Oh dear... my stomach genuinely hurts right now.
It feels like... well, let's just say I desperately need to go to the restroom.
This is my first party, and I'm supposed to be radiant with excitement to meet Tristan. But what if I end up running out of the room clutching my stomach? No, Liliane, no! That is not the dignified path.
I let out a long sigh, then checked the sweet pink gown that hugged my petite body, my shimmering shoes, and my face... Unfortunately, I couldn't monitor this face with a magical mirror whenever I wanted.
I glanced sideways, right at Dominic, my second older brother, that mischievous-faced muscular man who'd made me want to kick his shins since morning.
"Brother Dominic," I whispered softly. He looked at me with furrowed eyebrows, full of curiosity.
"How do I look?" I asked stiffly.
Of course, this big boy gave me a teasing look. Okay, time to use my secret move: I winked one eye with the cutest style I possessed.
My hope? Simple. That he'd be hypnotized by my cute charm and stop teasing me.
But the reality?
"Ah, my eyes!" he cried softly, then smirked. "My sister Liliane, don't blind my eyes with your appearance that... resembles a—"
I immediately stepped on his foot with my sharp stiletto heel. Dominic let out a muffled squeak like a mouse being stepped on, but before the sound could fully escape, I had clamped my hand over his mouth.
"MPHHH MPPHHH!" he protested with a muffled sound.
Father, who was walking ahead of us, turned around with a gaze that could freeze lava. His face clearly said: 'Do not make a scene.'
I immediately flashed the widest smile possible, showing all my glistening teeth. "We were just... sharing affection, Father!" I said in a sugary-sweet voice.
"Brother Max, how do I look?" I quickly asked, this time to my eldest brother, Maxmillian, who was walking gracefully beside Father.
"Not too bad, little sister," he replied flatly.
Okay, that means good. Very good, in fact!
I gripped my gown tightly, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Duke Valerian von Hohenberg, Maxmillian von Hohenberg, Dominic von Hohenberg, and Lady Liliane von Hohenberg entering the room!" the guard's voice loudly echoed.
The grand doors opened, and the light from the palace's crystal chandeliers blinded my eyes. As my small feet stepped inside, hundreds of noble eyes were already fixed on us. It felt... like I had just stepped onto a catwalk without warning.
I could accept looks of admiration, of course. But their gazes... were more like unpaid gossip reviewers who love to judge uninvited.
"Is that really Lady Liliane?"
"Her appearance... is completely different."
"Where did that indecently seductive aura go?"
"At least the Duke won't be disgraced this time. But... doesn't she look like she's imitating Lady Genevieve, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's lover?"
Oh, whatever you all think. I don't care.
And strangely, the cheap gossip made my stomach ache disappear just like that. Well, who needs medicine when you have haters?
I had actually practiced various greetings to restore my reputation. But now... it felt pointless.
As if sensing my distress, Dominic leaned in, his voice low but hot like boiling water.
"Those idiotic nobles are truly disrespectful to my sister. Hey, ugly, if anyone dares to mess with you, just hit them like usual."
I could only stare dumbfounded, my mouth wide open. Then I burst into loud laughter, "Hahaha... Brother, what are you saying? But honestly, that's quite comforting!"
The loud laugh echoed in the room, making every head turn toward me.
Their gazes? Like a group of scientists who had just discovered an alien landing at a royal party.
Realizing I was the star of an impromptu circus, I quickly linked arms tightly with Dominic, hiding behind his muscular body.
Although Father explicitly told Dominic to watch over me, his popularity as the Commander of the Palace Knights meant he was immediately swarmed by nobles eager to marry off their daughters.
He looked at me worriedly, but I told him to go. "I'm fine, Brother. Go ahead."
So, here I am now.
Standing near the food table, stuffing my face with cake, while my eyes busily searched for the person I was looking for: Tristan.
However, who would have thought I would be the one approached?
A group of Ladies came over, whispering behind their fans.
"Lady Liliane, I truly didn't expect you to attend with such a different appearance tonight," said a Lady with moss-green hair, gracefully covering her mouth with a fan.
"True," another Lady chimed in. "Do you have a new role model, or... are you perhaps trying to attract the attention of someone so noble?"
I smiled sweetly. "Hehehe... please stop, my Ladies. I'm doing all of this purely for myself."
"What do you mean?"
"It means..." I placed my plate full of cake onto the table, then smiled broadly with a dramatic flair. "I have fully realized my true self! Doesn't this round cheek, big eyes, and small lips suit an innocent makeup look better? Doesn't my petite body match a sweet gown that highlights my cuteness? So instead of being a scary, sexy witch, don't I look more suitable..." I spoke like a theater actress with various gestures and expressions sweeter than sugar.
Afterward, I approached them slowly, making them all retreat slightly.
"...to be an innocent fairy full of love? Or perhaps... a sacred goddess spreading affection?"
I looked up at the ceiling, right at the sparkling crystal chandelier. My hands were held up as if in prayer.
They all stared at me with dropped jaws.
"My Lady... are you alright?" one whispered hesitantly.
I picked up my plate again, taking a large bite of cake.
"I am fine," I replied, smiling sweetly with a full mouth.
"She... she smiled!"
"Is that truly Lady Liliane?"
"Yes, my Ladies, it's me," I answered cheerfully. "Oh, do you want some cake? Don't worry, there's no poison in it."
That was enough to make them run away helter-skelter as if they had just seen a ghost.
"His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alistair von Sterling and Lady Genevieve von Richenbach entering the room!"
The announcement loudly echoed.
Immediately, all heads turned toward the couple walking in like sunlight.
I intended to continue eating, but I had to see them—the novel's main characters. My mission depended on it. So... goodbye for now, my beloved cake.
Dominic had somehow reappeared beside me, but I didn't care.
I stared straight ahead.
The Crown Prince, with golden hair and fiery red eyes, walked with authority. Beside him, Lady Genevieve, the Marquess's daughter, wore a luxurious gown, her blonde hair sparkling, and her smile was so sweet that the usually cold Crown Prince softened.
Cheers and praise filled the room.
How fair, right? I enter → get bullied. They enter → get worshipped.
I sighed. Okay, I've seen enough. Time to go back to—
My eyes met those of someone across the room.
A man with black hair and melancholy black eyes. Tristan.
His gaze... was full of sadness, as if his soul was tethered to Lady Genevieve who stood beside the Crown Prince.
Ah, my dear, so sad. Don't be sad, my Tristan, I will give you energy.
But before I could sink into that feeling, Dominic whispered fiercely.
"My sister, do you want me to hit that bastard? What does he see in that Marquess's daughter that makes him dare to reject you?"
I could only pat his shoulder, then smiled faintly.
"Never mind, Brother. I'm not thinking about them. I'm just thinking about the cake I left behind."
Yes, I need to calm my brother, who is overly devoted to me.
While I myself... need to calm my heart.
Because across the room, my favorite character looks so fragile.