DFBE 26

Chapter 26

At last, the day of the social party hosted by Elisha had arrived.

The maids of the detached palace were all excited.

Lucy had once been the imperial family’s ugly duckling.

And now, not only had she moved the Emperor during the imperial banquet, she had also earned the chance to debut in high society through the social party hosted by Elisha.

At that gathering, Lucy had to appear perfect.

The maids devoted themselves wholeheartedly to dressing her up.

They wanted to make her look as dazzling as Elisha, but there were limits.

Unlike the disappointed maids, Lucy was more than satisfied.

This was the most effort she had put into her appearance since transmigrating, and she looked beautiful enough.

I’m really making my debut in high society.

The reality of it suddenly hit Lucy.

And she was nervous too.

She looked at her status window.

[Name: Lucy Adelstein | Age: 16]
[Trait: The Imperial Family’s Ugly Duckling]
[Title: Legendary Fisher Lv.10]
[Bookworm Lv.8]
[Aesthetician Lv.3]

Lucy’s gaze moved downward.

[Intelligence: 1]
[Stamina: 2]
[Reputation: -80]
[Cringe Power: 30]

Look at my tiny, precious stats.

Compared to the days when her total stats had been below negative two hundred, this was deeply moving.

She pretended not to notice the title Legendary Fisher and the Cringe Power stat.

At a glance, neither seemed likely to help at a social party.

My stats are better than when I attended the imperial banquet, so I should be able to succeed even without Bartholomew.

This time, her dependable ally Bartholomew would not be attending the social party.

It was unfortunate, but she could not rely on him forever.

In the end, I’m the one who has to reach the game’s ending with my own strength.

But setting all that aside, Lucy still wished Bartholomew could attend the party.

If Bartholomew came to a social gathering, maybe he could make new friends too.

Lucy remembered Bartholomew asking her what a friend was.

That single question alone made her understand how isolated a life he had lived.

If she could, Lucy wanted to let Bartholomew experience a wider world.

After all, even during their trip to the night market, he had visibly become more lively and energetic.

Isn’t there some way I can help Bartholomew?

Just as Lucy’s worries deepened—

“Princess Lucy, it is time for you to depart.”

A servant came to inform her.

For now, let’s focus on completing the social party quest.

Lucy nodded with a determined expression.

* * *

The place Lucy headed to was the villa the Emperor had bestowed upon Elisha.

The villa, overlooking a vast lake, was serene and beautiful.

To grant a place larger than most mansions as a mere villa…

Lucy once again realized just how favored Elisha was by the Emperor.

After the gatekeeper announced her arrival, Lucy entered the villa and gasped in admiration.

The interior was decorated almost as magnificently as the imperial banquet itself.

At the same time, Lucy became acutely aware of the gazes pouring toward her from the moment she stepped inside.

Lucy, who was entering high society for the first time, was naturally a fascinating spectacle.

The rumors surrounding her were far too dramatic.

That she had attempted suicide to gain the Emperor’s attention.
That she had become a fool.
And yet despite that, she had somehow succeeded in catching the Emperor’s eye during the imperial banquet.

Everyone was bound to be curious about Lucy.

As people swept their probing gazes over her—

“Lucy.”

Elisha approached her.

As always, Elisha looked beautiful today.

She smiled warmly at Lucy.

“You look absolutely lovely today, Lucy. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Lucy instantly understood that the compliment was insincere.

Her eyes were clearly saying, No matter how much you dress up, you’ll never compare to me.

Elisha stepped closer to Lucy.

Then she whispered softly in her ear.

“So, have you finally stopped putting on those pathetic little acts?”

Elisha was referring to all the bizarre things Lucy had done in an attempt to attract the Emperor’s attention.

“Acts?”

Lucy widened her eyes as though she had no idea what Elisha was talking about.

When Lucy feigned innocence, Elisha let out a soft scoff.

“Come along, Lucy. There are some people I’d like to introduce you to.”

Elisha herself was going to introduce her to people?

Lucy had found it strange at first, but quickly understood.

Because of the Emperor.

The Emperor had instructed Elisha to help Lucy enter high society.

Lucy quietly followed Elisha.

Then her eyes widened.

All the male leads she had seen at the imperial banquet were gathered there.

For Lucy, who had been wondering how to get acquainted with them, this was a welcome opportunity.

“Lucy, you already know this gentleman well enough, so there’s no need for introductions.”

The person Elisha gestured toward was Cecil.

Seeing Cecil again after so long made Lucy genuinely happy.

“Cecil, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Cecil’s eyes widened slightly.

It was the first time he had ever heard Lucy speak.

Hearing his name from her lips stirred unfamiliar emotions within him.

Lucy’s voice was calm and beautiful.

There was a strange power in the way it rang clearly in his ears.

It even made him regret that he was only hearing it now.

Cecil realized he had failed to respond immediately and lightly cleared his throat.

“Thanks to you. I’m relieved to see that Your Highness Princess Lucy appears much healthier.”

“It’s thanks to you as well, Cecil.”

Lucy smiled.

Cecil absentmindedly stared at her smile for a moment.

Elisha watched the warm atmosphere between the two with icy eyes before quickly restoring her pleasant expression.

She still had to introduce Lucy to the other young nobles.

Since she was only doing this reluctantly because of the Emperor, she wanted to finish quickly.

“As you all know, this is my younger sister, Lucy Adelstein.”

After introducing Lucy to the young nobles, Elisha shifted her gaze to the man standing farthest to the left.

“Lucy, this is Logan Wolfield, heir of Count Wolfield’s family and commander of the Red Wolf Knights.”

Lucy turned toward Logan.

Ding!
[Name: Logan Wolfield | Age: 19]
[Trait: Commander of the Red Wolf Knights]
[Affection: ?]

Logan’s affection toward Lucy was only a single digit.

Surely it’s not negative… right?

Lucy recalled her first encounter with Cecil, whose affection had started in the double and triple negatives.

Cecil had naturally been prickly by temperament, and he had already harbored bad feelings because he believed she was faking her illness.

I’ve never even met Logan before, so at least it shouldn’t be negative.

Although Logan’s expression as he looked at her was extremely stiff.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

His voice was just as rigid.

After offering a polite greeting out of courtesy, Logan withdrew his gaze from Lucy.

It was a clear sign that he had no further interest.

Well, Logan was always like this.

He had been one of the male leads who caused Lucy the greatest headaches when she played the game in her previous life.

Because he was so taciturn, figuring out how to raise his affection had been incredibly difficult.

But things were different now.

Thanks to having played the game before, Lucy knew exactly what approach worked best with Logan.

Now isn’t the right time, but later on I’ll definitely be able to earn a lot of favor from him.

Lucy decided not to rush things.

“Lucy, this is Patrick Helio, heir of the Marquis Helio family.”

Lucy turned her gaze toward Patrick.

Ding!
[Name: Patrick Helio | Age: 18]
[Trait: Heir of the Marquis Helio Family]
[Affection: ?]

After reading Patrick’s status window, Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly.

You can’t just describe him as an heir.

She thought there should also be a trait labeled Complete Personality Disaster.

“Princess Lucy, it is an honor to finally meet you.”

Patrick spoke politely to Lucy.

Lucy knew perfectly well that his attitude was entirely fake.

What had happened when she tried to romance him in her previous life?

She had been deceived by his gentlemanly behavior, only for his affection to plummet into the abyss.

Patrick was the type of person whose exterior and interior were completely different.

Rather like Elisha.

They appeared kind to everyone, but it was all a lie.

Maybe this time I should just give up on Patrick altogether.