Chapter 11
Mother smiled as she spoke.
“There was a card that said it was addressed to ‘the Lady of the Pettigrew family’… and it even had a crest drawn on it. Somehow, it looked like the royal lion… and another design of a hawk, which symbolizes that famous Black Knight from another country. I can’t quite remember… but who on earth could it be from!”
“R–really…?”
“Yes! I’m so curious I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep at night!”
When Mother’s eyes met mine, it felt as though she could see straight through me. Setting the card aside, Natalie looked carefully at the two dresses placed at the entrance. The first was a soft green dress—shoulders bare, yet with an air of modest elegance.
Looking closer, she saw emerald jewels woven into the lace… a truly splendid and luxurious gown. For some reason, when she looked at this dress, she thought of a certain prince’s eyes. Was this still part of his thanks for before?
“Nata-lieee!”
Father’s face suddenly loomed close in her vision, and to avoid him she turned to look at the other dress. This one was a vivid red—striking, yet not overly sensual—with sheer chiffon draped from shoulder to arm, its translucent delicacy making it all the more charming.
On the bodice, lace was embroidered with glittering rubies. For some reason, this made her think of Julius’s eyes.
(But why would His Grace… give me something like this?)
As Natalie puzzled over it—
“Nataaalieee! Don’t ignore your father~!”
“F–Father…”
His wrinkled, trembling face loomed again, looking far more pitiful than before. It seemed he wasn’t happy that Natalie was paying so much attention to those two dresses.
“I also! I have something I want to show you, Natalie! I had planned to wait a little longer, but…!”
Father declared proudly, snapping his fingers. At once, the servants who had been waiting brought in yet another dress, different from the other two. This one was in the colors of the Pettigrew family—lavender and white combined.
It wasn’t cut too low at the neckline, decorated here and there with pearls, evoking an angelic image. Natalie turned her gaze from the dress to thank her father—only to find him lying flat on the floor.
“…Eh?”
“Nooo! Natalieee! Don’t choose the other dresses, I don’t want that~!”
Father was throwing a full tantrum on the floor. From Mother came a frigid glare, while the servants of the Pettigrew house all quickly looked away. Mina, on the other hand, had the lifeless eyes of a dead fish.
“You… this is disgraceful.”
“Eek! B–but I don’t want it, I really don’t~! This is the one thing I won’t give up~!”
He refused to yield even under Mother’s icy gaze. For all his ridiculousness, Natalie couldn’t help but think it was admirable in its own way.
“…Father.”
“Natalie…”
His pleading eyes looked up at her. Natalie, who was always soft toward her parents, raised the white flag.
“I think Father’s dress is the best as well.”
“Natalie!”
“Natalie, you don’t have to pay attention to your father, you know?”
“No… I truly like this one the most.”
“…I see. Well, if that’s what you want, then it’s fine.”
Father sprang up from the floor, satisfied beyond measure. Mother and the servants looked on, half exasperated.
“And besides, both of the other dresses don’t even have a sender’s name…”
“That’s right! You should refuse such dresses! That’s what I thought too!”
Of course, Natalie could guess exactly who the senders were. But wearing either of those dresses would draw too much attention. Worse, it could drag her into troublesome situations—the royal family’s fiancé, or Julius’s mother, for instance.
“Well, if you change your mind before the day of the ball… just let me know. I’ll keep them safely stored.”
“W–what did you say…!”
“Ahaha…”
Father’s eyes bulged at Mother’s words, but with her calm handling, the ruckus in the hall finally quieted down.
◇◆◇
On the day of the ball—
Natalie never wavered in her choice. She wore the dress Father had prepared. Mina helped her get ready, looking triumphant when they were done.
“My lady…! Without a doubt, you are the most beautiful in the entire kingdom…!”
“Fufu, thank you for the compliment.”
“Ah, you don’t believe me, do you? But it’s true!”
Mina puffed her cheeks out in frustration, making Natalie smile. Today, Mina was supposed to go to Franz. She would leave in the evening and return tomorrow.
“Mina, truly, today…”
“It’s all right! I appreciate your concern, my lady, but this is what I want to do! So please—enjoy the ball for both of us!”
“R–right…”
Overwhelmed by Mina’s enthusiasm, Natalie gave a weak reply. Mina only pressed further: “You must tell me all about the ball later…!” If she wanted to hear so badly, she should just come along—but apparently, that wasn’t appropriate.
(I wonder… will I be able to enjoy the ball this time?)
The last time, she had simply faded into the background as a wallflower. Thinking of that, she resolved again to observe her surroundings closely. As she chatted with Mina, the time of the ball drew near.
◆◇◆
After seeing Mina off first in her carriage, Natalie was led outside by the butler. Father stood in front of her carriage already teary-eyed with emotion. Only after Mother urged him to hurry did he finally move, and the carriage was soon ready to depart.
As evening fell, the Pettigrew carriage steadily made its way to the venue.
◆◇◆
The grand doors of the royal castle opened. Escorted by her father, Natalie entered the hall, where sparkling chandeliers illuminated nobles in resplendent gowns. Just as she stepped inside, the orchestra stopped playing, and silence fell.
She felt the weight of countless gazes upon her. When her eyes met one pair—it was Julius, his red eyes wide in shock, as if he’d never seen anything like her before. Beside him was the sweet-faced Marc. The moment their eyes met, however, Marc turned flustered, his expression awkward, and hurriedly ran off.
Julius, who had been staring, narrowed his eyes sharply again, just like usual. And then—flushing slightly red—he too turned and strode quickly after Marc.
(…What on earth was that about?)
She thought their behavior rather strange. And then, from the space they had left behind, Natalie caught sight of Julius’s mother—her former mother-in-law.
She seemed not to notice Natalie at all, laughing in a shrill “O-hohoho!” while chatting merrily with nearby nobles.
Natalie knew full well—this woman would be the one to cause a major disturbance at tonight’s ball.
