Chapter 30. Debutante

The debutante hall was filled with ladies, all dolled up and looking around nervously. This was a place where they were accompanied by their contracted chaperones and partners, striving to prove their family and themselves.

This small social venue was underlined with a subtle tension. And leading that was the lady who would be the flower of this debutante ball.

Helen Blanche glared sideways at Camilla, who was leisurely dominating the hall with Ayla Letia and Aster.

As rumored, Ayla was a seasoned chaperone. With the information Ayla provided, Camilla moved like an elegant white horse, unimpeded.

With each step, each nod of her head, the conversations flowed naturally, drawing people to her.

The high-ranking officials and imperial family members observing her seemed to have already chosen this year’s flower.

Who would have thought that the one who took the previous Marchioness of Letia would be Camilla Francis?

Helen felt a surge of jealousy towards Camilla, who was winning everyone’s favor.

‘I was the one working on Ayla Letia first!’

Helen had no idea that Camilla had been subtly trying to win over Ayla since last year, so she felt robbed.

It was always like this. Whatever Helen wanted, Camilla would always get to it first.

Even though Helen had approached Ayla first, why was the choice always Camilla Francis?

What was the difference between them? Both were from ducal families, and neither was significantly lacking in looks or education!

Having to hurriedly find a new chaperone, Helen ended up with a clumsy noblewoman. It felt like her chance to be the flower of the debutante had already slipped away.

‘I must become this year’s flower. Our family’s future depends on it, and it’s the best gift I can give Father.’

Remembering the Duke of Blanche’s earnest request, Helen became even more anxious. The imperial business rights given to the flower of the debutante were her father’s goal.

With preparations already underway, assuming she would win, Helen felt her blood run cold.

‘What more can I do here?’

No matter how hard she tried, people flocked to Camilla, not her. Even with rare gifts, beautiful attire, or forced smiles at uninteresting stories!

As Helen bit her nails, her chaperone lightly scolded her.

“That behavior is not ladylike.”

“Mind your own business.”

Helen snapped, gulping down the champagne beside her. She ignored the chaperone’s low sigh.

In the meantime, her partner Paris was nowhere to be seen, likely off chasing another woman even on this important day.

‘Not a single person is helpful!’

At this rate, that damn Camilla might become this year’s flower. What was even more annoying was how good she seemed to get along with Aster.

‘I must drive a wedge between them. If Camilla Francis enters our family, nothing will work out.’

Mother was right. If Camilla Francis entered their family, Helen’s position would only decline, and she might lose her luxurious lifestyle forever.

Camilla Francis disliked her, and due to her own missteps, she was now in a vulnerable position. Feeling trapped, Helen’s frustration grew.

Just then, someone bumped into Camilla, spilling wine on her dress. It seemed intentional, a move to disrupt her flow by forcing her to change clothes.

But such actions backfired. The cunning Camilla subtly humiliated the person who spilled the wine with a gentle face.

Watching Camilla defend herself so easily, Helen clicked her tongue. Then, a brilliant idea struck her, and she instructed her maid before following Camilla and Aila to the waiting room.

Observing the situation inside, Helen entered the waiting room with her returning maid, pretending to be concerned.

“There you are. Are you alright?”

“Helen?”

“I never thought anyone still used such old-fashioned tactics. It must have been the chaperone’s doing. It’s exhausting being so outstanding, isn’t it?”

“What brings you here?”

Camilla, who was changing her dress, asked with a puzzled look. This was the best time for other ladies to win favor when the leading lady was absent.

Instead of mocking her, it would be better to use the time to win people’s hearts. She couldn’t understand Helen’s intentions.

Seeing the wary look in Camilla’s eyes, Helen spoke nonchalantly.

“I have a spare dress. You can borrow it if you need it.”

Helen always had her maid carry a spare dress due to her tendency to spill things. She was offering to lend it, though not for free.

“You?”

Camilla looked at her suspiciously. Helen cleared her throat and explained.

“Ahem, we might become in-laws soon.”

“You told me to break off the engagement.”

“So, will you break it off?”

“No.”

“Exactly! I’m offering to lend it to you. It’s pathetic to see you fall for such old tricks.”

Helen spoke irritably, signaling her maid with her eyes. The maid, understanding, handed over the dress.

Camilla eyed the dress and Helen with suspicion. She had just sent her maid to fetch a change of clothes, which would take at least 30 minutes.

Waiting for that would be too late.

‘But I’m even more suspicious of the clothes Helen is giving me.’

When Camilla hesitated to accept, Helen urged her.

“Why? Do you think I might have poisoned it or something?”

“Well, maybe not poison, but you could have put an allergen on it.”

“If you’re that distrustful, then check it yourself!”

“I’ll take a look.”

As Helen huffed, Ayla Letia took the dress from the maid and inspected it. After confirming that there were no visible issues, Ayla spoke.

“For now, it’s best to change into this. It’s not good to stay away for too long. The first dance will start soon.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Camilla agreed immediately, unlike when Helen had suggested it. Though she still had doubts, the debutante ball was more important at the moment.

If she felt uncomfortable, she could change into a new dress the maid brought during the intermission after the first part. Since it was almost time to dance, she needed to hurry. Camilla spoke while changing.

“Thanks. I never thought I’d need your help. I’ll repay you once this is over.”

“Hmph, no need!”

I didn’t give it to you for your sake anyway.

Helen hid her true feelings and swiftly left the waiting room. As soon as she closed the door, Helen smiled triumphantly.

‘How foolish. Did you really think I’d help you?’

She hummed a tune as she imagined what would happen soon and exited.

* * *

I examined Helen’s dress closely. Unlike my usual style, it was a tight-fitting design. It was a dress that relied on thin shoulder straps. The elaborate patterns and decorations were almost painful to look at.

‘What a taste.’

I would definitely need to change into a different dress before the second part started. Not only was it not to my taste, but since it was someone else’s dress, there were parts that were either too loose or too tight.

For now, Ayla skillfully adjusted the loose and tight parts with ribbons and shawls to make it fit better. But there were still some parts that made me uneasy.

“Is everything alright?”

Just in time, Aster, who was waiting in the hall, spotted me and approached to ask. I had asked him to keep conversing with people while I changed.

“Yes. I changed in a hurry.”

“I’m surprised you came back so quickly. Did you have a spare dress prepared? It’s different from your usual style. It looks just like…”

“Just like Helen Blanche, right?”

“How did you know?”

Aster looked at me with surprised eyes. Indeed, no one but Helen Blanche could pull off such a style. I shrugged.

“It is Helen’s dress. She came by and lent it to me.”

“Helen did?”

He looked like he had never heard anything so bizarre. I felt the same at first, but there was nothing wrong with Helen’s dress.

“Sometimes, ladies who help with such incidents earn good points.”

“Hmm.”

“Since I received her help, I plan to repay her later. Shall we go?”

“Wait a moment.”

Aster seemed to contact someone briefly before coming back to escort me. I smiled and took Aster’s hand, and we re-entered the hall.

Soon, the orchestra began to play the prelude to a waltz.

As the beautiful melody spread, people gathered in the center of the hall in groups. The timing was perfect. If we had been any later, we would have missed the chance to dance.

“Shall we dance?”

Aster politely invited me to dance and led me to the center. As we danced to the music, Aster suddenly grabbed my waist tightly with a serious expression.

“Don’t move.”