Time seemed to fly as Estelle spent two hours wandering through the Loraine family's estate, continuously marveling at its opulence. She still couldn't believe that the place she had only seen on a computer screen was now right in front of her. Mrs. Lewis returned, slightly out of breath, with the party dress she had mended. The meeting was once again held in the Marchioness's room. Now, Marchioness Sofia's face radiated happiness and satisfaction at the final result of the dress.

"I-I used the highest-grade gemstones, Marchioness!"

'Please help me, Lady Estelle!' Mrs. Lewis glanced imploringly at Estelle, who was mesmerized by her handiwork.

The dress was now adorned with diamonds and sapphires that sparkled around the waist. Gold chains draped over the first layer of the dress, matching the large velvet ribbon. Estelle, recognizing Mrs. Lewis's desperate look, immediately put on a bright expression and exclaimed, "It's beautiful!" as she ran over to the dress displayed on the mannequin, circling it in admiration.

"Mother, it's exactly what I hoped for—no, even better!" Estelle cheered joyfully, winking at Mrs. Lewis. Although puzzled by the young noblewoman's actions, Mrs. Lewis felt relieved and smiled gratefully.

"Really? Then the payment will be double," Marchioness Sofia replied, suppressing a smile to maintain her dignity. Hearing this, Mrs. Lewis shook her head vigorously.

"There's no need, Marchioness! It is truly an honor to be trusted to make Lady Estelle's dress for such an important event. Please, consider this my apology."

"Oh no, Mrs. Lewis, where would our pride and manners be if we did that? Mary, fetch the checkbook and pen," she insisted, her tone firm yet gracious.

Estelle, curious about the dress's price, sneaked a glance at the check Marchioness Sofia was writing.

1,000,000 Gold

'O-ONE MILLION?!' she screamed internally.

'That means the dress costs 500,000 Gold, and now she's being paid twice that amount?!'

Estelle couldn't fathom the total wealth of the Loraine family. Even in the game, there was no information about it because the currency in Enchanted Realms was limited to 999,999,999. Marchioness Sofia handed the check with a smile on her face. Mrs. Lewis, unable to protest, reluctantly accepted the check and took her leave.

"Lady Estelle, I think we should start getting ready now. We'll be leaving for the capital soon!" Emily said, gently nudging Estelle towards the door.

"Now? Isn't it only noon? You said the party would start in the evening?" Estelle asked, puzzled.

"Estelle? Didn't we just return from the capital last week?" Marchioness Sofia looked at her daughter, confused.

"Y-yes?"

"The journey to the capital takes three hours, does it not?"

"Hm?" Estelle's eyes widened. Realization dawning on her.

"Estelle, dear, are you alright? We rarely go to the capital, but how could you forget?"

"Ah? Aah! Right, Mother! You're right… I'm sorry, I lost my focus. Let's go, Emily, we need to get ready!"

Estelle hurriedly pulled Emily out of the room, her mind racing, while the Marchioness looked on, worried.

'Is she nervous because today is her debut?' Marchioness Sofia wondered.

Meanwhile, Estelle cursed herself.

'Ugh! I must have looked so strange to them. What if they get suspicious…? No, no! Besides, how was I supposed to know how long the journey takes?'

.

"Wow! Lady Estelle, you look so beautiful! Like a princess from a romantic novel I secretly read— I-I mean, you must be the most beautiful lady at tonight's ball!" Emily couldn't stop praising Estelle's appearance. And rightly so, with her hair elegantly styled, exclusive pearl necklace and earrings not yet available on the market, and the distinctive gown from Lewis' Boutique, Estelle looked like a beautiful princess ready to be the star of the Debutante Ball tonight.

'You're right, Emily… I do look like a princess from a fantasy novel. Well, even though Estelle is a fictional character from the game I created…'

Knock knock knock

"Lady Estelle, Lord Rovan is waiting for you in the drawing room."

"Wow! Wow! Lord Rovan is here. Let's go, Lady!" Emily squealed excitedly.

'She seems more excited to see Rovan. Well, so am I!'

After putting the finishing touches on Estelle's makeup, they headed to the drawing room to meet Rovan Erlando, Estelle's childhood friend whom she considered a brother. Though it seemed Lord Rovan did not share the same sentiment.

"Estelle!" Upon their arrival, a warm voice greeted Estelle. A tall young man, with silver hair and sapphire-blue eyes, porcelain skin, and rosy lips smiling at her, left Estelle momentarily speechless.

'He's so handsome… like a fairy…' she thought, admiring the sight before her.

When she didn't respond, Rovan's expression turned to confusion, and he walked closer.

"Estelle? Is something wrong?" Estelle quickly shook her head.

"No! How are you, L- Rovan? It's been a while!" Estelle quickly replied.

'Act normal, Estelle… like usual…'

"Estelle… are you mad at me?" The sweet-faced young man now looked like a puppy that had been scolded by its owner.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Huh? No! Why would you think that?"

'Oh no! What now?!'

"You always call me Rovie! You… just because you're all grown up now, you don't want to call me that anymore…"

"Of course not! I-I'm just… um… oh right! I'm very nervous, Rovie, forgive me. I'm not mad at you!" Estelle, after racking her brain, finally came up with an excuse. She gently patted Rovan's shoulder and chuckled. His expression instantly brightened.

"Hahaha! I was merely teasing you, Lady Estelle. Lady Loraine, may I have the honor of escorting you to the ball this evening?" Rovan took Estelle's right hand, bowed, and kissed it gently. Estelle tried her best to keep her heart from pounding too loudly. Maybe this was normal and a matter of etiquette, but for Estelle, coming from a modern era, this gesture was something only lovers did.

"With pleasure, my lord." Estelle replied with a smile.

After being escorted by the Marquess and Marchioness Loraine to the carriage, they began their three-hour journey to the capital. This central area housed the Kingdom of Aragon, White Castle, and the residences of several noble families.

I still couldn't hold my gaze on the handsome man before me for too long because he seemed too unreal! Despite his stunning looks, he behaved like a child feeling wronged by a friend.

"Estelle, please tell me what I've done wrong. Why have you been so silent for the past half hour and haven't looked at me even once?" For the third time, he repeated this sentence, and for the third time, I repeated my own.

"Rovie, I'm not angry with you. How could I be? As I said, I'm just nervous, that's all." I glanced at him briefly and saw he still wore that pleading expression.

'Ugh! My heart can't take this!'

Finally, I forced myself to look at him—well, more precisely, to focus on the tips of his hair. Even then, I could see his smile!

"How are you feeling, Estelle? Do you feel nauseous? Or have a stomachache?"

"Hmm, yes, I suppose both."

'Because I'm in a carriage alone with a man like you!'

He chuckled softly while looking out the window. Like a fairy!

"Don't worry, Estelle. If you're still too shy to interact with them, I'll protect you! Just pretend to faint, and we'll go home," he suggested with a laugh.

"Thank you, Rovie, but I won't tarnish my family's name by fainting at my debut." I sighed and shook my head. While that might be a tempting escape, the Marchioness would definitely not be pleased.

The sun was beginning to set as we passed through the thick snow in downtown Nevada, watching the townsfolk prepare for the winter festival. It's a pity I couldn't join because the debutante ball coincided with the festival in Nevada.

"Estelle, do you remember when we were kids, you used to eat snow?" Rovan broke the silence after we had passed through the downtown area and were entering the forest.

"Oh?"

'What should I say? I don't remember!'

"Huft, you've forgotten our memories together," he sighed while I smiled guiltily. "The snow was always the thickest during the winter festival. You would always ask me to eat snow sprinkled with corn syrup, and then we would both get scolded by the Marchioness!" He laughed, reminiscing about our childhood, and I joined in because the innocence of it all was amusing.

"Mother is still strict and disciplined even now," I added, not wanting him to get suspicious of my memory loss.

"You're right. Hm, Estelle," he whispered. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him, puzzled. Why was he whispering?

"You..."

"Hmm?"

His expression showed he was carefully choosing his words.

"Ah, never mind," he said, turning to look out the window. I nodded and also turned to watch the scenery passing by.

Before we knew it, we had left the forest and passed several small villages, indicating we were no longer in Nevada. After passing a few more villages on the outskirts of the capital, we finally arrived in Aragon's capital city, Fenix.

"Look, that's the carriage of the Marquess Loraine family, isn't it?"

"Wow! I've only ever heard about how luxurious their carriage is, and now I see it myself!"

"I heard their daughter is making her debut today!"

The whispers of the people in Fenix were clearly audible as our carriage passed through the gates. I pulled the window curtain to hide myself, prompting a chuckle from Rovan. Unlike Nevada, Fenix had more shops, restaurants, and cafes, while Nevada was more traditional.

'Actually, that's because I was too lazy to create those buildings in other places…'

When we reached the palace gates, two guards stopped our carriage.

"Hm? Is there a problem?" I asked the coachman. Coincidentally, no guards were accompanying us, as the Marquess said our ten guards were no match for Rovan. I heard one of the guards answering my question.

"Apologies, miss, but we need to verify your identity first." When I was about to open the door, Rovan's hand stopped me. Signaling that he would handle this, he stepped out of the carriage.

"You, are you new here?" Rovan's voice was cold. I was a bit surprised to hear him speak so curtly. From the window, I could see the guard looking shocked and nervous.

"My apologies, Captain! I was just following protocol."

'Huh? Rovan? Captain? Wait, I never created such details in the game.'

Because our stopped carriage caused a traffic jam, some guests got out to see what was happening. I felt uncomfortable being the center of attention. If I decided to get out, people would recognize me. Well, they should already know who owns this carriage.

"Huh? You recognize me but not the owner of this carriage? Can't you see the family crest on it?"

"My apologies, Captain! This young man is a transfer from a neighboring kingdom as part of a diplomatic exchange, so he hasn't yet learned about the nobility of Aragon. Please, Lord Erlando and Lady Loraine, the VIP entrance is to the left."

Rovan scoffed and returned to the carriage. I, still not used to his recent behavior, avoided eye contact as he sat opposite me.

'This man has a unique side to him.'

From the senior guard's words, I learned something not included in the game. The Loraine family crest, prominently displayed on the carriage's canopy, was an eagle clutching a lily and golden leaves. Meanwhile, the Rovan family crest was an owl with crossed swords in front of it, which I could see on the pin on Rovan's jacket.

When we reached the main entrance, we, as VIP guests, could rest on the second floor before entering the main hall where the ball was held via the right or left staircase. Regular guests would enter through the main hall door. That's what the guard explained after we disembarked. Rovan gently helped me down from the carriage and lifted my trailing gown.

'Isn't this a servant's job?'

"Rovie, I think my gown is fine," I said. Shouldn't I be holding his arm?

"No, the ground is dirty. Just a moment. Once we're past this grass, I'll escort you properly," he insisted, focusing on keeping my gown off the ground.

"Wow..." I couldn't help but exclaim as my eyes were greeted by the sight of the grand and opulent palace. The stairs and floors were made of white marble with golden veins. The walls were so high I had to look up to see the beautiful carvings on the ceiling's edges. The chandeliers here were more magnificent than those at the Marquess Loraine's residence.

"Lady Loraine?" a woman's soft voice snapped me out of my reverie. A woman with neatly styled black hair adorned with delicate ornaments and amber eyes was looking at me.

Gracellyn Durchville

Affinity: 0%

Mood:-

Status: Noble of Aragon (Durchville House)

Relationship: -

'Huh? Why can't I see her mood and relationship status?'