Chapter 41

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: The Moment a Star Fell on the Count's Family (2)

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"Sorry for startling you. I was just so happy seeing Paula become prettier that I didn't think about your feelings."

"No, not at all. You don't need to apologize."

"Then Paula shouldn't say things like that ever again. Got it?"

She reached out her hand again with a bright, tinkling laugh. I stared at those delicate fingertips. She wiggled them. I hesitated before extending my hand. She grabbed it firmly and stood up. I rose with her. Her beautifully smiling face filled my vision.

I bowed my head. I swallowed hard against the lump rising in my throat. My eyes stung. It must have been because her hand holding mine felt so warm.

"Hmm, how about we just fix up the back of your hair? We won't touch the bangs, no makeup either—just the back. It'd be a shame to waste such a pretty outfit, right?"

"Th-then just the back..."

"Yes, just the back! I promise I won't touch the front at all."

Violet repeated her promise several times before quietly moving behind me. Then she carefully touched the back of my hair. My body instinctively stiffened. I was on edge, worried she might touch my bangs. I was ready to bolt at the slightest sign of anything off.

Thankfully, she kept her promise and only touched the back.

"Paula's hair is so curly too. Mine is as well."

Look, she said, showing me her own hair. Just as she said, the ends curled. Overall, it had a wavy quality.

"Sometimes I get jealous of people with straight hair because mine's so curly. But then people with straight hair say they envy my volume even after styling. Everything in moderation, I guess. Still, Paula's is less curly than mine."

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, come on. I told you there's nothing to apologize for."

A cheerful laugh came from behind me. My ears tingled. I fidgeted with my fingers for no reason.

Violet braided my back hair and twisted it into a neat bun. Then she reached for something to secure it and I offered her the white ribbon. It was the hair tie she'd gifted me, one I'd been using ever since.

"I brought some new ones."

"I like this one."

"I have so many pretty ones. I could decorate you with those."

I shook my head.

"I want you to style it with this ribbon. It matches my outfit well enough, and I love it so much. It's my most precious possession. Decorating me with something so dear would make me truly happy."

At my words, she smiled even brighter and took the ribbon to secure my bun.

Once she finished with my hair, she stepped back to look me over. Under her gaze, I tensed up unnecessarily. She stared at my rigid posture for a while before grumbling that I still looked flat-chested. She pondered for a moment, then clapped her hands and pulled out several rectangular boxes from her bag.

Opening the lid revealed a pearl necklace with a round gem in the center. Not just the necklace—there were rings too. Another box held bracelets. I found myself staring before snapping out of it and waving my hands frantically. I realized she intended to adorn me with them.

But Violet declared she absolutely wouldn't compromise on this.

As she draped the necklace around my neck, I swallowed dryly. What if I lose it? The weight of it felt burdensome. Bracelets went on my arms, rings on my fingers. I gulped repeatedly. I protested several times that it was too much for me, but it fell on deaf ears as Violet was lost in dressing me up.

She looked me over again and smiled in satisfaction. Finally done? I sighed inwardly. I hoped to change out of it soon, but she led me to the mirror instead.

"What do you think?"

"......"

A stranger stood in the mirror. Without the bangs covering my face, I might not have recognized her. I gaped at my reflection.

The woman in the mirror wasn't me.

My braided back hair was twisted into an elegant updo, secured neatly with the ribbon. The remaining length draped naturally downward after the knot.

The pink dress fit my body perfectly. The corset cinched my waist. The pink sash around it helped too. The full skirt made me look even slimmer.

The gloves on my hands, the white stockings peeking out just a bit, and the pink shoes matching the dress's central ribbon—all harmonized perfectly. The necklace, bracelets, and rings filled in any potentially plain spots.

I stared blankly at the mirror before raising my hand. The woman in the mirror did the same. With my other hand, I lifted the hem of my skirt, then touched the lace along my shoulders. The lace at the sleeve cuffs flared out lushly below. Watching that, I brushed the necklace, then smoothed my updo. The woman in the mirror mimicked every move.

It really was me.

"Pretty, right?"

"......Yes. Ah, no—the dress."

Violet grinned mischievously at my response. I insisted I meant it sincerely. She said she understood but kept laughing.

The situation felt awkward yet wondrous. I'd never worn clothes like this before. I'd thought pink would make me look childish, but it gave a mature air instead. Was this really me? I understood why Violet had lamented the bangs. They did stand out awkwardly. I fiddled with them absentmindedly before shaking off the thought.

I kept getting lost in the mirror's image, it was so fascinating. Then someone knocked on the door. Violet permitted entry, and the door opened to reveal Lucas.

He approached Violet with a rectangular box but froze mid-step. His wide eyes locked onto me. His blank face quickly scanned me from head to toe.

"......Paula?"

"Yes."

Lucas just stood there, rooted.

I glanced questioningly at Violet, who was watching him with an amused expression. I went to him instead and took the box from his hands, passing it to her. Suddenly, she beamed, looking back and forth between us.

Then she turned me toward Lucas again, placing her hands on my shoulders.

"What do you think? Pretty, isn't she?"

"......"

No answer came, but his gaze was fixed entirely on me. Embarrassed, I toyed with the hem of my dress. The silence dragged on, making it even more awkward. Was it that bad? I turned to change, but then a low voice spoke.

"You're beautiful."

His blank face gradually lit up. His brown eyes softened with warmth. They looked like they might drip honey.

"Very much so."

"......"

For some reason, it made me even more embarrassed.

I scratched my exposed nape and averted my gaze. Violet was grinning ear to ear. The warm stare felt burdensome, so I dropped my head.

"Can I change now?"

"Already? Wear it a bit longer."

"I have cleaning to do."

"What a shame. It'd be perfect for a party."

Honestly, not quite. I brushed off her words with a laugh. But she seriously suggested attending a party somewhere. I shook my head immediately. Ridiculous. Then Violet proposed having a party right here. I frantically shook my head at the shocking idea. Leaving aside the sudden issues of hosting, I had no one to invite anyway.

After repeated refusals, her shoulders slumped. She seemed genuinely disappointed. I felt a pang of guilt. But this was something I couldn't just talk my way out of.

I turned to retrieve my original dress from her. She kept muttering how wasteful it was. Then the hitherto silent Lucas suddenly offered an idea.

"What if we just do it among ourselves? A party."

And just like that, the impromptu party was decided.

It was very small-scale, with only me, Violet, Lucas, and Vincent attending. Calling it a party was a stretch. Even so, Violet and Lucas excitedly asked Isabella to prepare right away. Impressive speed. Isabella responded calmly to the sudden request. Vincent, hearing the news late, was the only one dumbfounded.

'People might think this is your mansion.'

'Why not—it's fun.'

'If it's good, it's good.'

'......'

No one could stop the determined pair.

The central hall of the annex was chosen as the venue. Isabella brought maids to decorate and instructed the cooks to prepare food. She warned that no one else could enter once the party started. Prepared dishes would be delivered by Isabella or the annex cook, and she'd handle all other service.

My offer to help with preparations was ignored. Violet insisted the dress would get ruined and kept me in the room. Don't worry about it, she said. Instead, she went down alone to direct the party, joined by Lucas as a stand-in since Vincent couldn't go.

In the end, only Vincent and I remained in the room. I fidgeted with my fingers. The dress felt uncomfortable. I shifted my hips restlessly. The bustle outside made sitting idle feel like sitting on pins and needles.

I glanced at Vincent at the far end of the sofa. He had his elbow on the armrest, chin propped up. His shiny black shoe tips dangled and swung in the air. Forced into a tailcoat by Lucas, with his golden hair slicked back, he looked sharper than usual.

As I'd thought before, Vincent dressed up like this seemed like someone else. His upright appearance evoked a refined noble heir, while his slouched posture suggested a delinquent dragged unwillingly to a party. The mismatch eased my tension somehow. I even chuckled inwardly.

He definitely had looks that drew eyes. If he just didn't furrow his brow like that.

"You do this every time you visit."

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

"Why are you apologizing?"

"It feels like I egged them on."

"You must have cheered them on again this time."

"Not exactly."

Vincent sighed at my words and sank deeper into the sofa. He tilted his head back, running a hand through his styled hair.

"Can't be helped."

His resigned tone carried a hint of acceptance. He didn't seem truly annoyed, though. I silently prayed nothing would go wrong.

"Why do you keep fidgeting?"

I'd been shifting so much it must have bothered him.

"The dress is uncomfortable. Sorry."

"Dress?"

"Violet said I needed party-appropriate clothes and insisted I wear it."

To be precise, this mess started when I put it on.

I smoothed the skirt to avoid creasing it as much as possible. Wearing something so expensive made me overly nervous.

Vincent turned to look at me. He stared intently with a crooked expression, so I met his gaze, wondering what was up.