Chapter 15

And so, on the day of the social party.

I put on my dress and did my makeup at the main house, and I was all set.

Rebecca had been watching me as I prepared.

"Miss Sophie, you look beautiful!"

"Thank you, Rebecca. Weren't you bored?"

"No, it was very enjoyable to watch!"

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that."

Rebecca is a girl, after all, so she's interested in dresses, jewelry, and makeup.

Today, I'm wearing a dress with a black base and gold embroidery, and the jewelry is also luxurious and dazzling.

This is my debut in society as the Duchess of Bernhard.

I've attended social events many times before, but this might be the most nerve-wracking one yet.

In the past, as a poor countess, I didn't receive much attention, but now, as a duchess, the level of attention will be completely different.

I think it will be fine with Alan by my side, but I'm still nervous and anxious.

"Well, I'm off, Rebecca."

"Yes, have a good trip."

Rebecca sees me off with a cute smile.

Phew, that's a relief. I feel a bit less tense.

I pat Rebecca's head and then head out of the main house to the carriage waiting at the gate.

Alan, who had already finished his preparations, was waiting by the carriage.

"I kept you waiting, Alan... I mean, Lord Alan."

That's right, from now on, in public, I need to use the honorific.

I've been calling him Alan recently, so I need to be careful.

Alan usually wears a neat outfit, but today he's dressed even more elegantly and formally.

He's wearing a black jacket with gold embroidery, just like me, and his hair is combed back, giving him a different aura.

To put it simply, he looks incredibly handsome and cool.

If he goes to the social event looking like this, he'll be popular even if he's not the head of the duchy.

"Sophie. I've been waiting. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Good, let's go. Sophie, take my hand."

"Yes."

Alan offered his hand, and I gently placed mine in it.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I've touched him.

I'm starting to feel a bit excited, a different kind of excitement from the nervousness about the social event.

Oh, calm down, me. We're just holding hands.

I get into the carriage and sit across from Alan as we head to the venue of the social event.

"Sophie, are you okay? You seem nervous."

"Yes, I am a bit nervous, but I'll be fine."

"What are you nervous about? It's not your first time at a social event, is it?"

"Of course it's not my first time, but it is my first time as a duchess. I'm worried about whether I can behave in a way that doesn't disgrace the duchess."

"There won't be any royalty or other duchies today besides the Bernhard family. There won't be anyone to make us nervous."

By mentioning the names of the royal family and other duchies, I realize just how prestigious the position of duchess is.

In the past, I was even mocked by other countesses and viscounts because I was from a poor countess family.

Now that things have changed so suddenly, I'm not sure how to behave.

"Be careful not to make any business agreements without my permission, especially those involving large sums of money."

"Understood."

Since I'm now a duchess with the power to handle large sums of money, there will be people who try to approach me with business proposals.

Since I was originally from a poor countess family, many people probably think I can be lured with money.

I need to be very careful about that.

"Other than that, you can act relatively freely, as long as it doesn't disgrace the Bernhard duchy."

"...Yes."

No, I think that's the hardest part...

But I guess Alan is trying to help me relax.

"Thank you, Lord Alan. I'll do my best."

"You don't have to try so hard, you know."

As we talk, the carriage stops at the venue.

Okay, I'm still a bit nervous, but I need to try my best.

Alan gets out first and offers his hand to escort me.

"Thank you."

"Ah... Sophie, there's one more thing I want to say."

"What is it?"

We hold hands as we walk to the venue, and Alan meets my gaze.

"There won't be any woman at today's event who is more beautifully dressed than you. So you can be confident."

"...What?"

"Huh? Did you not hear me?"

"N-no, I heard you...!"

There's no way I couldn't hear him at this close distance, but I didn't expect him to say something that sounds like a pickup line!

Is this just an objective observation?

"You're wearing a dress and jewelry befitting a duchess, and there won't be any noblewoman at today's event who can outdo you in that regard."

"O-oh, so you're talking about the dress and jewelry!"

"Yes."

I almost misunderstood that.

Indeed, the dress and jewelry are made with the duchy's wealth, and it would be hard to surpass them.

"But even without those, I don't think there will be any woman who can surpass you."

"Wh-what...?"

I'm surprised again by what Alan murmured.

"Is that also an objective observation?"

"Yes, even objectively."

What does that mean...?

"Okay, are you feeling less nervous? Let's go, Sophie."

"A, a, yes..."

When Alan says that, I let him lead me to the venue.

I'm still nervous.

But it's a different kind of nervousness, and my face feels hot.

I need to concentrate and do my best at my first social event.

I take deep breaths to calm myself down as we enter the venue.

During this time, I try to forget about Alan's presence.

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