She had never learned noble etiquette, and since she needed to acquire at least basic manners before receiving Count Huntley’s title, Angela’s days passed quickly after that day.

The education supervisor was Mrs. Seymour, who had worked as a governess in the Count Huntley household for a long time. Originally, she had been driven out by the relatives after the Count’s death, but Angela had called her back.

“We need to correct your posture first. Since there isn’t enough time to become a perfect lady, let’s go with an intensive crash course.”

Since learning all at once what others had gradually learned from childhood was no easy task, Mrs. Seymour’s lessons were strict and harsh.

“Ahhaam.”

“How many times have I told you not to yawn out loud like that?”

When she yawned loudly, Mrs. Seymour’s sharp gaze turned toward Angela.

“I won’t do it.”

“Be careful, or you might become a laughingstock.”

“Yes. Yaaaawn.”

Even while speaking, Angela continued yawning. Since she had to keep up with lessons while even saving sleep time, her mouth kept trying to open without her realizing it.

“You need to show it through actions, not just words.”

Once again Mrs. Seymour’s sharp gaze turned toward Angela. It was so sharp that her yawning stopped and she started hiccupping.

‘At this rate, I’ll get indigestion from everything I eat.’

Angela hurriedly covered her mouth while watching Mrs. Seymour’s expression.

But yawning was only the beginning. Noble life was full of exhausting things that required attention to every single word and action.

She couldn’t walk comfortably, couldn’t laugh comfortably, and couldn’t eat comfortably. Everything had to move according to established rules. She even thought about wanting to return to being a commoner.

‘No wonder that man didn’t believe me when I told him I was from the Huntley family.’

Having personally experienced how completely different the gestures of nobles and commoners were, Angela now seemed to understand why Dion hadn’t believed her words until the end.

She resolved to work hard enough that if she encountered him next time, he would be able to believe she was a noble, but.

“One, two, three. Four. That’s not right.”

Will and reality were different. Even when learning ballroom dancing, she kept stepping on her partner’s feet.

“The Empire’s history is um…”

She quickly forgot what she had memorized just moments before.

“I’d like to tell you to memorize slowly, but since Miss Huntley has been an adult for quite some time, there’s no choice. For the honor of the Huntley family, you absolutely must learn this.”

Whenever things got difficult and overwhelming, Mrs. Seymour deliberately said provocative things.

The honor of the Huntley family. Those words were the foundation that boosted Angela’s spirits.

Since she had inherited much wealth from Count Huntley, Angela thought maintaining the family’s dignity was her sense of mission.

She believed that the reason for not adopting from among the collateral relatives, and the reason for designating Angela, who had been a commoner, as heir and leaving her the fortune, was all because he had expectations that she would do well.

“I understand. Even if I’m lacking, I’ll work hard.”

Angela clenched both hands into fists and made her resolution. Mrs. Seymour watched her enthusiastic appearance with a satisfied smile flowing across her lips.

“You’re truly worthy of being Count Huntley’s daughter. I’m relieved that you’re following along better than expected. I think you’re ready for your debutante ball now.”

Six months had passed before she knew it, but for Angela it was time that had flown by in an instant. Perhaps because her efforts to reduce sleep and work hard had paid off, the word “debutante” finally came from Mrs. Seymour’s mouth.

“Can I really do well?”

“Of course. Though you’re still lacking, you look like a noble now.”

When elegance was felt in Angela’s gesture of lifting her teacup, a pleased smile flowed from Mrs. Seymour’s mouth.

“All of this is thanks to Mrs. Seymour.”

Since it was joy after hardship, tears welled up in Angela’s eyes. At first she had wondered if it was possible and had resented strict Mrs. Seymour several times, but now she could personally feel that her teachings had been right.

“You’ll be even busier now, so you need to prepare yourself.”

But the time for being moved was brief. Frightening words leaked from Mrs. Seymour’s mouth.

“Even busier?”

Angela’s eyes widened.

“Since you need to have your debutante ball, there are many things to prepare. First, you need to buy a debutante dress, and since you need to find a groom, you need to learn how to show off your charm, and you need to learn how to socialize with other noble ladies… There’s so much that we need to prepare everything step by step.”

“What about everything I’ve learned so far?”

“That was really the most basic of basics. You only learned Miss Huntley’s behavior and conduct. Now you need to learn social life, right? So first, we need to buy a dress.”

“I’ve already bought many dresses though?”

“Those are for outings. Ball gowns need to be more glamorous and eye-catching.”

Seeing Mrs. Seymour talking more than usual, she also seemed to have many worries. She was restless like showing her own child to others for the first time.

“…”

Angela suddenly felt dizzy. Especially the word ‘groom’ weighed most heavily on her. She pressed her forehead with her hand and tilted her head back, pretending to be about to collapse.

What was absurd was that even in this situation, she showed elegant gestures. It came naturally because the behaviors she had learned so far had become ingrained in her body.

“First, I’ll call the madam. Oh, but before that, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Angela’s tilted head returned to normal.

“Do you know that rumors about Miss Huntley have spread in high society?”

“What kind of rumors?”

“The story that you inherited all of Count Huntley’s wealth and status. So you’ve become the biggest topic of conversation in high society.”

“Ah, since six months have already passed, rumors would naturally spread.”

She hadn’t known because time had passed so frantically, but while she was busily learning etiquette, Angela had apparently become a bundle of gossip in high society.

“Do you know how curious everyone is? So this is exactly when we need to show that the Huntley family is still strong.”

“I… suppose so?”

Thinking that everyone knew of her existence made Angela suddenly scared. She was also afraid that if she made a mistake, she would be humiliated for being of commoner origin.

“The honor of the Huntley family is at stake.”

But that word ‘honor’ once again played a part in strengthening her resolve.

* * *

The day of the ball.

The dress Mrs. Seymour chose was an ivory-colored dress with a clean and elegant feel.

With moderately puffy sleeves, a full skirt, gorgeous lace, and a waist ribbon that wasn’t excessively large, it was charming and suitable to wear without burden.

“It’s so pretty.”

“You’ll be even more beautiful once you put on the dress and get all dressed up.”

As soon as Mrs. Seymour finished speaking, the maids approached Angela to help her into the dress and began adorning her.

Like their hands were enchanted with magic, each time color was applied to her face, the woman in the mirror she faced gradually changed from Angela into a different woman.

“My goodness. That’s me?”

When all the adorning was finished, Angela checked her appearance in the mirror several times.

“Of course. Miss Huntley, that’s how you look.”

No matter how much she looked, she couldn’t believe it, so she tried shaking her head or moving her arms. Then the beautiful woman visible in the mirror also showed the same movements.

“It doesn’t seem like me.”

“In my eyes, you look like Miss Huntley overflowing with noble elegance?”

The more Mrs. Seymour praised her, the higher Angela’s self-esteem rose. As a result, she gained confidence that she could do well at today’s debutante ball too.

“I’ll do well.”