Published at 23rd of August 2022 09:58:19 AM

This is obviously a dress for a child.

For the aristocrats fashion, some rules were as strict as etiquette and the trend was always changing. As soon as Marilyn stepped into the capital, I sat myself down and recalled the plot of the picture book.

Its probably because Vallieres high society is so complex.

In the capital of Valliere, the imperial ball was such a big deal that it could be called a social arena.

Depending on what kind of clothes I wear here in the capital, the nobles image of Lagrange might change.

Wheres Marilyn? Kindly call her.

Will you not wear this dress?

No. That would be rude to Her Majesty. But it needs to be modified.

What? Why? Dont you think you will look good in that dress?

I sighed as I glanced at Vanessa who was tilting her head as if puzzled. Vanessa and Tally were commoners in the poor regions even in the North. Therefore, she wasn't as familiar with social etiquette any more than I was.

Im already thirteen years old, and I cant appear wearing this kind of clothing. The young ladies from other families are already at the age of making their debut.

Now that spring has come, the time to be treated as a child has passed. Some nobles are already engaged at this age.

However, your frame is small. Unless its a custom-made dress, a ready-to-wear one wont fit.

Yes. Perhaps Her Majesty took that into consideration and sent it to you?

I sighed at the innocent remarks of the maids.

More like shes trying to suppress the spirit of Lagrange.

The Emperors actions of treating me like a child and sending me clothes to wear for the ball must not have been just out of goodwill.

Shes warning us that were just children.

No. If I wear it, Ill be a laughing stock, and if I dont, theyll find fault with it.

Please try it on for now. I will bring Miss Marilyn.

Ill have to try it on first to see if it can be modified.

I spread out my arms and wore the dress with the help of Tally.

Its a little embarrassing that clothes made for young noble girls fit perfectly.

Ill have to work a little harder on my meal diet.

Hermann was tall, so Ill probably grow taller someday, too.

It suits you very well, Princess. How can you be so cute and adorable?

I was embarrassed at Tally who was proudly looking at me like a child.

The maid soon pulled out a new white bonnet to match with the dress.

The dress that Miss Charlotte received was also beautiful, but the material of the Princesss dress seems to be better.

Did Charlotte get a dress, too?

Yes.

Its probably not childish like mine.

Shes an adult so its only natural, but I frowned at the unpleasant feeling of the Emperors discrimination.

My Lady is a hundred times prettier than Charlotte. Please dont worry.

Im not worried. And dont tell obvious lies, Tally.

Tally opened her mouth to refute, but immediately shut them when I narrowed my eyes at her.

Wait, if its an imperial ball where Charlotte attends, then

Can I see the invitation list for todays Imperial Ball?

There is no list, but you can think that all nobles in the capital are coming. The ball held to welcome spring is grand.

What about the Euclids? Are people from the Euclid family coming?

Of course, theyll come. The Duke, the Duchess, and Young Master Hermann are close aides of Her Majesty.

I had thought that Hermann was attending, but to think the Duke and the Duchess were also coming.

It seemed that I would finally meet the biological father and mother who abandoned Anissa. I bit my lips which trembled in fear.

They wont recognize me, right?

It could be useless anxiety. Officially, the youngest daughter they abandoned was known to have died.

But with a strange sense of uneasiness, I grabbed the ribbon of the bonnet that Vanessa had carefully tied.

But it doesnt look bad.

I walked around in front of the mirror that occupied the entire wall of the dressing room.

The design itself was very cute, and light yellow went well with my pink hair as if it was a match. I could understand why Tally was making a fuss saying that I looked like a doll.

Oh my. You are so cute, Princess.

Isnt that right, Miss Marilyn?

How dare the puppet Emperor covet our Princess and now she even sent a dress like this?

Marilyn, who just entered the room, approached me, muttering words of admiration and anger at the same time. Her aura sparkled, reflecting her mood.

She likes my cute appearance, but shes still angry at the Emperor.

To what extent do we have to modify it so that it wont catch attention?

As long as we dont modify it completely, it should be fine. I dont expect you to wear this as it is.

Will you be able to fix it by this evening?

Yes, of course.

As expected, our Marilyns good at cooking, sewing, and theres nothing she couldnt do.

I ran to Marilyn, smiling, and gave her a big hug.

Marilyn is the really best.

Hoho. I also think youre the best, Princess.

Tally and Vanessa looked at Marilyn with envy.

Anissa, Is the dress youre wearing right now the one Her Majesty sent you?

Charlotte was clad in a purple dress that clung to her body showing off her beautiful appearance as a female lead.

So you sent that kind of dress to Charlotte.

Its the same pearl motif, but her dress was rather old-fashioned than alluring.

I guess that kind of design is popular in society right now.

I nodded my head in understanding.

Yes, thats right.

We chose the dress together but I dont remember it being that kind of design.

Just thinking of slapping that puzzled expression on Charlotte's face made me smile widely.

Remember Anissa, she means no ill will.

She was simply the female lead who lacked tact. I comforted myself and held my anger.

So you chose my dress with Her Majesty? Thank you.

"Yes. I thought it would look good on you because you are so cute. It was Madame Lavaline's dress. Of course, that outfit is cute, too."

Charlotte hurriedly added the backstory, lest I misunderstand what she said.

Being cute under the current circumstances would not be a compliment.

I didn't want to show my dissatisfaction with the emperor to Charlotte, so I replied with a smile instead. While I laughed like a fool, Dietrich appeared.

Oh my.

I saw Charlottes mouth become round when she saw Dietrich. Until yesterday, she was pouting, saying he was a rude duke but now her cheeks had turned red.

Well, of course, its because hes handsome.

The male lead in the original was Hermann, but Dietrich was the main focus in the romance aspect. I was sure that the reason was because of that beautiful appearance.

You look good in that tailcoat that I chose.

Charlotte muttered quietly in a proud voice.

The dark curls and black eyes tinged with red aura, which couldnt be seen properly when buried in shadows, were far from sparkling, but how gorgeous they look.

As she said, Dietrich looked like a noble, born and raised in the capital, simply by wearing a dark gray tailcoat.

Good evening, Duke.

Charlotte reached out her white and fine hands to him as if it was a given. He looked at her hand in front of him for a moment, but Dietrich reached out to me.

Come here.

Huh? Me?

Usually, my escort should be someone around my age.

Dietrich and Charlotte were eighteen years old, and they were the protagonists of the future romance that would develop.

Yes, you.

However, Dietrich reached out to me, who was smaller than him. I hesitated and looked at Charlottes face flushed in embarrassment and linked my arms to Dietrich.

Wont we paint a weird picture because of our height differences?

You should grow up fast.

Dietrich is just too tall for an 18-year-old.

But I cant cut off my legs.

Who told you to cut off your legs to match the height difference?

I climbed into the carriage and my eyebrows knitted at Dietrichs harsh words, whose forehead was neatly and refreshingly exposed.

Charlotte followed behind me in the carriage with a smile on her face as though she wasnt offended.

Its your first time in Valliere, isnt that right, Princess? Let me tell you a few things to be careful about.

Yeah, as expected, shes nice.

I nodded and smiled at Charlotte, who pointed out certain people to pay attention to.

Shes bad at reading the room. I guess thats why her aura is white.

Marilyn has a beautiful personality that was comparable to my standard of an angel, but her aura was not as pure as Charlottes.

Perhaps Charlotte had never hated or been jealous of anyone in her entire life.

"Oh! Marquis Deus was just in the capital, so I heard he was coming today. Be careful."

Why?

Hmmm. Youll know when you meet him, Anissa. He doesnt give off a good vibe. Hes someone who would meddle in another countrys war.

I see. Thank you for letting me know.

Charlotte smiled beautifully after hearing my thanks. Even I, who didnt have such a good feeling toward her, would fall in love with that smile, so my mind went blank for a moment.

Dont worry too much. You can adapt well.

Ive never received etiquette lessons.

Oh my. I-Its because Anissa is a Northerner.

Charlotte murmured as if she understood, and nodded her head. What the hell do the people in the capital and southerners think of northerners?

No, its just me that didnt learn it. Dietrichs etiquette is perfect.

His Grace seems to be a special case. Hes a bit different.

I bit my lip for a moment at Charlottes excited voice. Its natural that she, the female lead, liked Dietrich. But why was I feeling upset?