Chapter 379: Like a Princess
For this ball, Armand also had no choice but to wear the Royal Knights’ special ceremonial uniform. However, in terms of design, he had asked the royal designers to take inspiration from Anna’s gown. So even though it wasn’t an exact matching set with Evelia’s long dress, it still looked good alongside hers.
Rachel’s outfit was a small white gown. Personality-wise, Rachel didn’t really like cute styles, so her dress was less of a “child’s outfit” and more like a regular formal gown in a smaller size. The only differences were that the neckline and hemline weren’t designed to be revealing.
Rachel had never attended any kind of ball before. As a somewhat solitary alchemist, she preferred staying alone in her lab. She was someone who could barely handle the most basic social interaction. There was no way she had ever been to a ballroom.
Since she had never been to a ballroom, she also had no experience with pre-dancing preparations.
Rachel thought she only needed to put on her clothes and wait in the carriage to leave. But instead, the maids took her away for a bath, a change of clothes, styling, and makeup, something that ended up taking several hours. The young maids happily insisted that since it was her first appearance in high society, she had to look as stunning as possible.
But Rachel had no interest in entering high society. She didn’t want to become a socialite with the title “daughter of the Captain of the Royal Knights.” In this, she and Armand were completely in agreement.
Still, no matter what, you had to dress up properly for the New Year’s party. She had started preparing in the afternoon, but by the time the maids finally finished with her, the sky was already dark.
“Ah… mm, is it done?”
Sitting in the dressing chair, Rachel had dozed off. She opened her eyes, yawned, and heard the lively voices of the maids around her.
“The little one’s awake! Quick, look—didn’t your big sisters make you beautiful?”
The maids used a tone like they were coaxing a child, surrounding Rachel and having her lift her head to look at herself in the mirror.
“…Wow…”
Rachel’s gasp of amazement was genuine.
She hadn’t expected that this body could look this cute after being dressed up.
Even though she was the one using this body now, Rachel didn’t entirely think of it as her own face. In fact, because she had used so many different faces and names in her life, she never fully stepped into the role of any single “identity.”
So right now, when she looked at the “her” in the mirror, her amazement was more for her own “work.” This body, this face, was one of her creations.
“Looks good, right? Little Rachel?”
One of the maids gently patted her shoulder, letting her fully enjoy the view of their handiwork. Seeing “herself” dressed up like an extremely expensive porcelain doll, Rachel couldn’t help feeling a little proud.
If this were a fairy tale, her current look would definitely be that of the story’s princess. Since most people in the manor shared Armand’s taste, they weren’t fond of overly complicated accessories.
That’s why Rachel hadn’t expected “cute” and “elegant” to coexist so well. Anna’s chosen and recommended accessories matched perfectly. If Armand hadn’t told them privately that he didn’t want Rachel’s presence to be too eye-catching, the maids might have made her look even more dazzling.
When “Rachel” grew up, she would certainly be a beauty. This alchemist had once again proven her own good taste.
“Mm.” Rachel smiled. Maybe because her look was so cute right now, even her smile seemed to shine brightly. “Thank you very much.”
“Oh, don’t be so polite!”
Seeing Rachel look so cute while thanking them, the maids also became a little shy. They waved their hands, saying it was just part of their job.
“I think Lord Armand and Miss Evelia should be ready by now. Time for little Rachel to make her entrance.”
“My goodness, last time we saw a handsome man paired with a beautiful woman, and now we get to see a whole family of three. I must have done a lot of good deeds in my past life.”
“I swear, this could totally be written into a romance novel. Any of you ladies planning to start writing?”
After finishing Rachel’s outfit, the maids busied themselves with a few last touches while chatting casually.
Rachel, although slightly preoccupied with her own thoughts, still listened with interest. After all, from the very beginning, she had been doing her best for Armand and Evelia’s “story.”
If she traced it back, she had even been the one to witness their first meeting when they were young.
From friends, to enemies, and now to lovers. When she thought about it carefully, Rachel found their relationship incredibly complicated. But… at least for now, things were moving in a good direction.
Once she figured out a way to fully fix Armand’s health, maybe she could take the opportunity to leave this place.
Not only for herself, she also believed Armand and Evelia needed a chance to escape this place too.
“Little Rachel, come on, let’s go. Lord Armand and Miss Evelia are still waiting for you.”
While she was thinking, she heard the click of the door unlocking. Rachel looked up toward the slowly opening door.
“You ready?”
Standing in the doorway were Armand and Evelia, side by side, wearing matching outfits.
Armand looked as handsome as ever, and in the Royal Knights’ ceremonial uniform, he had the distinct air of a high-ranking officer.
Beside him, Evelia’s presence was in no way overshadowed by the knight captain standing next to her. Even though she wore a long, form-fitting gown that showed off her figure, she was far from an ordinary, delicate lady. Her aura was just as striking as his.
—Okay, now I get why the maids were so excited earlier.
Rachel blinked at the two of them, feeling almost dazzled.
A moment ago, she thought she looked like a porcelain doll. But compared to the two in front of her, they were the real ones who made it impossible to look away.
If Rachel was the princess in a fairy tale, then Armand and Evelia would be the “loving king and queen” who often appeared in such stories.
Still, Rachel had to give herself some credit for her taste.
One was the “son-in-law” she had chosen, and the other was the “daughter” she had created. In terms of looks… yeah, definitely worthy of me.
“Alright, if you’re ready, let’s go. Don’t be nervous.”
Seeing Rachel still frozen in place, Armand stepped forward and took her hand. Evelia, noticing this, walked up and took Rachel’s other hand.
Being suddenly held by both of them, Rachel was caught off guard. She looked up in surprise at the two beside her.
But neither of them explained why they did it. One simply gave her a brief glance, while the other smiled at her gently, with a touch of affection.
…Right, there was no need for an explanation.
Their actions said it all.
Even though she didn’t often immerse herself in a “role,” sometimes, like now, she allowed herself to enjoy it a little.
For now, she could simply be “Rachel.”