“A formal letter from the Imperial Palace came for the little one.”

“What?”

“It seems to have been sent by Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Did, did I do something wrong?”

As Rosette trembled, Duke Adrian calmly replied.

“It’s nothing like that, so there’s no need to worry, Rose. Will you open the letter first?”

“Yes.”

Rosette tore open the seal while receiving the full attention of her family. The letter, written in Ophelia’s familiar handwriting, stated that she was planning to hold a charity party soon.

It said that she intended to invite several noble children, and she would like Rosette to come as well.

It also mentioned that they would all watch a puppet show together and hold an event to raise funds by selling cherished items, so there was no need to feel burdened.

The duke, who received and checked the contents of the letter from Rosette, relaxed.

“Fortunately, it’s nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious, you say!”

Isabelle, who had also read the letter’s contents, was a bit agitated.

“It’s still a party hosted personally by Her Majesty the Empress! There’s so much to prepare!”

She covered her cheeks with both hands and let out a silent scream.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have made a day dress even if Rose objected.”

“I have a day dress. Lady Wide gave it to me as a gift, remember?”

“That’s a spring dress. How can you wear that? Are you planning to make House Adrian a laughingstock by not having proper summer clothes fitted?”

“Plus, you’ll die of heat, squirt!”

Following Isabelle, Lucas chimed in, leaving Rosette at a loss for words.

Daniel gently soothed Isabelle.

“The party is in three weeks, so we can have one made quickly even now. Don’t worry too much. Lady Wide has fast hands.”

“Sigh, I need to contact the salon right away. But was only Rose invited?”

“It seems so. They probably invited children around Rose’s age. You might be able to make friends there.”

“Really?”

Rosette asked with a half-believing heart.

“Will I be able to make friends?”

Rosette currently had two friends. Pipi, her best friend no matter what anyone said, and Melody, with whom she was gradually becoming closer.

However, strictly speaking, the two of them – or rather, one bird and one person – weren’t what you’d typically call friends.

Pipi wasn’t human, and Melody was of a different social status. Especially Pipi, who couldn’t even communicate with other people.

Perhaps because of this, Duke Adrian always wanted to help Rosette make noble friends her own age. He seemed to think this would be a good opportunity.

But Rosette was skeptical.

‘Will they all like me?’

Although she loved her family and was proud to be an Adrian, Rosette knew how to view the situation objectively.

How many nobles would look favorably upon a commoner-born girl who became a princess overnight?

Moreover, Rosette didn’t even know her own parents. That too would be viewed unfavorably in noble society, which revolved around bloodlines.

But Duke Adrian didn’t seem to think about that at all.

“Of course you can make friends, naturally.”

“But…”

“Of course, if you say you don’t want to go, we’ll decline this invitation. So do as you wish.”

Goodness, declining an invitation from the Empress! It was unthinkable.

In fact, Isabelle shook her head slightly towards Rosette with a shocked expression.

Rosette finished her thoughts and smiled brightly.

“I want to go.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll go and make lots of friends.”

Though she thought she probably wouldn’t make any, she swallowed those words. If she told the truth, it seemed like it would make Dad sad.

And so, unexpectedly, Rosette was set to make an appearance in front of people three weeks later.

“The young princess will also attend the charity party hosted by Her Majesty the Empress in three weeks?”

Upon hearing the news, Lady Noyer looked as if she might fall over backward in shock.

“She still needs to learn more before her debut…”

Rosette was a quick learner and had mastered etiquette well for the time she had studied. However, she was still at a miserable level compared to her noble peers.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said I’d go.’

As Rosette slightly regretted her decision due to Lady Noyer’s reaction, which was even more intense than expected, Isabelle casually replied.

“Just teach her the basic etiquette properly. She’ll be mingling with her peers anyway, so her mistakes won’t stand out too much.”

“But…”

“And what’s wrong with making a few mistakes? Who would dare speak ill of Rose?”

“That’s true.”

“But teach her the proper way to greet royalty again. I noticed she was still quite sloppy last time.”

“That…”

Lady Noyer hesitated for a moment before resolutely pledging.

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Rosette’s opinion was nowhere to be found in all of this.

For the next three weeks, Rosette underwent special training with Isabelle and Lady Noyer.

She also carefully chose items to donate for the charity party. Among them was her most cherished rabbit doll.

With sapphires that matched Rosette’s eye color for its eyes, and jewels adorning various parts of its clothes, the doll looked expensive at a glance.

“Miss, are you sure this is alright? This is the doll you sleep with every night.”

“Yes, it’s fine. I can sleep well without this doll now.”

As Rosette spoke confidently, Joanne seemed a bit disappointed.

“When did our young miss grow up so much? You could have grown up a bit slower.”

“It’s okay, Joanne. I’m still young, so I still need your care.”

“That’s a relief then. I’ll keep this doll safe for you.”

“Yes, thank you.”

In addition, she decided to donate dresses she didn’t wear and accessories.

And then three weeks passed quickly, and it was the day to go to the charity party.

“Remember, Rose.”

Isabelle whispered seriously to Rosette, who was wearing a pretty dress hastily made by Lady Wide.

“Your name is Rosette Adrian.”

“Huh? Of course that’s…”

Why was she suddenly saying something everyone already knew?

As Rosette blinked with an uncomprehending face, Isabelle looked exasperated.

“You’re an Adrian.”

“That…”

“Just remember that. Then you’ll be able to get through today safely.”

That was it.

“Bell gave you good advice.”

Even Daniel, who had been listening behind Isabelle, nodded.

However, Rosette still couldn’t understand what they meant.

Daniel lightly tapped her cheek.

“You’ll understand when you get there.”

“Okay.”

Rosette nodded in bewilderment. Lucas snickered.

“Eat lots of delicious food there!”

“Is food all you think about?”

“The food is the best part of a party! Got it, squirt? Eat lots of tarts. You like them, right?”

“Okay.”

Rosette nodded again, still confused. Lucas habitually reached out to ruffle her hair but stopped his hand in mid-air.

He then lightly patted her head instead.

“Anyway, have a good time. If anyone bullies you, remember their names. Your big bro will teach them all a lesson!”

It was surely an empty boast, but it was quite reassuring.

Rosette took Lucas’s hand and climbed into the carriage, nodding.

“Yes! I’ll be going then!”

Contrary to her confident words about going, Rosette became extremely nervous as soon as the carriage departed.

‘Can I really do well?’

It was the first time she had been separated from her family since being adopted into the Adrian family. She always had Duke Adrian or the three siblings by her side.

But now she was going alone to an official event hosted by Ophelia.

‘If I make a mistake, it will damage Adrian’s honor.’

As Rosette Dallas, Rosette had gone to a party just once. It was a debutante party.

The Marquis of Dallas, who had tried not to expose her to the outside world, had emphasized with an obviously displeased face several times:

−Go and behave properly. If you tarnish the Dallas name, I won’t let it slide.

Rosette tried her best, but she only came back after being ridiculed. Naturally, as soon as she returned to the mansion, she was slapped.

For days, she couldn’t even eat and was just locked up in the study room. It was a terrible memory she didn’t want to think about.

‘Of course, I know that won’t happen now.’

Her current family would comfort her no matter what she did at the party.

But that’s why she was even more worried. She didn’t want to see those kind family members become the subject of other people’s gossip.

Sensing Rosette’s tension, Pipi, who was hiding in her sleeve, pecked the back of her hand with his beak.

“Yes, Pipi. I feel a little relieved that you’re here.”

Don’t worry. Just trust me! If anyone bothers our Rosette, this Pipi will teach them a lesson!

“Yes, thank you.”

While Rosette was conversing with Pipi, the carriage drove on and on, finally arriving at the performance hall on the outskirts of the capital where the charity party was being held.

Holding the hand of the escort knight, Rosette got out of the carriage and straightened her back as she had learned in her etiquette lessons.

“Let’s go, Pipi.”

Rosette followed the servant into the performance hall.

The interior, neither too small nor too large, was bustling with various children. At a glance, there seemed to be about a dozen or so. Naturally, Rosette didn’t recognize any faces.

“Hey, who’s that?”

“I’ve never seen her before.”

“Is she really a noble?”

“There shouldn’t be any kids we don’t know among those invited to this party.”

As an unfamiliar face appeared, the children began to whisper. Rosette swallowed dryly and slowly walked to a corner seat.

She didn’t have the confidence to introduce herself first, nor could she. It was because of Isabelle’s final emphasis:

−You must never approach and introduce yourself first. You’re an Adrian. You should let someone approach you first.

I am an Adrian.

Rosette repeated to herself inwardly as she received piercing gazes.

At that moment, someone clapped their hands and said:

“I think I know who she is. It’s that new Adrian princess who just arrived. They said she had pink hair.”

“Oh?”

The gazes examining Rosette became even more blatant. Among them, a boy with reddish-brown hair approached Rosette as a representative.

“Hey, are you that Adrian princess?”

The boy, who had suddenly appeared in front of Rosette, looked her up and down with his arms crossed.

Rosette tried to answer confidently.

“Yes, I’m Rosette Adrian. But who are you…”

“Are you really that great?”

He was a completely self-centered boy. The nameless boy didn’t even introduce himself and circled around Rosette, observing her.

“What’s this, are you really that amazing? You look just like a scrawny foal.”