Chapter 14

If I’m going to the semi-formal ball, I need to prepare!

The venue is a standard choice for semi-formal balls.

In the capital, there are several expensive rental halls for events, and wealthy nobles usually use them. Of course, it’s also fine to use your own mansion as the venue. However, in that case, you have to take care of everything from the food served to the instructions for greeting guests, selecting the orchestra and the music, and so on. There are cases where a semi-formal ball ends up being a big failure.

If it’s successful, your reputation will rise, and everything will go well. But as the host, it’s a lot of work and takes a lot of time. Generally, unless a noble has a title but lacks money or has some issues and is aiming for a comeback, they wouldn’t choose this method.

However, if you use a rental hall, while the usage fee is high, everything comes as a package. If you want a cute venue, you can order it, and they will decorate it with plenty of ribbons. If you want to serve unusual dishes, they can provide cuisine from other countries. With ideas and funds, you can host a semi-formal ball with minimal effort and get the results you want.

The semi-formal ball hosted by Lord Renton will be held at one of these rental halls, called "Heavenly Paradise," the most popular venue among nobles. "Heavenly" is derived from the sky god, indicating that only the best items are provided. "Paradise" comes with a beautiful garden, where you can take a break and enjoy the flowers, or couples can go for a private meeting.

The travel time to "Heavenly Paradise" is about an hour by carriage from the royal castle. So, it doesn’t take a whole day just to get there. You can leave the castle on the day of the event and still make it on time.

The problem is—the dress!

What to wear for the semi-formal ball. More precisely, the dress, shoes, and accessories! A woman’s battle gear! The three sacred treasures! This!

As a princess, I must be properly dressed in public!

Usually, I wear dresses that are so easy to put on and take off that I can do it alone. I rotate them. I even handle state affairs in this attire and walk around the castle without looking out of place. However, for a semi-formal ball, that’s not enough. I need to dress up properly.

For this reason, the head lady-in-waiting came early in the morning and moved me to the wardrobe room to choose my battle gear, including the dress. The entire schedule was changed.

"Your Highness attending a semi-formal ball is a great honor. I am well-versed in the latest trends, so please leave it to me, Matilda."

The head lady-in-waiting’s name is Matilda. Despite her deadpan expression, she steadily rose to her position as head lady-in-waiting. When I first met her, she was just a maid. She is thirty-six years old but looks like she’s in her twenties, with beautiful black eyes and hair. She has a mole under her left eye.

In fact, after turning thirty, Matilda had several marriage proposals, but she turned them all down.

"I’m at this age... I want to spend my life in the royal castle. I have married my position as head lady-in-waiting."

She said that.

I admire her. In reality, as head lady-in-waiting, she is almost free from worries about her old age. When she retires, she will receive a pension and, if she wishes, land. She has many connections. She can live without being supported by a husband.

Homosexuality is widespread among the upper class in the capital, making pure heterosexual romantic marriages difficult. However, there are still many paths for women to live without getting married. It’s an ironic situation.

In the provinces, where the likelihood of men being rivals is lower, marriage is easier, but it’s harder for women to establish themselves in careers. Each has its pros and cons.

"Your Highness, I have kept you waiting."

Matilda brought several dresses from the wardrobe’s large closet.

I have new formal dresses made every year, and I get measured. Before I know it, they multiply...

This is to avoid situations where I have nothing to wear when I need it, and to call a tailor. The wardrobe room’s role is to instantly meet all needs. If everything is available, minor adjustments can be made by the maids.

Some dresses are only worn once and may seem wasteful. But if a princess always wears the same dress or looks cheap, it’s really not good.

"The latest trend is to show more skin. The popular colors are red and green, with black also gaining attention."

I put the fan I was holding on a small table and carefully examined each dress Matilda had chosen, touching the fabric.

All of them had deep V-necks, no shoulder coverings, and bold colors like deep red and green. Ugh, I have some resistance to both the shape and the colors... This is the current trend...

"Matilda, Your Highness is not one to follow trends. Shouldn’t we prioritize her preferences?"

Sasha, my personal maid, who was helping me choose the dress, brought me about three dresses that perfectly matched my taste.

I looked at them.

These formal dresses were designed for comfort and ease of movement. They had sleeves and modest necklines. The colors were cream and pastel. As expected, Sasha knows me well!

"Indeed... the current trend is the opposite of Your Highness’s preferences..."

Matilda put her hand to her cheek and murmured.

Usually, I would jump at Sasha’s choices. But...

"Is there a middle ground between the two? I want a dress that combines the best of both."

I want to follow the trend but not forget my own preferences. It’s not about missing both rabbits but catching both!

Matilda and Sasha’s eyes widened. Matilda spoke first.

"Your Highness, attending a semi-formal ball is already unusual... and to make such a suggestion... You are really enthusiastic, aren’t you?"

Of course!

"This seems to be a special semi-formal ball. I want to wear the best dress that suits me and make a statement."

Before Matilda arrived, I received a letter from Erel. Normally, a letter from a mere soldier wouldn’t reach me, but if I know it’s coming, there are ways to make it happen.

Erel’s letter mentioned that he had contacted Rust immediately and received a response. Rust would be attending the semi-formal ball hosted by Lord Renton. Erel’s words were carefully chosen, but essentially, if I wanted to see Rust, I should meet him there.

It’s a method that fits the original Rust.

It’s a mystery how Rust, who is supposed to be in hiding, managed to get an official invitation to Lord Renton’s semi-formal ball. Whether this is related to Lord Renton suddenly inviting me is unknown...

In any case, it’s certain that I will meet Rust directly. He knows I want to see him.

I need to make a good impression on Rust! First impressions are important!

Taking my cue, Matilda and Sasha carefully selected dresses for me.

Matilda chose a deep green dress with aquamarine decorations, but with a modest and elegant design. The exposure was generally restrained, a bit more mature.

Sasha chose a light blue dress, the same color as my eyes. The skirt had two layers with lace and ribbons. It was a demure design but boldly emphasized the chest and back, with a mature level of exposure.

Both dresses satisfied the current trend and my preferences. Matilda and Sasha are truly amazing!

"Both of you are wonderful. Thank you."

"It’s nothing, Your Highness."

"Which one will Your Highness choose...?"

Matilda bowed, and Sasha looked at me with anticipation.

Hmm, it’s hard to decide...

I don’t even know Rust’s preferences...

I’d like to hear a man’s opinion.

Aleks... is studying at this time, so it would be rude to disturb him...

I knew it. I knew it. When it comes to this, I can only rely on my brother...! Aleks is a man, but a man, and a brother...

A man...

I suddenly realized.

There is! My knight, Clifford!

He’s waiting outside the room for the fitting.

Last night, Father said something cryptic, but I decided to keep it in mind and not worry about it. Poison can be medicine! As a "follower," who else should I rely on if not Clifford? I need a valuable man’s opinion!

"Sasha, can you bring Clifford in?"

"Eh... Lord Alderton?"

"I haven’t changed yet, so it should be fine. I want to hear a man’s opinion on the dress. Clifford is the best choice."

"But..."

Sasha looked at Matilda, who then confirmed with me.

"Your Highness, is it all right to invite Lord Alderton into this room?"

"Is it not?"

The wardrobe room has two sections. There’s a fitting room separate from where we are. We won’t be changing in here, so I don’t see any problem. Or is it that even a knight can’t enter the wardrobe room? Is it a men’s no-entry zone?

"No, this Matilda. I am relieved that Your Highness has finally found a knight you can trust to this extent. This fact alone is sufficient."

That’s a bit exaggerated, isn’t it...

Matilda smiled and nodded.

"We are here, and it is Your Highness’s wish. There is no problem. Sasha."

"Yes, I will bring him in."

Sasha handed the dresses to Matilda and went to the corridor where Clifford was waiting.

Soon, Sasha returned with Clifford.

When Clifford entered the wardrobe room, he first checked the interior, as if it was a habit. He looked for any dangers or the layout.

Then, his gaze finally turned to me.

He seemed curious about why he was called.

"Clifford, I need your help."

"Anything I can do, I will gladly."

"Matilda, Sasha, please."

Matilda and Sasha stood a bit away from Clifford, holding the dresses so that the overall design was clear.

"Lord Alderton, this green dress is the latest trend..."

"Your Highness prefers softer colors, so I didn’t follow the trend in terms of color..."

Matilda and Sasha, confident in their choices, began to pitch their dresses. The head lady-in-waiting and the maid were competing, and sparks were flying. At the same time, they were explaining the current trends and my preferences to Clifford. Impressive.

When their pitches were over, I added my words.

"I’m attending the semi-formal ball tomorrow. I’m considering one of these two dresses, but I want to hear a man’s opinion."

Clifford observed the two different dresses for a while. He glanced at the closet and then back at me.

"Your Highness, will you be using the fan you usually carry at the semi-formal ball?"

The fan? It’s on the small table now...

"Of course."

It’s a one-of-a-kind piece! I’m proud that it’s suitable for even a formal ball. It can be interpreted in various ways when waved in front of my face, and it’s a must-have for social occasions. Although, I haven’t used it in such settings yet. The last time I used it was at last year’s ball, when I used a white fan.

"I see," Clifford nodded.

"Both dresses chosen by the head lady-in-waiting and the maid are excellent. They will suit Your Highness."

However, Clifford didn’t seem to be choosing either.

"But—may I, with all due respect, suggest a third dress, Your Highness?"

"Ah."

"Ah."

Sasha and Matilda, and I, all exclaimed.

"Clifford will?"

I blinked.

"Yes."

"Very well."

I’m curious to see what dress Clifford will choose. It’s worth a try!