Chapter – 03
Encounter in the Garden (Part – 1)
Not long after I turned ten, a grand tea party was to be held at the royal palace, gathering children of the nobility between the ages of ten and thirteen from across the country.
On that day, Mother applied strange makeup on me. I was already not cute to begin with, but instead of light makeup to enhance my features, she drew freckles on me and darkened my eyebrows. The lipstick, too, was somehow a bit brownish. I always thought I wasn’t cute, but this wasn’t just uncuteâit was dowdy.
Even the maids tried to stop her, but Mother wouldn’t budge on this makeup. Even if I wasn’t cute, precisely because I wasn’t cute, I had wanted to try making myself look cute with makeup.
My hair was beautifully done up, and my dress was a lovely ice-blue that matched my eyesâand yet.
“Listen, Sheryl. Right now, you’re still not an adult. And this is your first time meeting children your own age. If you could make friends, would you rather make girl friends or boy friends?”
“Hmm… I think I’d rather make girl friends.”
“That’s right. It’s better to make lots of girl friends. First, if anyone gives you a strange look, be sure to explain that your stepmother did this to you. Then, making girl friends will be easy. Whether you stay friends afterward depends on you, but you have a good personality and a good nature. You have manners and consideration for others. I’m sure you’ll find wonderful friends.”
“Really? Even if I’m not cute, can I make friends?”
“Of course. You’re a good girl. Let me teach you a trick to tell them apart. When you say your stepmother did this to you, treasure the children who get angry. Those are the ones who will truly care about you. And on the other hand, don’t get too close with the children who just pity you. They’ll eventually look down on you. …I love you, Sheryl. I wish I could have made you at least a little cute, but please forgive me for making you stand before others like this.”
“Of course, Mother. So you made me look dowdy so that I’d choose people who judge me by my character rather than my appearance. That’s fineâI’m not cute to begin with, so I’ll be happy if I can find true friends this way.”
“You really are a clever girl. Smart children can be kind to others. Always think about the feelings of the people in front of you. Now, it’s time to go. Have a wonderful time.”
“Yes, Mother.”
After our exchange, the maids had no choice but to fall silent.
No matter how I thought about it, what Mother said made sense.
Even if I tried to dress up a little when I wasn’t cute to begin with, I might just be made fun of and fail to make friends.
But if I was made this dowdy, even if my base looks were bad, people would surely wonder what happened. And as Mother said, those who get angry at Mother for making me look dowdy are the ones who will think of my wellbeing. Conversely, those who merely pity me are the ones who would pity and look down on me even if they saw my real face.
I’d be so happy if I could make girl friends. Some might even compliment my dress.
To those who get angry on my behalf, I’ll make sure to tell them how much Mother cherishes me.
How kind and wonderful Mother is. How loving she is to me.
…Maybe it’s not good to test people like this, but I’ve been taught all the etiquette for high society as well.
I learned that unless one holds a very high rank, it’s easy to be looked down upon based on appearance or family status and fail to fit in. I’d like to believe there aren’t any twisted children my age like that, though.
I don’t like Mother being spoken ill of at all, but still, she did this for me. So I’ll trust her words.
…Come to think of it, I’ve never heard Mother talk about her own girlfriends. She must exchange letters with them, I’m sure.
What one doesn’t speak of is what one doesn’t want to be asked. That was the very first lesson I learned in etiquette.
So I won’t ask Mother if she has friends. She’s so kindâshe must have friends, anyway.
I mustn’t let my heart become as dowdy as my appearance.
