That day was my eighteenth birthday. A grand party was being held at the Chaderan family mansion.
A row of exquisite cuisine and wine. Gentlemen dressed to the nines... For a party hosted by a poor baron, quite a crowd had gathered.
But the star of this party was not me, Marie Chaderan. It was my sister, Anastasia.
“Oh, it’s wonderful! What a beautiful dress. Father, Mother, thank you so much!”
Anastasia twirled, her rose-pink skirt swirling around her. It was truly a beautiful party dress. With her golden hair adorned with countless decorations, she looked like a princess from every angle. She was so beautiful and cute that there was no room for complaint, even if I was envious.
On the other hand, I was wearing a gray dress with only a few embroidery stitches. Could this even be called a dress? It was certainly not suitable for the star of the party, nor for a noblewoman. My red hair, though washed, was matted and frizzy, looking like a stray dog’s. My parents sighed as they looked at me.
“Bear with it, Marie. We are poor, so we couldn’t prepare anything better.”
“Yes, I’m sorry. Besides, there’s no point in having a dress made for you. You wouldn’t look good in a cute dress.”
…When they said that, I couldn’t say anything.
“Marie, would you like to wear my dress? I have plenty, so it’s fine.”
My sister called out to me kindly. She must not have meant any harm. I shook my head.
“I’m too tall, so I can’t wear your clothes…”
“A little alteration should do the trick.”
“Anastasia, Marie doesn’t like cute outfits.”
Mother interjected. That wasn’t entirely true… but it was a fact that they didn’t suit me, and I felt embarrassed and reluctant to wear them.
Anastasia frowned at my silence but soon smiled. She bounced on her heels like a young girl.
“That dress is beautiful too. It’s sophisticated and cool, and it suits you well.”
“Thank you. You are truly lovely, Sister.”
That wasn’t flattery. Anastasia was really beautiful and incredibly popular.
We were children of the same parents, but we didn’t share a single similarity.
My sister Anastasia, my younger sister Marie. Fluffy golden-haired Anastasia, matted red-haired Marie. Petite Anastasia and tall, boyish Marie. Outgoing and sociable Anastasia and book-loving Marie. Spoiled and adorable Anastasia, who could get anything she wanted, and Marie, who couldn’t even say a word against our parents.
Anastasia always shone brightly, but I was just hopeless. No matter how much money was spent, it was a waste, so I always wore the same old clothes.
Today, though the dress was plain, it was new. I had washed my hair with soap, and it should have been a bit better—yet.
Yet, no one noticed that I was the star of the party.
At the buffet, the one surrounded by guests saying, “Happy birthday, Miss,” was Anastasia. I, standing next to her, was completely ignored, as if I were a maid.
When Anastasia tried to correct them, our parents strangely silenced her, smiling at the guests and thanking them for coming.
A young nobleman knelt before her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Anastasia. As I’ve heard, you are even more beautiful than the rumors suggest.”
“T-thank you very much.”
“Please dance with me. I crossed the canal just for this.”