OIAR - Chapter 15

She was dizzy, her expression swaying with embarrassment. Just when she thought she'd finally figured out how to dance, she found herself in this predicament.

Since she only had Martha as a companion since she was a child, she wasn't used to conversing with a woman her own age. As Shioana sighed, Eli's advice came to mind.

"Remember, Shioana, that once a reputation is damaged, it can never be restored."

'Yeah, I have to do something to save face.'

Shioana, who had been straining her stomach, joined in the conversation little by little.

A lady named Ingrid, her mouth covered by a fan, showed a keen interest in her. She was a lively woman, her blonde hair braided into two pigtails adorned with blue silk. Her first few words were compliments on Shioana's dress and the old house.

"But you don't live in Regbel, do you?"

"Ingrid, your jokes are too harsh. This is so rural, there's nothing but fields, isn't it? Miss Evgenia?"

In some ways, it was a question that was no different from mockery.

The Count Evgenia's family has been living in Regvel for a very long time, and there is no northerner who does not know this.

Shioana, who was holding back her blush, raised her head.

"I was born here and have lived here ever since. As you said, there were only fields, so there was nothing to do, so I ran every day. That's why I'm pretty good at running."

Although she spoke gently, there was a sharp thorn hidden within. Perhaps she wasn't so foolish as to be blunt in her response to those who had been fanning her so fiercely.

"Oh, you don't have to be so serious."

It was funny how they secretly labeled Shioana as a weirdo. After all, they were the ones who looked down on her first and then acted as they pleased.

'But I can't make enemies today.'

No matter how angry she was, she had to hold it in.

"Oh my! I said that because I'm a really fast runner."

When she opened her mouth in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone, everyone laughed lightly.

"Miss Shioana, you're an interesting person."

They quickly cleared up the misunderstanding and clung to Shioana's side, chattering away.

"I met little Count in person today, and he is so handsome."

"How can he take such good care of his little sister? He's completely different from my older brother."

The two acted affectionately, like old friends, toward Shioana. But it seemed like they weren't interested in her, but rather Eli. They kept asking questions about her brother.

'What books do you enjoy reading? What kind of tea do you like to drink? What kind of music do you like?'

After giving a vague answer, Shioana's breath was almost dry. She felt like she was going to collapse from exhaustion, but, oh well... The ball was still a long way off, so she had to pull herself together.

"This is the last song."

Eli, who had found Shioana back at the ballroom, grabbed her wrist tightly.

"... Yes."

At the word "last," Shioana held back her tears.

She regretted the days when she longed for the strange feeling that the word "debutante" gave her.

'This is something that can never happen again.'

Without even a moment to rest her head, she moved around, guided by Eli. After greeting a few nobles, he introduced someone to Shioana.

"Count Noah is said to be a man of great fame even in the Empire."

Eli couldn't hide his nervousness as he licked his lips with his tongue several times.

"Do you understand everything I'm saying?"

Of course, there was no way she would have understood.

Because only Shioana would know what Eli was thinking.

Shioana, who had been watching her brother's expression, answered cautiously.

"I'll try not to make any mistakes."

The first impression she got of Count Noah when she met him like that was very strong.

He was tall and thin, with a pale face and narrow eyes.

He had his platinum blonde hair slicked back, not a single strand missing, and was wearing a cloak encrusted with large jewels. Even to her, a layman, it looked incredibly expensive.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Evgenia."

"Count Noah, thank you for coming."

"Oh, Miss Evgenia. I wish you would call me Pierre."

Shioana flinched in surprise at his words, which were accompanied by a friendly smile.

Calling someone by their first name, even though they weren't even close, was highly against etiquette. There was no way the Count wouldn't know what she knew.

'Why on earth?'

When Shioana just smiled in embarrassment, he quickly apologized.

"Miss Evgenia, you are surprised. Please forgive my rudeness."

“Oh no.”

Count Noah, who had joined hands to dance, still had an apologetic expression on his face.

"I made this mistake because I often heard stories about you from little Count Evgenia."

"...Ah."

She suddenly became curious about what her brother had said.

'...Was it a compliment?'

Shaking off her useless thoughts, Shioana tried to focus on the music again. But since she'd already done the dance ten times today, her legs kept giving out.

The two people were just circling the center of the banquet hall.

"Miss Evgenia, I know you've heard it so many times today that it must be tiresome."

Count Noah, who had been silent for a moment, spoke in a trembling voice.

“You are truly beautiful.”

As he said, it wasn't the first time she heard that.

Although most of the greetings were formal, all the gentlemen who danced complimented her appearance.

But no one had a face as serious as Count Noah. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Shioana blushed slightly.

"...hank you."

"I'm not just saying this. I want to keep you so beautiful to myself."

The Count, who had his hand firmly on Shioana's waist, whispered softly.

"...Ah."

What should I say in this situation?

Mrs. Hooper didn't even tell her how to respond appropriately to such conversations.

In the end, Shioana, who had been hesitating, just smiled awkwardly.

***

Soon, all the official events were over.

All the guests who filled the hall at the Evgenia House applauded the successful ball. Some even popped champagne and whistled. Shioana was happy for a different reason than the guests.

'It's finally over.'

She thinks she can rest now. She's not sure, but she thinks she slightly sprained her ankle. She hasn't been able to feel jer toes for a while.

It was when she was struggling to straighten her back, unable to even touch her sore ankle because so many eyes were watching.

"... Shioana. What's with that stupid expression?"

Eli, who had his arm around her shoulder, let out a fierce voice. His eyes were gleaming, and the smell of alcohol wafted from his mouth.

"I'm a little unwell."

She tried her best not to provoke her brother.

"You useless woman! You were fine when you were out and about in the fields, but now you're not feeling well? Do you know how much money this debutante cost?"

When her brother got angry like a blaze, Shioana bit her lip hard in embarrassment.

'I really did my best today...'

Yet, instead of praising her, Eli criticized her.

'I didn't ask you to be my debutante.'

Since when was she isolated in Regbel, a noblewoman?

She had never even been to Highbell by carriage.

'I never once asked you to do it...'

But she had to keep all this to herself. When she remained silent again, Eli growled.

"What do you usually do for your family? Just wear the dress I bought you and smile quietly! You can't do that?"

Eli twisted her wrist as if he was going to break it.

“Brother, it hurts.”

Shioana, whispering softly, looked around.

She was afraid that someone might see the two of them now.

'Actually, I'm going to tell you that Eli isn't a very affectionate older brother.'

She didn't want anyone to know that all this happiness was fake.

She just wanted to be an ordinary lady who had just become a debutante for today. With that in mind, she threw away all the hard times.

"Shioana Evgenia, please grow up! Yes?"

He even grabbed Shioana's body and shook her gently. She tried not to fall, responding as obediently as she could.

“I understand, brother.”

It was then.

"Little Count Evgenia! Are you trying to monopolize a beautiful woman?"

At someone's voice, Eli returned to his usual polite expression.

He held Shioana tightly by the arm as he walked around the hall, greeting the guests who had come to the ball. The corners of her stiff lips trembled as she followed him, constantly smiling brightly.

As the event ended, people began to enjoy themselves more, and as time went on, the atmosphere became increasingly chaotic as most of the guests drank too much.

Some people exchanged low-level jokes, while others were so drunk they couldn't control themselves.

"I'll go touch up my makeup."

"Shioana. Mark my words... hiccup."

Eli, completely drunk, seemed completely oblivious to her words. It was the first time he'd ever been sober.

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