### Chapter 27: Debutante (1)
—
Debutante.
It refers to an event where the children of noble families, upon reaching adulthood, officially introduce themselves to high society.
“Damn.”
My plan has been thrown into disarray.
Originally, I intended to keep my relationship with her quiet until I entered the Academy, but participating in the debutante event will inevitably lead to questions about our relationship.
We are both seventeen now, but by the standards of this world, where sixteen marks the beginning of adulthood, we are effectively of age.
Cecilia is the scion of one of the few ducal families in the Empire, and as the heir of a rapidly rising noble house on the continent, I am obligated to attend this debutante event, regardless of my personal wishes.
“Perhaps the engagement talk won’t be too big of a problem.”
While the sudden news will undoubtedly be the talk of the nobility for a while, the issue is…
“Ria’s parents will also be attending…”
For the debut into high society.
The attendance of the Duke and Duchess at this prestigious event is already set in stone.
For the past few months, staying away from those people at our estate worked fine, but now that we are about to meet them directly, I gently suggested she not attend, but…
“I’m fine. I can’t keep being afraid forever.”
With her determination firmly set, Ria’s participation was ultimately confirmed.
Seeing the more mature Cecilia, unlike her former fragile self, made my heart race for some reason.
Yes, I can’t just stand by.
Though she is an engagement devoid of love, I’ll make sure no one belittles her in front of me. I must prepare thoroughly.
—
Debutante.
The starting point to introduce my name to many nobles.
It is a place where noble offspring of age strengthen friendships and select potential future spouses. Receiving the rigorous education that felt like hell thus far was, without a stretch of the imagination, all for the day.
Now, thanks to fortunate circumstances, my engagement to Lord Rab has been solidified, but the reason my parents treated me cruelly and tormented me was ultimately to catch a wealthy heir at my debutante debut.
If not for Lord Rab, I would have ended up as someone trying to charm unfamiliar men at my first debutante event, becoming a vulgar woman angling for money.
“Does the dress suit you, my dear?”
“Ahh… Yes! I absolutely love it!”
Oops. I must have been so absorbed in worrying about the debutante event that I didn’t hear Lady Mother’s words.
Lady Merhen, who heard the news of my participation in the debutante, completed the gown she’d been preparing and brought it for me!
Even in this breathtaking dress that seems like something Goddess would wear, my expression must have betrayed my unease, causing her concern.
To avoid troubling Mother, I forced a smile to assure her, but…
Did my fake smile give me away?
Mother still seems worried despite my efforts to hide it.
“Lady Mother, I really love the dress! Um, even though it’s nameless now, I’m sure once I wear this, Merhen’s atelier will certainly be called a masterpiece—”
“Are you afraid of meeting your parents, my dear?”
Thump!
My heart momentarily felt as if it stopped, and I froze.
Why? How did she know?
I’ve always maintained the image of a kind and happy child in front of Lady Mother. Did something slip?
“I may not be serious-minded, but I’m not foolish. I also have my own sources of information. I know what you endured at their hands and that you carry fear within you.”
“Bu-but, Mother… it’s not…”
What should I do? Has she lost faith in me?
If the in-laws discover that their daughter-in-law grew up without proper parental love, will they despise me?
The overwhelming fear made it impossible for me to lift my head.
I was afraid to see Lady Mother’s eyes…
Afraid they’d have the same cold and chilling gaze my biological mother used to have, treating me like an inanimate object.
And as my vision blurred and my hands trembled…
“Dear.”
Warmth.
“It’s alright. Everything will be fine.”
Lady Mother took my trembling hands and wrapped them with her own, gently clasping them.
“Lord Rab.”
Several days ago, Lord Rab’s hands felt just as warm and comforting as this.
“I’m sorry for bringing up painful memories. We didn’t know before our engagement was finalized. When you first came to our house, your mature demeanor for your age raised suspicions, but we didn’t realize such things had happened… It’s my fault.”
Why is Lady Mother apologizing? It’s not her fault.
Watching her always smiling and praising me, it hurts seeing her apologize.
“To be honest, I’m not a perfect mother either. I’ve berated and disciplined my children but never physically punished them. When Lord Rab got into trouble, I smoothed things over with money, assuming he’d mature in time. If it weren’t for the Young Lady, we might have lost the chance to truly correct our son.”
“…That’s not true.”
“Thank you, but it is.”
“So, please don’t blame yourself. You are our precious daughter-in-law and our family’s benefactor. You are not inadequate in any way.”
“…Yes.”
“I expect you to continue being our proud daughter. Understood?”
Yes…
…is what I should say.
But the words won’t come out. I should respond with energy to her heartfelt words…
But tears…
…just keep streaming down.
In that moment, I ended up crying uncontrollably in Lady Mother’s embrace.
Though I let out a flood of tears…
It was one of the happiest times I’ve ever spent with her.
—
Cecilia’s personal maid, Bell.
No, Belie was unusually excited.
“Miss’s gown! Miss’s gown! Miss’s gown! Miss’s gown!”
…Perhaps “excited” is more fitting.
After sending an order to the intelligence guild <Black Blade> to visit next week, Belie quickly arrived at Miss Cecilia’s room to assist her with her bath preparations.
“Miss~ I’m here~”
“Bel! Come in!”
Despite entering without waiting for a reply to her knock, Cecilia welcomed Belie warmly, unconcerned by the breach of etiquette.
It shows how much Cecilia trusts and likes Belie.
“Didn’t you try on the gown with Mistress earlier? Aww… I wanted to see Miss’s gown too…”
“Don’t fret so much. You’ll be helping me get ready on the day of the debutante, so you’ll see it eventually.”
“Seeing it now is different from then! I want to see Miss’s beautiful appearance as many times as possible!”
“Bel…”
Now accustomed to bathing, Cecilia naturally engaged in conversation with her maid while she bathed.
Scars she had when she first arrived at the mansion have faded significantly due to consistent treatment. The awkwardness she once felt toward the mansion’s people has also lessened.
Though she doesn’t verbalize it often, Belie felt reassured by the increasing brightness in Cecilia’s demeanor.
After finishing her bath, Cecilia dried her hair while continuing a light-hearted conversation with Belie.
Once dried by Belie’s skilled hands, Cecilia’s pristine white hair radiated a soft luster and delicate fragrance.
“Miss’s hair always makes me envious. I wish I had such long, glossy hair, too…”
“Haha, I think Bel’s hair is pretty too. It’s soft and fluffy, like a chick.”
“Don’t tease me~ Hehe!”
The princess and her maid, praising each other’s hair, continued happily chatting.
Lord Rab, if he saw this, would have marveled at the beautiful scene and perhaps shed a tear.
“Come to think of it, the debutante day is the day after tomorrow. Aren’t you nervous? Of course, regardless of what anyone says, you’ll be the most beautiful…”
“Please stop flattering me so much… There are so many beautiful people out there. Why would anyone pay attention to someone timid and introverted like me.”
“Psst! Lady! I swear, once you dance with Young Master Rab, other young lords will line up to request a dance from you! I guarantee it!”
“Thank you for saying that~”
“Hmm… I really mean it!”
Belie, well-aware of her mistress’s radiant beauty, only felt regret.
It’s such a shame that her lady, widely known as the continent’s most beautiful, lacked confidence.
However, starting with this debutante event, Belie believed her beauty would gradually become widely known. She secretly smiled at the thought.
“Say, Bel.”
“Yes, Lady Cecilia.”
“Why do you like me so much?”
“Eh? That…”
Belie, who initially intended to answer playfully, decided to respond sincerely when she saw the genuine curiosity in Cecilia’s eyes.
Why she followed her mistress…
“Because you’re cute.”
“Eh? Huh?”
“Miss Cecilia is adorable!”
With that, Belie pounced, exclaiming loudly:
“Velvet-like silver hair! Tiny, delicate features! Porcelain-like skin! Shy and loyal devotion to young master!”
Hugging her mistress’ shoulders while passionately declaring, Cecilia momentarily felt a touch of bewilderment.
“And… well…”
Perhaps feeling awkward, Belie scratched her head hesitantly before quietly confessing.
“…I once had a sister. Not a blood relation, but she would have been your age by now.”
The world behind—a realm of betrayal and murder.
In that filthy place, there was a single girl who followed her. Despite trying to avoid forming a bond with that relentless child, Belie eventually took her in as her own younger sister.
However, in that harsh world, while Belie was away, the child was murdered by vagrants seeking food.
Though her face and voice were entirely different, seeing Cecilia reminded Belie of the girl who followed her like a sister. And so, she treated Cecilia with exceptional care.
“I see… I don’t know who she was, but I’m sure you two had a happy time together.”
“Eh?”
“Of course, having such a wonderful and kind sister like you must have been lovely for her.”
“…Yes. It probably was. Yes…”
“If you think of me as a younger sister, I’ll call you ‘sister’ when we’re alone. How does that sound, sister?”
“B-b-but Miss, I’m just a maid—”
“Whaa? Sister~?”
“Kwaak! Cough!”
Cecilia’s charm was (and) incredibly effective.
In the end, swayed by her charm, Belie agreed to maintain a sister-little sister relationship when they were alone.
“Sister Bel, I have a favor.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Please find out the weaknesses of the families attending this debutante.”
Caught off guard by her unexpected request, Belie’s face froze, even though it was still smiling.
—
