~Tpmma 05~

Chapter 5

A kind of gossip continued, even introducing the heroine’s original story background.

“Maria is debuting this year, right? Debuting at 21… a bit late for someone from the countryside. Maybe she relied on her looks?”

“If marriages were decided by looks alone, wouldn’t Natalie Redfield have married ages ago?”

“She probably rejected too many men because of her looks, so she couldn’t find a match. If she had just lowered her nose a little, she wouldn’t have been on the market for five years.”

“Maybe she just wanted to dance with more men and stayed behind for that?”

“Ahahaha!”

The lady she was talking to burst out laughing.

The gossip must have been really funny, not realizing that the younger sister was listening right behind them…

Suddenly, one lady sharply turned her head.

“Hey, Dory Redfield. What do you think?”

“Huh, me?”

“Don’t act surprised. You were listening to our conversation, weren’t you?”

“……”

“Don’t force an angry face. Everyone here knows how your sister usually ignores you.”

Wow…

I was speechless at her audacity.

Another lady tried to stop her, but the one speaking to me said, “It’s okay, Dory is nice,” like a bully teasing the quiet kid in class.

The lady lifted her head proudly and said,

“Don’t you have any fun info about your sister? I want to grab everyone’s attention at a gathering at least once.”

“You mean… use my sister as gossip?”

“Why are you shocked? Since when were you close with your sister?”

“……”

Right. I don’t like Natalie. She’s always sneering at me when we meet.

But still…

“I’ll invite you to balls with decent men. You’re not as pretty as your sister, but that makes it easier for the men to talk to you without feeling pressured!”

I hate people like this even more!

Standing in front of the lady, who looked down at me with a self-satisfied smile, I firmly said,

“You’re obsessed with Natalie’s looks, aren’t you? Is that the only thing you have to talk about?”

“Wait… what? Obsessed with what? Hah, I’m just talking about society news, what are you saying!”

“Why would a lady come out in society if not for survival? Knowing that, if you pick on Natalie’s face, all it says is that you care about her looks!”

“Ugh… why are you saying this to us? You think Natalie’s annoying too!”

“Don’t assume things!”

Natalie’s problem isn’t her looks—it’s her personality!

At that moment, I noticed a familiar scent of perfume.

“Hmm. Quite the interesting stories you’re sharing, aren’t you?”

I, along with two other ladies, slowly turned to look. Approaching us was…

“Natalie?”

The red-haired beauty looked down at us. Her eyes smiled, but it seemed like every curse word in the world was ready behind her lips.

“Sister, were you planning to attend this ball?”

“I was thinking of taking a nap today, but mother kept giving me those sharp looks. So I thought I’d come, have some tea while I’m at it.”

“How did you get an invitation—”

“Do I need one? Just saying my name got me in immediately.”

Natalie smiled confidently.

I remembered reading somewhere that hosts often prefer eloquent beauties among their guests.

Whether Natalie is simply eloquent or a beauty who makes others’ adrenaline spike, I’m not sure.

Soon, Natalie’s smile turned toward the other two ladies.

“Why did you suddenly go silent after all that chatter? Pretending to be reserved now doesn’t make you seem thoughtful.”

“Natalie…”

“You’re not close enough to call my name. Say ‘Miss Redfield’ properly.”

“……”

“Otherwise…”

Natalie’s face moved closer to them, almost eyelashes brushing.

“Are you dazed by my face?”

“Ahhh! Wh-what are you saying!”

The ladies flinched, trying to back away. But Natalie grabbed their shoulders firmly, forcing them to face the stares of the people around.

The world’s top beauty and two noisy women in one place—it was no wonder everyone was staring.

Their faces turned bright red.

Even if they tried to escape, Natalie’s grip on the lace of their dresses made it impossible—they might tear their outfits if they struggled.

“Let go!”

“Thank me for letting you get one more glance from the men. Say ‘thank you.’”

“Sorry!”

“I said thank you! Even when I tell you, you don’t seem to get it?”

Natalie’s voice sharpened further. People tried to avert their eyes and hide behind fans or shoulders, sneaking peeks.

The ladies, in tiny voices, said,

“Th-thank you…”

“Well done. Shall we see each other again?”

Natalie released her grip. The two girls hurriedly backed away.

Then I realized—damn. I should’ve run when it was noisy earlier!

Too late. Natalie turned her gaze to me.

Stay calm! I was just mediating when she was being insulted, so no bad words will come my way!

“Dory.”

“Yes, sister?”

“I guess I should give up on advising you about dresses. Why don’t you just wear pajamas instead?”

“……”

Still annoying.

…But was my sense really that bad? I thought I chose something safe.

“Dory. How tall are you again?”

“Huh? 162 cm.”

“Small.”

Not small! That’s 1 cm taller than the average Korean woman!

But Natalie, easily over 170 cm, looked at me as if I were a little puppy.

“Alright.”

“Why ask about my height?”

“How old are you?”

“…Twenty-two.”

“You’re too old to grow taller, so eat snacks in moderation. It’d be troublesome if your dress tore.”

After saying only what she wanted, Natalie grabbed the snacks I was eating and walked away in an instant.

Why like that?

Thanks for helping, but no need to pick a fight too!

Once the red hair disappeared from sight, I slumped onto the sofa.

‘I’m tired.’

I hoped the original male lead, Arthur, would show up soon.

Then Natalie would cling to Arthur and ignore me.

Tristan would also be busy keeping Arthur in check and clinging to Maria, leaving me alone.

Male lead, hurry up!

‘Please break my connection with all these annoying people quickly!’

I’ve never cared much about clothes. More accurately, I never had the time. With little money, I picked plain outfits and ended up wearing cotton pants and muted shirts like a uniform.

Still, Natalie always panicking over my dresses bothered me, so I quietly asked my maid.

“Aren’t my dresses very pretty?”

“Hmm… You always chose clothes tucked away in the corner. I thought you did it on purpose to avoid attention.”

“……”

Her roundabout answer made it clear.

‘Not pretty.’

They all look like princess dresses to me.

Honestly, I was fine as I was, but I didn’t want to give Natalie a reason to pick a fight over dresses.

I searched my father’s library for books on contemporary fashion. The books weren’t organized alphabetically or by any system, so it took days just to sort and find what I needed.

One day, at the dining table, my father casually said,

“There’s an opening ceremony at the botanical garden in a few days. It’s the baron’s event, probably not many important guests, so attend if you like.”

Natalie had no interest in that event.

But I was alert.

Through this event, the original male lead, Arthur Albion, would make his debut in society!

‘The original story is officially starting.’

Rumors had been circulating since the season began that the next Duke of the North would appear in society this year. Nobles with daughters were paying close attention to guest lists.

Arthur, more familiar with armor than formal wear, and duels than escorting, would find a party overwhelming. That’s why he chose a relatively modest event—the botanical garden opening—as his first appearance.

It was outdoors, with focus on plants, so he probably thought he wouldn’t attract too much attention.

Of course, the original male lead was a charming, tall, handsome man destined to captivate everyone immediately. But that’s just part of being the protagonist.

On the day of the botanical garden event, my maid helped me prepare and asked,

“Miss, I thought you disliked outdoor events?”

“I wanted to enjoy the flowers while I can. After the season, my future will be decided.”

…Of course, that was just an excuse.

I was really going to check if the male lead was following the original story.

The maid sighed, unaware of my real intention.

“Phew… if only His Highness would show you flowers and the sea too.”

She sounded like someone wishing to win the lottery this week. I understood her distrust of the prince.

“Let’s enjoy the present for now. Don’t be late for the event… right?”

Just as I was about to leave, someone breathlessly blocked my way. It was Natalie.

She scanned me with her deep emerald eyes.

“Dory. I heard from father. Where are you going?”

“The botanical garden opening event you mentioned before.”

“Why go to that trivial event?”

“I like plants. And the weather is nice today.”

“……”

Natalie paused.

Humans like her usually have no filter between their brain and mouth. What’s going on?

She hesitated, then said something unexpected.

“Do you really have to go today? There’s a better party a few days later.”

“Huh? Sister, you know I dislike parties. I’m going to see the flowers today.”

“I wouldn’t suggest a party with shabby floral arrangements. I found a very nice one.”

What nonsense.

Not wanting to waste more time, I finally blurted out,

“Please move aside. If you have something to say, I can hear it later…”

“Ah, your dress isn’t finished yet!”