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Chapter 8
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Now then, let’s begin the makeup. Please don’t move.”
Although I turned to look at Antte because she seemed to know something about me, there was no way I could beat Antte, whose merchant ability was at 100.
Partly because she had already started applying powder to my face, but more than anything, I was genuinely impressed by how skillfully she changed the subject.
Antte was famous not only for her dresses but also for her makeup skills.
She was a naturally gifted makeup artist who concealed flaws, emphasized strengths, and raised the charm of the person she worked on by 200%.
Because of that, Antte did not do makeup for just anyone.
Even among those who spent astronomical amounts of money, she only chose influential figures as clients.
So why she had attached herself to me as if she were my personal makeup artist, I could not understand.
House Stacy had not even the slightest bit of influence, and we certainly did not have the astronomical wealth required to pay Antte.
Still, I could not exactly refuse what was offered.
After all, it was Antte doing it.
I had to accept it first and think later.
And when I saw the final result, I was genuinely stunned.
“……Are you perhaps a mage?”
“Hoho. I hear that quite often, but no, my lady.”
It was so incredible that I genuinely wondered if she had used magic.
It was makeup that made me look like someone else, yet still unmistakably like me.
It was perfect.
Fantastic.
Moreover, the dress Antte had created after looking at me was clearly a dress made specifically for me.
The design itself was a simple white off-shoulder dress with a clean bell-shaped silhouette, but as the skirt descended, it gradually faded into a pink hue.
Small jewels were attached to those areas, catching the light and sparkling whenever I moved.
The upper portion was plain, but it was decorated with golden vine embroidery so it would not look empty.
It was a breathtaking dress that left no room for criticism.
A dress that matched my cherry-blossom-colored hair perfectly.
Along with it were pink diamond jewelry, a golden vine-shaped hair ornament draped through my hair, and white lace gloves.
I could not help but admire Antte’s eye for beauty.
Even the pink stiletto heels with golden bottoms were exactly my taste.
There was nowhere to find fault.
“It’s amazing, Antte.”
“It is my masterpiece! I am moved just looking at you! Ah, this was truly an enjoyable project!”
Moved by Antte’s praise, Mother became emotional.
“You are truly beautiful, Rose! No young lady today will be able to surpass you!”
“That’s right! The star of tonight’s banquet will be you, my lady! I swear it on Antte’s name!”
Ah.
That was really not something I wanted to hear.
I was already at the point where I would have been satisfied hiding my face and sitting in the corner of the banquet hall unnoticed.
And now I was going to be the star of the banquet?
Even if it was the greatest honor all young ladies dreamed of, I did not want it.
“But Her Highness the Princess will also be attending today. That would not be appropriate.”
“No! Even Her Highness the Princess cannot surpass my lady!”
No.
That absolutely should not happen.
What kind of disrespectful statement was that?
“Madame Antte……”
“Oh my, look at the time already! We must hurry. We cannot be late for the banquet!”
“Oh my! Let’s go quickly, Rose!”
“Ah, wait……”
Ah.
Looking pretty was nice.
Very nice.
But if I went like this, I was definitely going to attract attention—!
I hated that!
However, my silent cries never reached Mother’s ears, which were completely occupied by the sight of her beautiful daughter.
“Rose!”
“Rose! My child! You are so beautiful! The goddess of spring! No, it feels as if the spirit of spring itself is running toward me!”
The moment we met at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, I heard the emotional cries of my older sister Ruby and my father.
I stood there in despair.
Ah.
I was truly doomed.
Even if it was just those two, seeing Liana Stacy’s sharp gaze—one that went beyond annoyance and was almost painful—made me realize that I must have looked excessively beautiful today.
Of course, the obvious display of wealth also played a part.
Speaking of that extravagant spending, considering that I was the one who had caused it, my father should have been the person most likely to criticize my appearance.
Or at least look at me with the most displeasure.
Yet seeing him staring at me with tears in his eyes, deeply moved by my appearance, made it clear.
Today was a complete disaster.
Of course, my original goal had been—
“Let us go inside.”
With those words, Father handed the invitation to the attendant standing before the banquet hall doors.
The attendant ordered the doors to be opened.
Since we were not an important high-ranking noble family, the attendant did not announce our family name.
The Empire was vast, and there were countless nobles.
It was impossible to announce every single one.
Therefore, only royalty, dukes, marquises, counts of great influence in the capital, founding families, and other prestigious nobles with well-known names were announced.
House Stacy was originally an unknown noble family, so no one in our family considered it humiliating that we were not announced.
There were simply too many nobles like us.
And House Stacy was not a family consumed by ambition.
Except for Liana Stacy.
The moment we entered the banquet hall, I could feel every gaze turning toward me.
Those stares were so intense that my body naturally shrank.
Ah.
I really hated this.
Whether I was Seo Ye-eun or Rose Stacy, I hated being the center of attention.
And even more so in this world, where attracting attention could easily shorten my lifespan.
“……Rose. Are you alright?”
I tried not to show it, but I could not help frowning because I felt uncomfortable.
Ruby noticed and asked if I was okay.
Honestly, I wanted to say that I already wanted to go home.
But I knew that would only make Ruby uncomfortable, so I straightened my posture and smiled.
“For now? Though I don’t think I’ll last long.”
I intentionally said it jokingly.
Ruby smiled in relief.
“Alright. I’ll help you slip away halfway through.”
“Then I’d appreciate it.”
As we smiled at each other, someone appeared at the perfect timing.
“Greetings, Count Stacy. It has been a while.”
A family approached Father.
The man representing them smiled and spoke to him.
The man was fairly old, so naturally he had gained some weight with age, but he still retained the handsome appearance he must have had in his youth.
More than anything, his warm and gentle expression seemed to reflect his kind personality.
While I was silently judging his appearance, Father’s face lit up with recognition.
They seemed to know each other well.
“Ah. Is that Viscount Button? It has indeed been a long time. I wondered why I hadn’t seen you recently.”
“That is because you never come up to the capital.”
The viscount looked at him with a slightly hurt expression, as if asking how he could stay confined to his territory so much.
Father answered awkwardly.
“Haha. I cannot easily leave the house with my family there.”
“Seems your wife is still your greatest treasure.”
“Perhaps yours is not?”
At that teasing question, the viscountess standing beside him glared fiercely at her husband from behind her fan.
The viscount flinched, broke into a cold sweat, and quickly answered.
“Of course family comes first. These days, I live for watching my daughter grow.”
As he said that, he glanced toward his daughter, who looked about fourteen years old.
Since she was wearing white, it seemed today was her debut into high society.
“I am Ayla Button. Count Stacy, may Ereena’s blessing be with you.”
The viscount’s daughter hurriedly greeted Father.
She blushed slightly from nervousness, and her innocent appearance was quite cute.
Her etiquette was slightly imperfect, but she was at an age where even that was charming.
Father smiled warmly.
“Your daughter is lovely.”
“Ah, speaking of daughters. Are these your daughters? I have seen your two older daughters before, but……”
The viscount looked behind Father.
Father quickly gestured toward me and answered.
“My youngest daughter. She does not often appear in society, so you probably have not seen her. Rose.”
At his call, I sighed inwardly and greeted the viscount.
“I am Rose Stacy. It is an honor to meet you, Viscount Button.”
“Oh. So you are the youngest daughter of Count Stacy who has caused so many rumors. Seeing you in person, you are truly beautiful. If I were thirty years younger, I would have proposed to you immediately. Count Stacy must have a difficult time.”
I wondered what exactly he meant by that.
He had a gentle personality, but he did not seem foolish.
Well, he could not have survived in the capital if he were.
Although Viscount Button was only a viscount, he had achieved considerable success through trade and operated a large merchant company centered in the capital.
Because of this, he entrusted his territory to his aides while his entire family lived in the capital.
A noble family influential enough to establish itself in the capital despite only being a viscount family could not possibly belong to a foolish man.
Still, he did not seem like a sly person.
At least, he did not seem like the type who would stab someone in the back.
That alone was enough.
Since he had not harmed Father, there was no reason for me to interfere.
Besides, there was nothing wrong with what he had said.
My existence really could become a storm capable of shaking House Stacy.
Father seemed to understand the double meaning behind his words as well.
He smiled politely and answered.
“That is true. However, I plan to keep her by my side for now. She says she does not wish to marry yet, and I still want to keep her close. Her mother feels the same. These days, we live for the joy of watching this child grow.”
“Haha. You are making a difficult choice. Though I suppose it is understandable. How could she not be precious? Even I, as an outsider, can see it. But you have two older daughters. Do not spoil only Rose too much. Your daughters might feel neglected.”
“My older children are already grown. That would never happen. And Rose is still young. For now, she should remain in her parents’ care.”
Saying that, Father hugged me with an unmistakably doting expression.
I thought he was ridiculous, but I did not dislike it.
So I smiled and obediently stayed in his arms.
Mother also let out a laugh, saying “Oh, really,” as if she found him absurd, but she did not seem unhappy about it either.
The viscount tilted his head and asked:
“Is she not old enough to marry?”
“She is eighteen this year.”
“That is marriageable age.”
“What?! Absolutely not! She still has plenty of time!”
Father shouted as if offended.
He was completely serious.
At his outburst, Mother, Ruby, and Liana all looked at him in surprise.
Including looks that clearly said they thought he was hopeless.
I felt the same way.
But at the same time, I wanted to kiss my father.
I would not have to get married anytime soon.
Yes!
While I was thinking that, the viscount let out an incredulous laugh and replied:
“You married your wife when she was eighteen. What are you talking about?”
