Chapter 9 – Part 4

“The grooming is complete, Miss.”

Kristin looked at Lenci’s face reflected in the mirror.

It was truly remarkable.

The usual round-faced, cute Lenci now looked like a noble lady with her hair done and makeup applied.

Her face shone even brighter with the makeup, and her youthful skin made it flawless. Her hair was braided on both sides and tied with ribbons, making her look like a noble lady from a provincial town if one didn’t know she was a servant.

“Oh my! My goodness. You look beautiful, Lenci.”

“Wow.”

Lenci was speechless as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was used to just washing her face and applying some lotion, so this kind of makeover was a first for her.

“See? It was worth doing your hair and makeup, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, My Lady.”

“Your skin is so smooth that the makeup looks even better.”

The maid who did the makeup smiled and gave Lenci a thumbs-up.

Lenci, in turn, moved closer to the mirror, touching it with her hand, and then quickly apologized to Kristin.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I left fingerprints on your mirror.”

“What does it matter? You can just wipe it off. Just stay close to me at the ball.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to a debutante ball. It feels like a dream. My brother has no idea what I look like now. I wish I could show him.”

“There will be other opportunities. Soon, you will have to enroll in the academy, and there will be many things to do.””Oh, My Lady.”

Lenci seemed moved by Kristin’s words. Her eyes glistened with tears, but she quickly remembered her makeup and dabbed at her eyes gently with her fingers to stop the tears.

“Thank you. I will do my best. And I will be quiet and not cause any trouble at the debutante ball.”

“It’s okay to look around. There will be wine there, so you can have a light drink.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Then I should get going. I sincerely hope you have a good experience at the ball.”

The maid bowed and left the room. At that moment, Elena, accompanied by the maid Cindy, entered the room, both having finished their preparations.

As a reward for eavesdropping on the conversation between Vernon and Kristin last time, Cindy was also allowed to attend the debutante ball and had been dolled up.

However, since Elena wanted to outshine everyone, Cindy was dressed in a plain gown. It was a simple dress with a netted fabric draped over the shoulders, making it look quite shabby.

“Cindy, you’re going to the debutante ball too? You look beautiful.”

Kristin’s words made Cindy glance at Lenci. Despite both being servants and dressed up, Cindy felt extremely plain compared to Lenci. She looked down at her dress, sighed, and answered quietly.

“Yes, Lady Kristin.”

“You’re going with Elena. I’m planning to go with Lenci as well.”

“I see. I’m going with Lady Elena. Lady Kristin, did you ask the maid to dress up Lenci? She looks so lovely.”

Cindy continued to look at Lenci with envy.

Elena, noticing this, shot Kristin a spiteful glare, realizing the stark difference between their dresses. Although she had chosen her dress carefully from the market, it was inferior to Kristin’s, which infuriated her. She snapped at Cindy, venting her frustration.

“What are you doing, Cindy? Hurry up, or you’ll be responsible if we’re late.”

Cindy quickly responded,

“I’m sorry, My Lady. I’ll go right away.”

Kristin waved at Cindy and then climbed into the carriage waiting at the front of the mansion with Lenci.

* * *

Although Kristin used a carriage from the mansion, she did not ride with Elena. Due to Elena’s refusal to ride with Kristin, Rose had arranged separate carriages for them.

Kristin took the oldest, most worn-out carriage, while Elena rode in a luxurious carriage with gold trim.

As Kristin and Lenci got into the old carriage, Elena let out a mocking chuckle.

However, Kristin remained unfazed. What mattered wasn’t what she rode in, but how she was treated at the ball.

Elena, on the other hand, didn’t care about such considerations from the start.

Coming from a commoner background to become a viscountess’ daughter, Elena no longer felt any fear of being among the nobles. She had the mindset that she was already a noble through and through.

After arriving at the imperial palace, Kristin watched Elena’s retreat as she entered the ballroom.

Despite taking etiquette and comportment classes, which taught the proper behavior of nobles, Elena’s walking posture was a mess.

She walked with her hips thrust out and in a haughty manner, blatantly disregarding what nobles were most sternly advised against in etiquette classes.

She might think she looked very charming, but the numerous noble ladies behind her were already whispering and finding her appearance laughable.

Although it was a gathering of nobles of higher rank than herself, Elena was walking around the banquet hall with reckless arrogance.

Kristin silently watched her for a moment, then cleared her throat and carefully adjusted herself to release the tension weighing on her shoulders.

Unlike the dresses she wore at the mansion, the one she wore now had a full skirt that completely covered her feet, making it easy to trip if she wasn’t careful.

As she walked slowly, she heard Lenci’s voice.

“My Lady, I don’t know how to walk in this.”

When Kristin looked to the side, Lenci seemed to be struggling with each step.

Not only was she feeling afraid in the unfamiliar Imperial Palace, but the simple maid’s dress she was used to wearing was very different from the elaborate gown she had on now, making it difficult for her to walk.

“Walk slowly. The heels will keep the dress from getting caught under your feet. Even though you can’t see your feet as well as your usual maid’s dress, just walk confidently.”

“Really?”

Lenci touched her flushed cheeks with both hands and began to take a step. After a few more steps, a smile slowly spread across Lenci’s face.

“I think I’m getting used to it. I was worried the heels would be dangerous, but now that I’m wearing them, I feel taller and it’s so nice. Thanks to you, My Lady, I get to wear this lovely dress and shoes.”

“Is that so? I was worried it would be uncomfortable, but I’m glad you’re adapting well, Lenci.”

Kristin smiled as she looked at Lenci. If one didn’t know her closely, Lenci could easily be mistaken for a noble lady’s daughter.

Compared to Elena walking ahead, Lenci seemed to exude a certain elegance.

Kristin shifted her gaze forward, where a plush red carpet was laid out.

Thick and luxurious in itself.

Last year, when she had walked on this red carpet, she had desperately wished to return to the mansion. She had felt like a misfit in that setting, with the cold stares directed at her.

Back then, she had nearly stumbled several times, her dress getting caught.

What was different now was that she could walk with her shoulders held high, and even though she had broken off her engagement to Raphael, she no longer felt out of place.

She had a feeling she wouldn’t encounter Raphael at this debutante party. There was no reason for him to attend this debutante unless the Emperor requested it.

He was someone who detested such banquets.

Kristin didn’t want to face him either.

Kristin shook her head and started walking alongside Lenci.

As they stepped lightly on the red carpet and proceeded down the flower-strewn ballroom corridor, the golden doors of the ballroom entrance came into view.

Once they passed through those doors, there would be countless nobles waiting inside.

Kristin couldn’t help but feel her heart racing.

What if they still disliked her this time? If she got the chance to meet the Emperor, would they be jealous and dislike her even more?

She was worried, but the truth was that she had been eagerly awaiting this day.

She wanted to show the countless nobles a confident, not dejected, version of herself – that was the goal of her second life.

“My Lady, seeing the flowers in the banquet hall corridor reminds me of my brother.”

“Is that so? When I met your brother, he seemed to cherish you. I envy that, Lenci.”

At Kristin’s envious words, Lenci waved her hand with an embarrassed smile.

“Oh, no. It’s because my brother and I are the only family we have in this world. I’ve always been envious of you, Lady Kristin.”

“Me? Why do you think that?”