The World Has Become Kinder to Her

After handing over the box, Hession quietly left Lotus’s bedroom. Now alone again, Lotus stared incredulously at the purple box on the table.

“Hession Estelle… gave me a debutante gift?”

If she were to go back in time and spread this news in high society, Lotus was sure her already derogatory titles like “the Bahamur socialite’s one-night fling” would soon include “liar.” Hession’s behavior was so far from what she expected that it defied belief.

*The world has gone mad!*

It wasn’t just Hession who had changed. The Marquis, the Marchioness, and even others in the household seemed to be acting strangely.

*What do they want from me, pretending to be kind to an illegitimate child?*

The very people who had once treated her so cruelly were now acting considerate or, at least, polite. Once, she had wished for this when she was younger, but now, after years of harsh reality, it was nothing but a grotesque display to her. It all felt false, like an illusion, and it disgusted her.

*God, did you bring me back just to mock my miserable fate even more?*

If some higher power had indeed sent her back to the past, it must have had some purpose. Whether it wanted her to fight against fate or take revenge in some thrilling and dramatic fashion—perhaps that’s what it expected. 

But Lotus had already decided to do nothing this time around. She would let life happen to her, as a small rebellion against whatever force had sent her back. 

*Not that I had any real desires before, so it works out.*

She glared at the box left by Hession as if it were her mortal enemy. Biting her lip, she picked it up.

She only needed to throw it to the ground, but for some reason, her hands wouldn’t move.

*…I promised to behave, didn’t I? Just stay quiet, don’t provoke anyone, and eventually go along with whatever arranged marriage they set up. If the groom turns out to be unbearable, I can always kill myself.*

Lotus took a deep breath, calming her frustration. She opened the box, revealing a pair of emerald earrings and a matching necklace—precious jewels that resembled her own green eyes. The intricate craftsmanship suggested they were very expensive.

*Ah, I see. They want me to wear this for the sake of the family’s reputation.*

As she traced the cold necklace with her fingers, she thought of tomorrow’s debutante ball. With 99% certainty, she knew people would whisper that the illegitimate child had no business flaunting such fine jewelry and a dress that was too extravagant for her station.

***

The Emerald Hall, the venue for one of the four grand balls of the Bahamur Empire—the Harvest Festival ball—was resplendent with its dazzling crystal chandeliers, elegant finger foods, and sweet champagne. 

Ladies and gentlemen, dressed in their finest gowns and tailcoats, graced the hall with their presence. Among the swans of the noble ladies, Lotus stood out like a crow. 

While today was the kind of occasion that demanded one’s finest attire, she wore only a dress slightly nicer than her everyday wear and jewelry that did not quite match the standards of her prestigious family.

The Bahamur social scene had one particular tradition: at the debutante ball, the debuting lady was granted the rare privilege of asking any gentleman for a dance. It was customary—and a mark of good manners—for the gentleman to accept unless he was a complete rogue. 

Many young debutantes used this tradition to make a bold confession to the man they had secretly admired.

For someone like Lotus, who lacked any real support, the grandeur of the ball and her debutante status were overwhelming.

She wanted to quickly finish the obligatory first dance and retreat. No—she wanted to disappear entirely.

Lotus cautiously scanned the room. There were plenty of young men here, like pebbles scattered across a road, but she had no idea whom to ask for the dance. 

She had already noticed the murmurs and whispers from others ever since she had entered the hall, confirming that none of the other nobles were particularly friendly toward her.

As she bit her lip in nervousness, her eyes suddenly met those of a man.

Golden hair that shimmered like honey and green eyes similar to Lotus’s own. The man was strikingly handsome, and the other nobles addressed him as “Lord Hycen” or “Lord Rikheus.” 

When their eyes met, Rikheus smiled gently at Lotus—a soft, beautiful smile. 

It was the first time anyone had ever smiled at her in such a sweet, sincere way. Mesmerized by that smile, Lotus found herself walking toward him without even realizing it.

The murmurs among the nobles around Rikheus grew louder as she approached. The young ladies who had been chattering like birds around him glared at Lotus with venomous eyes.

Lotus summoned every ounce of courage she had and asked Rikheus for a dance.

“Hello, Lord Hycen. I am Lotus of the Estelle family. Would you honor me with the first dance today?”

“Hello, Lady Estelle. Today is your debutante, correct?” 

“Yes…”

“I would be honored to have the first dance with you. Shall we?”

Fortunately, Rikheus accepted her request without any sign of reluctance. He escorted her gracefully to the center of the ballroom and gently led her through the dance, aware of her inexperience. His elegant appearance, noble demeanor, and kind smile—all combined, Rikheus seemed like a prince from a fairy tale to the young Lotus.

From that moment on, Lotus found herself drawn to him. 

And so began the love that would eventually lead her to her own destruction.

***

*Ha… haaa…*

On the dawn of her debutante, Lotus awoke with a start, gasping for air. She had been trapped in another nightmare, her face and back drenched with sweat and tears.

“I don’t want to go… whether it’s a ball or whatever.”

What good was it for someone like her, a disgraced illegitimate daughter, to debut in society, attend balls, or be part of tea parties? The end result was already written.

But, as always, her wishes would be disregarded. She sat against the cold wall, staring blankly until the sun fully rose.

*Just remember one thing: Don’t get involved with Lord Hycen in this life.*

One heartbreak was more than enough.

“Lady, are you awake?”

Jane, who had been attending to Lotus like her personal maid for some time now, arrived promptly with the dawn. Unlike in other noble households, where young ladies were often placed on strict diets before their debut, the Marquis and Hession had ordered the servants to ensure Lotus was well-fed.

Of course, Lotus didn’t care much about their new, overzealous attention. She kept her breakfast simple, opting for cream soup and a few pieces of fruit, and then began preparing for the day.

Under Jane’s supervision, the maids bathed Lotus in water infused with rose petals and massaged her skin with fragrant oils. 

Her skin, rarely exposed to the sun, was as pale as white jade.

“Your skin is always so enviable, my lady,” Jane and the other maids whispered in admiration, but Lotus barely reacted. 

She’d heard endless compliments about her appearance, even in her previous life when she was mocked as a one-night affair, and she was thoroughly sick of it.

The dress Madame Lisette had tailored during her visit three days ago was then brought out. Of the ten dresses Lisette had made, the one chosen for tonight’s ball was said to have been inspired by a rose.

The dress, in a crinoline style that flared out dramatically, darkened in hue toward the hem, with red becoming more intense as it flowed downward. Lisette had used just the right amount of red and green frills and lace, making the dress look like an actual flower. Several ruby petals, shaped like rose petals, adorned the hem, adding to the dress’s splendor.

There was likely no woman this dress would suit better than Lotus, with her red hair and green eyes.

She completed the ensemble by putting on the emerald earrings and necklace Hession had gifted her. 

As soon as Lotus’s transformation was complete, Jane and the other maids couldn’t stop marveling at her beauty.

“You’re absolutely stunning, my lady.”  

“I’m sure you’ll be the star of tonight’s ball.”  

“Every gentleman present will be utterly captivated.”

Lotus inwardly scoffed at the maids’ words. Having returned from the future, she already knew who the true star of tonight’s ball would be.

*It’s Lady Asilia of the Cabella Duchy.*

Debuting on the same day as Lotus, Lady Asilia had everything—noble birth, goddess-like beauty, and an elegant grace that caught the eye of every aristocrat present. The young noblemen all hoped she would ask them for the first dance, while the noblewomen aspired to become her friends.

Lady Asilia was radiant, a woman who sparkled with light, completely opposite from Lotus.

*In the past, I might have cared. But now? I don’t even want a place like that.*

Having experienced death once, Lotus had learned that fancy dresses, jewelry, beauty, people, and affection were all meaningless.

Descending to the first floor, Lotus spotted the Marquis and Marchioness, fully dressed and waiting for her. It seemed Hession had already left for the palace early due to his duties as vice-captain of the 6th Knights.

Lotus bowed her head to the Marquis and Marchioness.  

“I’m sorry to have kept Your Excellency and My Lady waiting.”  

“…No, we’ve only just arrived. The dress suits you well,” the Marchioness replied.

“Thank you for gifting me such a beautiful dress,” Lotus responded in a flat tone, like a machine with pre-programmed replies. Once the Marchioness’s obligatory compliments were out of the way, the Marquis spoke.

“You look very pretty.”

“…Thank you.”

“Would you allow me to escort you into the ballroom tonight?”

It was customary during a debutante ball for a father, brother, or male relative to escort the debutante, barring exceptional circumstances. But in Lotus’s previous life, she had not been fully acknowledged as part of the Estelle family, and so a family knight had escorted her instead.

“No, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. A family knight will suffice. Please assign one with a free schedule today.”

The Marquis’s lips twitched slightly in response to her words. For some reason, it felt satisfying to Lotus to have rattled him a bit, lightening her otherwise dreary mood.

Though Lotus had planned to go along with the Marquis and Marchioness’s whims as much as possible, this was one suggestion she couldn’t accept. The thought of it made her skin crawl.

*What are they trying to accomplish by making me look like a normal noble lady? How much do they plan to sell me for, to go this far?*

While Lotus silently mocked them, the Marquis spoke again.  

“…I’m asking you as a favor. Could you accept?”

*A favor.* This wasn’t a word to be thrown around lightly, especially not by the head of a noble family over such a trivial matter.

*Ugh, how disgusting. This is revolting.*

Lotus fought the revulsion rising within her and replied,  

“There’s no need to ask for a favor over something so small. Do as you wish, Your Excellency.”

In the end, she allowed the Marquis to escort her to the carriage. Inside the carriage, with the Marquis, the Marchioness, and Lotus all seated together, an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Lotus stared out the window, silently renewing her resolve.

*I won’t ask Lord Hycen—or anyone—for a dance. I’ll keep quiet, pretend I’m not feeling well, and leave early.*

After all, she was an illegitimate child, ignored and scorned by her own family. If she kept to herself, there would be few men who would approach her willingly.