Chapter 40

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 40

Chapter Title: The Moment a Star Fell on the Count's House (1)

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It was a peaceful day when I was gradually getting used to living with Lucas. Violet came to visit the count's house after such a long time, lugging several thick suitcases.

"Paula! I missed you."

She threw her arms around me the moment she saw me, whispering that it wasn't enough just exchanging letters. Then she rubbed her cheek affectionately against mine, leaving me utterly flustered. It was my first time experiencing something like this—I had no idea how to respond. Is this how people usually greet each other so warmly? My body went rigid, and my flailing hands grasped at empty air.

Lucas approached as he watched us.

"Sis."

"Oh. Lucas?"

She blinked and looked him up and down. From her reaction, it seemed she hadn't known he was staying here.

"Oh my goodness. So that's where you've been hiding."

"I've been imposing on them a little."

"That's not fair. You turned me down flat."

Violet tilted her head to peer at Vincent, who stood behind Lucas. Sensing her gaze, Vincent pretended not to notice and turned away. Violet's cheeks puffed out indignantly, but she didn't complain any further. Instead, she shot Lucas a glare. Lucas just shrugged and returned to Vincent's side.

"Ethan's been so busy lately I barely see him anymore. Everyone's so cold. You're all I've got, Paula."

"It's an honor."

She squeezed me tightly again. As she buried her nose in my shoulder, a sweet fragrance wafted over—a woman's scent. So different from mine. My cheeks burned.

"Hmph. I'm staying here too!"

She shouted at the two men over my shoulder.

"Why?"

"Sis, did something happen?"

Both men reacted at once, equally puzzled. I glanced back at them in a panic, gesturing what's going on? Vincent, naturally, didn't catch on, while Lucas just blinked at me. In the meantime, Violet's cheeks puffed out even more.

"Who said I came to see you? I came for Paula!"

"Me?"

"Yeah! Come on, Paula!"

With that, she abruptly dragged me up the stairs. For her slender frame, she had surprising strength. I twisted around in alarm, but the two men showed no sign of coming to my rescue. If anything, they were pretending not to get involved. This time, my cheeks puffed out.

The mansion grew lively in no time with one more person added.

Violet greeted Isabella, who had come upon hearing the news, then unpacked in the room next to mine. Her reason? She wanted to stay with me. She even wrangled a promise from me that we'd sleep together at night—just us girls. While Violet buzzed with excitement at the thought of gossiping, I kept stealing glances at Isabella. Fortunately, she remained impassive and simply ordered me to check the room for any issues.

Violet had brought quite a lot of luggage, suggesting she planned to stay a while. Last time, she'd sent for clothes after arriving without extras, but this time she was clearly prepared.

"Ta-da! Paula, what do you think of this?"

As I tidied the surroundings, Violet pulled out a pink dress and showed it to me. Layers of lace fluttered along the shoulders and sleeve hems, while frills and lace shaped the skirt to flare out more richly toward the hem. A pink ribbon laced the waist, allowing it to be cinched for a slender silhouette. Up close, I could see roses embroidered in neat rows—an expensive dress of fine quality, obvious at a glance.

It would suit her perfectly.

"It's pretty."

"Right? I think it'd look perfect on you too, Paula."

What? My hand went limp as I touched the fabric. Meeting her gaze, she beamed. That smile felt oddly threatening somehow. A sense of foreboding welled up. Instinctively, I stepped back and waved my hands in refusal.

"I brought it for you, Paula."

"I'll gratefully accept the thought."

"Then what's the point?"

It was still far too expensive. A hair ribbon might be one thing if I wasn't attached to my current one, but this? No. I refused, insisting I couldn't accept something so costly, but Violet said nothing. She simply clutched the dress and advanced on me.

"V-Violet."

"Come on, Paula. What are you doing?"

"Pardon?"

"Take them off."

This time, my "Pardon?" came a beat late. Violet was still smiling brightly. Seizing the moment I hesitated to process her words, she lunged at me.

Screams followed. Her relentless hands went for my apron and black dress. I flailed in terror, resisting desperately, but she stripped them off with ease. In the blink of an eye, I was down to my undergarments.

I curled up on the floor, arms wrapped around myself. It was my first time like this—tears pricked my eyes. It felt like a thief had robbed me of my clothes.

Looking up at Violet in a daze, she tossed the discarded apron and dress far away with her pretty smile intact. Well beyond my reach. My eyes chased after the distant dress. Then Violet thrust something else under my nose. A corset.

"Why this...?"

"Might as well go all out for perfection—it'll make you even prettier."

"Please, have mercy."

I begged, but to no avail. In the end, I wore the corset. When she yanked the laces tight from behind, I panicked. Once she secured it firmly, she cooed over how pretty it looked, but it just felt constricting since it was my first time. It wasn't as suffocating as that initial squeeze, though. After a while, I could breathe more easily.

With it on, my waist nipped in dramatically, and breasts appeared where there'd been none. Wow. Amazing. As I marveled and fiddled with the ribbon at the center, Violet handed me white stockings next. I changed into them without protest, and she followed up with new bloomers. Watching her produce the next items as if she'd been waiting, it was clear she'd come fully prepared.

Once I donned the problematic dress and even shoes, Violet circled me, inspecting every angle. Her gaze was quite sharp. After a few laps, she broke into a satisfied smile and clapped her hands.

"Skirts that are too poufy look dated these days. This volume is just right. You're so slim, Paula, so rather than clinging to show off your figure, a hint like this suits you better. And look—it really does!"

"Thank you."

I smiled awkwardly, fidgeting with the skirt. The gloves felt so foreign. Violet appraised me once more, then reached for my hair. I panicked and blocked her with my hand.

"Why? We have to fix your hair too. And do your makeup."

"My hair's fine. M-Makeup's fine too."

"Oh, come on. You can't dress this pretty and leave your hair like that."

As she closed in, I shook my head frantically. Backing away, I made it clear with vigorous gestures that I absolutely refused. Anything but my hair. She insisted, but I declared I'd rather not wear it at all and began struggling out of the dress.

Flustered by my reaction, she grabbed me to stop. I insisted on taking it off. A tug-of-war ensued—me trying to undress, her trying to prevent it. In one chaotic instant, we both lost our balance and toppled sideways.

As we hit the floor, my bangs parted. As she sat up and looked at my face, her eyes went wide. I slapped my hands over it and scrambled back. I raised my free hand to ward her off, just in case.

"Paula."

"D-don't come closer. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"Being ugly."

She blinked.

"You're not that ugly."

"You don't have to say nice things. It's okay."

"Paula. I mean it."

"I'm sorry."

I shook my head and scooted backward on my rear. Violet tilted her head.

"You're on the plain side, sure, but nothing to apologize for."

"I'm sorry."

"Paula."

As she leaned toward me, I flinched and retreated further in a rush. I didn't even care if the dress got dirty. Violet halted, her outstretched hand freezing in midair.

"I'm sorry."

"Paula."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"......"

Violet fell silent. I just kept repeating my apologies. I couldn't bring myself to look up. I dreaded seeing disappointment or contempt on her face. Whispers of scorn echoed in my ears once more. You're ugly. Useless. Hideous. How do you even show your face? Those old barbs tightened around my throat again.

Don't. Please don't. I didn't want to be born like this. I shook my head to shake them off, but they only clung tighter.

‘You're too hideous.’

A boy my age had said that once. Unlike the others, he'd been kind to me, gentle, played with me. He hadn't cared about the teasing he must have gotten. I'd been so grateful. Deep down, I'd even secretly liked him.

But it turned out he had a crush on Alicia. That's why he'd hung around me. Even after using me, he'd lashed out with blame. My face was ugly; my worth boiled down to looks. Someone had told me to be grateful for it—Father hadn't sold me off because I was so plain.

But was that true? Was it really fortunate? Did not suffering worse than others mean I had to be thankful for this life? I wasn't sure.

"I'm sorry. Really, I'm sor......"

"Paula. Look at me."

A calm voice reached me. I shook my head. She called again. "Paula." The gentle tone warmed me. I stopped pleading for forgiveness and caught my breath. Hesitantly, I lifted my head and found Violet sitting upright, facing me squarely.

"Paula, listen. Your appearance doesn't matter to me at all. Pretty or plain, you're Paula. I like you as you are right now—the kind Paula who treats me nicely, gives me sincere advice, cheers me on, understands even when I'm stubborn. That's the real you to me. Looks have nothing to do with it."

She smiled tenderly. Her unwavering violet eyes brimmed with warmth. Sincerity shone through her firm voice and soft words.

"I like every version of you, no matter what you look like."

"......"

"Don't apologize. What would you even be sorry for? You haven't done anything wrong."

"But......"

"Oh, come on. Do you like me because I'm pretty? Would you hate me if I were ugly?"

I shook my head at once. She laughed. "See?" Her clear laughter rang through the room. I couldn't tear my eyes from her radiant smile.