TDWO Chapter 17

“…….”

 

Anri scratched under her nose a couple of times and glanced over at Eunice.

Eunice was holding a basket full of bread; her eyes were red as if she had been crying, and she looked more downcast than usual.

 

“Oh, hello…”

 

Eunice greeted in a soft, hesitant voice.

They lived in the same house, so what kind of greeting was that?

Anri straightened her posture.

 

“What about your mother and Candice?”

“T-the ball…”

 

They left Eunice behind.

It was obvious. She probably couldn’t fit into her dress and had to give up.

Candice must have pressured Catherine, who did not want to be seen with Eunice.

But why did Eunice cry? It bothered Anri. Was it because of Candice?

 

“Why didn’t you go?”

 

Eunice’s eyes darted around in surprise at Anri’s question.

Then, with hunched shoulders, she replied.

 

“……I-I don’t have a dress.”

 

Anri knew why Eunice always seemed to falter when speaking to her.

She couldn’t decide whether to address Anri formally or casually.

Anri didn’t care either way.

She just felt a bit frustrated with Eunice’s indecisiveness, but she chose not to care.

After all, Eunice would eventually do whatever was comfortable for her.

But it’s been three years of her trailing off like that, so it’s understandable to feel frustrated.

 

“Why wouldn’t there be a dress? Don’t you want to go to the ball, sister?”

“…….”

 

Eunice, clutching the bread basket closer, seemed lost in thought.

 

“…I find pajamas more comfortable.”

 

What kind of nonsensical answer was that?

It seemed impossible to get Eunice’s true feelings through conversation.

 

“Candice didn’t want me to go…”

 

Then Eunice muttered in a small, tearful voice.

So she wants to go!

Anri’s eyes lit up for a moment.

This was the perfect opportunity to put Candice in her place and boost Eunice’s confidence.

Anri dashed to her room and urgently pulled the servant bell rope three times to signal the urgency.

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

“I don’t need a corset.”

 

Eunice’s room was filled with a sense of urgency.

Led by Anri, they were joined by Mrs. Eva, the housekeeper and cook, as well as the young maids, Barbara and Lina, all standing attentively.

All eyes were focused on Eunice.

Anri looked up and down at Eunice, who was standing there in her undergarments.

Today, she’s going to be Eunice’s fairy godmother.

 

“Your skin is amazing, Eunice. The fairest, softest, and most delicate of anyone I know. It makes me want to touch it.”

 

Anri’s comment was echoed by Eva.

 

“Miss Eunice’s skin is something I envy as well. It’s so firm.”

“Exactly. So smooth and beautiful.”

“You’re as fair as Venus herself.”

 

Perhaps because Eunice usually didn’t cause trouble for others, the servants showered her with genuine compliments.

Eunice, feeling embarrassed, couldn’t even lift her head.

Anri, too, envied Eunice’s skin. It was so fair, delicate, and radiant, like the flesh of a peach.

She would surely shine even brighter at the ball, surrounded by other young ladies.

 

“It’s probably best to take it off, right?”

 

At Anri’s question, the servants all nodded seriously.

 

“Barbara.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Bring me that dress. The one I’ve hidden.”

“Excuse me? The late mistress’s dress?”

“Yes. Quickly!”

 

Barbara hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was okay, but then quickly ran off.

Miss Anri’s tone must have been quite resolute!

The dress Anri’s mother wore at her wedding was pure white, adorned with small gems that reflected light in a mystical way.

The dress was full below the waist and had a design that exposed the shoulders and upper chest, making it perfect for Eunice.

The sleeves were only covered up to the forearms.

However, since the waist wouldn’t fit, they would need to cut the back of the dress and add different fabric.

Fortunately, there was a matching veil that came with the wedding dress.

Although the veil was sheer, Eunice would look the most beautiful with it on.

Eunice’s figure was so comforting to look at, reminiscent of a Venus nude painting.

The new dress made for today’s ball was designed to completely hide Eunice’s plump body, making it less flattering than if she had worn something else.

Moreover, the color was deep navy, and the material was velvet. Eunice suited a more princess-like dress, full of lace and frills.

While Eva and Barbara hurriedly altered the dress, Anri worked with Lina on Eunice’s hair.

They styled it to reveal Eunice’s white nape, adding lace and ribbons.

 

“Oh, Anri…”

 

For the first time, Eunice made a sound after having been silent.

Anri looked at her reflection in the mirror with a questioning expression, too busy to respond.

 

“I think we’ll be late…”

“Main characters usually arrive late.”

“Ah, but Anri should also come with me…”

“Hm.”

 

When Eunice asked if Anri was going with her, Anri thought briefly.

If Eunice went alone, she’d probably go to the entrance and then turn back.

And since Anri had decided to be her fairy godmother, she had to see it through to the end.

 

“Miss!”

 

With everything ready, Anri and Eunice hurriedly left the mansion.

Eunice was so embarrassed that Anri had to physically guide her out by hand.

Outside, Hendel and Jeffrey were waiting.

 

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

 

Anri checked on their health once more.

Hendel and Jeffrey were in better condition, though not completely recovered. They were now able to move around and attend to their duties.

However, to avoid overexertion, they refrained from driving the carriage themselves.

The jolting motion could cause the bones that had healed to separate again.

Since Catherine and Candice had already left using the Roses & Hounds carriage, they had no choice but to use the Lily, their usual ride.

Even if they hurried, it was uncertain if they would arrive on time.

 

“Of course. It would be difficult to do it alone, but there are two coachmen. Marilyn and Kristan would probably be good at taking care of the ladies.”

 

Upon hearing Jeffrey’s words, Anri glanced at the carriage, where the newlywed horse couple was already ready.

 

“Please, get on quickly! I know a shortcut to the Duke of Briston’s residence.”

“Really? That’s wonderful to hear.”

 

Jeffrey was confident.

Though he couldn’t tell the young ladies, that was where he originally worked.

If not for Jeffrey, no one in the house would know the quickest route.

Moreover, Kristan, the kingdom’s finest stallion, was in top condition.

Finally, Anri and Eunice’s carriage set off.

Anri had tailored the deep navy velvet dress that Eunice had tried on but failed to wear, making it fit her perfectly.

The neat and unobtrusive dress suited Anri better than Eunice.

The fabric, wrapping from just below the neck to the wrists, showcased Anri’s slim, elegant figure, while the frills at the waist gave way to a full, flowing skirt.

 

‘…….’

 

Eunice glanced at Anri’s sweet yet poised appearance.

Her stepsister always seemed kind and beautiful.

 

‘Sister, you look so pretty.’

 

The words Anri had said when Eunice had finished dressing still lingered in her mind.

As Eunice fiddled with the hem of her dress, tears welled up in her eyes.

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

‘Wow, so this is where the male lead lives…?’

 

It was past midnight when Anri arrived at the Duke of Briston’s residence.

The entrance was grand, resembling the gates of a castle, with ornate ironwork.

However, no matter how much she looked around, she couldn’t see any mansions, just dense trees.

How vast must this place be?

As if everyone who was supposed to come had already arrived, there weren’t many guests in sight, aside from the dozen footmen leading the way.

Although the ball typically allowed entry until dawn, it felt like everyone was in a hurry today.

After confirming her identity, the grand and ornate iron gates opened.

Anri was puzzled when the footman checked her name three times, looking surprised.

Even though it was a large ball open to the public, the security seemed quite strict.

Feeling nervous, Anri’s heart raced, and her stomach began to ache slightly.

Inside the ballroom were none other than the characters from <The Queen’s Lover.>

Feeling like a girl attending her favorite idol concert for the first time, Anri was excited, but she couldn’t allow herself to be overly joyful.

 

‘Anyway, my goal is to have fun with Eunice.’

 

Finally, the carriage stopped outside the hall where the ball was being held.

Anri got out of the carriage, linking arms with Eunice as they went inside.

Everything was grand, tall, wide, and plentiful, making Anri’s head spin.

The chandeliers were dazzling, and the music from the string quintet was already thumping in his ears.

A lively polka was going full swing. Polkas are quick and exciting songs that require dancing and jumping around, but Anri didn’t like them because they made her feel drained and out of breath.

Sometimes, the ballroom felt too much like a sports field.

However, there were many young men inside, just like young ladies.

It seemed that the Duke’s residence had made an effort to balance the gender ratio.

The Duke of Briston isn’t the only man in need of a bride; there must be many young ladies who need a suitable groom, even if not him specifically.

Could the Duke of Briston be among them? If so, who could it be?

It seems difficult to identify him with just the information that he is a handsome man with black hair and black eyes.

Princess Erze must also be here, hiding her identity.

At this late hour, Edwin and Erze might have already found each other and gone to a secluded place.

What could they be doing there… Ahem.

 

‘Does this mean that I don’t need to worry about the main characters?’

 

The hall was so vast that even if Anri wanted to find Catherine and Candice to give them a surprise, she couldn’t see where they were.

 

“Sister, let’s find a handsome man for you.”

 

Anri stretched her neck and looked around while speaking to Eunice.

Eunice flinched as soon as she heard Anri’s words.

 

“M-me…?”

“We should dance while we’re here. Let’s see…”

 

What kind of man might be suitable?

Anri, with her arm linked with Eunice’s, checked the noblemen one by one.