IHDOE Ch 28
Silence fell upon the people chatting excitedly at someone's sudden remark.
Sharlan Bersabet. Who was he?
The heir to House Bersabet, possessing striking looks, exceptional ability, and a polite yet razor-sharp boundary—a man making countless young ladies' hearts ache like a flower blooming on an unreachable cliff.
Among those gossiping about Satina, quite a few secretly admired Sharlan.
[Man] "Haha, surely not. Is there anyone here unaware of how much Master Sharlan detests Lady Satina?"
[Woman] "Indeed. He often attends balls with his younger stepsister, Lady Rebecca, but Lady Satina? Never!"
At that, the person who first brought up Sharlan offered an awkward laugh.
[Man] "Right? Hearing Master Sharlan wasn't coming as Lady Rebecca's partner this time… I must have misunderstood."
[Woman] "Be careful that doesn't reach Master Sharlan's ears. Had he heard that, he would have expressed immense contempt!"
Just as everyone resumed chatting merrily, news arrived announcing Satina's anticipated entrance.
Expecting her to enter like a sewer rat—head lowered while scanning the surroundings nervously—the nobles wore vile sneers on their lips.
Whatever her attire, they intended to mock her to their hearts' content. Yet seeing Satina enter, people stood mouth agape, unable to utter a word.
First of all, contrary to everyone's expectations, she wasn't alone. The person escorting her was someone impossible for high society to miss—no, someone everyone craved and admired: Sharlan Bersabet.
Flaunting his usual gorgeous appearance, Sharlan walked into the ballroom. Yet the eyes of the crowd remained pinned onto the woman beside him, refusing to pull away.
Did Satina always possess a face like that?
Her long blonde hair sparkled under the chandelier lights, and every single facial feature looked exquisitely sculpted by God Himself.
She wore a striking sleeveless red dress wrapping around her neck, which highlighted her fair, white skin further.
Though a brilliant, provocative design stepping a pace ahead of high society trends, it suited Satina flawlessly.
Whenever she moved, the hem embroidered with gold thread fluttered, capturing everyone's gaze continuously.
Did she not look completely different just a few days ago……?
Is that actually Satina?
Is it because of the dress? By the way, that dress design is magnificent—which shop crafted it?
Usually, Satina wouldn't know where to direct her gaze, but today was different. She offered a gentle smile and a nod to anyone whose eyes met hers.
Receiving her gaze, young noblemen flushed red, coughing dryly to avert their eyes under fierce glares from their partners.
Thus, the Imperial Ball began with a tempestuous splash.
[Liv] "Elicited admiration from nobles through your flawless attire. Fame increased by 5.
Incurred envy from nobles by accompanying a prestigious partner to the ball. Fame increased by 7.
Quest: Successfully attend the Imperial Ball.
Current Progress: 10% (Time remaining until quest completion: 3 hours)
Reward: Fame +10, Information regarding Target Character 3"
Satina viewed the system window floating before her.
Good. I just need to endure three hours at the ballroom like this.
Glances continued darting toward her continuously. Her appearance shocked everyone so thoroughly that they struggled to pull their eyes away from her.
The problem is this fellow.
Satina cast a subtle side-eye toward Sharlan, guarding her side.
Though a gentle smile rested upon his lips as always, Satina recognized at a glance that his mood was thoroughly twisted.
Though appearing in a fine mood just this morning, Sharlan had glared at her dress incessantly from the moment she emerged fully dressed at the mansion.
I have no idea what his complaint is.
It wasn't as if anything was wrong with the dress, so what made him so dissatisfied?
Did he want to escort me wearing a tacky dress like before?
If his objective was to embarrass her through such means, her current attire naturally displeased him.
Well, since his Affection has not dropped, it doesn't concern me.
Asking Sharlan to escort her served to gain Fame by accompanying him and to highlight the dress anyway.
Seeing the nobles gazing in her direction, unable to take their eyes off the dress, Laura's Closet would undoubtedly become overwhelmed with business starting tomorrow.
How long does this man plan to stay beside me, anyway?
Even when providing an escort, lingering together throughout the entire ball was rare. Especially as the next head of House Bersabet, Sharlan had numerous political and business contacts to meet. Why he stuck right beside her remained incomprehensible.
Awkward.
Sipping wine while attempting to ignore Sharlan's gaze, he unexpectedly initiated conversation.
[Sharlan] "Where did you acquire that dress?"
[Satina] "Ah, this? Laura……"
[Sharlan] "Since you rejected my dress, I assumed you would show up wearing some old garment retrieved from before."
She offered a cold smile, looking at her dress.
[Sharlan] "Buying such a dress with your money is impossible…… Who gifted it to you?"
Satina had said she didn't need a dress, but Sharlan didn't believe her for a second.
If the attire of the person attending the ball together is tacky, it embarrasses me as well.
Thus, he had prepared a dress and skilled maids.
When Satina appeared in disastrous attire, he intended to mock her to his heart's content before presenting the dress like an act of generosity. Yet her appearance right before the ball differed completely from his expectations.
Clad in a red dress embroidered with gold thread, Satina sparkled like a star.
Even in the eyes of the Young Duke—who had attended all manner of high society balls—it was a masterpiece that clearly demonstrated immense effort.
Who?
He believed he knew Satina inside and out.
The funds she could mobilize and the maids at her command were all under his management. Currently, she lacked the money to buy such a luxurious dress, so someone undoubtedly gifted it to her.
Who gifted it?
Her fiancé, the Crown Prince, certainly hadn't. Though maintaining the betrothal, he held no interest in Satina whatsoever.
Then who on earth?
When had she met another man behind his back, growing close enough to receive a dress as a gift?
Satina failed to comprehend Sharlan's interrogation.
[Satina] "I don't understand what you mean. I procured this myself."
[Sharlan] "Don't lie."
[Satina] "I don't understand why you are angry. Even if I received it as a gift, it has nothing to do with you."
[Sharlan] "That is……"
Words failed him. Her statement was correct. Even if she received that dress as a gift from someone else, it was none of his business.
Yet he couldn't fathom why that dress looked so hideous to his eyes. And his brilliant brain barely managed to invent a reason.
[Sharlan] "……You are the Crown Prince's fiancée."
[Satina] "What?"
[Sharlan] "As this fiancée, you must not bring harm to our family by getting caught meeting other men."
[Satina] "He wouldn't care even if I met other men, though."
[Sharlan] "However, your utility value stems from being the Crown Prince's fiancée."
Yes, which was why Satina wearing a dress gifted by another man irritated his eyes so much.
At that point, Sharlan expected Satina to nod and accept his reasoning as always.
With tear-filled eyes on the verge of bursting into tears, she would confess who gifted it to her and vow never to meet another man secretly again.
Then he would deal cleanly with the scoundrel attempting to touch House Bersabet's property without permission, ensuring he never became entangled with Satina again.
Yet her reaction differed completely from his expectations. With a somewhat indifferent expression, Satina tilted her head as if failing to comprehend.
Reaching out her hand, she caressed the now-faded wound on his cheek.
[Satina] "I don't understand. Is my value still tied solely to being the Crown Prince's fiancée?"
Her touch brought back memories of the ointment—the very one that had landed him the contract, all thanks to her.
[Satina] "Sharlan, I wanted to help you. I looked forward to dancing with you. The dress… was merely purchased cheaply from a designer who is not famous yet."
Her hand pulled away from his cheek. Sharlan almost grabbed her hand instinctively.
[Satina] "I wanted to become family with you. Because you are my younger brother. But……"
A sorrowful look rested upon her face. Moist pink eyes stared at Sharlan. It was a face identical to his expectation, yet strangely offered no enjoyment whatsoever.
[Satina] "Sharlan. To you, is my value still nothing more than being the Crown Prince's fiancée?"
She whispered.
[Sharlan] "No, Sister…… even if you are not the Crown Prince's fiancée, you provided much help to me."
It was true. Thanks to Satina, the issue that had been tormenting him was settled once and for all.
Was that truly all? Such a thought occurred to him abruptly.
[Liv] "Sharlan's Affection increased by 5."
A thought crossed his mind that perhaps Satina breaking the betrothal and remaining in the family forever would aid him far more.
Just as a peculiar silence hovered between the two, a nobleman approached Sharlan.
[Man] "Oh, Young Master Sharlan. Here you are. There is something I wish to discuss regarding this business deal……"
[Sharlan] "Ah, Count. Let us talk over there."
[Man] "Huh? W-Wait."
Sharlan almost forcibly led the nobleman toward the balcony. He struggled to erase the thought that had just popped into his head. Even to himself, it was such an absurd, foolish thought that he never wished to recall it again.
Yes, never again.
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