The municipal school is not meant for the children of the nobility. Moreover, it is common for girls to hire female tutors of the same sex. Our family cannot afford that, and as an unattractive person, I have no place in society. Being able to read, write, and do arithmetic is more useful to the household than the refined education of a noble... That's why I was allowed to attend.
It is a very embarrassing thing. I was strictly told not to talk to anyone about attending school, let alone my studies as a hobby.
I did something wrong. Today is Anastasia's debut party... If it were known that I, such an embarrassing sister, exist, it could tarnish my sister's reputation.
"---What's wrong, young lady? Continue, please."
"...Please forget it, sir. I apologize."
"Wait!"
My arm was grabbed.
It was a large hand. I raised my gaze from that hand.
And I stared at the gentleman's face.
He was surprisingly tall. Even though I am as tall as a man, his eyes were a head above mine.
I had been distracted by his foreign features earlier... but upon closer inspection, he had a very handsome face. His beauty was so sharp, yet his eyes were soft and gentle, looking straight at me.
...What a wonderful person.
Is this person also here to propose to Anastasia? To think that even someone like this... My sister is amazing. Really amazing. Compared to her, I...
I already knew this, and self-mockery was a common occurrence. Yet, for some reason, my heart ached today. I gasped from the constricting pain, and tears fell from my eyes.
The man drew a breath.
"...What's wrong, young lady? What are these tears for?"
"It's nothing... I'm sorry..."
"Did I do something to offend you? If it's because I mistook you for a servant at first, I will apologize as many times as you wish. You should hit me. You have the right to be angry, not to cry."
"You did nothing wrong. I never thought a baron's daughter would be in such a shabby state, especially on a day like this for a party."
"...Why are you dressed like this? Is Shadelan so impoverished that it cannot afford a single dress for its daughter?"
"I'm not cute. That's all."
Saying it out loud made me feel a bit ridiculous. I wiped away my tears and pasted on a ladylike smile.
"Please don't worry. I enjoyed talking to you tonight."
I bowed and tried to leave, but my arm was grabbed again. With a hand so large it was almost frightening, the man pulled me closer.
He was so close I could feel his breath, and he stared intently at my face.
"You are beautiful."
He said this briefly in Ipus.
I pushed him away. Taking a step back, I spoke quickly.
"The star of the night is in the salon. Please enjoy yourselves!"
As I ran away, I heard the sound of shoes for a moment, as if he was about to chase after me. I didn't stop and rushed into the house. I dove into the first door I saw, which led to my private room—once a servant's room. It was a small, poorly lit room where I crouched and cried silently.
I was overwhelmingly sad.
About a month after that terrible birthday, on a certain day, when I entered the living room, my family was in a commotion.
"Great, great! Well done, Anastasia!"
Next to my father, my mother was saying something similar. Anastasia, in the middle, looked confused as she stared at the letter.
"...But I don't remember this person. They must have left without even greeting me..."
"No, no, the affairs of men and women are not based on the time spent together. He must have fallen for you at first sight. There's nothing strange about it; you have that much charm."
"...But..."
At that moment, my father finally noticed me. He was unusually cheerful and spread his arms wide.
"Marie! Anastasia's marriage is settled. Look at this!"
He thrust a piece of parchment at me, which had a simple sentence.
"To the eldest daughter of the Baron Shadelan, Lady Anastasia. I would like to welcome the beautiful noblewoman into the Granado family as soon as possible, to be the wife of Cyrus Granado."
"A big catch! A golden opportunity! I invited them just in case, but I never thought it would actually work. We'll hurry to train Anastasia as a bride and send her to the capital next month. Marie, write to the relatives and neighboring nobles. Emphasize that the groom is the Earl Granado."
"...Yes, I understand."
I was not surprised that my sister's good match was settled. My parents had been looking for the best match since her debut in society.
Speaking of which, the earl seemed like a disappointment. They had said Anastasia could aim for a marquis or even a foreign prince. Why were they so happy?
"The Earl Granado will eventually succeed his father, the duke. Moreover, he is a wealthy man. He is far more stable and luxurious than a small country's king!"
"Look, Marie, at this pile of dresses. ...They're a bit too big for Anastasia... but what a wonderful texture. I've never seen anything like this..."