‘Just wait. You’re going to be shocked.’

After they all left, the mansion was empty.

I returned to my room and slowly put on the outfit. Belta skillfully dressed me in Silver’s dress, so dazzling it could blind one’s eyes.

The rose embroidery matching my bright red hair was as large as magnolias. Currently, small floral patterns were in fashion, but here Silver’s bold attempt was revealed.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done a fitting.”

Old memories of staying up all night preparing for fashion shows bubbled up.

I put on the dress and checked my appearance in front of the mirror.

The boldly plunging neckline had dozens of ribbons attached, and white lace formed intricate patterns at the waist.

“May I say something?”

Belta, who had been staring at me blankly, spoke up. I was startled and shook my head.

“No, no! Don’t!”

Belta chuckled and saw me off in front of the ebony carriage. She waved her hand gently.

“Have a safe trip, Roa. You’re as lovely as a flower.”

“Hey! Finally!”

I grumbled while leaning back against the backrest. The carriage had been prepared in advance by Silver, who knew my situation, and sent here.

‘After today. It’s time to leave.’

I planned to attend the banquet, subtly show off the dress, then leave the marquisate residence with Belta without any regrets.

Fortunately, I had already received a high percentage of profits from Silver—enough to buy a mansion.

I closed my eyes and rested briefly until we arrived at the Imperial Palace. I would likely be quite tired upon arrival.

※※※

In front of the banquet hall where marble stairs gleamed white in the moonlight.

I straightened my neck and looked up at the magnificent door. Nobles who had alighted from their carriages climbed up together, having pleasant conversations, and I was alone there.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

I slowly climbed the stairs, my fine hair fluttering. Noble ladies covering their faces with fans glanced at me sideways.

I showed off the dress’s highlights with practiced skill.

“Oh my, where is that dress from?”

Then the words I wanted came out immediately. I smiled first and spoke to the lady.

“It’s Diamond. A dress shop that opened recently.”

When I approached warmly first, the lady quickly let down her guard and smiled brightly. Her face sparkled like someone who had seen a new jewel.

“Oh my! Really? I heard rumors that an amazing dress shop had appeared…… It’s really beautiful.”

“Madam, you’re very beautiful yourself.”

I raised the corners of my lips as much as possible and said words I didn’t mean. I wasn’t used to this kind of thing, but even if I hated it, I had to do it for sales.

“But…… which family’s lady are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

The lady said this while covering one side of her face, looking awkward and somewhat apologetic. Even though I was Marquis Seraphina’s daughter, she didn’t seem to recognize me.

I swallowed a sigh and told her.

“I’m Roa Seraphina.”

“Yes. I see. ……What? You’re the young lady of Seraphina?”

The lady was so surprised she covered her mouth with her fan. Her small eyes looked like they might pop out.

“You…… speak so well.”

Seeing me conversing without hindrance, the lady was bewildered. I felt strangely uncomfortable and twirled my hair. The corners of my lips twisted unnaturally.

“I guess you didn’t recognize me because I don’t stutter.”

“It’s not exactly that…… The young lady of the Seraphina family doesn’t often come to high society. In any case, I’m sorry.”

What did you do wrong?

I briefly bowed to her and entered the grand banquet hall. Famous power brokers who moved the Empire were elegantly conversing while holding wine.

Men’s gazes continued persistently. Eyes as if they’d discovered new prey. I didn’t like the men’s lecherous stares at all.

“Who is that person?”

“Red hair with a red dress is truly dazzling.”

“So pretty!”

People who saw me gathered together and whispered. Not knowing that I could hear everything, or perhaps it was truly absurd.

Red hair with an intensely colored dress was a combination that could be avoided for being a bit excessive, but I knew well the hearts of women of that era who wanted to become more glamorous.

That’s why I had admired the dress when Silver showed me the red fabric with rose embroidery.

“This person! She’s Miss Roa Seraphina.”

Then the lady I had briefly talked with on the stairs introduced me to other nobles. People’s eyes widened.

“The young lady of the Seraphina family hasn’t been well, so she hasn’t attended every time, has she?”

When one noble expressed doubt, others nodded in agreement.

I stretched my neck long and assumed a graceful posture, as I had learned when I was confined.

“No. I’m very healthy.”

I sent a gaze as appealing as possible. Since my appearance itself was so beautiful, the atmosphere came alive with just a slight tilt of my face.

People murmured, unable to understand why I was perfectly fine.

“Why haven’t you attended high society until now?”

“The young lady of Seraphina I imagined—I’m confused because it’s not her.”

Then Marquis Seraphina, who had noticed the commotion, approached.

“Who? ……You, you!”

“Oh my!”

Marquis and Marchioness Seraphina looked at me with shocked faces. They had finally discovered me. Then, conscious of the surrounding gazes, they immediately cleared their throats.

Alpheus and Patricia also had expressions of utter disbelief.

‘Mm. Since it’s the first time, even this much feels pretty good.’

I lifted my chin and smiled carefully. Just enough for only the Seraphina family to notice.

The marquis kept opening and closing his mouth, perhaps flustered. He probably had a lot to say.

Now, shall I act?

I made the saddest expression possible. I lowered the corners of my eyes and clasped my hands together. People were already making sympathetic sounds.

I opened my mouth calmly.

“It’s been a long time since I stopped stuttering, yet I couldn’t participate in high society, which was disappointing. I wanted to go, but my family told me not to.”

The nobles looked at the marquis and his wife with puzzled eyes. Their expressions showed they couldn’t understand why they kept a child who wanted to attend banquets at home.

I cheered inwardly. Every time I, a beautiful woman, lowered my long eyelashes, all the men gulped down dry saliva. Some even stared quite blatantly without even thinking to hide it.

“I didn’t know the young lady of the Seraphina family was this beautiful. I feel like I’ve lived my life in vain.”

Moreover, a man who openly came on to me appeared. I hadn’t thought about it usually, but Roa’s appearance when deliberately dressed up was quite pretty.

Neat eyebrows that needed no grooming, eyes slightly curled up like a cat’s. Her nose, higher and more prominent than others, shone as if highlighted, and her slightly thin lips overflowed with charm every time they curved.

So it’s a face that works quite well here.

I confirmed this and deliberately stood in front of Patricia. Since I knew Patricia’s dirty personality, she looked ugly no matter how much she dressed up.

“Sister, what is this tacky thing?!”

I lightly pinched Patricia’s fluttering sleeve between my index finger and thumb as if genuinely worried. I spoke quietly enough that only Patricia could hear, so others didn’t notice.

Patricia couldn’t say anything and clutched her dress. I could feel her body trembling with shame.

Alpheus glared at me with eyes as cold as a blizzard. He clenched his fists tightly, just like that time.

Whenever I saw Alpheus’s hands like that, I thought of my father who had choked my neck, and it was painful. But the more that happened, the higher I raised my head.

I absolutely didn’t want to show him I was scared.

I steeled my resolve and smirked at Alpheus.

“Am I really fun right now?”

“You…… I clearly—”

“Ah, told me to stay cooped up?”

Alpheus roughly adjusted his tie and warned me.

“Let’s see when we get home.”

I shrugged with an indifferent expression.

‘We won’t be seeing each other in the same mansion anymore anyway.’

Although I hadn’t perfectly gotten my revenge, it wasn’t bad as an appetizer.

‘Can I become stronger than the Seraphina family?’

To succeed in this world going forward, one small dress shop wouldn’t be enough. I naturally had such thoughts while leaning against a pillar. It was natural to dream bigger.

Men kept trying to approach me as I stood alone, but each time I glared at them with a face that said, ‘How dare you approach me?’ My gaze was so sharp that they all tucked their tails and disappeared before even speaking.

“Look at His Highness the Grand Duke! What should I do? He’s so wonderful.”

Then one lady nearby shouted in a youthful voice. I turned my head following her.

The male protagonist of the novel was standing in the most intimate part of the banquet hall.

Grand Duke David Kresimir, who possessed absolute power second only to the Emperor, stood wearing a sleek three-piece suit. As expected, he seemed to have attended banquets held at the Imperial Palace.