Laura clicked her tongue, finding me pathetic for not showing interest in men. She added that she was going to put effort into getting ready.

“You do these boring tasks. I’m going to become the most beautiful lady at today’s ball and capture the heart of a high noble.”

“So you’re saying you’ll leave all the work to me and then take credit?”

“Charlotte. You’re only quick-witted at times like this. Hehe.”

Laura shrugged her shoulders, asking me to cover for her, and went into the mansion.

‘So I have to do Laura’s work too.’

If my friend’s goal lies elsewhere, what can I do? Even though I’m usually straightforward with others, I somehow become generous only with Laura. Is it because we’re best friends who stick together every day? Perhaps it’s because I owe my life to my friend. If it weren’t for her, I would have already died after being hit by a carriage.

I shook off my thoughts and headed to the garden. When parties are held, all sorts of things happen in the outdoor garden. So I needed to check if the outdoor gas lamps were working properly. If something unfortunate happened today, it would also cause trouble for Countess Roland, my benefactor.

“Hey.”

In the well-decorated garden, I carefully checked if the fountain was well cleaned.

‘I should ask them to clear away the fallen leaves floating in the water.’

Additionally, I needed to make sure the benches where lovers might whisper sweet words were clean. If dust got on expensive dresses when guests sat down, it would be a great discourtesy.

“Hey! Won’t you help me?”

A deep male voice came from the bushes behind. When I turned around, there was no one, making me wonder if I had misheard, so I touched my ear.

“Over here, over here.”

It wasn’t an auditory hallucination or a a trick of the ear. A white hand was sticking up from among the shrubs.

“Who’s there?”

I was on guard, preparing for any possible danger. A rock the size of a fist was already in my hand.

“W-wait. It’s embarrassing, so don’t come closer. Ah! You already came.”

The man hiding among the shrubs was wearing only underwear and covering his body with his hands, seemingly embarrassed. The man was in quite a mess. His body was somewhat dirty as if he had rolled in a dirt pile.

“Why are you like this here? Are you perhaps a vagrant from another country?”

If so, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to chase him away. Noble lords and ladies hate having such people wandering around the party venue.

“Ah, no. On my way here, I ran into thieves and lost everything. Though I look like this now, I’m not a suspicious person, so rest assured.”

Claiming not to be suspicious while looking completely suspicious.

I thought about whether to believe him, but the moment I saw him, I almost did. Behind the smiling stranger’s face, I saw an illusion as if light was shining. A refreshing breeze blew near my face, making my hair flutter.

‘I’ve never seen such a pretty man before.’

His messy golden blonde hair like a magpie’s nest and blue eyes like the sea matched fantastically well. He was a man whose beauty couldn’t be hidden by mere dirt. A man so beautiful I could believe it was an angel’s descent. His fine features and the strange atmosphere within them stimulated my maternal instincts.

“Um, if you stare so intently, I feel embarrassed.”

At the man’s words, my cheeks suddenly flushed hot.

“I-I wasn’t particularly observing your perfect chest muscles. I was just surprised, wondering if you were in your right mind.”

“It seems my body is to your taste.”

Stung, my voice cracked.

“N-no, I said! I’ll bring you clothes, so please hide here and wait for a moment.”

Calming my startled heart, I ran into the mansion and borrowed clothes from the servants.

Whoever this person was, I couldn’t leave him in that state before an important event. What if he caught the eye of nobles with peculiar tastes and got used for strange purposes? With looks like his, he would suit well as a mistress for an older lady… Oh my, what am I imagining now?

“Wear this and leave here quickly. If you follow the main road, you’ll reach downtown.”

As I handed over the clothes while looking elsewhere, his touch brushed my hand. Heat rose from the tip of my hand that slightly touched him and spread throughout my body.

‘Heart, don’t act up.’

My heart was beating excessively. That day I realized for the first time. I was a woman who easily falls in love, brightening up at faces.

I was afraid the sound of my heartbeat would reach that man’s ears.

“Thanks for helping.”

With the sound of clothes rustling against his body, the man chuckled.

Thinking he must be dressed, I turned my head to chase him away, and his beastly broad shoulders and sensual abs caught my eye. The man had only put on pants so far.

“Are you crazy? Please hurry and put on your clothes.”

“It’s been a while since I dressed without assistance.”

A vagrant talking about assistance? What does that mean? Do you think I’ll believe your lies!

But his body is really nice. Especially that chocolate-like well-defined abdomen area…

“I’m fully dressed now, so will you look me in the eyes?”

At the man’s words, I finally managed to raise my gaze.

Despite wearing a servant’s clothes that didn’t fit him, the man looked perfect, though I felt sorry for the tightly stretched buttons.

“Since I received help, I’d like to repay the favor. What’s your name?”

The man’s sea-like eyes curved gently, capturing my gaze. He approached with long strides, bringing our bodies closer. I unconsciously stepped back.

‘Being captivated by a mere vagrant. Get a grip, Charlotte!’

If he came any closer, I might give him my heart without realizing it. Though I’m a baronet’s daughter, I’m still unmarried. I shouldn’t be swayed by such a man. Rumors in society spread as fast as horses.

“Eat this and be on your way. Many important people are coming here today, so don’t even think about approaching this area.”

I put a hard piece of bread in his mouth and ran away.

I, Charlotte Liv, seem to have fallen in love with a nameless vagrant. My life is ruined.

To be so easily swayed by mere looks. Was I such a shallow person?

‘I’ve always prided myself on not being attracted to men’s looks, even if I was interested in money.’

When Mrs. Roland previously asked if I had an ideal type of man, I had answered like this:

“I’d like a man who has enough money to help with my business.”

At that time, Countess Roland chuckled and asked me this,

“Then the man’s age or appearance… doesn’t matter at all?”

“Of course not!”

I lied to the respected Mrs. Roland. I’m sorry, my lady.

When I admitted that I wanted someone wealthy to support my business, regardless of a man’s looks or status, I wondered—when did I become so fickle, changing my mind as easily as flipping my palm?

‘I’m ruined. Now that I know such a face exists in this world. How can I meet other men now!’

I will surely compare them.

For the rest of my life, I’ll weigh the appearance of men I meet against that man from earlier and be perpetually disappointed.

Why does a vagrant have such a good body? He didn’t even have the tadpole-like pot belly that most men commonly possess, perhaps because he couldn’t eat properly.

In truth, I had been trying to think of men’s protruding bellies as part of their character and one of their cute charm points. But now I couldn’t think that way anymore.

I cooled my burning cheeks with my fingertips and hid in a corner of the kitchen.

I regretted my past declaration that I could accept even an 80-year-old childless man as a groom as long as he had money and was alive. Mrs. Roland was surely looking for wealthy older men as potential husbands for me.

‘If that’s how it is, I have no choice. I’ll try to impress the madam and somehow succeed in attracting investment.’

This life was ruined.

Because I saw that man, my standards had risen too high, and I wouldn’t be able to marry for the rest of my life. Probably no other man would ever make my heart flutter again.

That day, I resolved to at least become wealthy. After racking my brain, that was the only solution I could think of. I had to grow the fabric shop my father had bought me before he left for war.

“Ah! I should have at least asked for his name.”

With looks like that, he would surely become some noblewoman’s lover and appear in social circles. He probably snuck into the countess’s mansion despite being a vagrant with that goal in mind.

When this thought occurred to me, my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.

“How could this be? I, like a fool, was used by my first love.”

Why hadn’t I figured out the man’s dark intentions earlier? I should have just left him n*ked and fled. Instead, I helped him disguise himself as a servant.

After much deliberation, I finally went to the butler and advised him to tighten security around the house.

“I think there’s a strange person wandering around here.”

“I understand. I’ll find and chase them away before the party begins. Could you perhaps tell me what this person looks like?”

“He was an angel.”

The butler’s pupils shook momentarily at my sincere words. He seemed taken aback.

“Pardon?”

“Brilliant golden hair, eyes like clear topaz sparkling…… Anyway, he was the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life. He might try to sneak into the party disguised as a servant, so we need to be vigilant.”

After hearing my words, the butler tilted his head, appearing to be thinking about something.

“Ah, perhaps!”

“???”

“No, nothing. I’ll handle it. I’ll be going now.”