The passionate red eyes of the woman cooled immediately. The kindness that just moments ago had been present was utterly gone, replaced by a disdain reminiscent of looking at a beggar.
“Hmph…”
Rose covered her mouth with the fan she held in her hand. Her emotionless eyes clearly expressed her desire to no longer engage in conversation with me.
“I heard your situation is rather dire, yet it seems you can afford to wear a dress.”
“That’s right. It feels like I’ve received a dress that’s too extravagant for me.”
“Well, you must be struggling quite a bit.”
Her voice dripped with scorn. The lips hidden behind her fan were certainly curled in a mocking smile. Lady Verdalen turned away from me, her bored eyes showing no interest in anything further.
Crossing the vast hallway, her entrance into the ballroom resembled that of a regal swan. Once she disappeared from my sight, I let out a short sigh.
“…I suppose that’s how it is.”
Of course, I knew Artasha was working tirelessly to redeem our family, but the publicly perceived image of the Blanc family was different.
A good-for-nothing head of the family.
Gambling addict.
Greedy drunkard.
A family drowning in debt.
A noble family on the brink of collapse.
That was how the outside nobility viewed the Blanc family. Even though the main culprit, Bonnie, was dead, a public perception once formed is not easily altered.
No matter how hard Artasha tried.
So, receiving disdainful glances like earlier was hardly surprising. In fact, compared to what I was about to face, it might be mild. Upon entering the banquet hall, I would be subjected to scorn from many others.
Given how often Artasha urged me not to feel intimidated, she had probably foreseen I would receive such looks. Still, sending me out into high society must have been her last resort.
If a powerless noble’s daughter shied away from entering high society at the proper age, the future would indeed be grim. Artasha must have sent me out with a desperation akin to clinging to a straw.
How difficult it must have been for Artasha to send her beloved daughter into a battlefield stacked against her. Someone like me could hardly comprehend her pain.
Well, anyway.
“I have to do what I can.”
Yes, I did receive some contemptuous glances.
So, does it upset me?
No, not at all.
I’ve faced bigger losses than this. I know it means nothing for someone powerless like me to feel pride about anything.
Does pride feed me? Or provide a warm bed to sleep in?
Not at all.
Pride is a luxury only the fortunate can afford. It is something for those individuals; for someone like me, it is merely poison.
Without hesitation, I moved forward. As I opened the door and stepped into the ballroom, a vast banquet hall unfolded before me, incomparable to the dull hallway. Some people were engaged in pleasant conversation, while others danced to the delightful melody of instruments.
I blinked in daze, surrounded by the vibrant crowd.
‘…I already want to lie down.’
For someone like me, who had a homebody nature down to the bones, it was too extravagant. Just standing there, I felt weariness accumulating in my eyes.
I lightly slapped my cheeks a couple of times to regain my focus. The most important thing in high society is a smile—wearing a beautiful smile on my face as I moved.
Perhaps thanks to the month of training I endured, I was able to blend into the atmosphere without drawing undue attention. As I wandered quietly to acclimate myself, a sweet yet delicate fragrance wafted into my nose.
Exquisitely lavish treats that were almost too beautiful to eat. Beautifully patterned confections were endlessly spread across a luxurious table.
“…They look delicious.”
My mouth watered. I gazed at the sweet confections with the wide-eyed wonder of a child mesmerized by candy.
Since reincarnation, I had yet to eat or even touch such luxurious treats. Snacks were the food of the common people back in Korea, but in this world, they were absurdly expensive.
Naturally, our Blanc family had no financial leeway to spend on luxuries like snacks. Just being able to afford ordinary meals was already a blessing.
…Should I eat just a little?
No, I have to restrain myself.
It would certainly look undignified.
Confectioneries were meant to be enjoyed while sharing conversation; if I, without any company, indulged in pastries, I would look like a beggar. If I really wanted to eat, finding someone to converse with should be the priority.
I suppressed the writhing desire within and looked around. Numerous nobles attended the ball hosted by the palace. While there were some nobles like me enjoying solitary moments, the majority were gathered in groups, chattering away. I scanned the lively groups, turning my gaze to search for someone I desired to meet without drawing attention.
‘Bright blonde hair, red eyes, striking attire…’
This is a ball hosted by the palace, after all. If the knowledge I had isn’t mistaken, she should definitely be here.
And, just as I expected, I could spot her among the crowd, standing out brilliantly.
Of course, I hadn’t come here barefoot without a thought. I was aware of my standing in high society. To survive in this harsh scene, I needed allies.
Without hesitation, I approached her.
Unlike the conservative nobles who shied away from her provocative attire, she exuded a charisma that clearly set her apart.
I maneuvered through the crowd surrounding her and lightly touched her shoulder. Her radiant blonde hair shimmered as her crimson gaze locked onto me.
“Oh my, what a beautiful lady.”
The lady with shimmering platinum hair was Mardian Abreldine, the daughter of the prestigious Count Abreldine family, known as a founding family of the empire, and a significant character from the princess training simulation. In case one selects the priestess Lilian as the protagonist, she appears as the villainess.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mardian. I’m pleased to finally encounter you like this.”
I placed my hand over my heart and offered a polite greeting. Mardian hid her mouth with her fan and scrutinized me up and down.
“Hmm… I’m also glad to meet such a lovely young lady.”
There were too many eyes around us.
It would be better to move somewhere private.
“Mardian, if it’s not too rude, could we have a private conversation?”
I whispered closely to her ear. Perhaps displeased by my sudden request, Mardian’s neatly groomed eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“My lady, it would be ill-mannered not to introduce yourself first.”
“It’s about the Camilia Gambling Den.”
Mardian’s red eyes containing rubies flinched. But, as if nothing had happened, she calmly scanned me once before gently rising from her seat.
“…Follow me.”
I quietly followed her as she greeted the other nobles. Even as a villainess, the poise she possessed was undeniable.
Mardian held a luxurious wine glass and opened the balcony door. The bright and bustling hall contrasted with the dense night darkness outside, where the soft moonlight created a soothing atmosphere.
Mardian, who had briefly looked at the sky, returned her gaze to me. Unlike before, there was now a chilling coldness in her eyes.
“May I ask your name?”
“Tina Blanc.”
“Blanc… Ugh, what a pathetic connection.”
Muttering to herself, she approached me with an exaggerated grimace. Instinctively, I took a step back from her intimidating presence.
“It’s best you explain everything, lady of the Blanc family. I’m not a very nice person, you see.”
I know.
You’re the villainess.
A tremendously cruel one, at that.
“You couldn’t have come across this information by chance… Do you know anything about the Camilia Gambling Den?”
The Camilia Gambling Den operates under the empire’s shadowy dealings. It’s quite renowned in the underworld, yet only a select few know who the actual owner of the gambling den is.
“I know it’s said to be operated by the Count Abreldine family.”
Mardian’s eyes twitched slightly. Though she was trying to keep it hidden, a deep agitation remained evident in her gaze.
It would make sense; the Camilia is indeed a gambling den secretly run by the Count Abreldine family.
Though designed so that it couldn’t be traced back to them through various underground organizations, this story doesn’t apply to me, who has played through the endings several times.
‘These advantages are something I can at least benefit from, so I have to make use of them in any way I can.’
“…Ha, I came here to enjoy myself today. Now it seems I can’t do that.”
Mardian’s face, which appeared terribly crushed, clearly seemed upset.
“So, what do you want?”
This information could be used to threaten Mardian. Considering the wealth the Count Abreldine family possesses, perhaps we could pay off our family’s massive debts in an instant.
But that wouldn’t be wise.
Mardian is frightening.
Of course, even if she eventually gets punished by the protagonist, she remains an opponent far beyond what a daughter of a declining baron can handle.
She wasn’t someone I could exploit for gain through threats. If a common person like me tried to think critically against her, I might find myself unable to breathe in my sleep without realizing it.
So, what would I do?
“If you’re thinking about threatening me, let me warn you. Clumsy actions—”
“Mardian!”
I flashed the most harmless smile possible. I grabbed onto Mardian’s hands tightly. Her eyes were filled with surprise at my abruptness.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Mardian, you’re someone I truly admire.”
“…Admire, you say?”
Pity.
The favor that the weak can most easily obtain from the strong. Even if deemed a villain by the world, one cannot help but possess this emotion as a human.
I will leverage sympathy to bring Mardian to my side.
