this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!
Within a few days of Commander Leonon’s departure, the Berhardt household’s exclusive dressmaker really did visit the mansion along with several assistants.
“Don’t fret about anything and just leave it all to me. I’ll make you stand out more than anyone else at the banquet,” speaking confidently, the dressmaker soon began to bring in everything that he had brought and gave orders to the assistants.
Dozens of boxes containing shoes, hats, and gloves constantly entered the mansion, starting with expensive fabrics that were usually hard to find, elaborate lace hand woven by craftsmen, jewellery to decorate buttons and brooches, and explanations that they were just samples.
Since there was even a dressing room on one side of the living room, that was where I spent most of my time.
If only that was all. After looking at the fabric and trying on several clothes with similar designs, what appeared before my exhausted eyes were red rubies crafted in different shapes and pearls that shone softly with a natural glow.
I was already grateful enough that he offered to go to the banquet with me, but from the dresses to the expensive accessories…
…is it really okay to keep going at this rate?
“Is this really alright…”
At that moment as I muttered out loud without realising it, the dressmaker, who was sitting across from me and was busy choosing my jewellery, responded with a grin.
“Of course it’s fine. These days, it’s popular to mix a few completely different gems with lace decorations. As long as the gloves and shoes that are worn are of the same style, you will still be able to maintain a sense of unity and glamour.”
Answering confidently, he then lowered his voice quietly, “He asked me to make a dress for a lady. This is a first ever since I’ve worked with the Berhardt household. Furthermore, I was told to prepare something that would suit you, Miss Lorella, the best, since the price wouldn’t matter.”
Then, somewhat sneakily, he quietly added, “Although I’m like this, I’d still call myself a pretty sensitive person.”
No, so what kind of sense are you talking about…
However, I had no choice but to shut up in tears.
Even after that, the dressmaker and his assistants were busy trialling different kinds of fabric and accessories against my face and hair to determine the details for quite a long time.
After the hectic day was over and they all went home. I couldn’t fall asleep right away and paced around the room.
As I was putting together the dress and choosing accessories, I realised that the day to go to the banquet was getting closer and closer. Nevertheless, as each day passed, the excitement and tension grew within me, little by little.
To be honest, I had actually secretly fantasised about things like the imperial palace’s banquet and the inner circles of high society. That was only natural. Since I had read so many romance fantasies so far.
To the extent where the first thing I had wanted to do when I had become free after escaping from the Duke was to attend a ball.
Wearing a pretty dress and having requests to dance with me pouring in from here and there; just how much had I dreamed of such a scene!
Moreover, one of the main characteristics of a female protagonist in a Rofan is their entrance into high society! T-Though of course, I’m not the official main character yet.
And as for the real ‘Lorella Mayred’, I wouldn’t know. For me, who had been whisked away and locked up in the Duke’s estate as soon as I possessed this body, this would be my official debutante. So it was only natural that I wouldn’t be able to sleep since I was looking forward to it so much.
In any case, I was going to take this opportunity to properly get my foot into the door and step into high society.
Although there would be various underhanded fights and conflicts that would come and go, the social world would also be a place that was overflowing with valuable information that can’t be heard, regardless of how much money was spent. It was a gateway that I had to pass through in order to stand tall as the Young Miss of the Mayred County.
And for that, there would’ve been no better opportunity than this banquet. I really… could not express my gratitude enough to Commander Leonon.
“I said, you’re the prettiest.”
As soon as I remembered that voice again, my face heated up again without fail. I quickly walked over to open the window and was greeted by the cool breeze on my face.
It was a moment when I personally experienced the feeling where a person’s heart could actually jump out of their mouth if they are so shocked.
“T-To think he would suddenly say such a thing,” I muttered aloud on purpose. I tried to shake it off and pretend like it was nothing, but my feelings that emerged from that time suddenly came to me even more vividly.
In addition, I suddenly smiled unconsciously when I remembered Leonon, who at that time, had various emotions such as embarrassment and self-reproach blooming and sinking on his face one after the other, when various emotions, such as embarrassment and self-blame, bloomed over his face one after another.
Though of course, although I didn’t know everything about him yet, I could still get a rough idea at what he was feeling just by looking at his expression now.
He seemed to think that I might be displeased since he clearly looked embarrassed and full of self-blame.
Although it wasn’t like that at all. It was far from being unpleasant – rather, just thinking about it now was…
I stood with my shoulders straight and my hands on the windowsill as I enjoyed the billowing wind. I could vaguely see my mouth that was lifted on the glass of the window that had been opened at an angle.
‘My heart was racing.’
I was shocked for a moment and scrambled to hurriedly close the window, as if I was a person who had been caught in something I shouldn’t have seen.
However, the gaze that looked at me gently along with the face with an affectionate smile was something that would never leave my head.
This wouldn’t do. At this rate, it seems like this would be the only thing I’d think about until the banquet.
I rubbed my burning face with my cool palms and tried to think about something else.
That’s right. For example, thinking about the 15,000 shares and bonus cookie that popped up at that time.
I had been on tenterhooks, worried about how something like when I had broken the swing at the Holy Knights Headquarters would happen again if I accidentally used it without realising it.
But on the other hand, it was reassuring that I would be able to use it if I ever needed to.
Yeah, now was the time to focus on getting to the banquet without any major incidents happening.
Even if it was just so as not to cause any inconvenience to Commander Leonon, who had invited me.
* * *
pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:
Time quickly flew by and the banquet was just around the corner before I knew it. Aurea wasn’t close to the capital, where the banquet would be held, so I had been extremely busy due to the various preparations that were in order.
Meanwhile, boxes wrapped in luxurious wrapping paper were delivered to the mansion one after another.
It was the finished dress along with the matching accessories.
“You need to unbox your present, right Miss? Fufu, don’t worry and just leave it to us.”
As soon as dinner was over, Joy along with my other maids approached me with a creepy smile.
I suddenly remembered the day I had invited Leonon to the mansion. The day I had been held captive and had been unable to move for hours as they tied my hair up and down dozens of times.
I resisted timidly, my voice trembling with fear, “B-But we still have some time left?!”
“What are you saying? Do you mean to say that you’ll decide on your hair and makeup right before the ball starts?”
“She’s right! We’ll have to confirm in advance which one suits you the best!”
You guys don’t mean to do a fashion show all night long… right?
After faltering and retreating back a few steps, I was still eventually dragged by their hands and had no choice but to sit quietly on the chair in the dressing room.
Still, you’ll let me sleep, right…?
“Quickly, open it for us to see. Please? Come on.”
Hearing the sound of someone’s anxious cry, I sighed and slowly opened the lid of the box.
Then, a purple dress with an abundance of pleats soon appeared before my eyes.
“Woah.”
“How…!”
As soon as Joy carefully took the clothes out and hung them on the hanger, exclamations erupted from all around her.
It was an elegant dress with a boldly plunging neckline, a skirt puffed out with a pannier, and a flower pattern that was embroidered in gold thread down the stomacher of the dress.
Delicate gold lace was attached to the waist and end of the sleeves, and sparkling ruby and pearl adornments along the sweetheart neckline further caught the eye.
Another box contained a cape with cute satin ribbons as well as lace gloves.
Even the maids who had been watching from behind gathered around the boxes, as if they couldn’t bear it anymore.
“Oh my…!”
However, as Joy was examining the accessories in the box, a confused exclamation suddenly came out of her mouth.
“What is it?”
In her hand was a large hair ornament full of amber and crystals. The adornment was modelled after the yellow dahlia flower, which I especially liked.
“Miss. Isn’t this the dahlia flower?”
“Yes, that’s right. Why?”
“This is something I also heard through rumours. Apparently Duchess of Lionel from the capital was bitten by a snake while picking this flower in the Duchy’s own forest some time ago and something bad almost happened.”
“The Duchess… of Lionel?”
“Yes. Fortunately there wasn’t any poison, so the bite wasn’t life-threatening; however, the shock of it all still lingers to this day, and apparently just seeing this flower would cause her to tremble in fear…”
‘Duchess Lionel’ was a name that I had heard of several times at tea parties.
Everyone had unanimously agreed that they were one of the households that dominated the centre of high society, and that you should never get on their bad side, regardless of what happens.
“What should we do about this?”
Joy stomped her feet almost in tears.
It was only natural for Joy to worry, since this hair ornament would definitely affect the feelings of the Duchess, who was at the centre of high society.
“Don’t I have other hair ornaments as well? You can just switch it to another one that suits me the most.”
“But they’re all too small. Above all, if the hair ornament doesn’t match the dress, it’s pretty much the same as not wearing one at all…”
I bit my lip in embarrassment. The other maids also began to whisper amongst themselves about what they were going to do.
I never thought a day would come where I would have to wear such a luxurious and expensive dress, so I never expected that I would also need accessories that would match it. Not preparing for it in advance was my mistake.
However, I should’ve thought about it when I knew I was going to be attending such a grand ball.
“Then how about removing the hair ornament…”
“That’s absolutely non-negotiable! It would be like walking around the ballroom barefoot.”
This time, not only Joy, but also all the other maids around her joined forces and shook their heads vigorously.
It was only then that I realised the severity of the situation.
Should I try heading to the jewellery store early tomorrow morning? But those large and glamorous head pieces weren’t the kind that could be bought right away. Most of them were custom-made pieces.
In other words, if you wanted it, you had no choice but to order it, but there was too little time for me to do that.
The only option left was for me to shamelessly visit the ladies I had met at the tea party at such a late hour.
I felt a headache forming and massaged my temples.
I once again strongly felt that I had to enter high society at all costs.
Not only had I found out about such an incident regarding the Duchess even later than a maid, but there was not even a single person I could comfortably turn to for help when something like this happened.
There was nothing else I could do. Right now, I should at least send a letter to the madam who invited me to the tea party…
But it was then.
A knock sounded from outside.
“Pardon the intrusion, my lady.”
The faces that peeked through the crack in the door were the butler and a few other servants who were holding several boxes.
“What’s all this?”
“These are the boxes that were just delivered.”
“Delivered? From who?”
“They said it was sent by a boutique in the capital, but I’m not sure who sent it. There isn’t even a name written on it.”
“Pardon?”
Unlike me, who was still puzzled over the words boutique in the capital, Joy quickly accepted the box with a smile.
“Miss, shall I open it then?” She asked me in a hurry. I nodded in shock.
“Oh my, good heavens!”
As soon as the box was opened, the maids all burst out in joyous cheers.
As soon as I saw it, I also jumped out of my seat and looked into the box again. I couldn’t believe it, even when I saw the contents inside with my own eyes.
What was inside was an elegant yet intense purple dress. The alluring black silk lace attached here and there to act as statement pieces was dizzyingly beautiful.
Another box contained black heels with equally sophisticated embroidery, another contained a glossy velvet shawl, and the small, flat box contained rows of diamond-encrusted jewellery.
“…What is all of this? Who could have sent it?”
“Who knows? But it’s definitely for you, my lady! Since your name is even written on the parcel.”
For me?
As Joy said, the thing written on the box was clearly my name. It was addressed precisely to Lorella Mayred of the Mayred County.
Could this be another surprise gift from Commander Leonon?
I looked closely at the violet purple dress hanging side by side with the lilac dress.
However no matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem like a dress Leonon had sent. Even though the styles were different, it was too different.
A skirt with simple, yet alluring and elegant lines instead of adorable puffy pleats. Instead of a round and cute sweetheart neckline, a décolleté neckline that gives off a somewhat provocative feeling.
Of course, it was an extremely beautiful and charming dress. Every piece of fabric and embellishment seemed expensive, so it wasn’t something that a regular boutique would be able to make in advance.
Furthermore, this colour and design… seemed like it would suit me very well, almost as if it were a perfect match…
But black lace of all things.
No matter how little I knew about high society, I still knew that there were not many young misses or noblewomen who would wear such lace decorations of this colour without any hesitation. Even moreso to a banquet that was commemorating a victory.
For a moment, an unknown ominous feeling surged through my mind.
It was because I was reminded of someone who would wear dark clothes every time I met them, as if they were a crow.
Don’t tell me. How could someone who doesn’t even know I’m going to the banquet send me clothes? Gee, it can’t be.
While I was lost in my thoughts, a hand emerged from somewhere and forced me to sit down on a chair. It was Joy, who had at some point taken out a large comb and was humming a tune.
“Miss, please stay still for a moment.”
What she was holding along with the comb was a diamond-studded hair ornament. It was so gorgeous and dazzling that I couldn’t even bear to look straight at it.
“Wh-What are you doing right now?”
“What what are you doing! I need to quickly decide on your hairstyle. We’ve really been saved since we now happen to have a wonderful hair ornament that suits either dress.”
“Wait a minute. What are you going to do if it’s not for me?!”
“Your name is obviously written clearly on the parcel, my lady. You can’t possibly think there’s another person in this mansion with the same name as you, right?”
“No, what if there’s p-poison on the end of that hairpin…!”
“What sort of nonsense is that? Now, now, please stay still.”
My resistance was once again in vain.
A beautiful hairpin studded with both large and small diamonds was intertwined in the hair that had been quickly done up in fear of me moving again.
As I glanced towards the mirror in front of me, my eyes were pulled towards the two beautiful dresses that were hanging neatly on the hanger.
author’s note
take all the good things
naver comments
sejin
no, unnie… although i like the black one better, you’ll be matchy matchy with the duke if you wear it…. unnie will just buy it for you to wear…
roni
it’s following all the cliches of rofan, but… why is it still so good? it’s so good i’m about to go crazy HAGLKDSJFDJ
apple mint
unnie, you know, you look good in both of them,,, you need to choose the person… so who do you want to go with?
yawl if i’m being rl here i don’t rlly like either of them, but if i had to pick i’d pick the black one too hgsdlkfsdj I AGREE WITH THE SEJIN COMMENT SHE’LL MATCH THE DUKE IF SHE PICKS IT THO SO LIKE GHDSFLKFSJ
i honestly think the author should’ve either matched her dress with her hair (could look tacky tho) but i feel like our girl would look SO GOOD IN WHITE OR CHAMPAGNE IT’S SUCH A SHAME AHHHHH
ne ways its missing winnard hours WHEN WILL I HAVE WINNARD SCREENTIME
