Anyway, the important thing is that Alisa absolutely did not attempt suicide.

“That’s completely absurd.”

I dismissed the rumor outright. A deep sigh escaped me. I was dumbfounded. It was too malicious and unpleasant a rumor to just leave alone.

So that’s why there were no visitors. Certainly, if such rumors were circulating, it would be difficult to visit. It would also be a very challenging problem to know what kind of comfort to offer.

I sighed.

“I understand. If I keep hiding, the rumors will snowball, so I’ll accept your recommendation, Mrs. Ronan.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Harriet bowed. I was the one who should be more grateful.

* * *

Time passed, and on the day of the Chrysante family’s banquet.

I started preparing since morning to attend the dinner.

The maids bustled about to prepare for the long-awaited outing.

It had already been over a year since they began serving their young mistress. In that time, they seemed to have become accustomed to dressing me up, as their hands moved quite swiftly.

First, I soaked in warm water filled with flower petals. The water, infused with lemon juice to help with fatigue recovery, gave off a fragrant scent. The maids massaged my shoulders and arms, loosening the muscles that had been tense for so long.

Next, I washed my face with sugar dissolved in water, and applied a cream mixed with oils extracted from orange blossoms and roses. The maids even gave me a thorough massage to help the cream absorb well.

A delicate makeup process followed. Applying powder, drawing eyebrows, and painting the cheeks a soft pink. Just like in my previous world, having someone else do this was indeed the best.

Wealth and power are nice indeed. In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to receive such services comfortably. Now, I didn’t even need to consider how much it would cost.

Finally, it was time to choose a dress.

“This is the dress you’ll be wearing today.”

Louise presented only one dress. Without any prior discussion, and without giving me a chance to consider what to wear, it was a choice completely devoid of my opinion.

Louise’s choice for Alisa…

At least for choosing this dress, it doesn’t seem like there’s any malice or hidden agenda. It’s quite pretty and seems like it would suit me well.

Even in Alisa’s memories, Louise had never made her wear anything strange. She dressed Alisa in dresses that weren’t flashy, but instead delicate and fresh. It was an appropriate style that wouldn’t make her a laughingstock or stand out too much.

Even so, I had no intention of simply following Louise’s words now.

“What about others?”

“This dress will suit you best.”

“I see.”

The lemon-colored dress Louise had prepared was a style that covered up to the neck. The skirt line flared gently in an A-line shape. It looked luxurious and bright with its generous use of fabric and lace.

Louise had good taste. The dresses, hats, and accessories she chose without any ulterior motive were all pretty. That was Louise’s talent.

‘Still, that’s that, and this is this.’

“I understand, but bring others too.”

I said with an expressionless face. I didn’t even give Louise a glance.

“My lady, in my opinion, this is the best…”

“I understand. But I want to see others.”

I cut off Louise’s words and ordered.

The maids hesitantly brought other dresses. They were all different in style and color.

“I’ll go with this one.”

What I chose was a light purple dress that revealed the shoulders. Its elegant design stood out. Above all, I liked it because I chose it myself.

After the dress, it was time for accessories.

Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, various jewels sparkled brilliantly in the box. They were incredibly lavish, with gold and silver used generously in intricate craftsmanship.

How much are these worth? It seemed like having just one or two would be enough to live comfortably for a lifetime.

I heard that noble ladies collect jewels because they become their personal assets. If I divorce, will I get to take all of this with me? It seemed quite nice.

As much as I wanted to pack everything up and run away right now, I restrained myself and chose one or two pieces that would match the dress. The sparkling radiance of the jewels welcomed me as it shattered at my fingertips.

「Louise’s eyes reflected the brilliant sparkle of the jewels.」

The now-familiar sentences came to mind. I ignored them and continued to look at other accessories.

「This would be nice to put in my box too. Like the jewels sleeping in the box under the bed right now, the necklace suited her better than Alisa.」

However, when the sentence about the fact Louise had hidden came to mind, I quickly shut my eyes tight. It was something I needed to remember well.

‘So that’s how it was.’

I turned my head to look at Louise. Louise, who hadn’t yet gauged the temperature of my gaze, brightened her face cheerfully at my look.

“My, it seems what they say about how clothes make the person is true.”

Louise fussed over my hair. Her overly cheerful attitude seemed to be an attempt to erase the earlier incident when I had openly rejected her.

“It’s all thanks to His Majesty the Emperor that you can enjoy such luxury, we should be grateful.”

I smirked. Right, it’s all thanks to the Emperor that Alisa became a duchess.

Her effort to completely destroy Alisa’s already low self-esteem was commendable. She must have been so pleased that she could manipulate Alisa at will.

Louise furrowed her brows.

“Shall I come along? I’m worried you might make a mistake without me, my lady.”

“Is your absence such a serious issue that I would make mistakes?”

“Pardon?”

Louise’s eyes wavered.

“I was trying to be patient out of familiarity, but you keep saying such presumptuous things.”

I reprimanded her coldly. Now that I found a legitimate reason to dismiss Louise, there was no need for further patience.

“You, what’s your name?”

Ignoring Louise’s bewilderment, I asked the name of the brown-haired maid beside me. She was the maid who had taken care of me when Louise was sent out. The maid rolled her green eyes, glancing at Louise, before answering in a timid voice.

“It’s Macy.”

“Alright, Macy. You finish up the grooming. Louise, would you leave this room? I don’t need a maid who disturbs my mood.”

“My lady, that’s not…”

“I told you to be quiet.”

Louise finally realized the gravity of the situation and shut her mouth. The silence that finally arrived brought me peace.

The preparations went smoothly even without Louise.

After a long while, when I finally finished getting ready, I looked in the mirror.

My reflection in the mirror was… sufficiently beautiful. Incomparable to my original, ordinary self.

My hair is a soft light pink, like a diluted sunset, and my gray-blue eyes are like forest mist. The delicate and pure appearance that looks as if it might shatter at any moment still felt a bit unfamiliar.

Most people didn’t consider Alisa to be particularly beautiful, but that was just because she didn’t have a striking, flashy appearance. She had a delicate and elegant charm like a lily.

Alisa.

I silently called out the name that wasn’t originally mine, but had now become mine.

By the time I finished preparing, the afternoon had already waned.

Before going down to the first floor, I called Harriet for a private conversation.

“Has there been any progress on the task I asked about before?”

“I looked around while Louise was away, but I haven’t found anything worth reporting to you yet, my lady.”

“Search carefully under the bed.”

“Yes, my lady.”

We need to find it quickly before Louise hides it. Clear evidence needed to be collected as soon as possible.

After dismissing Harriet, I went down to the first floor where Rashid was waiting for me.

Dressed in formal attire, he was, I hate to admit, stunningly handsome. He truly had perfect looks that would be counted among the best in this vast empire.

His well-combed black hair combined with his sparkling golden eyes created a mysterious atmosphere. Tall stature with long, straight limbs, and a toned body that asserted its presence even when it’s hidden under elegant clothes. Features that looked cold and sharp at first glance, but I know how boyish he becomes when he smiles.

Ah, of course, whether that’s the case or not has nothing to do with me.

“Shall we go, wife?”

Rashid extended his hand towards me.

I lightly placed my hand on his.

It was finally time to step out into the world as Alisa.

* * *