RMSBD 10

Chapter – 10

It was a long time ago now that my real mother used to call me “cute little Cheryl.” After she passed, there was no one left to call me cute.

Girlfriends seemed to compliment each other’s appearances as a matter of course, and even knowing it was just flattery, it still made me a little happy.

But today, with Mother’s magic, I truly was as beautiful as a different person. Even I—who looked in the mirror every day and thought I wasn’t cute—even I thought the person in the mirror today was beautiful.

It felt almost like it had nothing to do with me—and in a way, it probably didn’t. This was all thanks to Mother’s spell.

—Humility is a virtue, but self-deprecation is not something to show outwardly.

Then today, I would praise myself. Today, I would forget humility—along with self-deprecation.

A single night’s dream, under a spell. My goal remained unchanged. Whether I was plain or beautiful, I was looking for someone who would see my inner self.

My inner self, I had polished thoroughly. It wasn’t that I compared myself to anyone, but I was certainly at a level I wouldn’t be ashamed of. Mother had always praised and nurtured that part of me.

Today, on top of that, I had Mother’s magic—a face made up to look as beautiful as a different person. Mother said I was beautiful today, and so did the servants. …And Father looked at me for the first time in what felt like forever.

I would smile with confidence, circulate through the venue, and talk to many people. Until I met someone who would see my inner self.

…I would have liked to dance, but would there be time for that? Perhaps I might even meet someone I could converse with while dancing. With the way I looked today, I might even be asked to dance.

As I was pondering such things in the carriage, it seemed we had arrived. The coachman took my hand and helped me down in front of the venue.

Normally, I would have been escorted by Father up the stairs, but instead I climbed each step alone, carefully so as not to trip. Fortunately, a red carpet was laid out to prevent slipping, so as long as I didn’t step on the hem of my dress, I should be all right.

And then I stood before the large double doors. There were gate guards; when I gave my name, they opened the doors for me. Since nobles of count rank and above had been sent invitations, even a woman alone could enter by showing hers.

The doors opened. Outside, bonfires had been lit, but inside, the hall was as bright as day, lit by numerous chandeliers and wall sconces.

“Presenting Lady Cheryl Musel, daughter of Count Musel!”

The announcer inside called out in a booming voice. Many people had already gathered and were chatting, but his voice carried over them all.

The entrance was on the second floor, up the outer stairs. Below the arched staircase lay the ballroom.

At the announcer’s voice, those who had been chatting turned their eyes toward the entrance, as if out of courtesy.

Gradually, the hall fell silent… hush…

(I—I knew it, was it strange after all? If my foundation isn’t good, even Mother’s spell…)

A dark thought crossed my mind. I still had to descend the stairs and stand in the ballroom. Yet, frozen by the countless gazes and the silence, I couldn’t move.

I was doing my best to keep a smile on my face. But I couldn’t move. If I took a step now, I felt certain I would trip.

Then, a man ascended the stairs. He was tall, with a beautiful face—golden hair gleaming in the chandelier light, and bright green eyes.

“It’s been a long time, Lady Cheryl. Please, do me the honor of letting me escort you.”

No way, I thought. I had indeed announced my name, but back then I had been under Mother’s spell in a different sense.

There was no way he would remember… no way he could match me to that person—

But the smiling man, even grown, still bore traces of that face. It was Lord Hugh Felix, son of the Duke.