RMSBD 08

Chapter – 08 

Mother’s Magic

“M-Mother… such a beautiful dress for me…”

“It’s all right, Cheryl. Just for today, I’ll cast a spell on you. A spell that makes anyone who sees you think you’re lovely. This dress is nothing more than a prop for that—and the accessories too.”

When the dress for tonight’s party was brought to my room, I was so shocked I could hardly believe it.

These days, dresses with voluminous skirts were the trend. The style favored a cinched waist, pushed-up bust, and a greatly flared skirt.

However, what Mother chose was an elegant empire-line dress with a slender silhouette—still the kind that lifted the bust for a beautiful shape, but with the fabric twisted in a way somewhat closer to a mermaid line, yet not overly revealing the body’s contours. From the slits at the hem, perhaps to match my youth, abundant white silk frills peeked out.

It didn’t look heavy—maybe because of the lustrous silk. And above all, it was an ice-blue dress, the same color as my eyes. The jewelry too featured large, deep blue gemstones set in beautiful silver filigree.

Everything felt far too extravagant for me. Still, Mother never lied to me. If she said she would cast a spell, then it must truly be so.

With the help of the maids, my skin was scrubbed in the bath, I was fitted into thin undergarments for the dress, the corset was tightened, and my hair was dried and brushed. My gray hair, which I had carefully grown out, shone like silver thread when the scented oil was applied.

Dressed in a gown far too fine for me, I sat before the mirror. There I was, still as plain as ever. I felt that thanks to the dress I might at least look somewhat presentable, but surely people’s eyes would go to the dress first, and then they’d be disappointed when they saw my face.

From there, it was Mother’s work.

Beside my anxious face, Mother’s still-beautiful face—she was past thirty now—appeared in the mirror. After sending all the maids out, Mother spoke.

“I’m going to cast a spell on you now. A spell that won’t break until you come home tonight. Find someone wonderful there. If that doesn’t work, you’ll marry the match I’ve arranged for you. …This is a one-time spell. If you can’t find someone who will protect you for the rest of your life tonight, then you’ll obey what I say. I won’t let you go to a party alone ever again. …It’s all right, Cheryl. With my spell, you will be more beautiful than anyone in the entire country, just for tonight. Trust me, and close your eyes.”

Mother’s words carried weight, and I closed my eyes, trusting in the years we had spent together.

Various puffs and brushes moved across my face. It felt ticklish, but never before had so much care been put into my face. I could feel my hair being beautifully braided and pinned up.

I was curious how it would turn out, but I held still until Mother said it was ready.

When I first met Mother, she had been truly beautiful. And ever since, she had remained beautiful, always. That same Mother, who had kept telling me I wasn’t cute at all, said she would use magic to make my face—just for tonight—more beautiful than anyone in the country… yes, even more beautiful than her.

“All right, Cheryl. Open your eyes.”

“…!”

There, in the mirror, was someone who closely resembled my late real mother—someone I could hardly recognize as myself.

I didn’t think my eyes were usually that large, and my complexion was radiant. My hair was perfectly styled without a single strand out of place, and my lips were glossy, painted a pale pink that complemented my fair features.

I looked like a completely different person. At this rate, even Bianca and the others might not recognize me if they saw me. I knew they would be at tonight’s party too, but my face was far too different.

Truly, it was magic. First, the spell that made me look frumpy. Now, a spell that made me as beautiful as a different person. Mother’s makeup was worthy of being called magic.

“The maids and the coachman will surely be astonished. Everyone will tell you how beautiful you are. Yes… under the spell, you truly are beautiful. Cheryl, you are beautiful.”

“M-Mother…”

I never imagined the day would come when Mother would call me beautiful.

As a finishing touch, she put the necklace and earrings on me, and then Mother said “Have a good time” and sent me out into the hallway. It seemed she didn’t intend to see me off all the way to the front door.

“I’m going now. …Mother, thank you.”

I smiled and thanked her, and the door clicked shut behind me.

Waiting for me were all the servants of the house.

“You look absolutely gorgeous, my lady!”

“There’s no way any man’ll leave you alone! A peerless beauty, you are!”

“Hey! Don’t say such vulgar things! Still—truly, you look like a goddess!”

Never before had the servants praised me this much.

I was showered with compliments all the way to the entrance, and as I looked up, I met eyes with Father, who was standing on the second floor.

Father stared at me with an expression of utter astonishment, but he said nothing.

What he didn’t say was what he didn’t want to be asked about. So I neither blamed him nor expected anything from him.

Instead of saying “I’m going now,” I gave a lady’s curtsey and headed for the carriage.