Chapter 26
At last, the day of the social party hosted by Elisha arrived.
The maids of the detached palace were buzzing with excitement.
Lucy had once been the imperial family’s ugly duckling.
Yet that same Lucy had not only impressed the Emperor at the imperial banquet, but had also earned the opportunity to make her debut in high society through the social party Elisha was hosting.
At this event, Lucy had to look perfect.
The maids dressed her with utmost care and devotion.
They wanted to adorn her as lavishly as Elisha, but there were limits.
Unlike the regretful maids, Lucy was more than satisfied.
Her appearance—into which she had put the most effort since possessing this body—was beautiful enough.
I’m really debuting into high society.
The realization hit Lucy anew.
And she felt nervous.
She checked her status window.
[Name: Lucy Adelstein | Age: 16]
[Trait: The Adelstein imperial family’s ugly duckling]
[Title: Legendary Angler Lv.10]
[Bibliophile Lv.8]
[Aestheticist Lv.3]
Lucy’s gaze drifted downward.
[Intelligence: 1]
[Stamina: 2]
[Reputation: -80]
[Cringe Power: 30]
Look at my tiny, precious stats.
Compared to when her total stats had once been around minus two hundred, it was deeply moving.
She deliberately pretended not to see the title Legendary Angler or the Cringe Power stat.
At a glance, neither seemed particularly helpful at a social party.
My stats are better than when I attended the imperial banquet, so I can succeed even without Bartholomew.
This time, Bartholomew—her most reliable ally—would not be attending the party.
It was unfortunate, but she couldn’t rely on him forever.
In the end, I have to reach the game’s ending with my own strength.
Still, setting all that aside, Lucy wished Bartholomew could attend the party.
If he came, he might be able to make new friends.
Lucy recalled Bartholomew asking her what “friends” were.
That single question had made her understand just how isolated a life he had lived.
If she could, Lucy wanted to let Bartholomew experience a wider world.
Just the other day at the night market, he had visibly brightened up.
Isn’t there some way I can help Bartholomew?
Her worries deepened.
“Princess Lucy, it’s time to depart.”
A servant approached to inform her.
Let’s clear the social party quest properly first.
Lucy nodded with a determined expression.
* * *
Lucy headed to the villa the Emperor had bestowed upon Elisha.
The villa, facing a large lake, was serene and beautiful.
To grant a place larger than most mansions as a mere villa…
Lucy once again realized just how favored Elisha was by the Emperor.
After the doorkeeper’s announcement, Lucy entered the villa and gasped in admiration.
It was decorated almost as grandly as the imperial banquet.
At the same time, Lucy was keenly aware of the gazes pouring toward her from the moment she stepped inside.
As someone setting foot in high society for the first time, Lucy was an irresistible spectacle.
The rumors trailing behind her were extravagant enough.
That she had attempted suicide to gain the Emperor’s attention.
That she had gone mad.
And yet, that she had somehow managed to catch the Emperor’s eye at the imperial banquet.
Everyone had reason to be curious about Lucy.
Just as countless probing gazes swept over her—
“Lucy.”
Elisha approached her.
As always, Elisha was beautiful.
She smiled warmly at Lucy.
“You look truly beautiful today, Lucy. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Lucy immediately understood it was empty praise.
Her eyes clearly said, No matter how much you dress up, you can’t compare to me.
Elisha stepped closer to Lucy.
Then she whispered,
“So, have you finally put an end to your pathetic little act?”
Elisha was referring to Lucy’s strange antics meant to attract the Emperor’s attention.
“An act?”
Lucy widened her eyes, as if she had no idea what Elisha meant.
At Lucy’s feigned ignorance, Elisha let out a soft hum through her nose.
“Come, Lucy. There are people I should introduce you to.”
Elisha personally introducing her to others?
Though puzzled, Lucy soon accepted it.
It must be because of the Emperor.
He had ordered Elisha to help Lucy enter high society.
Lucy obediently followed Elisha.
Then her eyes widened.
All of the male leads she had seen at the last imperial banquet were gathered there.
For Lucy—who had been worrying about how to make first contact with them—this was perfect.
“Lucy, you’re already acquainted with this gentleman, so there’s no need for a formal introduction.”
The person Elisha gestured to was Cecil.
Seeing Cecil after a long time, Lucy felt a surge of familiarity.
“Cecil, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”
Cecil’s eyes widened slightly.
It was the first time he had ever heard Lucy speak.
Hearing his name spoken by her felt strangely new.
Lucy’s voice was calm and beautiful.
It carried a clear, resonant quality that lodged itself in his ears.
He even found himself regretting that he was only hearing this voice now.
Realizing he hadn’t responded right away, Cecil cleared his throat softly.
“I’ve been well. I’m glad to see Your Highness looks much healthier.”
“That’s thanks to you, Cecil.”
Lucy smiled.
Cecil stared blankly for a moment at Lucy’s smile—one he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Elisha watched the warm atmosphere between the two with a cold gaze, then quickly put her smile back on.
She still had other young nobles to introduce.
It was something she was doing reluctantly because of the Emperor, and she wanted it over quickly.
“As you all know, this is my younger sister, Lucy Adelstein.”
After introducing Lucy, Elisha turned her gaze to the man standing farthest to the left.
“Lucy, this is Logan Wolffield—son of Count Wolffield and the commander of the Red Wolf Knights.”
Lucy looked at Logan.
Ding!
[Name: Logan Wolffield | Age: 19]
[Trait: Commander of the Red Wolf Knights]
[Affection: ?]
Logan’s affection toward Lucy was in the single digits.
At least it’s probably not negative.
Lucy recalled her first meeting with Cecil, whose affection had started in the double and even triple negatives.
Cecil had been prickly by nature and had harbored a bad impression of her, believing she was feigning illness.
I’ve never even met Logan before, so at least it shouldn’t be negative.
Though Logan’s expression as he looked at her was stiff.
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
His voice was just as rigid.
After offering a polite greeting, he withdrew his gaze from Lucy.
A clear sign that he had no further interest.
Well, that’s just how Logan is.
In her previous life, he had been a male lead who caused Lucy no end of trouble.
Because he was so taciturn, figuring out his route had been extremely difficult.
But now things were different.
Thanks to having played the game before, Lucy knew exactly how to approach Logan effectively.
It’s not the right time yet, but later on, I’ll be able to earn his affection in a big way.
She decided not to rush.
“Lucy, this is Patrick Helio, the young master of Marquis Helio’s family.”
Lucy turned her gaze to Patrick.
Ding!
[Name: Patrick Helio | Age: 18]
[Trait: Heir of the Helio marquisate]
[Affection: ?]
Lucy narrowed her eyes slightly at Patrick’s status window.
You can’t just describe him as ‘heir’.
She thought the trait should really say personality disaster.
“Princess Lucy, it’s an honor to meet you.”
Patrick spoke with perfect courtesy.
Lucy knew all too well that his demeanor was nothing but a façade.
What had happened when she pursued him in her previous life?
She had trusted his gentlemanly behavior—only for her affection score to plummet straight into the abyss.
Patrick was someone whose outer and inner selves were completely different.
Much like Elisha.
They looked kind to everyone, but it was all a lie.
This time, it might be better to give up on Patrick entirely.
