Chapter 17

And before we knew it, the day of Ralph's birthday party had arrived.

"Oh... You are so beautiful that even the goddess of beauty would be jealous...!"

"You're exaggerating."

Thinking about how much the dress cost made me feel ill, and I was adorned with beautiful, luxurious accessories and carefully made up. Nadia clasped her hands together and was in tears as she looked at me.

No matter how I thought about it, she, who was properly dressed, was several times more beautiful. With her beautiful silver hair tied up and carefully made up, she exuded a charm that was hard to believe for a 16-year-old.

I tried to calm Nadia, who was crying, so as not to ruin my makeup, when a knock echoed in the waiting room where we were.

"Please come in," I said, and Ralph, the star of the day, came in. I couldn't help but catch my breath when I saw him casually.

"......"

He was dressed perfectly, and no matter who looked at him, he was a prince in every sense. I was so captivated that I stood there, rooted to the spot.

Even the maids, who were usually composed, blushed and stared at him. Only Nadia, who had stopped crying, said calmly, "Oh, that color is so beautiful."

Then, Ralph covered his mouth with one hand, and his face was as red as his ears.

"Miss Lysette, you are truly beautiful."

"Ah, thank you."

"Standing beside you as your fiancé feels like a dream."

Hearing this, even though it was just a pretense, his face lit up with genuine happiness, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Shall we go?"

"......Yes."

And so, I took his hand and started walking.

◇◇◇

"Happy birthday, Ralph. And congratulations on your engagement. Your partner is a very lovely person, indeed."

"Thank you."

Since then, I have been standing beside Ralph, smiling all the time. The fact that people came and went, only making brief greetings, was a relief, as it prevented my cover from being blown.

... When we entered the hall, the vast, luxurious space and the countless guests made me dizzy. Moreover, everyone's gaze was fixed on me.

Their gazes were varied—some were appraising, others filled with jealousy. It seemed that everyone was more focused on me, the sudden fiancée of the star of the show, rather than on Ralph himself.

"Miss Lysette, are you alright?"

"......Yes. I'll do my best."

Despite the effort I had put in over the past month, I felt like it was all about to be undone, but I steeled myself.

"Miss, would you like to talk to me for a moment?"

After a while, Nadia led me away from Ralph, and I was able to take a break. Taking a sip from the glass she handed me, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, I'm sorry for the trouble."

"No, it must be tiring to be in such a social setting after so long. And with all that attention, it must be hard to breathe."

I thanked Nadia again and turned my gaze to Ralph, who was standing a little distance away.

"Congratulations, Ralph."

"Thank you."

The young women in front of him all blushed and had the expressions of infatuated girls.

On the other hand, Ralph, while not being rude, couldn't hide his lack of enthusiasm.

"Is Ralph always like this?"

"No. Today, since he is the host, and perhaps because of Miss Lysette, he is quite charming."

"Really...!?"

"Yes, really."

Ralph usually had a gentle smile and was the most charming person I knew, so I was surprised.

"Only Miss Lysette is special."

I didn't feel bad about her words. In fact, I felt a little happy, thinking that I was just too nervous from the social setting after so long.

"......Are you Miss Lysette of the Ashburton family?"

"Ah, yes."

"Actually, I met you when we were children."

The man who spoke to me seemed to know me. He was about my age.

By the way, I had already been told that my stepmother and stepsister would not do anything unnecessary, though I wasn't given the details.

"Miss Lysette"

Just as I was thinking that I didn't want to talk about my family, I was suddenly pulled by the waist, and when I looked up, there was Ralph.

He had been entertaining guests just a moment ago, but when did he... Nadia, who was standing next to me, giggled.

"Oh, you're quick. Do you have eyes in the back of your head?"

"I don't."

The man who had spoken to me left the scene as soon as he saw Ralph.

"Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Yes, nothing in particular."

I was just spoken to normally, but Ralph seemed overly protective. After that, I was back by his side, but he seemed closer than before.

"Isn't this a bit close...?"

"Do you mind?"

"N-no, I don't mind."

"Good. I love you, Miss Lysette."

At Ralph's words, the surroundings buzzed. "That's Ralph...," "Is he really head over heels?" I could hear such comments, and I felt my face heat up.

He continued to smile at me with a meltingly sweet expression. The word "special" that Nadia had mentioned earlier suddenly came to mind, and I pretended not to notice my heart racing.

"Ralph, can I ask you for a moment? I need you to come quickly."

"......Understood. Miss Lysette, I'll call Nadia right away, so please don't move from here."

"Okay, I understand."

Nadia had been called by the marchioness to make the rounds, and I felt guilty for causing both of them so much trouble because of my shortcomings.

While waiting for Nadia and seeing Ralph off to the marchioness, I picked up a glass nearby when—

"Hey, you. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"......Yes?"

Turning to the voice, I saw several noble daughters staring at me with a glare.