GAVAF 21

Chapter 21

Fortunately, Vera recovered without any physical injuries, but considering the psychological aftereffects, I gave her a few days of vacation.
Resting my chin on my hand, I stared out the window and let out a long sigh.

I had thought Seara was my friend.

“It really was a lie.”

She had simply watched as her maid beat Vera. I even suspected she might have “lost” the bracelet on purpose. That’s when I realized Seara had never truly considered Harna a friend.

And after abandoning her maid Alin and running away, Seara hadn’t contacted me even once.

Because I believed Seara was the only person Harna could rely on in the social world, her betrayal hit me even harder.

“Haa…”

I sighed again, staring absentmindedly into the air. As I wasted time like that, a knock sounded on the door. When I didn’t respond, the door opened quietly.

“Young Lady, are you alright?”

I turned around to see Vera—back from her break—looking at me with concern as she massaged my shoulders.

“I told you to rest more.”

“I’ve fully recovered thanks to your care, Young Lady. So please let me stay by your side.”

Vera, who understood how depressed I was after Seara’s betrayal, held my hand. I gave her a small smile in return.

“Young Lady… allow me to greet you properly. My name is Nana, and I’ve recently become your personal maid.”

I looked at the maid who peeked out from behind Vera to greet me. I recognized her—the same maid who had run to warn me that Vera was in danger. I nodded.

“I heard you’re close with Vera. I’m counting on you.”

“It’s an honor, Young Lady! I’ll serve you to the best of my ability alongside Vera!”

I smiled at Nana, who became my personal maid through Vera’s recommendation.

“Young Lady, if it’s alright, I’d like to begin preparations today for the palace ball.”

“The palace ball? Oh, right, it’s coming up soon.”

The palace ball—wasn’t that where the destined meeting between the heroine May and the male lead Cardin takes place?

“Perfect.”

I muttered to myself, trying hard to erase the sweet words and smiling face of Cardin that kept popping into my head.

What was happening in my reality was clearly wrong. It made no sense that Cardin—who originally ignored Harna—had suddenly changed and followed me around saying he liked me.

I didn’t know the reason, but once Cardin met May at the palace ball, everything would surely return to normal. No—definitely.

I imagined Cardin whispering love to May, and involuntarily frowned.

No, Yoon Seung-ah!

I firmed my resolve. I couldn’t get attached to Cardin anymore. The more feelings I gave him, the more it would hurt later.

Forcing away the image of his gentle, smiling face calling me a goddess, I turned toward the maids.

“What is there to prepare? I’ll just wear the dress that’s ready, put on some simple makeup, and go. No one cares about someone like me, anyway.”

“Young Lady, don’t say that. All the young nobles—no, even Duke Retorno himself will be attending.”

“…Right. The Duke will be there.”

Vera had tried to motivate me by mentioning Cardin’s name, but that only made me slump further. Startled, she hesitated before adding something else.

“Lady Seara will also be attending.”

“That’s right! Seara will be there, won’t she? Don’t worry, Vera. When I see her, I’ll get back at her properly.”

I clenched my fists determinedly, but Vera quickly shook her head.

“I’ll be alright, Young Lady. More importantly, since it’s been a while since you’ve attended a social event—and it’s a ball held at the palace—I want to dress you up more beautifully than anyone.”

“…Vera.”

Seeing her holding my hand and speaking so earnestly, I sighed.

Was it because Seara betrayed me? Or because this was where Cardin and May were meant to meet…?

Deep down, I really didn’t want to go. But I couldn’t ignore Vera’s sincerity either.

“Alright. What preparations do we need?”

“First, we should choose accessories to match the dress you ordered.”

Thanks to the boutique owner, Coma—who had somehow interpreted my strange explanation perfectly—the dress had already been completed, nearly identical to the gown I’d worn for the final awards ceremony of my previous life.

With that, the dress was settled. And the accessories… well, I had these.

I pulled out the jewelry box hidden deep away.

“There are plenty of jewels here. Want to take a look?”

“Young Lady, all your jewels are precious, but the colors are too strong. They won’t match the dress.”

Looking inside, I realized Harna’s tastes ran toward big stones with vivid colors.

“So what should we do?”

“How about we go out today to shop for accessories? It’ll be a nice change of mood.”

“Also, if we want something custom-made, we should hurry. Competition will be fierce with so many nobles preparing for the ball,” Nana added.

Hearing her, I reluctantly nodded.

“Alright. But let’s go tomorrow. I’ve got a lot on my mind today.”

Too tired to deal with anything, I tried to slink off toward the bed—but Vera grabbed my arm.

“Why are you grabbing me?”

Annoyed at being interrupted, I snapped in full Harna-villainess mode—but Vera’s expression remained firm.

“Staying cooped up in your room won’t help. Please come with us, Young Lady.”

Of course Vera would react like this—she’d been with me a long time.

But you, Nana—you’ve only just become my personal maid today!

Quickly changing my target, I glared at Nana.

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. But I feel the same way.”

She looked flustered but still said what she had to say—and grabbed my free arm.

My villainous act wasn’t working?! Had I been too kind lately and lost my touch?

Dragged out like a thief, both arms captured, I glanced at the mirror we passed.

The reflection showed Harna’s fearsome face—pouting, irritated, the look she made right before causing trouble.

Why aren’t you scared?

I could only scream internally—I refused to yell out loud while being dragged in such an undignified pose.

Vera and Nana exchanged glances as soon as Harna fell asleep in the carriage.

Once terrifying, Harna no longer frightened them. No matter how scary her expression or how loud her voice, everyone working in the estate knew she never meant it.

Now, when Harna pouted, it looked more like a grumpy child throwing a tantrum—almost cute.

But she had changed these past few days—ever since things fell apart with Seara.

Even the stableman John knew the reason the ball invitations never arrived was because of Seara’s interference—but only Harna had been unaware. She had even worried about Seara, who refused to answer her messages.

But after seeing Seara’s true colors firsthand, Harna had fallen into a deep depression. She refused meals with Marquis Juren—usually her favorite time—stopped gardening, and never left her room.

Everyone in the estate was worried. So the servants united with a single goal: to make their beloved young lady the star of the upcoming palace ball.

Make Lady Harna the most beautiful at the palace ball.

Gardener Hans handed Vera and Nana his most cherished flowers as a request.

Make sure Lady Harna can put every noble lady to shame.

Chef Baston slipped them his finest cookies and whispered his plea.

Spend as much as you need. Take good care of Harna.

Even the taciturn Marquis—who barely spoke more than necessary—personally handed them gold coins with a request. Many other servants prayed for Harna’s perfect return to the social world.

Vera and Nana nodded to each other.

They had always intended to do their best—but now they felt an even heavier responsibility. They would make Harna perfect.

As the carriage rolled smoothly, it suddenly jolted. Vera quickly stuck her head out the window and glared fiercely at the coachman, telling him to be careful because Harna was asleep.

Nana hurriedly sat beside Harna to keep her from waking up. Thankfully, she remained asleep.

When the luxury shops came into view, the two maids’ eyes sharpened. Their young lady had to shine more beautifully and adorably than anyone else at this palace ball.

“We’ve arrived.”

I yawned slightly as I opened my eyes and found Vera and Nana looking at me.

“What are you staring at?”

Annoyed at being dragged into the bustling district against my will, I snapped at them—and their gazes dropped.

But I saw it. The way they had smiled a moment earlier—because they thought my yawning was cute.

No one was afraid of my Harna act anymore, yet I couldn’t give up at least acting the part. Snorting proudly, I took the escort knight’s hand and stepped off the carriage.

“You should help Vera and Nana down too. Did you leave your manners at home?”

After scolding the knight and confirming he assisted the maids properly, I walked ahead.

See that? I’m still a scary woman.

I had given up violence, but my tone and expressions were alive and well.

Still, being outside after so long lightened the heaviness in my chest. Keeping up my haughty Harna persona, I entered the jewelry shop.

“Welcome.”

The maids had been right about rushing to the shop. The moment we entered, I saw the place packed with nobles.

And as usual, when I stepped in, the entire room fell silent like cold water had been poured over it. I was used to it by now and calmly followed the attendant.

She led me to a room marked with a star on the door.

After sitting on the sofa across from a large table, I gestured for Vera and Nana to sit beside me. When they hesitated, I glared until they reluctantly sat down.

“Greetings. It is an honor to meet Lady Juren. I am Heton, in charge of assisting with the jewels today. Please feel free to call me by my name.”

I nodded toward him as he bowed.