Since the establishment of the Pensia Empire, the House of White had been one of its pillars, with the Marquessate of Etro following closely behind in terms of prestige. While the Etro family did not rival the Whites in terms of status, they were still considered to be among the Empire’s most distinguished families.

The marquessate’s residence, located in the heart of the capital, was unusually bustling today. The commotion was greatest in Lady Sierra’s room. She was the beloved youngest daughter of the current Marquess of Etro. Servants hurried in and out, barely pausing between errands.

Amidst all that chaos, a single young woman sat calmly in a chair. It was Lady Sierra herself, the cherished youngest daughter of the House of Etro.

She turned her head slightly and spoke to the maid standing beside her.

“Mirror.”

Before she had even finished speaking, a large hand mirror was placed in Sierra’s hand.

Sierra gazed intently at her own reflection. Glossy, voluminous brown hair, sparkling golden eyes, a well-defined nose, and lips the color of ripe red fruit. Everything was perfect, yet Sierra’s brow furrowed as if something still didn’t please her.

With a sharp clack, Sierra set the hand mirror down on the vanity and murmured quietly,

“Again.”

At her command, the attendants immediately set about redoing her hair. On one side, servants began sorting through dresses, shoes, and accessories all over again.

“Today, I have to be more perfect than anyone. Do you understand?”

Sierra spoke irritably as she picked the mirror back up.

Just then, someone knocked on the flurry of activity and entered her room.

“Father!”

The visitor was none other than her father, Marquis Jerron Etro.

The moment she saw him, Sierra rushed over and flung herself into his arms. Jerron patted his daughter’s back as he spoke.

“I brought news I knew you’d like to hear today.”

“I already heard that His Grace the Duke of White has returned to the capital, Father!”

Sierra pulled back from his embrace, meeting Jerron’s eyes.

For a brief moment, a flicker of discomfort crossed Jerron’s face.

“Oh dear, I wanted to be the one to bring you good news, but it seems you already know?”

“Hehe.”

Sierra smiled shyly, twisting her body in delight.

There was, of course, a reason why Sierra had been so worked up since early this morning.

The night before, upon hearing that Duke Karsten White had returned to the capital, Sierra had jumped out of bed at dawn and immediately woke her attendants to begin her preparations. Thanks to her, the entire Etro household had been in an uproar long before sunrise, scrambling to help Sierra get ready.

Sierra lightly held her father’s arm, looking up at him.

“Father, you will arrange an opportunity for me to meet with His Grace soon, won’t you?”

“My daughter wishes it, so of course I will.”

Sierra’s mother, Jerron’s wife, had died in childbirth when Sierra was born. Because of that loss, Jerron cherished his youngest daughter fiercely and was prepared to grant her any wish, no matter what it was.

“If there’s anything else you want, just tell me.”

At his words, Sierra hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.

“You’re planning to finalize the engagement between our families, aren’t you—the one that’s been discussed for so long?”

“Oh, goodness…”

Jerron gave a small laugh, then patted Sierra’s head with a feigned look of disappointment.

“So you’re that eager to leave your father’s side?”

Startled, Sierra hugged his arm tightly.

“Father, you know how much I love you!”

“Truly?”

“And… it’s only an engagement, not a marriage yet…”

She trailed off, glancing up at him anxiously.

“It’s a promise between our families that’s lasted for generations.”

“Such a clever excuse.”

“Oh, come on!”

Sierra pouted and wrapped her arms around her father’s waist.

“Father, I really do love you. But…”

“But?”

“Before it’s an old family promise, I truly do like His Grace, the Duke.”

At her confession that she liked Karsten, Jerron’s hand—caressing her back—momentarily paused.

But that hesitation lasted only a moment. As if nothing had happened, Jerron resumed gently patting Sierra’s back.

“That’s why I really want this engagement.”

“You’re saying you prefer a man over your own father? How heartbreaking.”

“Oh, but I love you more than anyone, Father!”

Sierra hugged him tightly one last time before slipping out of his embrace.

“You’ll grant my wish, right, Father?”

She tilted her head and met his gaze, her eyes pleading.

Unable to resist her, Jerron gave a reluctant nod and patted her head.

“All right, I understand.”

“Heehee, thank you, Father!”

Overjoyed, Sierra sat back down in front of her mirror, admiring her reflection.

“Today, I’m going to be the prettiest girl in the world when I go to meet His Grace!”

Jerron watched her for a moment longer, then gently squeezed her shoulders.

“I’ve had a new carriage prepared for you, so ride it when you go.”

“Yes, Father.”

Sierra answered with a bright smile. Jerron left the room, casting one last affectionate look at his daughter.

The moment he was gone, Sierra gave her maids a quiet command.

“Start over. I want to get ready again.”

Time passed as Sierra’s elaborate preparations continued. Several attempts were made before her hair and makeup finally met her approval.

Suddenly, Sierra’s expression hardened and she whispered coldly,

“Didn’t I tell you everything had to be perfect today?”

She spoke in a low voice as a maid reached to apply pink lipstick to her lips.

“If your mistake ruins everything, how do you plan to take responsibility?”

The maid, realizing the pink lipstick in her hand, panicked—she quickly set it down on the vanity and dropped to the floor, bowing low.

“I—I’m so sorry…”

Sierra let out a deep sigh, shaking her head in exasperation.

“You guys really have it easy.”

Her words made the atmosphere turn icy.

“All you have to do is apologise and ask for forgiveness, and that’s it. It must be nice to live life that way.”

“M-my lady…!”

The maid, still flattened on the floor, called out to her in tears, but Sierra ignored her completely and pulled the bell cord.

Not long after, the Etro household butler arrived, out of breath.

“Brand this girl with a slave’s mark and send her away.”

At the mention of the slave’s mark, every face in the room went pale.

In the capital of the Pensia Empire, a slave’s brand meant that a servant had caused a scandal in a noble household. Anyone marked in such a way would never find work again—it was an exceptionally cruel punishment. Typically, it was only given to those who, after three chances, were still found guilty of theft or grave disrespect toward their masters.

But things were different in the House of Etro.
If Sierra was displeased, even slightly, the mark was given immediately.

The maid pressed her forehead to the floor, begging desperately.

“My lady, please, I was wrong. Please, just this once—”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“—sniff, sob—”

“I’m so sick of hearing you beg for ‘just one more chance.’”

Even as the maid pleaded through tears for mercy, Sierra didn’t so much as glance at her. Instead, she looked on in disgust, her expression twisted with annoyance.

Grabbing the pink lipstick the maid had set on the vanity, Sierra hurled it toward the girl groveling on the floor.

“How dare you try to put pink lipstick on my face?”

“M-my lady!”

“Hurry up and take her away, will you?”

Despite the maid’s desperate cries for forgiveness, Sierra didn’t even look back. After the sobbing girl was dragged out, the remaining servants worked in stiff, anxious silence, terrified of incurring Sierra’s displeasure.

At last, a different maid managed to carefully apply Sierra’s favorite bold red color to her lips. Just then, there was a polite knock at the door, and a man in a knight’s uniform appeared.

He greeted Sierra with a respectful bow, but she didn’t even acknowledge him—she simply spoke first.

“So? Did you find out? Where is His Grace right now?”

“Yes, my lady. The duke is currently at the Lorin Dress Shop.”

At those words, Sierra grinned, admiring her reflection in the mirror once more.

“Well then, I suppose it’s time for me to make my entrance.”