The man who shone as if he were of a different race than her. The righteous man who alone reached out to her when everyone else trampled on her without a care.

At that time, she only thought he was dazzling. Not knowing what inner pain he was suffering.

And even more unaware that she herself had created the cause of that pain.

‘But today will be different, Leon. Today, I’m going there not to be saved by you, but to save you.’

Her attendance at today’s ball was not just to confirm Leon’s survival.

‘I need to find a way to avoid being branded as a villainess and suffering a terrible death.’

The best method would be to reveal the identity of the true villain and retrieve the magic stone, but there’s no way to do that right now.

‘So instead, I’ll approach the victims of the curse first, and break their curses.’

If there are no victims of the curse, there’s no reason for Kasha to be labeled a villainess.

She would save Leon, the first victim of the magic stone, from the curse, and join hands with him to find clues to unveil the identity of the true villain who holds the magic stone.

Leon is a man who possesses many things – power, ability, looks, and trust. If she can make him an ally, it will be easier to overcome many of the challenges ahead.

‘To do that, I first need to overcome the initial obstacle.’

The first obstacle Kasha is expected to face today: Odette Tyrot.

The only daughter of the Duke Tyrot family hosting today’s ball, and the beautiful, elegant, and arrogant flower of society.

Kasha hadn’t left high society voluntarily; she had been expelled. By Odette Tyrot. Because she had offended her.

And today, Kasha intended to confront this giant of high society, Odette Tyrot, head-on.

To win that battle against the giant and claim Leon as her prize.

The Duke Tyrot’s mansion, located in the heart of the capital, was as lavish and extravagant as she remembered.

Befitting a family that owns prime territory in the central region and a trading company spread like a spider’s web across the continent.

Even after passing through the main gate engraved with the Tyrot family’s crest of a golden ivy, one must cross a long garden before reaching the mansion.

The massive marble columns encasing the exterior of the four-story mansion boast their grandeur, and the lamps lit generously in every room shine like stars in the night sky.

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the ballroom where the ball is held would be flaunting a dazzling brilliance that could make one’s eyes spin.

Recalling that place so vivid in her memory made her feel as if a knife was cutting through her chest.

Thinking of Odette, who would be greeting guests with a bright smile in that place, made her nauseous all over again.

Odette’s actions, which were incomprehensible and baffling at the time.

But now, having died once and come back to life, she thinks she understands. Why she was so cruel then.

‘Just because she could.’

Kasha muttered inwardly with a bitter smile.

Simply because Odette Tyrot had the power to do so, she happened to torment Kasha, who had irritated her eyes that day.

She might have even marveled at her own power, drowning a debutante in high society on the same day.

The nightmare of that day began just before the first dance of the ball started, when Daril left his seat. Daril’s friend, Viscount Fenilton, appeared out of nowhere and dragged him away.

“Just a quick chat.”

“No, at least after the dance is over…”

“I’m in a hurry. Ah, Lady Lyuschino. You don’t mind if I borrow your brother for a moment, do you?”

There was no way Kasha could refuse such a slick request.

In truth, she hated Daril leaving his seat.

Hadn’t she become completely alone after Daril disappeared at her debutante ball? If only being alone was all. She was prey ripe for tearing apart, a punching bag that didn’t know how to fight back.

And on the day of the Tyrot family’s ball, the situation became even more serious as soon as Daril disappeared.

Having lost her partner, Kasha tried to hurriedly leave the ballroom, but it was impossible. People kept pushing and blocking her. Like hunters herding an animal, they drove her to the center of the ballroom.

Pairs of men and women filling her surroundings. All of them showing their white teeth, mocking her.

And as the music started, they spun around her in that state. Trapping Kasha in the center of the ballroom.

She lost her composure as she was pushed around and knocked over by the dancing couples.

Malicious black eyes pierced her from all directions.

“Even if she’s a count’s daughter, is it okay to leave her like that?”

“Count’s daughter? She’s an illegitimate child and a simpleton.”

“I heard she’s crazy.”

They were all young men and women excited by their first taste of alcohol and contact with the opposite sex after their recent debut in high society. Seeing that Kasha couldn’t put up much of a fight, they became even bolder.

The older nobles who might have had some sense and perception to stop them had retreated to the edges of the ballroom to chat. Or they were turning their heads, pretending not to see the situation.

Thud. Thud.

Amidst the shoulders that ruthlessly hit her as they passed by, Kasha struggled not to fall. She tried hard to empty her mind to keep from crying.

It’s okay. When Daril returns, I can escape right away.

But she simply couldn’t get out of the ballroom. The couples filling her surroundings danced in circles at a fast pace. The colorful dress skirts fluttering endlessly as they spun. Eventually, she began to see hallucinations.

When the music finally ended, Kasha was drenched in cold sweat.

It was when she tried to push through the crowd with trembling arms that someone pushed her hard from behind.

“Aah!”

Kasha stepped on her skirt and fell ungracefully. Her skirt flipped up, revealing her undergarments and bare legs to some extent.

Giggling laughter and tongue-clicking sounds choked her throat.

She tried to quickly fix her clothes and get up, but it wasn’t easy due to her trembling legs.

“Hey.”

At that moment, someone in a pale sky-blue dress extended a white hand in front of her.

As Kasha silently tried to grasp that hand, it happened.

“Where are you going, my lady?”

As soon as the kind and elegant voice was heard, the white hand was quickly withdrawn.

Turning around in bewilderment, Kasha saw Odette, the dazzlingly beautiful Tyrot lady, smiling at her.

Just sitting in front of that radiant face was shameful. Kasha stood up, stumbling.

Standing up, Kasha was about the same height as Odette.

Similar height. Similar build. Same age.

But the two facing each other were as different as day and night.

Kasha’s pale face and lusterless blue-black hair. The dull dark green dress. Her posture hunched like a cornered mouse and her frightened expression.

Odette’s bright and vibrant skin and golden hair shining like the sun. The alluring deep pink dress sparkling with frills and jewels. Her confident attitude looking down on others.

Odette commanded Kasha with the attitude of someone in power:

“Just stay there.”

“…Pardon? But I… can’t, I mean… I don’t have a partner.”

“Ah, what are you saying.”

Pfft. Giggle giggle. Servile laughter echoed, as if in agreement with Odette’s mockery.

Odette, without dropping her beautiful smile, kindly ordered:

“This ball was a bit boring today. But it’s quite fun with you here, my lady. Just stay there.”

“But, but…”

“I said, stay there.”

At that moment, Odette’s blue eyes no longer looked beautiful. They were cold and vicious.

Kasha suddenly realized.

Ah. Odette created this whole situation. These people are mere pawns moving according to her mood.

Viscount Fenilton who took Daril away as soon as the dance started, the people who drove her into the ballroom, the rough hand that pushed her down. All of them.

Odette, who had been staring at Kasha’s frozen eyes, smiled brightly again.

“Now, why did the music stop? Keep playing.”

It was just as the dance was about to start again.

That’s when Leon appeared.

Tap. Tap.

A man in a white uniform walking towards them.

He effortlessly parted the crowd that Kasha couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried, and entered the center.

A head taller than those around him, he approached, looking directly at Kasha and Odette.

“Lord Leon.”

Odette’s face visibly brightened upon seeing him. She seemed to have been waiting for him for quite some time. She gave a look to her partner who had been holding her hand, and he released her hand and stepped back without a word.

Everyone at this ball did the same. They all moved nimbly at Odette’s slightest gesture. Like servants not wanting to offend their queen.

However, Leon merely glanced at her excited face with a blank expression, and unexpectedly stopped in front of Kasha.

“Do you not have a partner?”

“…Pardon?”

Taking Kasha’s question as affirmation, Leon extended his gloved hand to her. It was a courteous gesture.

“Then, would you dance with me?”

“……”

Not just Kasha, but everyone around fell silent.

Though he knew everyone was focusing on him, he didn’t seem flustered at all. His upright purple eyes looked straight at Kasha alone.

Who is Leon?

His full name is Leon Miloyonif Aranias.

The eldest son of Grand Duke Osilote, the emperor’s younger brother, and the man who became the youngest vice-captain of the Holy Knights.

The beautiful and perfect holy knight who is the object of admiration for all the young ladies and gentlemen in high society.

He had asked this outcast lady, rumored to be an illegitimate child and a madwoman, to dance.

And at the very moment when Odette was openly ostracizing her.