“Ha, whose side are you on right now, sister? Are you taking that clerk’s side over mine?”

“I mean don’t be unreasonable, Danae. They’re saying that dress already has an owner. You should accept that and choose something else, not get angry like this.”

“Sister!”

“How uncomfortable do you think that clerk feels because of your behavior? Just pick something else. You look good in red or peach too. That deep purple dress over there would suit you as well. So let’s try on other dresses first, okay?”

I said while gently rubbing her shoulder, as if trying to soothe her anger.

However, my persuasion was unlikely to work on Danae, who was already full of irritation and stubbornness at not getting her way. Danae irritably shook off my hand on her shoulder and shouted.

“No. I like that dress. I must have that one.”

“…Danae. Please.”

“Oh, really! Stop nagging, sister! Forget it, I’m definitely buying that one no matter what!”

Then Danae glared fiercely at the clerk and said.

“That dress, how much did that woman offer to buy it for? I’ll add 20 gold coins on top of that, so sell it to me.”

The clerk’s eyes widened at those words. No wonder, as 20 gold coins was enough for an ordinary commoner to live comfortably for four months. He stammered and asked.

“R-really…?”

“Yes. What do you think? Are you considering selling it to me now?”

Danae asked him with an arrogant attitude. The clerk rolled his eyes for a moment as if pondering, then soon swallowed dryly and said.

“If, if Young Lady of the Marquis could provide me with that money within three days… I suppose I could sell it to you…”

“Why three days? If I like it after trying it on, I can give it to you right away today.”

“Th-then please come this way. I’ll hold the dress up to you.”

The clerk led Danae to the dress with a servile attitude, bowing repeatedly.

My maid Annie and Danae’s maid Emma watched her behavior and whispered quietly.

“Oh dear, she’s at it again. Emma, it must be tough for you.”

“…What can I do? Is this the first time our young lady has acted like this? I feel sorry for whoever the original owner of that dress is. She’s about to have the dress made just for her over several months snatched away right before her eyes.”

They clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

I watched them and Danae walking towards the fitting room with the dress, and thought.

‘I tried to stop you and gave you a chance to correct your wrong mindset. But you’re snatching away Viscount Miles’ daughter’s dress, just like in your past life.’

She, Danae, had also taken Viscount Miles’ daughter’s dress in her past life.

Of course, the situation wasn’t exactly the same as now. Back then, when attention was focused on Viscount Miles’ daughter wearing that dress at her birthday party, Danae, unable to bear her greed and jealousy, used her father the Marquis’ power the next day to forcibly take away that dress.

Just thinking about how much effort I had to put into mediating between Viscount Miles and Marquis Yusten, whose relationship nearly soured because of that incident, still gives me a headache.

‘Yes. Keep living like that. Don’t feel sorry for anyone, don’t reflect on your actions. Keep on shamelessly taking things from others.’

The more you do so, the deeper you’ll fall into the trap I’ve set for you.

I deliberately maintained an expressionless face to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.

As time passed, on the afternoon of the day of the party.

As soon as I finished my late lunch, I was dragged to the bathroom by Annie’s hand and then pulled in front of the dressing table. Annie combed my hair, which was giving off the scent of dried roses, then pinned it up with an amethyst hairpin and changed me into the newly tailored dress.

It was a simple bell-shaped dress in ivory with a subtle purple tint. Annie seemed quite displeased, saying it was too plain, but I pretended not to hear.

After finishing all preparations, I took the gift box for Viscount Miles’ daughter and headed to the main building with Annie.

As we entered the garden, Mr. Carter, who was standing in front of the carriage, greeted us. Since I was supposed to meet Leonard at Viscount Miles’ townhouse where the party was being held, I was planning to ride this carriage with Danae today.

As I got into the carriage with his escort and waited for a moment, I heard the voices of servants exclaiming softly outside the door.

At that sound, I looked out the window.

Indeed, it was worth the servants’ admiration. Danae’s appearance in a sparkling silver dress, with a large diamond hairpin and necklace shaped like blazing flames, was dazzlingly beautiful and glamorous.

I said to her as she walked up like an empress and got into the carriage.

“You look very pretty today, Danae.”

“Thank you, sister. You look… pretty too.”

I responded with a smile to her as she glanced at my plain dress with a slight smirk.

Viscount Miles’ townhouse, located in the suburbs of the capital, was a cozy and charming mansion with a red roof.

The carriage carrying Danae and me passed through the not-so-large central garden and arrived at the main entrance of the mansion. Soon the door opened, and a middle-aged butler, looking somewhat excited by the visit of many guests, welcomed us.

“Welcome! Lady Christine Sapiel Yusten, daughter of the Marquis, and Lady Danae Rubina Yusten…!”

He greeted me cheerfully as I got out first, but when Danae followed, he lost his words and stared at her blankly.

He had recognized the dress she was wearing now. I pretended not to notice his feelings and said to him.

“Could you guide us to the ballroom where the party is being held?”

“…Of course. This way, please.”

The butler, flustered, guided Danae and me to the right side of the mansion. After turning a corner and crossing a corridor, we saw the ballroom with its huge doors, easily 3 meters tall, wide open.

As we entered to the sound of a soldier announcing our arrival, all eyes of those who had arrived earlier and were enjoying the party turned towards us.

To be precise, the attention was focused on Danae.

I stepped back a pace from her side, who looked like a living diamond rose. And I gazed at Danae, who was enjoying herself surrounded by people praising her beauty.

“Christine!”

Just then, I heard a voice calling me as someone approached. It was Leonard.

With his handsome forehead exposed and wearing a light ivory formal suit, he looked quite dashing. He smiled affectionately and briefly kissed the back of my hand.

“You look as beautiful as a violet. I can’t take my eyes off you, Christine.”

“…Thank you.”

I awkwardly raised the corners of my mouth and quickly pulled my hand away from his grasp.

He looked somewhat disappointed at my reaction.

“Oh, Young Master!”

At that moment, Danae, who had been surrounded by people, noticed Leonard by my side and approached us.

I watched as Leonard’s face, which had turned at Danae’s call, became dumbfounded, and his handsome cheeks and the tips of his ears gradually turned red.

The words of the man who had just said he couldn’t take his eyes off me shattered into pieces the moment he saw Danae.

Danae, seeing Leonard’s stupid face staring at her blankly, smiled brightly and said.

“Young Master, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? Have you been well?”

“…You, you look beautiful today. Danae. Really… Really…”

Leonard seemed to have forgotten how to speak properly at the sight of her.

I snorted quietly, making sure they couldn’t hear me, as I watched Leonard and Danae, who seemed to have completely forgotten about my presence. While I found their behavior both disgusting and amusing, I also thought about how stupid I was in my past life for never suspecting these two who were showing such obvious signs.

‘Yes. Both of you, enjoy this moment to your heart’s content.’

I turned my gaze away from the two looking at each other and asked a nearby servant for a cup of tea.

Just then, the surroundings suddenly became noisy. Soon, Viscount Miles, holding a glass of wine, came out to the center of the ballroom, leading Lady Emily Miles, the protagonist of this party.

I observed Lady Emily Miles, the young woman standing next to Viscount Miles, with my eyes. She had a small, thin build with teal hair and skin with a slightly bluish tint. It was evidence of her mixed blood with the Huci tribe.

Wearing a teal dress that matched her unique skin color, she looked at the many people gathered for her twentieth birthday party with a slightly flushed face. Viscount Miles gazed at his daughter lovingly for a moment, then looked at the guests and shouted.

“Thank you sincerely for coming to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. Now, my daughter would like to pour each of you a glass of wine made by our family’s winemaker and express her gratitude. Would you be willing to accept?”

At this, cheers erupted from among the people.

Encouraged by the people’s reaction, the Viscount smiled with a flushed face and looked around for a moment.

He seemed to be planning to greet me, Leonard, and Danae first, as we were the highest-ranking guests at today’s party. Just then, my eyes met the Viscount’s. I inwardly swallowed a bitter smile and thought.

‘I’m sorry, Viscount. I’m sorry, Lady Miles.’

Unaware of my thoughts, Viscount Miles and his daughter strode towards me. Then, taking glasses from a servant who approached them, they poured me a glass of purple wine and offered it.

“Thank you for coming, Lady Christine Yusten.”

“It’s my pleasure. Happy birthday, Lady Emily Miles.”

“Thank you, Lady Christine.”

Emily responded shyly when I offered my congratulations. It was then that it happened.

“Since sister received a glass, is it my turn next?”