TCML 38

Chapter : 38

This Time, I’ll Change the Male Lead

“Since your skin is so flawless and your hair is so full, I think this kind of look will suit you beautifully.”

“Amy, the young lady usually prefers simple designs. Isn’t this a bit too flashy?”

“This is actually considered very modest within the imperial palace, you know?”

Emma and Amy bickered beside me.

‘Thanks to Lina causing a scene on her own, the compensation turned out pretty generous.’

For once, I felt at ease.

Because of the trouble Lina stirred up, Emma—who had stayed by my side since the ducal estate—was able to enter the palace with me. Amy had even become one of my personal maids.

Just having people I could trust in this jungle-like imperial palace was more than enough to satisfy me.

“My lady, which one will you choose? All of these were gifts.”

“Well…”

I carefully scanned the dozens of dresses laid out before me.

‘I deliberately stuck to designs like these so I wouldn’t stand out.’

Whether people had learned my tastes or simply associated me with that image, most of the dresses sent to me were—put kindly—modest, and—less kindly—plain.

Then again, I had worn understated dresses constantly ever since entering the palace under the pretense of attending lessons.

“I’ll take that one.”

“Which—oh my… surely you don’t mean this one? My lady, are you really going to wear this dress?”

Defying their expectations, I pointed to a blue dress.

Perhaps because they never thought I’d choose it, the dress hung at the very end of the rack. It was lavishly decorated with silver thread and clearly extravagant.

“It is beautiful, but…”

Amy and Emma’s eyes widened in surprise at my choice.

“You don’t usually like dresses this flashy.”

“But it would suit you so well. Don’t you think so, Emma?”

Sensing her chance, Amy nudged Emma in the waist.

“Well—yes, that’s true. The entire capital would be shaken, my lady. Oh, and come to think of it, we also received gloves from the Bavid Salon recently!”

My unexpected decision seemed to excite them even more.

“Amy, do you remember the blue diamond earrings my eldest brother gave me when I entered the palace?”

“Yes, of course. They were so flashy that I thought you wouldn’t wear them, so I kept them aside. I’ll bring them right away.”

“My lady, you’re already beautiful, but if you dress up like this, you’ll truly—”

Emma, kneeling before me, had eyes that were practically burning with excitement.

“Everyone will be shocked. That ill-mannered Count Karl Beit, His Highness the Crown Prince, and even the High Priest. No—people at the ducal estate might be the most shocked of all.”

For those who knew my usual appearance, this design was so radical it could make them faint on the spot.

I quietly gazed at Kaella Veritas’s reflection in the mirror.

Skin as white as snow, translucent hair cascading past my waist, and deep blue eyes…

“Then… will you prepare me?”

“Yes, my lady! Leave it to us!”

To waste this body and face until the festival would practically be a crime.

“My lady, since the corners of your eyes are naturally red, we’ll deepen the shading just a bit—like this!”

“Amy, did you study makeup somewhere?”

“I always did the older sisters’ makeup. Now, my lady, please smile slightly.”

Emma stared blankly as she watched Amy’s skilled hands move.

Even I, half-exhausted and barely keeping my eyes open, could tell her brushwork was anything but ordinary.

“Just a moment longer. I’m finishing the blush, and your hair is almost done too.”

I’d only planned to dress up a little more than usual. I never expected to be put through this ordeal.

Though I didn’t know exactly how I looked, they kept exclaiming things like, ‘I knew it would be like this! How can you look so beautiful—everything suits you!’

“Now, please open your eyes, my lady.”

“Is it done?”

At last, it seemed finished. I slowly lifted my heavy eyelids.

“My goodness…”

“Oh my…”

At the same time, Amy and Emma froze, staring at me in a daze.

Why are they looking at me like that? Puzzled, I stepped in front of the mirror…

‘Wow.’

Even I hesitated when I saw my reflection.

Silver hair flowed down my waist, perfectly matching the deep, elegant makeup. The silver-embroidered dress and blue diamond earrings looked like a constellation scattered across the night sky.

Since I’d never properly dressed up before in an effort to avoid attention, I hadn’t realized it would make this much of a difference.

“…You did well.”

I answered calmly, hiding my surprise.

“You look like a goddess, my lady! No—people would believe you are one!”

“At this summer festival, no one will suit the ‘Blessing of the Blue Bird’ more than you.”

The “Blue Bird” they referred to symbolized the temple and was a sacred spirit seen only on holy days.

The “Blessing of the Blue Bird” was the most celebrated ritual of the summer festival.

‘The scene where notes gathered in the temple box turn into blue birds and surround the saint was impressive.’

I traced the original story in my mind.

When people placed the name of someone they wished to bless into the temple box, their gathered feelings transformed into blue birds that flew toward the chosen person.

The moment the blue birds enveloped the protagonist and turned into a wave of blue light was as mystical as Cinderella’s transformation—something everyone dreamed of seeing at least once.

However… the problem was that what had begun as a pure ritual had now degenerated into a popularity contest.

‘In short, it’s just building someone up.’

Just as celebrities needed constant good press to maintain their image, the “Blessing of the Blue Bird” followed the same logic.

—Lady Lutas, true to the Rose of Ignis, supports the domestic economy of luxury boutiques…

—Just seeing the saint’s smile warms one’s heart…

As the stars of the summer festival, titles like these suited Lady Lutas or the Saint, both of whom had devoted fanbases.

They used to share the honor amicably each year, but recently the Saint had been monopolizing it.

“Emily, whose name are you going to write?”

“Me? It’s a secret, but… I really hope it’ll be you this year, my lady.”

As I followed my thoughts, I overheard Emma and Amy talking.

“Don’t you want it too, my lady? The sight of the blue birds turning into waves of blue light, coloring everything with flowers and brilliance—it’s truly beautiful.”

“Well…”

Honestly, I didn’t care at all.

I was just a little curious since they said it was as beautiful as a fairy-tale princess’s transformation.

“Shall we head out, then?”

“Yes, my lady!”

“Just imagining that damned Marquis Karl collapsing at the sight of you already makes me happy!”

Emma grinned gleefully as she took my hand to help me stand.

“Marquis Karl won’t even be able to look at me.”

If he had any shame, he wouldn’t dare come near me at all. As I stepped forward—

‘A key?’

A faint sparkle leaked from the gap of the jewelry box beside my bed.

“My lady, what is it?”

“It might get cold this evening. Amy, go bring a coat. Emma, prepare a handkerchief.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Without suspicion, Amy and Emma headed back to the wardrobe room.

Only after they were completely gone did I approach the bed and open the jewelry box.

“Messis?”

—……

The key was clearly shining, yet there was no response.

“Messis? Are you listening?”

—Ah… yes…

Only after I asked again did Messis’s voice finally respond.

“Is something wrong?”

—No. It’s just… Master, will you be attending the festival today?

“Yes. Why?”

—There’s a chance the remaining members of the Morvel Trading Company may cause trouble at the festival. Please be careful.

“Oh, right.”

Only then did I remember the Morvel Trading Company.

Since they were on the verge of collapse, it wouldn’t be surprising if they made a last desperate move at a festival where everyone gathered.

—Anyone there could become a target. And given your current appearance, Master, you’ll draw particular attention… so you must be extra cautious.

“Alright. Thanks for telling me.”

I smiled slightly at his careful concern. Seeing my reflection in the window, I had to admit—he was right.

‘With how I look now, I’ll probably stand out first thing… right?’

Then a sudden doubt crossed my mind.

“But Messis.”

Looking down at the key, I spoke slowly.

“How do you know what I look like right now?”

There was no way he could know.

At the slave market and even during the contract, we had concealed our faces. He didn’t even know who I was.

He could guess I’d attend such a major festival—but how could he predict my current appearance?

‘Could it be… that he can see through this light?’

The crystal embedded in the center of the key flickered repeatedly.

But no matter how I looked, I couldn’t see anything.

—It’s just a guess.

Messis’s voice came only after a long silence.

“Is that so?”

—……

“Well, I suppose that’s possible.”

I nodded for now.

Just as I had an image of Messis in my mind, he must have something similar.

“Then let me ask you this.”

His hesitation was unexpected, and mischief rose within me.

“What do you imagine I look like?”

—That is…

A shallow sigh escaped, as if he were hesitating.

“Messis?”

—I think you’re beautiful and dazzling.

His answer came out firm and immediate. I chose to ignore the faint tremble at the end of his voice.

“That’s interesting. You always talk as if you’re watching me.”

—When you open your heart… there are many things you can see and hear.

I laughed softly. He wasn’t wrong.

“Oh, are you coming to see the festival too?”

—Yes.

Beyond the window, the heat and excitement of the festival were already in the air.

“If we happened to run into each other… do you think I’d recognize you?”

I asked casually, gazing down at the plaza crowded with people.

—Perhaps…

For the first time, a soft chuckle came through the key.

—I will recognize you, Master.