Episode 15
The Children’s Ball
Madam Lis delivered the dresses to the ducal residence on the promised day. Dark circles hung heavily beneath her eyes—as if she hadn’t slept for the past three days.
Seeing her like that reminded me of my own exam periods in the past, when I used to stay up all night. So I gave her a whole cake, freshly made by the new pastry , as a gift.
Nothing beats something sweet after pulling an all-nighter.
Even though I told her she could rest, Madam Lis turned out to be far more professional than I expected. She insisted she wouldn’t leave until she confirmed the clothes fit the children properly. So instead of tea, I served her coffee loaded with sugar.
Her assistants arranged the finished outfits neatly in my private drawing room.
“They’re even prettier than I imagined. You’ve worked hard.”
I looked over the displayed dresses and tailcoats with satisfaction. What Madam Lis had created far exceeded what I had pictured.
“I simply did what I was paid for.”
But her face—already gaunt after just two days—made me feel a little guilty.
Just as I finished my cup of coffee, the door opened.
The first to arrive were Lemon and Green.
Lemon rushed in ahead, slightly out of breath as if she had run all the way. The moment she stepped inside and saw the dresses, her eyes widened instantly. She didn’t even greet me—her gaze was completely fixed on them.
Green nudged her, signaling her to say hello, but Lemon didn’t budge.
“Do you like them, Lemon?”
Only then did she turn toward me, her cheeks flushed red.
“Are these… really my dresses?”
When I nodded, her eyes grew even wider.
“They’re so pretty! What do I do?!”
She ran toward me and threw her arms around me.
“Thank you… I really love them.”
Her bright, happy smile made me feel just as happy.
“I’m glad you like them.”
Seeing her so delighted filled me with pride—and it seemed Madam Lis felt the same, smiling with satisfaction beside us.
Soon, a partition screen was brought in.
“We’ll help you change.”
“Go on, try it on, Lemon.”
After a moment of hesitation, Lemon nodded and stepped behind the screen.
Once she disappeared, Green spoke up quietly.
“Thank you… as well.”
Unlike Lemon, he sat properly like an adult. I patted his head.
“Do you like your outfit too?”
He nodded with a smile, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly at how adorable he was.
After a while, Lemon stepped out in her dress.
The yellow gown, adorned with white pearls and yellow roses, suited her perfectly. Even Madam Lis seemed pleased, watching her with a satisfied smile.
“Does it suit me?”
“Yes. You’re beautiful.”
Lemon beamed at my answer.
“Thank you. I was worried because I didn’t have anything to wear to the banquet.”
My expression stiffened slightly.
Wait… your family is rich, and they didn’t even buy you a dress? What kind of guardian is that?
As if sensing my thoughts, Green quickly explained:
“We don’t usually attend banquets. And Lemon bought a lot of clothes just a few days ago—her wardrobe is already full.”
Ah… I misunderstood.
A bit embarrassed, I looked away.
Meanwhile, Lemon handed Green his tuxedo.
“You try yours too.”
Green immediately shook his head.
“This is enough, right?”
But Lemon was firm.
“No. You have to wear it properly. It’s only polite to the person who gave it.”
She looked at me for support.
Caught in the middle, I hesitated. Honestly, I thought just checking the size was enough—but Lemon wasn’t wrong either.
Just then—
Click.
The door opened.
Jasmine and Ren walked in hand in hand.
The moment Jasmine saw the dresses on the mannequins, she ran toward them without even glancing at me. Ren, on the other hand, approached me politely.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
“Hello, Ren.”
Compared to Lemon and Jasmine, Ren seemed less outwardly excited—but her slightly flushed cheeks gave her away.
“The dresses are beautiful.”
“There’s one for you too. I hope you like it.”
Just as I was about to point it out—
“Don’t!!”
Lemon suddenly screamed.
Startled, we turned.
Jasmine was trying to take off her clothes, and Lemon was desperately holding onto her collar. Green had already turned away, unable to interfere.
We froze for a moment until Lemon shouted:
“Don’t just stand there—help me!”
Snapping back to reality, Ren rushed over and picked Jasmine up. The little girl, now restrained, burst into tears.
“You wore one too! I want to try it too!!”
Crying loudly, she clung to me when I took her into my arms.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
Patting her back, I soothed her gently.
Then I turned to Ren.
“I’ll calm her down. You go try yours.”
The assistants led Ren behind the partition, though she kept looking back at Jasmine with concern.
I walked around the room, rocking Jasmine in my arms.
Honestly, in my previous life, no one would care if a three-year-old ran around in just underwear. But here, things were different—especially for a noble child.
Soon, Jasmine calmed down, sniffling.
“I… wanna wear a dress too…”
“But you can’t just take off your clothes anywhere, right? You’re a lady.”
She nodded obediently.
When I set her down, she ran to Lemon.
“Thank you, sis.”
Lemon smiled softly.
Not long after, Ren came out wearing her dress.
We all gasped.
Unlike Lemon, who looked cute, Ren carried a more mature elegance—truly beautiful.
Blushing, she stood shyly as Lemon and I showered her with praise. Jasmine, now changed into her dress as well, ran around us eagerly, clearly wanting compliments too.
Green picked her up.
“You’re pretty too, little sister.”
She laughed brightly in his arms.
Now only Toma was left to try his outfit—but he still hadn’t arrived.
Just then, the door opened again.
I turned, expecting Toma—
But it was Baridas.
He froze for a moment, clearly surprised at the sight of the children in their formal attire.
The children greeted him one by one. He nodded briefly before approaching me.
For some reason, just looking at him made me feel like I’d done something wrong.
Is this what criminals feel during interrogation?
“Hello.”
He bowed slightly.
“I didn’t expect you to prepare all this. Thank you, Princess.”
He glanced over the dresses—clearly noticing they were designed to match mine.
I smiled.
“It’s nothing.”
“You can send the bill to the ducal house. We’ll reimburse you.”
I shook my head immediately.
“It’s fine. You had my dress made, so let’s call it even.”
He tilted his head.
“Even?”
Ah—right. That phrase probably doesn’t exist here.
After a moment, I explained:
“Let’s call it a draw.”
He chuckled softly.
“Alright. A draw, then.”
At least he understood.
Satisfied, I smiled brightly at the children—
Completely unaware of how he might repay me later.
