Chapter : 15
“Pink is the obvious choice for a dress.”
“What are you talking about? Everyone thinks that way, which is exactly why we should go one step ahead and choose sky blue.”
Wrapped in my blanket with only my eyes peeking out, I stared blankly at the maids arguing over the dress.
Anyone could tell they were putting on a performance, very consciously directing the conversation toward me.
“For a first party, pink! That’s common sense. Well, unless the young lady tries it on and likes sky blue better, of course…”
“Sky blue suits the young lady’s hair much better! Well, unless she tries it on and decides she prefers pink…”
I let out a sigh beneath the blanket.
‘Just hurry up, choose one, and send them away…’
I suddenly sat up, pushed the maids out of the room, and declared,
“Sky blue.”
At least that one looked like it used more fabric.
“Alright, that settles it, right? Off you go~”
“Yoooung laaadyyyy~”
I might seem cold-hearted, but this isn’t my fault.
The people in this house made me this way.
I had clearly announced that I would be staying in seclusion, and for a while, I truly enjoyed myself in my room.
No one came looking for me. It was just me and my blanket, enjoying our private time.
With plenty of free time, I finally started indulging seriously in all the shut-in hobbies I’d wanted to enjoy…
‘I should’ve ignored it back then.’
Hearing some noise in front of my room and opening the door—that was the beginning of all my misfortune.
A little while ago—
“What should I do…?”
When I opened the door, a young-looking maid was standing there, deep in thought.
I cautiously spoke to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Gasp! Lady Selene!”
“Yes? What is it?”
The maid was holding a kettle and a bouquet of flowers, looking completely unsure of what to do.
“The head maid told me to put these in the vase in front of your room, but…”
On the tall side table outside my room were two vases—one white ceramic and one glass.
“You’re wondering which one to use?”
“Yes… I was worried I might choose the wrong one.”
I studied the flowers and the vases in her hands.
“They’re yellow flowers, so the white vase would be better. I’ll take the glass one—wouldn’t want you to drop it on the way.”
The maid beamed and bowed deeply.
“Thank you so much, my lady.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
When I gently patted her head, her eyes sparkled.
From the moment I helped her choose that vase, the servants started murmuring in front of my door more and more often.
They said there was an urgent matter in the garden, only to ask me whether to plant white roses or pink ones.
They called me to the kitchen just to ask whether to use chicken or pork for dinner.
At first, it wasn’t difficult, and they looked so happy afterward that I endured the inconvenience.
But then…
How am I supposed to choose what shape to trim a horse’s hooves into?!
Why are we picking Christmas tree decorations when it’s not even winter yet?!
Whenever I said I didn’t know, they looked so devastated that it softened my heart.
And as if they’d rehearsed it—
“We really need you, my lady…”
They all said the same thing, and I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
‘That’s it.’
I wrapped myself tightly in my blanket, vowing that no matter how much anyone begged today, I would not leave my room.
I was already wide awake, so I picked up the stack of letters on the table instead.
One fortunate thing was that I could read and write this world’s language without any trouble.
‘Who is Baroness Armon…?’
I opened and skimmed through the pretty, fragrant letters sent by people I didn’t recognize.
‘The weather has been lovely, so many flowers are blooming in the back garden. Everyone agrees that the view from our estate garden is simply beautiful.’
Oh, I see. Our garden is nice too.
Not that I ever look at it.
I opened another letter.
‘The fabric imported from the East has arrived. We’ll be hosting a small tea party to view the cloth before making dresses.’
Oh, I see. Well… I’ve already chosen my dress, so good luck.
The rest of the letters were more or less the same—boasting about something.
I wasn’t sure why they were bragging to me.
Since this world doesn’t have social media, this must be how people show off.
I’d been told that I had to reply to every letter, so I’d been sending back brief congratulations, but… it was getting tiresome. I wished they’d stop.
I placed the opened letters back on the table and opened the last remaining one.
Occasionally, letters without a recipient name arrived—ones clearly sent by El.
They contained information about people I’d met and about this world.
Things like how Eloy, who had lived as a commoner, turned out to be the lost daughter of a baronial family, or how Viviana made a fortune by investing in a diamond mine…
They were interesting, but not particularly helpful to my transmigrated life.
As I touched the envelope to put the letter away, I noticed something else inside.
‘What’s this?’
Inside was a postcard-sized piece of paper. When I pulled it out, I leapt to my feet and screamed.
“Oh my—!”
It was a portrait of Sirinu, drawn on a postcard-sized sheet.
Oh my god—such high-quality merchandise?!
‘Ah, Mr. El… you’re truly a wonderful friend.’
I rubbed my hands on the blanket before carefully examining the portrait.
Though small, it perfectly captured his cold, disdainful gaze, his beautifully sculpted jawline, and his straight, elegant nose.
I dropped to my knees and gently stroked the picture.
‘Thank you… thank you so much…’
As I stared at it like I was trying to burn it into my eyes, a sudden thought struck me.
‘Wait… will Sirinu be attending the party too?’
I burst out of my room.
“Everyone! Let’s choose the dress again!”
* * *
Morning arrived on the day of the party.
I sat still as the maids busily worked around me, decorating me.
“Your complexion looks even fairer.”
“Well, staying in your room all the time does that…”
“Hm?”
When I glanced at Yuri through the mirror, Luri quickly jumped in.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
“Truly. Like a water fairy, my lady.”
“Really…? Haha.”
The compliments kept coming.
I felt embarrassed since I wasn’t used to them, but even I had to admit—the reflection in the mirror was beautiful.
The sky-blue chiffon dress perfectly matched my neatly brushed sand-colored hair.
I felt a little shy wearing such a deeply cut neckline for the first time, but it suited my slender neck far too well.
As I stared blankly at myself, the maids watched me with satisfied smiles.
They styled my hair elegantly and placed a jeweled headband on top.
A soft puff added color to my cheeks, glossy lipstick completed the look—and suddenly, I looked five times prettier than usual.
When I stepped out of the room, Arkas was waiting.
“Selly… you’re so beautiful…”
He couldn’t close his mouth as he escorted me.
“Everyone at the party is going to stare only at you. This is a problem.”
“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.”
He says that even though he knows what the female leads look like.
I shook my head and descended the stairs.
When we reached the entrance hall, I realized Arkas’s reaction was nothing compared to reality.
All the servants were lined up in two rows, gazing at me with expressions like parents sending their child on her first errand.
“My lady, you’re stunning.”
“Oh! It’s our young lady! I thought a goddess had descended!”
I had to shake hands with every single person like a presidential candidate before I could leave the hall.
“Yes, yes. I’ll be back safely.”
Outside, two carriages were waiting.
One was for Arkas and me, and the smaller one behind it was for Luri and the butler.
When told we could bring an assisting maid, Luri raised her hand first. I promised Yuri she could come next time.
Luri was wearing the mint-colored dress I’d chosen for her, practically glowing with excitement.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Escorted by Arkas, I boarded the carriage.
* * *
The carriage entered the imperial palace.
Unlike before, it stopped in a much wider plaza-like area.
Warm sunlight. Fresh air.
A fountain where a massive statue of a goddess poured water from a jar, maze-like hedges, and the scent of brightly blooming flowers everywhere—it all tickled my nose.
Arkas and I followed a neatly maintained path and arrived before a large building.
A long line of people stretched out in front of what looked like the entrance to the party hall.
‘Feels like waiting in line at a famous restaurant.’
The moment I saw the crowd, I wanted to go home.
It wasn’t like anyone would care about me anyway. I could just hide in a corner, look at Sirinu, and leave.
As I was thinking that, the people who had been chatting suddenly all turned to look our way.
