Time flowed steadily amidst the expectations of many.
Since Ariella got involved, the preparations for Lizzy’s debutante ball progressed rapidly, as if they had grown wings, and the servants, tired of inefficiency, happily spent their days in a smooth process.
Finally, the day of the ball was just a day away.
“Miss! It’s finally here!”
Amira’s bright voice woke the morning. Ariella, who had risen early as usual to drink tea, greeted her with a relaxed smile.
Soon, a well-built servant carried several large boxes into the room. The elegantly wrapped gift boxes had a white card stuck in them.
[A.]
Did that card get written by him?
Seeing the initials written in a beautiful script, Ariella let out a small laugh. However, realizing Amira was looking at her with sparkling eyes, she quickly composed her expression.
“It arrived just the day before the ball. I was worried it might not come at all!”
“It couldn’t be helped. The schedule was quite tight after all.”
“Oh my, you’re already taking his side. What about the other men who admire you, Miss? They must be feeling quite left out!”
“Amira. Stop teasing and let’s try it on quickly. If there’s anywhere it doesn’t fit, we need to call Rosa to alter it.”
“Yes-.”
Amira pouted as if disappointed and grumbled. Just a few days ago, it had been fun to tease her. Clever Ariella had quickly learned how to deflect her jokes.
However, despite her pouting act, her steps toward the gift box were lively.
Finally, the time had come to properly adorn the lady. For Amira, who had been waiting for this moment for a long time, there couldn’t be a better feeling.
“What’s inside?”
Courtney, who had been slowly tidying the bed while glancing at Ariella and Amira, perked up her ears and approached. Upon seeing her, Amira abruptly closed the gift box she had been about to open.
“You don’t need to know. Courtney, I’ll handle the rest, so you can go now. I think the head maid was calling for you earlier.”
Amira issued a cold command. She had been doing this ever since Ariella started to show favoritism toward Courtney, so it was no surprise.
What was surprising, however, was that even Ariella, who had always sided with Courtney, turned her head away today.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going out?”
As Amira urged her, Courtney’s hand, holding the duster, trembled.
Ironically, even though Courtney had betrayed Ariella first, she felt a great sense of betrayal from Ariella, who did not stop Amira.
‘I knew this would happen! She pretended to be so nice, but in the end, she’s going to cast me aside!’
She was overwhelmed with shame at being overshadowed by Amira and left Ariella’s room without even offering a proper farewell.
It would have been appropriate to scold her and bring her back immediately, but Ariella showed mercy and let her go safely. Then, as if nothing had happened, she smiled at Amira.
“Could you help me put on the dress now, Amira? Since we’re trying it on in advance, I’d like to try on all the accessories I’ll wear tomorrow as well.”
“Of course, Miss! Leave it to me.”
Amira also quickly forgot about Courtney’s presence and replied cheerfully.
And thus, the long-awaited dressing time began.
Amira focused all her attention on making Ariella beautiful. The level of concentration was entirely different from when she had dressed the daughter of the late Izan Freeson.
Her platinum-blonde hair was carefully braided, and a hairpiece adorned with lily of the valley was inserted.
To emphasize her flawless skin, makeup was kept to a minimum, but her white cheeks and plump lips were painted with a translucent rosy hue.
After donning the dress made by Lady Corcos herself and putting on the red ruby necklace, the long dressing session finally came to an end.
And when Ariella checked her appearance again…
“… Wow.”
She was so beautiful that it made her gasp in admiration.
Ariella stared at the mirror for a long time, unable to believe her eyes. The beauty reflected in the mirror looked radiant and bright like a spring fairy
“Was the power of makeup really this strong?”
Lizzy often did Ariella’s makeup. It seemed like she put a lot of effort into it for dozens of minutes, but strangely, the result was not very pleasing.
Instead, it made Ariella look older, so until now, she had thought of herself as someone who didn’t suit makeup at all.
“Wow, Amira. You’ve completely transformed her into a different person.”
“Really? You’re mistaken. It’s not me; it’s your face that’s doing all the work! I always feel this way, but you’re way too harsh on your own Evaluation.”
