Chapter 2

No matter what, my eyes kept drifting to the nape of that noble lady’s neck.

I forced my honest gaze down to the embroidery in my hands. I had to finish this. I was fortunate enough to receive a special ability called a blessing from God when I was eight, during the worship for my coming of age. Receiving a blessing from God is an extremely rare and wonderful stroke of luck. My blessing was that I had excellent eyesight.

According to historical records, legendary blessings include the ability to predict the weather or detect water veins, among other remarkable talents. When I received my blessing, there were proposals for betrothals, with high hopes for the blessing I possessed. However, all those proposals ended once they heard what my blessing actually was.

My parents were disappointed, apparently. When I heard this story after growing up, I felt relieved. If I had been betrothed with such high expectations and then had the engagement broken off because it didn’t meet those expectations, leading to compensation and further poverty for my family, things would have been much worse.

I love my blessing. I am truly grateful to God for giving me a blessing that suits me.

Despite being called a bit odd, disappointing, and falling short of expectations, I use my blessing for embroidery. Secretly, I sell my work and earn pocket money.

Embroidery is also a joy for me. I am still a student, but earning money on my own makes me feel a little more grown-up.

When I raised my eyes, I couldn’t help but notice the noble young ladies from the ducal family chatting.

The noble lady, who is of the ducal family and has royal blood from the neighboring kingdom, is taller than the other young ladies. She wears a dress with a design that covers her neck. I have never seen her feet, which are hidden by her dress.

From the footprints on the grass, it seems she is wearing low-heeled shoes.

I lowered my gaze to my hands again. I had to finish the embroidery. It was the source of my precious pocket money.

While repeatedly shifting my gaze up and down, I finally made eye contact with the noble lady.

She has a beautiful face that closely resembles her mother, who once captured the heart of the neighboring kingdom’s crown prince. She smiled at me, and I nodded in acknowledgment. I am not in a position to be easily addressed by her.

“You are quite skilled at embroidery.”

“I am flattered.”

I never expected to be directly spoken to by such a noble lady.

I am the daughter of a poor but distinguished baronial family.

“It’s wonderful. I would like to speak with you. Please come to my mansion.”

Her smile was an invitation, but it was also a command. I resigned myself to it.

The noble lady’s gloved hand, compared to the other young ladies, was clearly more bony. I had thought her hands were naturally larger because she was tall.

Since noticing her Adam’s apple, I realized that her hands also had the same characteristic.