Aris nodded, sniffling, and Hubert handed her the handkerchief before turning to me.

“The dress suits you well, Igraine.”

‘What is he talking about?’

It felt like telling a crying child that crying is good for their health.

‘How did I ever take such words as compliments?’

I smiled outwardly while shaking my head internally.

“Thanks, Hubert.”

I looked down shyly, pretending to be embarrassed. Adding a blush to my cheeks would have been ideal, but that was too much.

But this should be enough.

With Aris quieting down, the carriage soon regained its tranquility. I turned away from Hubert’s satisfied face and looked out the window.

‘Someday, I’d like to slap that smug look off his face.’

Thud.

The carriage stopped. The door opened, revealing the massive palace walls.

Sparkling lights adorned the top of the walls.

It was the royal palace.

As the palace neared, Aris could hardly hide her excitement.

“People will be so surprised when they see Aris, right? I’m worried. They’ll recognize right away that it’s a Mobella dress. What should I say when they ask how I got the order in?”

Her lips slightly upturned and cheeks flushed with excitement, Aris sighed as if she was genuinely concerned.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

I replied nonchalantly, causing her to pause.

“What do you mean, sister?”

Before stepping in alone, I turned to look at her and smiled sweetly.

“People will be too captivated by your beautiful appearance to care about where your dress is from.”

“Sister, you’re making Aris blush.”

Aris covered her face with her fan, seemingly pleased with my comment.

‘Such vanity.’

I thought, ‘Someday, I’ll get to say that to her.’

But seeing her excited face, I felt I could tolerate it today.

‘People won’t be surprised.’

A genuine smile crept onto my face.

‘Because you won’t be wearing that dress.’

The palace was quiet, with the banquet preparations completed.
Because I had to welcome guests as a princess, I arrived earlier than the scheduled banquet time.

As the grand doors of the hall opened, the head steward, who was busy giving instructions to other servants, quickly approached me.

“Countess Lorentz, we have been waiting for……” His eyes scanned me from top to bottom, and a look of dissatisfaction soon appeared on his face.

“What is the matter?”

He then looked at those accompanying me and relaxed his stern expression.

“Ah, Count Hubert. It’s been a while.”

Hubert greeted him by doffing his hat.

“Hello, steward. I am Aris Dolencia, a family member of the Lorentz household.”

Aris lifted the hem of her dress slightly, smiling prettily.

“Yes.”

The steward briefly responded and then turned his attention back to me. I feigned ignorance and spoke.

“I hope I am not too late.”

After checking his watch, he nodded.

“It’s a bit late, but it’s alright as there’s not much to do. However,”

His narrowed eyes expressed disapproval.

“This attire is not suitable.”

“Excuse me?”

“It doesn’t seem like the dress I ordered.”

“Ah…….”

“Why are you dressed like that? So…,”

His eyes swept over my attire with a look of seeing something unpleasant.

“Unsuitably. The dress is overly short and voluminous. Was this your choice, Countess Lorentz? Didn’t you like the dress from Mobella boutique?”

His ringing voice filled the air with tension.

I shrugged.

“There were some circumstances.”

Aris sighed audibly, probably relieved that I would give a proper explanation.

“I did like the dress very much. However…….”

“However?”

I slightly lifted the hem of the dress I was wearing and then let it fall.

“It’s a pity that this dress doesn’t suit me. But you put a lot of thought into choosing it.”

“Who chose it? I have no recollection of choosing such a dress.”

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about you, steward. This dress belongs to Miss Aris. It was custom-made with great care for this banquet. But it seems it didn’t fit her well when she tried it on. It was too tight around the chest, so she couldn’t wear it. But my dress is fine, right?”

“So, you are saying you gave up your dress for her.”

I closed my mouth tightly, my face feigning awkwardness.

The steward looked incredulously at the dress Aris was wearing.

Aris’s shoulders shrank under the sharp gaze of the grumpy old man.

“So that’s why the dress ended up there.”

He clicked his tongue, clearly not pleased, and Aris looked nervous.

As expected.

“Hurry and change. We don’t have much time. It will take longer than expected to match a hairstyle with the dress.”