The duchess summoned both Ricardo and me to the main house simultaneously for the final selection of dresses. She was more careful with the dress for the reception than the one for the engagement ceremony.

As if she wasn’t busy, she spent a long time seriously choosing clothes, resulting in me having to change into six water-colored dresses with only slightly different shades.

“You, you look pretty too.”

“I know that already.”

Sabrina grabbed the skirt of her dark green dress with both hands and twirled around once. Seeing that, laughter burst out again. Thanks to that, it felt like the heavy emotions that had been piled up in a corner were evaporating and flying away.

“So, Lienne.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s remember today like this.”

“How?”

“If we look back on the memory of this day in the distant future, you know. That today was our debutante day.”

“Ah…”

I bowed my head involuntarily, feeling Sabrina’s deep-hearted intentions.

She was worried. About me after everything ends. About some of my future days when I would be heartbroken remembering today.

Because as beautiful as I looked in Sabrina’s eyes, she would be too sorry for the future me who would remember today as a longed-for day.

“A debutante attended by your mother. How about that? Isn’t it perfect?”

Instead of answering, I nodded my head.

“And with the young masters of the three duke families and the crown prince. Did you know that only people from count families and above can enter this banquet hall?”

It was a fact that both she and I obviously knew, but I shook my head like an innocent maiden attending her debutante today.

“We have to do our best today. You and I will become the best ladies of this banquet. I have a feeling you’ll dance with young master Rochester today.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Sabrina’s brazen act.

“Then what about you? Who will you have your first dance with, you who will be the best lady of the day?”

“Well, I… I’ll have my first dance with the bravest and quickest man in this banquet hall. As you know, I value fairness in giving everyone a chance.”

Finally, I burst out laughing. Of course, Sabrina wasn’t satisfied with just that.

“Wait here. I’ll bring maids to dress you up again. The current outfit… looks more suitable for an engagement ceremony.”

Sabrina left these words and really went to bring maids to dress me up again.

I had the absurd thought that when the maids come, I should ask them to dress me up like a young lady having her debutante, as she said. Thinking that way, the reception hall that had felt burdensome now seemed a bit exciting.

If I really had the chance to make my debut in Dermeyer society by chance, and happened to dance with young master Rochester on that very day?

I could probably live the rest of my life reminiscing about that one memory.

“Sigh…”

Not long after, Ricardo came to fetch me.

He chose the only song I knew for the first dance. Following his gentle lead, I kept repeating what Sabrina had said countless times. That this is my debutante, and he is the excellent young man who asked me for the first dance.

“You look happy.”

“Yes, because today is a joyful day.”

With the spinning scenery of the banquet hall behind me, I fixed my gaze only on him.

The worried gazes of the duke’s vassals and the disapproving looks filled with anxiety no longer bothered me.

Now, here, he and I are alive.

That was enough for one day.

After the engagement ceremony, I moved from the Hyacinth villa where I had been staying with Ricardo to where my family was staying.

No one had asked me to do so, but somehow it felt a bit embarrassing and unnatural to stay in the same space after getting engaged.

No, to be honest with myself, it was actually an excuse.

I disliked myself for waiting for him who kept not coming, and as the time I spent alone grew longer, my thoughts deepened.

After hearing that the saint would appear at the duke’s residence earlier than the deadline Ricardo had set, my heart would pound anxiously at even the slightest commotion in the villa garden.

After declaring that she would elevate me to the same level as the saint, the duchess no longer asked for my opinion. I, too, couldn’t give her any answer as time kept passing.

The cool breeze that used to blow only in the morning and evening disappeared, and the color of the lush leaves deepened.

As Countess Korhena also returned to the duchess after the engagement ceremony, there wasn’t much change from my previous life. The only difference was that it became even more difficult to meet Ricardo after becoming his fiancée.

I snapped out of my pointless thoughts as I heard a soft sigh next to me.

“As much as I love parties, I really don’t want to go to a royal banquet.”

Sabrina looked around at the abundant items scattered everywhere with a face full of concern.

Four days ago, the clothes and accessories that Freddie had brought in a carriage full filled up one reception room of the villa where I was staying.

Today was the day of the regular royal banquet, so I had to meet Ricardo no matter what.

The royal invitation had arrived for everyone in the Pennel family. Since we couldn’t ignore the royal invitation, at least Sabrina had to attend.

“What if we get quietly disposed of without anyone knowing?”

“We met the Emperor himself and came back alive, didn’t we?”

“How could we not? You’re a phoenix.”

Ever since hearing the story of meeting the Emperor, Sabrina often teased me by calling me a phoenix. She seemed to have forgotten that she was included in that phoenix too. When I first heard it, it was terribly chilling, but as I kept hearing it, I guess I got used to it because now it didn’t affect me at all.

“Our young duke went to the palace first, you say?”

I couldn’t help but smile, remembering Freddie’s embarrassed face as he delivered the message that Ricardo had gone to the palace first.

“Yes.”

“Let’s hurry too.”

No sooner had Sabrina made up her mind than maids from the main house rushed in to attend to us. It was time to start the play again, wearing clothes that didn’t suit us.

As we reached the main gate of the duke’s residence, we could see the duchess’s carriage standing there. As Countess Korhena got off and told us there was no need for separate greetings, we headed straight for the palace.

“As soon as I enter the banquet hall, I’m going to hide in the least noticeable place.”

As I listened to Sabrina’s vain resolve, I sincerely offered words of encouragement.

“Yes, do your best. It won’t be easy though.”

If there was one issue currently heating up the Dermeyer social circle the most, it would undoubtedly be Ricardo. Sabrina, entering with his fiancée, would surely attract people’s attention as well. Moreover, she herself stood out wherever she went.

The duchess’s eye for detail was remarkable, even though she had only seen Sabrina once. Every dress she prepared for Sabrina fit so well it was admirable.

The carriage, oblivious to others’ feelings, sped along the well-maintained road without any hindrance.

As the lengthened day was setting and the entire sky was dyed in sunset colors, we arrived at the palace banquet hall.

Peeking through the curtain slightly, it was a completely different place from when we last came.

I didn’t expect to become familiar with just one visit to the palace, but my heart pounded unpleasantly at the unfamiliar scenery.

As the carriage door opened, we had to encounter an unexpected person first.

With his brilliant red hair and sweet honey-colored eyes, making exaggerated gestures as he paid his respects, it was Julian Bow Parquin.

“Welcome, ladies.”

Seeing his flamboyant appearance, Sabrina seemed to have completely forgotten the resolve she had made just moments ago.

Ha, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

Sabrina raised her lips pleasantly, showing that smile I knew so well.

“Who might this gentleman be?”

“I am Julian Bow Parquin, sent on an errand by young master Rochester.”

“Oh my!”

Although she must have known who he was at first sight, Sabrina covered her mouth with her hand as if truly surprised, fluttering her long, dark eyelashes.

Ah… that crazy girl.

“Aren’t you that amazing young master I’ve only heard rumors about?”

“My, don’t you remember me? We’ve already met at young master Rochester’s engagement ceremony.”

“That day, I was so focused on praying for my younger sister’s good fortune that I didn’t notice anything else…”

Younger sister? Me? Since when?

“Ah, what touching sisterly love.”

“I often hear such words.”

I was so dumbfounded that I didn’t know what expression to make. After the engagement ceremony ended, Sabrina had given very detailed impressions about Walter and Julian. Multiple times at that.

Sabrina took Julian’s hand and got out of the carriage. She didn’t forget to lean against his chest, staggering slightly as if her legs had gone weak.

“Oh my, be careful.”

“I’m sorry.”

During their long and verbose greetings, the two didn’t let go of each other’s hands. As if they weren’t aware they were holding hands.

“By the way, why isn’t young master Rochester here?”

Sabrina, can you see me? I haven’t even gotten out of the carriage yet.

“His Majesty the Emperor summoned him, so I came to greet the ladies in his stead.”