Chapter 150

Helene quickly panicked when she saw the shoes inside the box.

‘Why are they the same design as before…?’

The shoes that Carsein brought were identical to those she had once given to Harnier as a gift to torment her.

She couldn’t help but panic.

This, by the standards of nobles, had some kind of hidden meaning.

Glancing subtly at Carsein, Helene thought.

If he came because Harnier mentioned this, then he was here to retaliate against her.

But,

“Are you not going to try them on?”

He didn’t seem to be here for revenge, nor did he seem to be here to point out her mistake.

Rather than being ignorant, he wore a smile.

‘Right. That’s impossible. Why am I even worrying about such nonsense?’

Indeed, it was as expected.

As a noble, she wouldn’t know what it means when the same design of shoes is sent.

The ill-fitting shoes were originally meant to torment Harnier.

Given Harnier’s situation, she probably wouldn’t refuse, but… there was a variable, which was that Carsein might have something else in mind.

But as it appears now, he doesn’t know anything.

If she had returned the shoes saying they were the wrong size, it would have shown a lack of respect towards him, and she would have needed to apologize slightly.

If she had destroyed the shoes and returned them, it would have caused some problems, but since Harnier is the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis House of Teresia, that wasn’t possible.

In the end, since Harnier danced in these ill-fitting shoes without complaint, it seemed there was no problem.

Moreover, the follow-up actions were also the same.

She didn’t bring back the shoes she had worn once, nor did it appear to carry any hidden meaning.

Even if she had come after hearing the situation from Harnier, the condition of the shoes was perfectly fine.

Ultimately, her status as an illegitimate child hadn’t changed.

Ignoring the heavy etiquette and refinement of nobility, she smiled lightly… There couldn’t be any other intentions.

Feeling relieved, Helene took off the shoes and put them on.

“They suit you well,”

“Thank you.”

She smiled in response to Carsein’s compliment, but inwardly, she felt otherwise.

‘This, the size is a bit off.’

When she put her foot in, it was so tight that it squeezed. Even more, the top of her foot was too narrow. She tried to push it all the way in, but it rubbed against her foot.

How could someone not notice the size of the shoes they gave as a gift? But that was beside the point.

Because Carsein wasn’t a noble, and he knew nothing about noble etiquette, she couldn’t say anything.

‘She has to endure this. The benefit of using this fool to bury Harnier is worth it.’

She had a chance to use this foolish man to drag Harnier down; she couldn’t let a trivial complaint ruin this opportunity.

Helene tried to act natural while putting on the new shoes and walked a few steps.

“They fit my feet perfectly.”

“That’s good to hear.”

That should be enough gratitude.

She moved on to the main point.

She extended her hand to signal an escort.

“Then shall we go to the dance hall and dance one song?”

“Hmm? Just like that?”

“Yes. Since the music is ending, we can go straight away, right? Or do you have another engagement?”

“No, but…”

Carsein hesitated.

“We haven’t practiced together yet. It would be better to practice a little, don’t you think?”

That’s right.

Dancing teachers always emphasized how important it was to match your partner’s rhythm, putting other details second.

Thus, how crucial it was to practice with your partner.

And how essential it was to get in sync to avoid interfering with each other during the dance—Helene understood this well.

But now,

‘With your help, dancers and even skilled dancers who are known for their dancing skills must feel humiliated.’

There was no need for practice.

Regardless, Carsein was quite capable when dancing with Harnier, so there was no need for much practice.

It would be best to quickly settle this storm before it starts.

“You’re all looking forward to your next dance. Given how smoothly you covered Harnier’s last mistake, it seems like there’s no need for practice, right?”

“Overpraise. I’m far from that level.”

“Overpraise? You should take pride in your skill. With a more perfect partner, those awkward movements wouldn’t have been noticeable.”

“Hmm…”

“If you had danced with someone better, you would have received great praise, like the person who first choreographed and performed that dance. I can confidently say that the Prince doesn’t need any practice, right?”

Carsein looked uneasy.

‘This commoner child. Why does he hesitate so much? He should feel honored to dance with a real noble, not an illegitimate one!’

If this continues, it will create unnecessary practice time.

Reluctantly, Helene urged him further.

“Or are you doubting my dancing skills?”

“No.”

Carsein waved his hand.

“I’ve heard of your reputation, Helene. You’re said to be the most graceful among the young ladies of the social circle and never make mistakes.”

“Ah!”

‘Why are you hesitating despite knowing all that?’

“But I’m worried about making mistakes. What if I trip or fall because of me?”

“What? You think you’ll make me trip?”

That’s absurd!

“There won’t be any problems.”

Being able to naturally recover from a mistake is also a skill.

Furthermore, leading your partner’s movements and signaling them is also a skill.

She was confident she wouldn’t lose in that aspect.

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“Don’t worry, just follow me. I’ll guide you.”

After a moment of hesitation, Carsein made a decision.

“Alright, let’s go dance.”

“…”

Instead of taking her hand, he opened the door and left.

‘He’s still this clueless…’

No, a commoner wouldn’t understand escorting.

She had to hold back her frustration for now.

After all, she just needed to use him until she could bring Harnier down.

-Click.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“…”

Helene clenched her teeth and endured the pain, stepping forward alone.

***

When she received the same shoes Harnier had received, Helene was wary.

A noble giving such things again would mean something significant, especially since she knew Carsein was Harnier’s fiancé.

But, pretending to be unaware, she quickly broke through that wariness.

If she had shown even a slight suspicion, she would have realized it was odd, but she relaxed once she knew it was her.

After that, it was easy.

She didn’t destroy the ill-fitting shoes on the spot, nor did she criticize or argue.

Despite the pain, Helene walked around with the shoes on, feigning nonchalance, and suggested they continue dancing outside since the ball wasn’t over yet.

From then on, it was a truly amusing sight.

‘How could she endure the pain and still try to dance with me?’

Moreover, her expressions changed constantly.

Her eyes were smiling, but one could tell how frustrated she was. She kept wearing the shoes, trying to delay the inevitable, while praising her and trying to lead her outside to dance.

During this, she criticized Harnier’s mistakes and her dancing skills, making her intentions clear.

Helene’s sole objective was to take Carstein Bargrand away from Harnier.

If she danced in the shoes Carsein gave her, rumors would easily spread.

‘Hmph. Why do people always resort to such despicable methods?’

This reminded her of old memories.

Though it wasn’t her experience, she remembered it vividly.

Girls who maliciously damaged others’ belongings to torment them.

One person who silently endured everything.

Another girl who was rumored to have seduced a boy someone liked, receiving all sorts of slander.

This situation wasn’t much different from what her only friend had gone through.

Jealousy and envy due to appearance.

Being isolated without anyone to help.

Silently enduring the pain and choosing not to speak.

That’s why she was doing this foolish thing that only caused harm now.

“The stage is ready. Shall we go up?”

It was time to snap out of her reverie.

The stage was prepared, and it was time for her to go up with Helene, who had gifted her the shoes.

She calmly walked onto the stage as if she had done it from the beginning.

Soon, the music began to fill the air.

Helene skillfully signaled the next move, suggesting the next step. Her dancing skills were undoubtedly top-notch.

But,

“Oh dear.”

“Ugh?!”

She deliberately interrupted the flow.

When Helene wobbled on stage, the nobles’ attention focused on her.

They couldn’t believe she wobbled while dancing. She spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“This isn’t right…? It went well when dancing with Lady Harnier…”

“…”

“I guess I was too nervous. Sorry.”

Just this alone would greatly hurt her pride.

She had danced complex dances with Harnier effortlessly, but dancing with Helene was a disaster. This would make people doubt her skills.

In a clearly contrasting situation, she couldn’t help but pay attention to where the conversation was headed.

But the true value of this action wasn’t just mental stress.

While mentally stressed, the physical strain was even more unbearable.

Wobbling around in shoes that didn’t fit would accumulate pain. Like Harnier experienced.

These despicable people needed to be taught a lesson.

She inflicted more pain on Helene, several times worse than what Harnier had endured.

“Ugh!”

“Oh, sorry.”

Again,

“Huff…!”

“Such a mistake… Sorry.”

And again,

“You…!”

“How strange. It went well with Lady Harnier…”

She stepped on her, bumped into her, and interfered with her.

Finally, she pushed her to the brink, comparing her to Harnier.

Helene, sweating profusely, finally spoke.

“Carstein. At the end, follow my movements. Got it?”

Now she was speaking in a rude tone.

Unlike with Harnier, her expression, tone, patience—all were completely different.

Her gaze was as if she wanted to slap her cheek.

This means she hit her limit?

Helene,

“You shouldn’t have touched innocent people.”

“What…?”

“This is your karma. You filthy woman.”

At the climax, she whispered directly into Helene’s ear, completely breaking her composure.

“Gyaah!”

Helene couldn’t hold on anymore and fell off the stage.

Her eyes turned viciously towards her.

But then, her gaze shifted towards the audience watching the stage.

“Hmm. It seems Lady Helene’s dancing skills are outdated.”

“Rikilla’s dancers are exaggerated.”

“Even with a difficult dance, Carstein managed to pull it off, yet it’s not even close to what it should be.”

“At this rate, she can’t even be a dance teacher.”

Her fragile pride was surely torn apart at this moment.

“You… Did you really…!”

Only now did she realize and look at her in shock.

Yes, she had planned this from the beginning.

By sending ill-fitting shoes, she made her experience the same thing.

She dragged out the time or pretended to make mistakes to increase the pain.

Finally, she paid her back thoroughly, just as Harnier had wished.

-Sending the exact same gift again means repaying the same experience.

Just as Camila had said.