Got any fun dirt on your sister? I’d love to shake up the crowd at one of these gatherings for once.”
“You want me to gossip about my sister?”
“Why so shocked? It’s not like you and your sister are ever close.”
“…”
True. I didn’t like Natalie. Even on the rare occasions we crossed paths, she always walked by with a sneer.
But still.
“Dori, I’ll invite you to some parties where there’ll be plenty of eligible men. You’re not as pretty as your sister, but that means you don’t intimidate them!”
I hate people like this even more!
Standing before the lady who was smugly looking down on me, I said firmly.
“You’re really obsessed with Natalie’s looks, huh. Is that seriously the only thing you can talk about?”
“…Wait, what? Obsessed? Ha, please, we’re just talking about social events—what’s your problem?”
“Why do ladies even come to society events? Because there’s no other way for you to live, right? And knowing that, if all you do is harp on my sister’s looks, then it’s obvious her face is all you can think about.”
“Ugh… what, why are you taking it out on us? You think Natalie’s insufferable too!”
“Don’t flatter yourselves!”
Natalie isn’t insufferable because of her looks — it’s her personality that’s insufferable!
Right at that moment.
A familiar perfume drifted over.
“Heh. Having some very interesting conversations, aren’t we?”
I, and the two other ladies, very slowly turned to look. Standing right beside us before we even noticed was…
“Natalie?”
The red-haired beauty looked down at us. Her eyes were smiling, but I’d bet anything her mouth was stuffed full of curses.
“Sister. Were you planning to come to this party?”
“I was just going to take a nap today, but Mother gave me such a sharp look. Figured I’d stop by for some tea.”
“The invitation, how did—”
“Think I’d need one? For me? I said my name and they let me right in.”
Natalie gave a confident smile.
Now that I thought about it, I’d read in etiquette books before: one of the hosts’ favorite guests was a witty beauty.
Though I wasn’t sure if Natalie was a witty beauty or just the kind that made people’s adrenaline spike.
Soon, Natalie’s smile turned toward the two other ladies.
“Why did you all go quiet after chattering so much? Acting tight-lipped now doesn’t make you seem thoughtful, you know.”
“Natalie…”
“We’re not close enough for first names, are we? Say ‘Lady Redfield’ properly.”
“…”
“Or else…”
Natalie’s face suddenly drew right up to theirs. Close enough it looked like their eyelashes might tangle.
“Are you mesmerized by my face after all?”
“Kyah! W-what are you saying!”
The ladies freaked out and tried to pull away. But Natalie’s hands clamped down on their shoulders, and before they knew it, they were facing all the eyes in the room.
With the kingdom’s most beautiful woman and a loud fuss all in one spot, of course everyone was staring.
The two women’s faces turned bright red.
They tried to run, but Natalie’s hands gripped the lace on their shoulders so tight they couldn’t escape without risking tearing their dresses.
“L-let go!”
“You should be grateful I got you a few more glances from the men. Try saying thank you.”
“S-sorry!”
“Say thank you. Why don’t you know what to say even when I spell it out?”
Natalie’s voice grew sharper and sharper. People belatedly pretended to turn away, hiding behind fans or peeking over shoulders.
Finally, the ladies squeaked out in tiny voices.
“Thank… you.”
“Good. See you next time, all right?”
Natalie let go. The two of them scurried off in a panic.
And that’s when it hit me.
Crap. I should’ve run off when things were getting loud!
Too late. Natalie turned her eyes on me.
Don’t be scared! Just before this, I was the one stepping in and smoothing things over when Natalie was getting chewed out, right? It’s not like she’ll start in on me!
“Dori.”
“Yes, Sister.”
“I’ve given up advising you on dresses. Why not just wear your nightgown around instead?”
“…”
She’s so damn insufferable.
…But is my fashion sense really that bad?
I thought I’d picked something perfectly safe.
“Dori. How tall are you again?”
“Pardon? I’m 162 cm.”
“Short.”
I’m not short! That’s a centimeter above the average Korean woman!
But Natalie, easily at least 170 cm, just looked me over like she was appraising a puppy.
“All right.”
“Why did you ask about my height?”
“How old are you again?”
“…Twenty-one.”
“Too old to grow any taller. Go easy on the pastries, will you? If your dress bursts, that’s a problem.”
She just said whatever she wanted, then snatched the pastry I’d been eating and walked off in a flash.
What the hell is with her?
Thanks for helping earlier, but did you really have to pick a fight too?
After her red hair disappeared from sight, I was so drained I dropped onto the sofa with a thunk.
‘So tired.’
I wished the original male lead, Arthur, would show up soon.
Then Natalie would be too busy clinging to Arthur to pay attention to me.
And Tristan would be so busy watching Arthur and chasing after Maria, he wouldn’t bother me either.
Hurry up and get here, main character!
‘Please let me cut ties with all these awful personalities already!’
* * *
I’d never cared about clothes. To be precise, I’d never had the luxury to care. With money tight, I always chose plain clothes, and ended up wearing cotton pants and drab shirts like a uniform.
Still, Natalie freaking out at every one of my dresses had started to bug me, so I cautiously asked one of the maids.
“My dresses… are they not very pretty?”
“Hmm… well, you always pick the ones shoved in the back of the shop. I thought you just hated flashy things.”
“…”
The way she phrased it made it clear.
‘So they’re not pretty.’
They all looked like princess dresses to me, though.
Honestly, I was satisfied as it was, but I didn’t want to give Natalie more ammunition to pick on my clothes.
So I went digging through the Count’s study for books on this era’s fashion. Since the books weren’t sorted by Dewey Decimal or even alphabetically, it took me days just to reorganize the shelves and pick out the right topics.
Then one day.
At the dining table, my father mentioned offhand.
“There’s a botanical garden opening event in a few days. It’s hosted by a baron, so there shouldn’t be any particularly grand guests. If you’d like, feel free to attend.”
Natalie had zero interest in that sort of event.
But I was immediately on alert inside.
That event was when the original male lead, Arthur Albion, made his debut in high society!
‘So the real story’s finally starting.’
Rumors that the heir to the Grand Duke of the North would be appearing in high society this year had been swirling since the season began. So nobles with daughters had been on edge, watching guest lists like hawks.
But Arthur, who was more comfortable in armor than formalwear and more used to sparring than escorting, found parties burdensome. So he chose a relatively modest event — this botanical garden opening — for his first appearance.
Since it was outdoors and the focus was on plants, he probably thought he wouldn’t attract much attention.
Of course, the original male lead was a breathtaking man, head and shoulders above the rest, destined to become high society’s biggest sensation the moment he arrived!
Well, that was just part of being the protagonist.
The day of the garden event.
The maid accompanying me helped me get ready and asked,
“My Lady. Didn’t you dislike outdoor events?”
“There won’t be many days left to see flowers to my heart’s content. Once the season ends, my future will be decided, after all.”
…Though that was obviously just an excuse.
I was really going to check if the male lead was sticking to the original plot.
The maid, clueless to my real motives, sighed.
“Sigh… if only His Highness would show you flowers and the sea himself.”
She sounded like she was saying, ‘If only I’d win the lottery this week.’ Clearly she didn’t trust that prince’s personality either. Same here.
“For now, let’s just enjoy the day. We won’t be… late…?”
Just before stepping out of my room, someone blocked my path, panting. Natalie.
Her deep emerald eyes swept over me.
“Dori. I heard from Father. Where are you off to?”
“That botanical garden opening we talked about the other day.”
“That paltry event? Why bother?”
“I like plants. And it’s nice weather today.”
“…”
Natalie fell silent for a moment.
What, did her brain finally connect to her mouth’s filter for once?
She hesitated for a second…
Then said something I never expected.
“Do you really have to go today? There’s a much better party in a few days.”
“Pardon? Sister, you know I hate parties. I’m going to see flowers today.”
“As if I’d recommend a party with shoddy flower arrangements. I found a truly splendid one.”
Where did that come from?
Not wanting to waste more time, I finally gathered my nerve and spoke.
“Please step aside. If it’s important, we can talk later…”
“Ah, your dress alterations aren’t done yet!”
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