Just as the the slow moving carriage was about to leave the Crescenteâs mansion, I took what I had entrusted to Leah and ran after it, ignoring the pain in my body.
âYour Highness! Please wait for a moment!â
He hadnât gone that far yet, so he could hear my voice.
The carriage gradually stopped. As soon as the princeâs servant opened the carriageâs door, I came closer to it. Leonhart was about to get off.
âWhatâs the matter, miss?â
Damn, my hair got messed up from running. But I donât think I look that bad because I have a pretty face.
I brushed my hair with my bare hands, then pulled out a neat package.
Before Leonhart could figure out my intention, I quickly said.
âThis is the hairpin I was trying to give to the Princess. It doesnât really suit meâ I know this is a rude behavior but Iâd like to ask you to pass it on to Her Highness.â
I pretended I forgot to give it to him earlier.
If Marianne and Sharon saw it, they wouldnât stay still. They would bring out some expensive jewelry that I couldnât afford to buy.
I had to be only one who handed the present if I wanted to be specially remembered.
What I prepared was a hairpin made by a famous craftsman, which I received as a birthday present from my brother a few years ago.
Though itâs not an extravagant and luxurious gift, but itâs an exclusive and difficult to find item.
The hairpin, adorned with black crystal, was very presentable in itâs timeless design. It seemed to be more striking and glamorous when it was on the Princessâ silver hair than my dark hair.
I chose this item to give a plausible excuse that it would suit the Princess, for fear of suspicion if I suddenly gave her an unexpected gift.
Fortunately, the hairpin was well-kept so it was in good condition.
Moreover, I was confident that the Princess would appreciate the gift.
The craftsman who made the hairpin was originally well known for making furniture, but he was also famous for producing a small quantities of ornaments when he had great inspiration.
Because of this, Princess Cynthia loved the craftsmanship made by this creator, but she didnât have much of it. Iâm sure she will like my present.
Years later, the craftsman makes a beautiful necklace full of white diamonds. The princess also covets the necklace, but the funny thing is my brother buys the last necklace one step ahead of her and present it to Ramona.
ââI see. To Cynthia?â
Leonhart and his sister were quite close, so he willingly accepted the box with a pleased look at the word â
giftâ
for his sister.
âIâll pass on the gift from Lady Adriana to Cynthia.â
âThank you, Your Highness.â
Phew. I sighed in relief. I was thinking that he wouldnât accept it because itâs suspicious.
Iâve got some plans for entering the high society, but I decided that this method of using the Princessâs favor would be the fastest way to get a foothold in society. It took a long time to build a friendly relationship by attending something such as a tea party hosted by a small family. I didnât know if it would work out as I thought it would be, but I succeeded in taking the first step.
The carriage started to move again, and when I returned to the place where my stepmother and her daughter were staying, Sharon shot sharply.
âYou! What did you do to His Highness?!â
âWell, Iâm sorry. His Royal Highness was so beautiful ⌠and wonderful ⌠and I just wanted to see him up close for the last time.â
The more I acted foolishly, the more happy they would be, and the more they paid me no attention.
I was so close to the carriage door, so they couldnât see the box.
My stepmother, who looked like she was ready to slap me, smiled as if she liked my answer.
âListen. What you just did is really stupid and rude. Itâs not an act of aristocracy. Do you think he will accept a woman like you as his fiancee? Iâm telling you in advance to know your place.â
âThatâs⌠of course ⌠His Royal Highness ⌠my fiance, I canât even imagine it.â
âIâm glad you know. You didnât show up because you wanted to get my seat, did you?â
âNo! I, I didnât even know His Highness was visiting today⌠I came out to take a walk because I was in a good mood, and heâs here ⌠I was surprised, too.â
It was hard to objectively judge my acting skill but they did not seem to doubt me. It may be because I have been obedient until now.
âBut by the way, Riana.â
âYes, yes?â
âWhat happened recently? Why did you suddenly change?â Marianne twitched her eyes.
I expected to be asked this question. I thought it would be best to say that my condition has improved naturally.
âYesâ? Changeâ?â
âWhy are you going out of your room all of a sudden? You talk more than you used to.â
Iâve been in the room for a long time ⌠Itâs true that I practiced my words a little bit. After saying three words a day, I tried to increase the number so suddenly I became more talkative.
My tongue was often twisted and my pronunciation was frequently distorted, so I read a book aloud and had a casual conversation with Leah until I got used to the words now.
Now I can manage to speak plainly, but Iâm still stuttering in front of Marianne and Sharon to give myself a feeling of being intimidated.
My sentence was much longer than it used to be, so Marianne seems to have a little bit of doubt.
âThatâs all?â
âYes ⌠why did itâ Did I make such a big mistake to His Royal Highness?â
âNo, youâre not. Now go inside.â Marianne said with an unsavory face.
I said goodbye to them and returned to my room.
When the sun began to settle down, the Duchessâ carriage returned. The dress didnât come in that day because they had to repair the dress to fit the size. Theyâll deliver them directly from the boutique when the repairs are finished.
In the meantime, I have read the basics and some of the liberal books of Ladyâs courtesy so I wonât be disgraced for making mistakes at the party. I also read the newspaper that delivered to the mansion in fear of falling behind the topic.
A few days later, the maid came and handed over a box.
âIt must be my ladyâs dress.â
Leah spoke with anticipation. But I had a bad feeling about this. I donât think itâs as fancy as Sharonâs, but I hope itâs halfway there.
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Unlocking the lid of the box, I forgot my words for a moment.
Leah couldnât say anything, but her eyes opened wide.
âWhat, this weird dress isâŚ.â
Was it a dress some designer made for a trial?
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T/N: actually, Iâm not really fond of Cinderellaâs story because the stepmother sucks ⌠itâs not hard to give her a proper dress, for Godâs sake.