Chapter 37

Ariadne had to cover her own grooming and all the party preparations for the debutante ball with a budget of 150 ducats (approximately 150 million won). This included food, alcohol, interior decoration, the band, the program, events, and more. Ariadne first checked all the items available at home.

"The family crest, furniture, and the alcohol in the basement wine cellar... Is that all?"

Sancha replied,

"You can also use the kitchen staff. I doubt Lady Lucrezia would forbid even that. However, she might not let you touch the ingredients."

"True, but with a bit of tact, we can buy the ingredients from outside. We can't make everything with what we have at home anyway. The only cost we can't cut is the band."

"Eh? Miss? You're not going to have the tapestries made?"

In 1122, to decorate a ball in San Carlo, one typically chose a specific concept and had matching fabrics made for the banisters, chair covers, tablecloths, and more to unify the atmosphere of the hall. A tapestry with embroidery reflecting the theme of the ball was also made and hung on the wall.

"You have the family crest, but you need to have a party tapestry made. Time is short, and the best embroidery shops in town are probably fully booked."

For a victory celebration ball, the most important battle would be embroidered, and for a royal birth celebration ball, the birth story of the royal's patron saint would be embroidered. The more elaborate and intricate the tapestries, the more effort was put into the ball. In the case of a luxurious ball, it was common to spend 1-2 years and 2-300 ducats (approximately 200-300 million won) just on the embroidery.

"Come here."

Ariadne pulled Sancha close and whispered a few things in her ear.

"Can you do it?"

"Eh?! It would certainly save money, but... If you order it, I can do it. But... Will it be okay, Miss?"

"Trust me. The reaction will definitely be good."

'After all, I'm borrowing the latest trend from 1123. It will be banned soon, but that's beside the point.'

Ariadne slammed the ledger shut and said energetically,

"I think we can do it. Let's try!"

"Yes, Miss!"

* * *

While Ariadne was adjusting the entire budget of the ball with 150 ducats, Isabella was investing 50 ducats (approximately 50 million won) in her own grooming.

"'A girl who sees through the truth,' what kind of nickname is that?!"

Isabella lashed out at Maletha, who was helping her with her grooming.

"I don't even have such a nickname yet!"

"Your younger sister is really overstepping. She's inferior to you in appearance, talent, and character, yet why is she so bold?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying!"

Isabella, frustrated, snapped the thin wooden stick she was using to apply perfume to her eyelashes.

"I have to show who's on top at this debutante ball. I absolutely have to be prettier than her."

"That's a given just by breathing."

"But! Firmly! Clearly! Without any room for argument, I have to be prettier!"

Maletha, combing Isabella's hair, reassured her.

"Madam Clementa will arrive at the Collegio dress shop in thirty minutes. The Collegio dress shop is the best on Tiber Street, isn't it? The hangers are better, the dresses are better, and the decorations are perfect. How could Miss Isabella not be prettier than Miss Ariadne?"

"Right? It should be, right?"

"Of course."

The Collegio dress shop on Tiber Street was a store that Maletha could confidently praise. In San Carlo, places where nobles and socialites had their clothes made were typically divided into dress shops and tailors. The latter could be used by ordinary people if they had the financial means, but the former were exclusive spaces for special people. The dress shops were located on the main street by the Tiber River, used the finest Moorish Empire fabrics imported by the Republic of Porto through maritime trade, and had waiting lists that stretched for months, making it difficult to use without connections. The prices were naturally very high. While tailors followed trends, dress shops led them, and the Collegio dress shop was the most advanced among them.

"Miss Isabella, Madam Clementa has arrived."

Isabella beamed at the maid's announcement.

"Please escort Madam Clementa to Mother's parlor."

"Yes, Miss."

Isabella usually received guests in the parlor on the second floor, west side, which she shared with Arabella and Ariadne, but today she had no intention of telling Ariadne what she was wearing. Isabella welcomed Madam Clementa in the east parlor of Lucrezia, treating her with great respect.

"I have Moorish Empire tea and desserts from the Kingdom of Gallic. They are very delicious. I love them. Please try them."

Isabella, holding a delicate tea food filled with sugar, offered it to Madam Clementa. However, Madam Clementa, with a kind but professional attitude, declined.

"Thank you, my lady, but I have to touch a lot of fabrics today. I can't eat anything that might get oil on my fingers."

Isabella, annoyed that her offer was rejected, but knowing the person was important, suppressed her irritation and smiled brightly.

"Oh, right? I don't really like tea foods either. Let's look at the fabrics."

She casually contradicted what she had just said, threw the tea food onto the plate, and started looking at the catalog and fabric samples Madam Clementa had brought. Most of the fabrics Madam Clementa presented were dark in color. For the autumn, the young ladies of San Carlo typically ordered dresses in calm tones like blue, burgundy, and mustard. However, none of them caught Isabella's eye. She flipped through the fabrics casually, stopped, and asked Madam Clementa a question.

"Do you have any lighter colored fabrics? White or cream, perhaps?"

Surprised by the request, Madam Clementa gestured to her assistant to bring the fabric sample patches that had been pushed to the back. These were fabrics she had assumed would not be used today and had put at the bottom. Before presenting the fabrics, she confirmed the customer's intentions.

"Forgive me, Miss de Mare."

"Yes?"

"Are you making a dress for your sister's debutante ball? Is it okay to choose a white dress?"

At a debutante ball, it was polite for everyone except the debutante and her partner to avoid white dresses. Isabella, of course, had worn a white dress at her own debutante ball last year and had harshly criticized anyone who wore a slightly lighter colored dress. However, Isabella was Isabella. She didn't like being treated poorly but had no qualms about treating others the same way.

'Why does she have to meddle so much... Just do as I say!'

Isabella bit her tongue to suppress the harsh words that were about to come out. Madam Clementa was a big shot that even Isabella found hard to book. She was worried about what might happen if she acted rashly. Concerned about being banned from the Collegio, she barely restrained her urge to lash out and thought to herself that she was a polite and good person for being able to endure such things. She lied without even moistening her lips.

"Well, if it's a debutante ball for all of us, it would be impolite to the other young ladies to wear white, but this is a private ball for my sister, isn't it?"

Isabella continued with a sweet smile.

"My sisters and I have such a good relationship that my youngest sister suggested we all wear white dresses to match."

"Is that so."

Based on her 20 years of experience running a dress shop, Madam Clementa could tell that something was off with Isabella. If the three sisters were to wear matching dresses, they would typically all order from the same shop. However, Isabella's two younger sisters were nowhere to be seen. Moreover, the youngest daughter of this house was not even old enough to attend a debutante ball, so the idea of matching dress colors seemed meaningless. However, Madam Clementa was a dress shop owner, not a judge.

"If you want a white dress, I will make it for you."

Madam Clementa's job was to make the dress, and the consequences would be the wearer's responsibility. Isabella, with a sinister gleam in her eyes, added one more request.

"Make it the most luxurious and something that will surprise everyone."

* * *

Isabella had lost face among her friends due to the previous composition theft incident. However, in San Carlo, the most beautiful girl and a mere incident were not enough to sever social ties, given the many entanglements and Isabella's considerable influence. Therefore, Camelia de Castellione, who could not even complain to anyone, attended the afternoon tea party that Isabella de Mare effectively hosted, accompanied by her fiancé.

"Please come in, Miss de Castellione."

The most handsome and tall male servant (a well-paid male servant who greets guests) employed by the Leonati family led Camelia inside in a luxurious uniform. The afternoon tea party was held at the Leonati family's residence. Leticia de Leonati, a loyal subordinate of Isabella, hosted the tea party for Isabella. Leticia, who had a bulky build and free-spirited features that did not match her pretty name, filled her lack of presence in society by being Isabella's beautiful and popular friend. Naturally, she was devoted to Isabella to maintain her position.

"Thank you."

Camelia de Castellione, forcing a smile, maintained her dignity in front of the male servant. Octavio de Contarini, escorting her, entered with her.

"Signor Octavio. Welcome to the Leonati family residence."

Unlike Camelia, who was addressed by her family name, Octavio de Contarini was called "Signor Octavio" because he was the son of a count. The children of count families and higher were addressed by their names, while those of baron, viscount, and those without titles were addressed by their family names. "Miss de Castellione" was a title that reflected the status of the Castellione family, which only had a baron title. This was also true for Isabella de Mare of the powerful de Mare family.

"Miss de Mare. Welcome to the Leonati family residence."

Isabella, receiving the polite greeting from the male servant, frowned.

"Signora Julia, the Leonati family welcomes the daughter of the Baldesar viscount family."

This was in stark contrast to Julia de Baldesar, who followed closely behind. Julia, being the daughter of the Baldesar viscount family, was called by her own name. Isabella, who could have Madam Clementa's dresses and was the envy of all young men in the capital, could never be addressed by her name in official settings.

'What makes me worse than Julia de Baldesar?'

The future of Isabella de Mare, the most beautiful and talented girl in San Carlo, was undoubtedly brighter than the sharp but plain Julia de Baldesar. At least, Isabella believed so. However, in official settings, Isabella's position was always one step behind Julia's.

Isabella no longer wanted to stand behind the family name. The family belonged to her father and would eventually belong to her brother. The only glory she could fully possess was the glory attached to her own name.

'Her Royal Highness Isabella, Princess.'

When that day came, she could stand on her own. Until then, she had to make the most of what she had. Isabella was determined to use every trick in the book to reach that position, regardless of the means.