Chapter 10

Within a blurred, swaying vision, a little girl was pleading for something.

That was me, back when I was young.

“Father, Mother, why won’t you understand? None of the children from other families live like we do in the Eventail house. Why are all the things I wear just Grandmother’s hand-me-downs? Why am I the only one who isn’t allowed to eat sweets? Why am I—”

“Goodness, Agnes. You mustn’t say such ungrateful things! Your dresses and shoes are much finer than those cheap, tacky modern outfits! You should consider yourself lucky to have a similar build to your grandmother.”

“But the other children tease me, saying my dresses are old and make me look poor. We aren’t struggling to get by, are we?”

“Don’t take what those children say to heart. To not understand the value of the good old things… it’s simply vulgar and uncouth.”

“Agnes, don’t pay any mind to fools. You just need to hold your head high! Stop whining over every little thing. It’s unsightly.”

Right. Conversations between my parents and me were always like parallel lines that never met. They simply let my pleas go in one ear and out the other, never once truly listening to my concerns.

As a wave of sadness washed over me, the scenery before my eyes gradually began to haze over.

Strangely, I understood that I was about to wake up.

The next morning, Kelly arrived at the side of my bed just as I was waking up from that unpleasant dream.

“Good morning, Lady Agnes. Today, you will prepare yourself to have breakfast together with Lord Nazelbert.”

She deftly tended to me, helping me change into new clothes.

“Kelly, these lovely clothes… what on earth…?”

“These garments were specially ordered for you on short notice, Lady Agnes. Since it was a rush order, they are ready-made items… but we ensured they are of proper quality.”

“Eh, you went out of your way to prepare these for me?! And such cute clothes at that?! Is this… is this heaven?!”

My true feelings slipped out reflexively.

I mean, these were the cutest clothes I had ever worn in my life! The clothes!!

And they were light as a feather! The clothes!!

I couldn’t help but be excited.

Compared to the clothes chosen by the bizarre standards of the Eventail family, these were worlds apart. To be honest, I didn’t care one bit whether they were ready-made or not.

“L-Lady Agnes, please stand still. I haven’t finished your makeup yet.”

Having quickly changed my clothes, Kelly now guided me over to the dresser.

She then set my hair and began applying makeup with a practiced hand.

Her expression was so joyful now that her previous blank look seemed like a total lie.

“Hmm, exactly as I thought. The raw materials are excellent…! This is making me eager to show off my skills.”

“Um, excuse me?”

“The face powder should be in moderation, and the eye makeup in a color that blends well with your skin. For lipstick, how about a pinkish-brown? We’ll reject that unsophisticated, overly red blush and go for a thin finish…”

Briskly, Kelly applied makeup to my face.

As she did, my appearance began to transform right before my eyes—and in a very good way.

“Wow, I look like a different person.”

Up until now, my trademark look had been a stark white face, deep blue eyeshadow, and bright red cheeks and lips. My hair was always done up in a style that looked like a croissant that had been hit too hard with a curling iron.

But now, look at this.

My pale silver hair fell in soft, loose waves, my makeup wasn’t too flashy, and I was wearing a stylish, modern brown dress! Even my shoes had flat soles that were slip-resistant and easy to walk in.

The girl in the mirror was such a lovely young lady that I wondered if she was someone else entirely.

Behind me, Kelly nodded, her lips curving upward in satisfaction.

“I knew my eyes didn’t deceive me. We must show you to Lord Nazelbert at once.”

Urged on by Kelly, I hurried toward the dining room.

Lord Nazelbert was already awake, sitting in his chair in an impeccable outfit. He possessed a flawless beauty that was dazzling even first thing in the morning…!

“Good morning, Lord Nazelbert!”

When I greeted him, he looked toward me and his eyes widened.

“G-Good morning, Lady Agnes. Your atmosphere has certainly changed.”

“Kelly helped me change. She also did a wonderful job with my makeup…”

“It’s good. …It really suits you. You’re beautiful.”

Kind as ever, Lord Nazelbert made sure to give me a proper compliment. He really was a gentleman.

Even if it was just social etiquette, I had never been told I was beautiful before, so it made me very happy.