The beautiful woman in the mirror did the same.

Despite seeing her face every day, she never grew tired of it.

Her abundant, finely curled pink hair was like cotton candy.

Her blue eyes were so clean and clear they seemed to reveal everything.

Her white skin, which had a moist glow, was firm and smooth.

The woman in the mirror exuded an innocent atmosphere, as if she were a blank white canvas.

“Wow! You look like an angel descended from heaven in that white dress.”

Just then, the maid who had gone to get some accessories came back into the dressing room.

Hearing her maid’s continuous exclamations, Esika smiled and asked,

“Could you show me some accessories that go with this dress?”

“Yes!”

The maid laid out several accessories after putting on white gloves.

“I haven’t seen this before.”

Among the high-end accessories, what caught Esika’s eyes was a pendant with a transparent blue gem.

“A gentleman who is enamored by your beauty and noble character sent this gift along with a letter.”

The maid prattled on, as if she herself was proud.

There were many nobles in Bashuker who sent gifts and letters expressing their admiration.

“I’ll go with this one today.”

Esika pointed to the blue gem pendant with her fingertip.

“What about the necklace chain?”

“That one.”

Esika pointed to the necklace chain with her chin.

The maid carefully threaded the pendant onto the chain and placed it around Esika’s neck.

Just as she was about to leave the dressing room, Esika changed her mind.

She had sent an inquiry about the royal heirloom to Solty but had not yet received a reply.

It was possible that, like Reneb, there might be another noble talking about the royal heirloom.

“This and… that.”

Esika pointed to a ring and another piece of arm jewelry.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After double-checking the invitation to the ball she was attending that day, Esika got into the carriage.

The carriage that left the palace traveled a good distance before stopping in front of a mansion.

Though she had visited the mansion of Duke Salz several times before, the sheer size of it never ceased to overwhelm her.

Watching the clearly labor- and time-intensive garden through the carriage window, Esika unconsciously scratched her nape.

However, her neck felt hotter than before she scratched it.

“……?”

Esika took a hand mirror to check her neck. The scratched area had quickly turned red.

“……Is it because it’s dry?”

Indeed, the climate in Bashuker was drier than in Solty.

Thanks to the protagonist’s buff, Esika’s skin had been gleaming recently, even if she only washed it with water.

“Should I pay more attention to moisturizing?”
The dress she wore today had a design that fully exposed her neck and collarbone. The redness on her pale skin was noticeably eye-catching.

“What should I do?”

Eshika briefly pouted her lips and patted some powder onto her neck.

It didn’t completely cover like modern concealer, but looking in the mirror, it seemed she’d applied it well.

“It’ll settle down soon.”

Just as Eshika sighed with relief, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the mansion.

“Please come in, Your Highness.”

Eshika entered the mansion, escorted by the butler.

“Her Highness of Solti is entering.”

As the doorman announced her arrival, the nobles who were already there showed a delighted expression upon seeing Eshika.

Having completely integrated into noble society in recent months, Eshika enjoyed the gathering, mingling and conversing with them.

After sharing the first dance with Duke Zalts, the owner of the mansion, she was inundated with requests for dances.

Naturally, the corners of Eshika’s mouth curled up.

Being the center of attention wherever she went made Eshika quite pleased.

However, there was one thing that had been irritating her for a while now.

“Why does it itch so much?”

At first, it was just her neck.

But gradually, her collarbone, jaw, and cheeks began to itch as well.

Doing her best not to scratch, Eshika gritted her teeth and endured.

But there was a limit to her patience.

“May I have the honor of dancing with you, Your Highness?”

A handsome young man extended his hand toward Eshika, but she merely gripped the hem of her dress and smiled thinly.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’d like to take a short break.”

“Then I regretfully…”

The young man courteously bowed and retreated.

Feeling sorry, Eshika gave him an apologetic smile and moved on.

She wanted to scratch herself all over right at that moment.

But such an indiscreet act couldn’t be done in public.

Being cautious not to speed up her pace, she took careful steps.

After all, it was not the noble way to run.

Running or walking quickly was behavior fit only for commoners.

Eshika began to look for a place where she could be completely alone, while maintaining her poise.

She glanced briefly in the direction of the powder room and internally shook her head.

“The ladies who arrived first would be there.”

Eshika proceeded to the next floor.

Once deep into the corridor, she felt no sign of anyone around.

Unable to hold back any longer, Eshika, who had been gently scratching her neck while walking, entered the room at the end of the corridor.

“Is anyone here?”

There was no reply.

Only the sound of the orchestra playing on the first floor could be heard.

After meticulously ensuring no one was around, Eshika entered.

And immediately upon entering, she vigorously scratched the itchy spots.

“Ah, now I feel alive.”

At first, the sensation was so exhilarating and refreshing, it seemed almost like a new pleasure.

But something was off.