Chapter 26

As Isabella recalled Hilla’s advice and approached, a group suddenly cut in between her and her destination. It was Camilla, who looked like a pampered house cat from a noble household, accompanied by two young ladies who appeared to be her friends.

Assuming they were simply passing by, Isabella stepped back slightly to let them through. However, instead of continuing on, they came to a deliberate stop right in front of her. From behind their fans, they scanned her from head to toe.

“Do you have something to say to me…?”

She asked, curious about their blatantly scrutinizing stares.

The young lady with jet-black eyes and dark teal hair tied up tightly folded her fan and replied with obvious displeasure.

“Have you lived in the borderlands so long that you never learned even the basics of etiquette?”

“Excuse me?”

When Isabella questioned the sudden hostility, the blonde young lady, pretty in a dainty sort of way, continued with a sneer.

“To think that a mere count’s daughter wouldn’t even bow her head before the daughter of Marquis Juvel… How utterly disgraceful.”

‘Why stop in front of me just to say this?’

Isabella was baffled.

Even in high society, where social rank was taken seriously, there was no absolute rule that demanded she bow to someone of higher status. Still, now that conversation had been forced upon her, she couldn’t simply walk away.

Meeting Camilla’s eyes, she dipped her head and offered a courteous greeting.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Juvel. I’m Isabella of House Hellen. It seems I’ve made a mistake due to my lack of familiarity with the social scene. I ask for your forgiveness.”

As she offered her apology with grace, Isabella recalled the identities of the two ladies standing beside Camilla and added, “And if I’m not mistaken, the young ladies with you must be Lady Margot Cacille and Lady Blondie Geraan. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Were they surprised she recognized them?

All three ladies flinched ever so slightly at the same time.

Isabella wondered if she had done something wrong again. But no further reproach followed. Instead, the blonde young lady, Blondie, began fanning herself quickly, as if to hide the flush on her cheeks.

“Well… At least you know who we are. I suppose some information can reach even the distant borderlands.”

“Exactly. If you’re coming to the capital for your debut, showing at least that much effort should be expected, don’t you think?”

Margot’s eyes gleamed as she eagerly chimed in. And in that moment, Isabella came to an unexpected conclusion.

‘Wait… could this be… concern? Then that means they’re… interested in me?!’

Overwhelmed, Isabella covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes welling up with tears.

A typical young lady would never have interpreted the situation this way. But Isabella wasn’t typical.

Having grown up in a family anything but ordinary, and having lived a life far from normal, she’d developed a worldview skewed by isolation. To her, even this overt condescension sounded like kindness.

‘All right! Since they approached me first, I should be brave too!’

The misunderstanding gave her a surge of courage. Taking a step forward, she beamed at them.

“Of course! Lady Cacille, Lady Geraan, and Lady Juvel, you’re all from such distinguished families! If I recall, your estates are in the southern regions, right? I’ve heard it stays fairly warm there, even in winter. Is that true?”

“Eek!”

“Ah!”

The moment she moved closer, Blondie and Margot turned pale and let out startled gasps.

‘Wait, did I misread the situation?’

Having no idea how to interact with peers her age, Isabella was visibly flustered by their reaction. Then, something caught her attention – the behavior of the surrounding nobles.

“Oh my, how long has it been? I nearly forgot the face of my dear friend with how long it’s been since we last spoke!”

“And you! How could you not send a single letter? Truly heartless, you are!”

Nobles exchanging hearty handshakes and greetings.

That’s it! With a bright smile, Isabella extended her hands to Margot and Blondie in turn.

“I may have been a bit hasty. But since fate has brought us together like this, shall we start with a handshake?”

“Eek!”

“L-Lady Juvel!”

Predictably, her offer was rejected. Startled and wide-eyed, Margot and Blondie darted behind Camilla for protection.

Isabella quietly withdrew her hand, now awkwardly suspended in the air, and pulled her veil slightly forward.

‘W-Was I too eager…’

More than embarrassment, it was disappointment that stung. It was then that Camilla, who had remained silent until now, murmured under her breath.

“Why would he choose a woman like her…”

But with the music playing and chatter all around, Isabella didn’t quite catch what she said. Soon after, Camilla, chin held high, stepped forward in a composed manner and addressed her directly.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Hellen. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a stroke of luck to finally see you in person.”

“S-So much about me…?”

She’d been telling herself it was fine, but Camilla’s words stirred memories of all the whispers she had heard nobles make behind her back.

Suddenly, she found herself afraid of what Camilla might say next. But the response she got was unexpected.

“Yes. They say that even after coming of age, Count Hellen has kept his precious daughter hidden away from the world.”

Camilla wasn’t being hostile. She didn’t even avert her gaze. Unlike Blondie or Margot, she had approached and spoken to Isabella naturally.

That alone made Isabella genuinely happy. So she became more talkative, unable to hide her excitement.

“Oh! Really? That’s the rumor? My father and I are close, yes, but it’s not like he was hiding me. I just couldn’t go out much due to certain circumstances.”

“I heard your health was poor… something about your family’s legacy?”

Camilla glanced sideways at Isabella as if gauging her reaction, then added quietly,

“That you were consumed by a curse.”

‘A curse?!’

The word jolted her back to reality.

She didn’t know where such rumors had come from, but it was absurd and terribly unfair. She’d broken curses, never cast them, nor been afflicted by one herself.

Was it due to the stigma around dark magic? Or simply fear of the unknown?

Whatever the reason, she desperately wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.

“A curse? Oh no, not at all. I’m just sensitive to sunlight, that’s all.”

“Sunlight?”

“Yes. Unlike the northern region where House Hellen resides, the capital has a warm climate and stronger sun. I hear it’s even more so down south.”

Camilla gave a sympathetic sigh and said, “How unfortunate… To be unable to enjoy such warm sunshine. I suppose you can only go out during the cooler winter months?”

“Not at all! As long as I wear this veil, I can go for walks whenever I like.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you don’t need to be so brave about it. I understand what you must be feeling.”

“Y-You do?!”

From behind the veil, Isabella’s eyes sparkled with hope. Camilla found the reaction puzzling but carried on.

“Of course. The air around you feels… cold somehow, and now I understand why. Maybe it’s your family heritage, but the moment I saw you, winter came to mind.”

“Oh! Me, winter?!”

Her delightfully offbeat reaction made Camilla’s fingers twitch ever so slightly. Still, she pressed on with certainty.

“Yes. The tail end of winter, when all the sprouts have withered away.”

Camilla smiled with narrowed eyes. Her elegant tone, her flawless smile, everything about her exuded warmth and charm, painting her as a generous and kind young lady reaching out to Isabella.

Even if her true intentions were anything but. But Isabella, who had never learned to doubt people’s words, took it all at face value.

Grabbing Camilla’s hand with excitement, she exclaimed, “My goodness! No one’s ever said that to me before! Do you like winter too?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I absolutely love winter! Not only can I go on long walks like you said, but the white snow blossoms that blanket the world… It’s just magical!”

“…Ah.”

“And when the ground thaws and the sprouts emerge, it’s such a moving sight, don’t you think?”

Faced with her pure, radiant joy, Camilla was briefly at a loss for words.

She quickly fanned herself to regain composure. Wondering if Isabella had missed the insult entirely, she decided to be more blunt.

“That’s… rather unexpected. You don’t really suit snow, you know.”

She let her words hang as her eyes drifted over Isabella’s deep crimson dress.

“And wearing black to a debut ball… Your tastes are quite unique, my lady. And even indoors, you keep your veil on. Might there be… a reason you must cover your face?”

At the mention of her veil and dress, Isabella’s shoulders gave a small jolt.

‘Should I say something? Maybe it’s better than letting them misunderstand… It’s not like it’s a secret anyway.’

She fiddled with her veil for a moment before replying in a hushed voice.

“Well… truth is, if I take this veil off, I might accidentally harm those around me.”

“…H-Harm?”

Camilla flinched slightly at Isabella’s serious tone. But Isabella didn’t notice. She continued, brushing her fingers over her dress.

“Yes. Not just this veil, every piece of clothing I wear is imbued with magic. They were specially made to keep others safe from me.”

“S-S-Specially made?!”

Isn’t showing off clothes how girls become friends?

With that in mind, Isabella lifted the hem of her dress, which shimmered under the light like stars in the night sky, and eagerly explained. That was when she noticed Camilla’s voice trembling strangely and looked up.

“Yes, the fabric is soft, and under the light it sparkles just like… wait, huh?”

Camilla and her companions, who had been right in front of her moments ago, had vanished without a trace.

“Where’d they go?”

As she looked around in confusion, someone approached and spoke.

“Pardon me, I know it’s rude to ask, but… when you said ‘specially made,’ did you mean to ward off a curse?”

……

T/N: Wait… I was laughing so hard hahaha Camilla was left speechless with Isabella’s innocence hahaha