Chapter 5

The clinking of dishes, the fragrant aroma of spices wafting into my nose. The Blanchard Baronet Family’s Dining Hall had an atmosphere that could rival any other noble family.

I gazed at the bowl in front of me. Pasta generously topped with a delicious-looking sauce. The steam rising from it suggested it had just been cooked. For someone like me, who usually survived on takeout, this was an extravagant meal.

I twirled the fork, wrapping the noodles around it, and popped it into my mouth. Chewing slowly, I savored the flavor, then smiled slightly and looked at Artasha.

“It’s delicious! You should try it too, Mother.”

“Alright.”

Artasha, sitting across from me, began her meal with a faint smile. Truly, she was a noble through and through. Even while simply eating pasta, an undeniable grace emanated from her.

“It’s as delicious as you said.”

“Right?”

It had already been a week since I first met Artasha, and now I was comfortable enough to share meals with her without hesitation. The once cold Artasha had now opened her heart to some extent.

Wasn’t this all thanks to my excellent social skills?

Looking at it this way, maybe I do have some talent.

“Mother, say ‘ah’.”

I twirled the noodles around the fork and held it out to Artasha’s mouth. Caught off guard by my sudden action, she hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“…Tina, maintain your dignity.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, Mother.”

I must have gotten too excited. I had unknowingly crossed a line. As I sat back down with a slightly deflated mood, Artasha let out a short sigh and opened her mouth.

“…Ah.”

Artasha’s red lips parted gently.

As they say, parents can’t win against their children. Artasha reluctantly accepted my childish antics. Her kindness brought a smile to my face.

After slowly swallowing the noodles I had twirled for her, Artasha wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at me seriously.

“Tina, your debut date in the social circle has been set.”

“Really?”

“There’s a debutante ball at the Imperial Palace next month. I think it’s a suitable place.”

I hadn’t expected this topic to come up so suddenly today, but since I had heard about it beforehand, I was somewhat prepared to enter the social circle.

“I’ll prepare the dress for you, so you should spend the next month learning etiquette. I’ve already found a teacher.”

“Alright.”

Given our financial situation, where we hadn’t even paid off all our debts, hiring a teacher showed how determined Artasha was to properly debut me, even if it meant overextending ourselves.

“…Tina, and I should tell you this in advance.”

What was she hesitating about? Artasha’s eyes were downcast, and she struggled to find the right words. When I held her hand and gave her a reassuring look, she finally spoke.

“I heard that the daughter of the Lavram Baronet Family will also be attending the ball next month. It would be good if you could maintain a good relationship with her.”

The Lavram Baronet Family. It was a name I hadn’t heard mentioned in the game. So, it seemed they weren’t a major power.

“May I ask why?”

“…We owe a lot of money to that family.”

Ah, so that’s what it was.

Debt is unavoidable.

“…As a parent, I feel sorry for having to say this.”

“Don’t be. I’ll do my best to be of help to you.”

“….”

Artasha’s demeanor remained dignified, but her deep eyes, hidden behind her long lashes, were filled with sorrow.

She’s such a pure person. Even though she puts on a cold exterior, her clear blue eyes transparently reflect all her emotions. Unlike me, with my dark heart.

Wanting to offer some encouragement, I quietly moved closer to Artasha and gently kissed her left cheek.

“Hang in there, Mother.”

“T-thank you.”

A faint blush appeared on Artasha’s pale skin. It was amazing how such a simple kiss could make her so happy. Mothers are truly fascinating.

‘By the way, the social circle…’

In romance novels, the social circle is described as a small battlefield…

I better be prepared.

—

A month passed quickly.

The woman Artasha had hired as a teacher taught me diligently, and I, in turn, did my best to learn the etiquette of the nobility so as not to disappoint Artasha.

The world of the nobility was so different from the society of South Korea, but somehow I managed to learn. Now, I had even mastered the proper demeanor of a noblewoman.

I had also prepared something on my own. Since the main goal of this debutante ball was to get close to the daughter of the Lavram Baronet Family, as Artasha had mentioned, I had dug up as much helpful information as I could.

Of course, I had snuck out to the library under the guise of studying…

As time passed, the long-awaited debutante ball finally arrived. Now, dressed in a splendid gown for the first time in my life, I stood in front of the grand entrance of the Imperial Palace’s Ballroom Hall.

The door, lavishly decorated with gold, exuded a sense of extravagance. It was a stark contrast to the Blanchard Baronet Family’s mansion, which had sold off all its valuable decorations.

“Even getting this dress must have been difficult…”

I looked down at the long, sky-blue dress I was wearing. Though it wasn’t adorned with flashy jewels, the intricate patterns crafted by skilled artisans more than made up for it.

Having never worn such a dress before, I felt strange for a while. When I first tightened the corset, I thought my waist would break.

As someone who identified as male, I wanted to immediately discard this frilly dress, but what could I do about the reality of being reincarnated as a noblewoman? When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

But perhaps the effort was worth it, as the reflection of Tina in the mirror was truly beautiful. I dared to think that she was as pretty as the two main heroines.

‘Mother must be worried sick by now.’

Imagining Artasha, with her stern exterior but endlessly tender heart, made me chuckle. The way she held my hand until the last moment, giving me various pieces of advice, showed just how worried she was.

What Artasha had advised me was to remain calm and composed at all times, and to stand tall and confident no matter what others said.

‘I’m a little nervous…’

Entering the social circle, which was always described as harsh in novels, made me nervous in many ways. But for the sake of my happy life, I had to overcome this. Suppressing my pounding heart, I walked confidently towards the grand entrance.

A red carpet stretched out before the grand entrance, making me feel like the protagonist of a story.

As I stepped on the carpet and reached the entrance, two men clad in medieval knight-like armor stood firmly guarding the door.

“May I ask which family you are from?”

“I’m from the Blanchard Baronet Family.”

The middle-aged knight looked me up and down, then nodded briefly and replied.

“You must be the young lady of the Blanchard family. I’ve heard much about you.”

It definitely wasn’t good news. But the knight showed no change in expression as he opened the door. I gave him a polite nod and entered the building.

A sight I could never have seen in my previous life unfolded before my eyes.

Countless chandeliers hanging from the ceiling became the hall’s dazzling clouds, and the luxurious carpet laid over the white marble floor served as the nobles’ stepping stones.

In the clearly defined world of the nobility, numerous men and women were engaged in conversation, smiles on their faces.

‘It’s dazzling.’

If I could just sneak out one of the paintings displayed on the walls, it would greatly help with the family’s debts. But seeing so many such paintings lined up, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

As I absentmindedly gazed at the high-priced items adorning the walls, someone tapped me on the back.

“Hello.”

It was a woman who appeared to be around my age. With fiery red hair and eyes, she was quite striking, though not as much as Tina.

She bowed gracefully in greeting. I, having learned from my lessons, returned the greeting without hesitation.

“Is this your first time at a banquet?”

…How did she know?

Was I standing there looking too clueless?

Did I come off as a complete newbie to those around me?

“Hoho, if such a lovely lady had been here before, I would surely remember.”

“…Thank you. I’m at a loss for words from such excessive praise.”

Though it was a pleasant compliment, given the harsh background of the social circle in romance novels, I couldn’t take it at face value.

“I’m Rose von Berdalin. May I ask for your name?”

Berdalin.

Thanks to a month of studying, I immediately recognized who she was. She had also been mentioned in the original game.

In the social circle, not knowing the Berdalin lady was akin to being a foreigner. The daughter of the Berdalin Count Family, who had achieved success in the oil business and held a dominant economic position in the Empire.

Though she lived in a different world from mine, I answered confidently, as Artasha had advised.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Berdalin. I’m Tina Blanchard.”

“…Blanchard?”

The eyes that had been filled with warmth just moments ago.

In an instant, they turned icy cold.