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[Chapter 5]
“I never would’ve guessed. It’s not easy to look that beautiful without makeup… But why did she usually look like that?”
“Well, I heard something about that.”
One lady opened her fan to cover her mouth and whispered to another.
“Because of jealousy?”
“Shh, not so loud.”
The first lady lightly smacked the other’s arm with her fan, but it was just for show. She clicked her tongue once and continued.
“It’s shameless, really. Sure, she’s called the Count’s daughter now, but if she hadn’t been legally adopted, would she have had access to such wealth?”
Charlotte was too busy trying to find the young lord—the guest of honor—to hear what people were saying around her.
But I heard everything.
They kept gossiping about Charlotte, and pitying me.
I pretended not to hear them—because I knew they weren’t saying those things for me. They were just venting their dislike for Charlotte.
She had made plenty of enemies.
Charlotte was rude to those weaker than her or those who seemed easy to control. And to those with more power, she’d flip her attitude in a second.
The Count never paid attention to social circles, so he didn’t realize how out of control his daughter had become. The Countess made excuses, calling Charlotte’s arrogance a “quirky artist’s temperament.”
And since Charlotte really was talented at painting, a few people even believed that.
“Not that she painted any of those herself… they were all done by ghost painters.”
The real reason Charlotte got kicked out of high society was because that secret was exposed.
Still, it was too early to reveal that now. So I set a different goal.
I would make Charlotte cause a scene in front of the young lord, ruining her image just enough for him to dislike her.
I would need his cooperation for what came next.
So I decided to provoke Charlotte’s nasty personality—because I knew she wouldn’t stay quiet.
She always said things like:
“Don’t act out. Just stand there like baggage. Got it?”
She’d say it like a mantra.
So I decided to use her words against her.
I stood quietly in my simple dress, wearing a timid expression. And when someone asked me to dance—
“Forgive me, sir. I… I have my reasons…”
—I turned them down every time. I even made sure to glance at Charlotte, making it seem like she was the reason I declined.
Gentlemen had every right to ask a lady to dance. But a lady could always refuse.
Most took the hint and backed off politely.
But some were more persistent.
“Do I have some serious flaw? If not, would you grant me a single dance? I promise I won’t make you uncomfortable! If I act rudely during the minuet, you may slap me.”
“Th-Then…”
I reached out slowly, as if I were unsure, but then glanced behind and flinched like I’d seen something shocking.
“N-No, I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“It’s just a dance—why are you so afraid? What did she say to you?”
The man muttered in disbelief. I acted like I was flustered by his assumption.
“N-No! Charlotte didn’t say anything. I just… I just worry about her.”
I fidgeted like someone trying hard to come up with an excuse.
“If I accept your invitation, she’d be left all alone…”
I pretended to care about Charlotte, but my real message was this:
Charlotte is so unpopular that even if I dance several times, no one will invite her once.
The gentleman eventually gave up, but not before glancing toward Charlotte—and passing the story on.
Soon, the whole party was whispering about her.
That she was so jealous of her popular cousin, she kept me close to keep others away.
Charlotte glared at me.
“Hey!”
I nervously stammered a response.
“B-But it’s true, isn’t it? Every time I talked to someone or took their hand, you got upset… You said I was being ridiculous.”
I looked at her with teary eyes and took a shaky breath.
Crying was easy—it wasn’t fake. The injustice I’d felt before I died was still fresh.
There had been no reason for me to die in that fire. Just remembering the heat crawling through my lungs and burning my insides made my eyes sting.
“I just… didn’t want to become that kind of person. That’s wrong, isn’t it?”
But I didn’t let the tears fall. I barely held them back.
People always feel more sympathy for someone who tries to stay strong through the pain.
I sniffled and gave a trembling smile.
“R-Right?”
Charlotte had yelled loudly, so people were already watching.
Women behind their fans whispered things like, “Oh my,” and “How awful.”
They were clearly criticizing Charlotte.
Normally, she’d throw a tantrum. But this was the duke’s mansion—where the young lord she wanted to impress lived.
She looked around awkwardly, panicking.
“W-What nonsense are you talking about? Wh-When did I ever say that?! If you want to dance, just go dance! Geez, how ridiculous.”
Of course, no one believed her.
People were already whispering about how she used to make me wear thick makeup—and now, their murmurs grew louder.
Charlotte clenched her jaw and muttered under her breath—just loud enough for me to hear.
“I’ll kill you when we get home—”
“I didn’t expect to see the two lovely ladies of House Rohilton here.”
Just then, someone interrupted.
Charlotte had been glaring, but when she saw who it was, she quickly bowed deeply.
“Charlotte Rohilton, daughter of the count, greets the young lord of the East, Lord Durnarn.”
She went from snarling beast to blushing maiden in an instant—like she’d fallen in love.
Honestly, it was impressive. She could hide her nasty personality that quickly.
The title of Lady of the East must’ve been really tempting.
“…”
The young lord just nodded in response.
He had the build of a knight—tall, broad shoulders, and rough facial features.
He was quiet, but he never stayed silent when manners required him to speak.
Even now—
“I heard you’ve been turning down every invitation to dance. Are you feeling unwell?”
It was likely our first meeting, yet he was considerate enough to ask.
That was just the kind of person he was.
“Well…”
“She’s just shy. She’s not used to these kinds of events.”
Charlotte twisted her face away so only I could see, and muttered “Say anything dumb and you’re dead.”
It might’ve been fun to expose her lies in front of the young lord, but I had something better planned.
So I played along.
“Yes… If it weren’t for Charlotte, I wouldn’t even be here today.”
“I see. The two of you seem closer than I expected.”
By “than I expected,” he meant: “That’s not what I heard.”
But Charlotte, too starstruck to notice, didn’t catch his meaning.
She wasn’t the brightest to begin with.
“Of course I take care of my sister. It’s as natural as breathing—we were raised like real siblings.”
“You’re very considerate, my lady.”
“You flatter me.”
Charlotte, who usually called me “Hey, you worthless thing,” was now squirming with fake sweetness.
It was so awkward I had to look away.
“Um, Charlotte… do you mind if I step outside for some air? I’m feeling a little dizzy from staying indoors too long…”
It was also a signal to give her alone time with the young lord—exactly what she wanted.
Her face lit up, but she pretended to look concerned and gently patted my shoulder.
If she dismissed me too coldly, it would ruin her image as the “caring cousin” in front of the young lord.
“Are you alright, sister? You look so pale. I can’t believe I didn’t notice… I’ve been so focused on our wonderful conversation…”
She looked at the young lord, eyebrows lowered apologetically.
“I’m sorry to interrupt such a delightful talk, but I need to take a break with my sister for a moment.”
