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~Chapter 99~
“……”
Since she had made such a bold promise in front of everyone, Riden had expected Mari to at least pretend to help Adele.
She hadn’t attended many balls since the debutante, so she hadn’t noticed until now.
Until now, if Riden disliked something, she would simply remove it from her sight.
But for the first time, she thought Mari should experience what it felt like to be on the receiving end.
When all the guests left the mansion and only she remained in the reception room—
“Glenn.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Riden lowered her voice.
“That knight—he’s still under control, right? Manage him without any gaps.”
She had written to ask if she could visit the viscount’s estate, and a reply had arrived with frightening speed.
Now Riden sat in the reception room of Viscount Haston’s mansion, where Adele lived, sipping the tea brought by a maid.
‘Same rank, but much nicer.’
Adele’s father, Viscount Haston, was a high-ranking cleric. They said a high priest was equivalent to a count, and it seemed true.
The mansion was far more splendid than the Florence estate she had visited before.
“Lady Riden.”
At the call, she rose to see a brown-haired girl peek shyly through the door.
Adele stepped in, her bright green eyes darting nervously as she asked,
“Um… may I sit?”
This is your house, Riden thought.
Even in her own home, Adele acted like a guest—it was endearing.
Suppressing a smile, Riden said,
“Of course. Let’s sit and talk.”
“Yes, then…”
As soon as Adele sat down, her eyes went wide.
“Oh no, I sat without greeting you.”
Her large eyes betrayed her inner debate—should she stand and greet properly, or just continue sitting?
Anyone could see she was terribly nervous.
Riden fought the urge to laugh.
“What’s wrong with sitting? I think we got close enough at the White count’s estate, don’t you? Or is it just me?”
“Oh! Me too…”
“……”
“Yes, me too.”
Adele’s cheeks flushed as she said,
“I was so happy when you said you’d visit today. So, um… welcome, Lady Riden.”
Realizing her welcome was awkward, she ducked her head lower and lower toward the carpet.
Riden bit her inner cheek to avoid laughing.
“I’m just as happy you welcomed me so warmly after my sudden visit.”
When she’d met Adele at the White count’s estate, the girl had been timid and full of worry. Now, despite her nerves, her face was filled with excitement—making her look much cuter.
“Did you see the reason I wrote for visiting?”
“Yes… you wrote that you wanted to change your style.”
“And by letting me visit, can I take it as you agreeing to that change?”
Adele puffed out her cheeks and hesitated.
Better to stop her before she refuses.
Her father was a strict cleric who always forced a dull, old-fashioned style on her. She would surely be scolded, but without this chance, Adele might never gather the courage.
And the person Riden had brought with her—though Adele didn’t know who it was—looked incredibly stylish.
As Adele fidgeted nervously, Riden spoke.
“If you’re still thinking, take your time. But while thinking, can you answer something else for me?”
Adele nodded vigorously.
“As much as you like.”
Since the debutante ball, Riden had more or less disappeared with Ethan.
She had no reason to attend more balls, being engaged now, and was busy with wedding preparations.
So she hadn’t kept up with society gossip.
“Have you met Lady Mari since then? I remember hearing at the count’s estate that she said she would help you.”
At that, Adele suddenly clutched a cushion tightly, surprising even herself.
Looking at Riden with uncertainty, she blurted,
“Lady Riden, Lady Mari—!”
“……”
“What kind of person is she!?”
Riden narrowed her eyes slightly.
She suspects, but she’s not sure.
Hugging the cushion, Adele spoke in a small voice.
“Lady Mari told me at the ball she’d help me speak to Young Viscount Fresen. I was so grateful… but…”
“……”
“She knew I wasn’t good with words, so she said she’d find out his interests for me, then went to talk to him. But after that, he only danced with her.”
“……”
“I know she meant well… and it’s not her fault she’s so attractive. It’s my fault for not being able to make use of the help… I… I…”
Adele burst into tears.
“I’m sorry for showing you such a pathetic side… but I have no one else to tell.”
Oh dear.
Riden set down her teacup and handed her a handkerchief.
Looking her straight in the eye, she said firmly,
“There’s still a chance.”
The conviction in her voice made Adele pause mid-tears, glancing at her uncertainly.
“Adele, shall we change things up a little?”
Riden looked approvingly at Adele seated before the vanity.
“I think cutting it this much would be good.”
Adele squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
“That much will show too much of my forehead.”
Tyler, the ducal household’s hair specialist, lowered the scissors to eyebrow level.
“Then I’ll cut it here, considering both your opinions.”
“No.”
Riden’s refusal was firm.
Even cutting that much would remove half the heavy hair that hid Adele’s beauty, but to reveal her true charm, more needed to go.
“It feels embarrassing to have my forehead showing…”
Riden leaned in to whisper,
“Fresen is quite tall, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re short.”
“Yes.”
“And you have a bad habit of looking down when you talk.”
“……”
“So how many times do you think he’s seen your pretty eyes when speaking to you?”
“Hmm…”
“Tyler, cut it shorter. And thin it out.”
“I agree,” Tyler said, snapping the scissors.
At once, the curtain of bangs over Adele’s forehead was snipped away.
Ah, refreshing!
Seeing her smooth forehead and light-green eyes, Riden felt as if she’d drunk something fizzy.
Once the hair was done, it was time for clothing.
She scanned the row of dresses in Adele’s wardrobe—then shut it again.
There’s still time before the boating. Let’s make something new.
Just then, Adele, awkwardly touching her now-visible brows, led Riden to another wardrobe.
“I have more dresses here…”
“More?”
She shyly opened it.
“Yes, these are dresses I secretly bought.”
“Secretly? Oh… I see.”
The sight of the hidden, flashy dresses—repressed tastes of a high cleric’s daughter—left Riden momentarily speechless.
They weren’t bad, but too much for Adele just yet.
“They’re a bit too advanced. Let’s try them later.”
“Alright… later then.”
Still, Adele regretfully pulled out one bold dress and stood before the mirror.
“Does this hairstyle really suit me?”
“Perfectly.”
“…I see. Hehe.”
Soon, the capital’s large lake, managed by the imperial palace, would open for the season.
In spring and autumn, nobles flocked to enjoy boating there—filling the lake with couples who’d met during the social season.
“Adele.”
“Yes?”
“Make sure you come boating.”
“I was a wallflower even at the ball… I’m afraid I’ll be embarrassed there too.”
Riden took her hand and encouraged her.
“No, something good will happen.”
She smiled at the mirror, at the completely changed Adele.
