Chapter 14

"Miss, you really look beautiful...!"

"Yes, you are undoubtedly the most beautiful in the world!"

"Everyone, thank you."

It was the day of the ball. The maids had put in a lot of effort to apply my makeup and style my hair for the beautiful dress my father had prepared for this day.

The dress was adorned with pearls, sparkling with every movement. I had been a bit worried if it was all right, considering how I had been acting lately, but it seemed that our Arklight family was wealthier than I had thought, with a considerable income from our lands every month, so there was no need to worry.

The pale purple dress matched the color of my eyes and went well with my silver hair. I had finally gotten used to this appearance and was starting to enjoy dressing up.

When I opened the jewelry box I used, the dazzling gems inside still hurt my eyes.

"Hmm... I think these will do."

Apparently, she had liked red, so there were a lot of large ruby accessories. I took out a relatively simple amethyst earring and necklace and put them on.

Just thinking about the total value made me dizzy. I decided to sell most of them soon.

After finishing my preparations, I went to the hall and was praised to the point of embarrassment by my parents and the servants. Then, I got into the carriage. Tim would be with me to the venue today as well.

"Understand, Miss? No matter how much past rumors have circulated, men will definitely be drawn to you in this appearance. Don't follow them blindly."

"Okay, I understand."

"Especially after the engagement was broken, you'll be a prime target. And absolutely, don't go anywhere other than the venue."

"Understood."

Tim worried about me all the way to the venue. Ever since I returned to my original body, he had always been by my side when I went out. He must be even more worried because I was going to a place out of his reach. He is truly a kind person.

...By the way, my tutor, Miss Ramona, came to our house yesterday. She is a wonderful person who taught me the minimum necessary things for social occasions in a short time.

I am looking forward to learning magic and other subjects from her in the future. However, I was really puzzled as to why she agreed to be my tutor.

Eventually, we arrived at the venue. I took a deep breath and started walking slowly. This was my first social event since the engagement was broken, and it was a large one.

I was nervous, but I tried to stay calm and composed. As I walked into the castle, I felt piercing gazes. "Is that Sadi Arklight...?" "Well, she has the nerve to show her face."

I told myself not to mind, not to mind, and walked with my chest out. By the way, I had practiced walking in heels a lot. Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks when I saw a familiar black figure just before the ballroom.

"...Rufus?"

Rufus, who was talking to a colleague in the long corridor, made eye contact with me. The man with him was also familiar. He was wearing a knight's uniform, so he must be on duty in the castle today. He is four years older than me.

He widened his narrow eyes and looked at me in surprise. Even his surprised expression seemed picturesque.

I stopped involuntarily, but I couldn't linger. I smiled and gave a small bow before continuing to walk. As I passed by him, I thought, I hope he read the letter from the other day. Just then, a loud thud echoed behind me.

I turned around in a panic and saw that Rufus's head was somehow stuck to the wall. It seemed he had accidentally bumped into it.

I was worried if he was okay, but the colleague who looked like him smiled wryly and gestured that he was fine. I nodded and continued walking.

Even Rufus, who serves as the head of the knights, can bump into things accidentally. Seeing his face made me feel a little less nervous.

Then, I stepped into the glittering ballroom alone.

◇◇◇

"Oh, Sadi. I've been waiting for you."

"Eliza."

"Hehe, you look beautiful as always."

As soon as I entered, Eliza called out to me. However, the moment she saw me, the people around her all reacted with obvious confusion and took a step back from me.

"Sadi...?"

"Yes, it's me."

"You really have changed..."

I had heard that I was quite harsh to young ladies of lower status. It was a natural reaction to a slight change in my appearance.

"...I'll go around and greet people."

Of course, I didn't know who I should greet, and no one would be happy to be greeted by me. However, I felt bad that my presence was making the atmosphere worse.

Eliza had said she would stay with me, but I decided to spend some time alone.

Most importantly, I had to find Neil. Was he really somewhere in this vast venue?

I went to a corner of the venue and leaned against the wall. Amid the continued piercing gazes, I was thinking about how to find Neil and what to do if he was different inside when a voice called out to me.

"There you are, I've been looking for you."

I looked up to see a handsome young man with soft chestnut hair looking at me and smiling. The way he looked so happy to find me suggested a close relationship.

Could this be one of the men I had been close to? If so, it would be too awkward and scary. As I was wondering how to respond, he suddenly laughed.

"Haha, Sadi, you haven't changed."

"......Um,"

"You still show everything on your face."

Then he laughed like a child.

"Pleased to meet you, Sadi. I'm Neil."