Chapter 17
Catherine was excited when she first received the party invitation.
Her dress, jewelry, and shoes were all perfectly prepared.
But the problem started a week ago when the Duke asked Eleanor to be his partner.
“Eleanor, do you have a partner for the party?”
“…Not yet. Why? Are you asking me to be your partner?”
Everyone at the table was shocked when the Duke casually asked her.
Of course, our indifferent heroine, Eleanor, bluntly refused without hesitation.
“Why would I? No, thank you.”
Rachel, naturally, did not take this well.
“Duke, if you take Eleanor as your partner, what about Catherine?
Don’t you feel sorry for this poor young girl attending the party alone?”
The Duke stared at Catherine with a cold, unreadable gaze, as if questioning whether Rachel’s words were true.
Catherine glanced at the Duke, then at Rachel, and finally at Eleanor.
“Hmm… In the original story, Catherine threw a tantrum and stole the Duke’s escort, didn’t she?”
Because of that, Eleanor misunderstood that the Duke preferred a cheerful Catherine over her gloomy self, which only deepened their misunderstandings.
“Then… there’s no need for me to go with the Duke.”
“Oh, I-I’m fine! I have Alex with me!”
“What? Hey! Why would I—mmph!”
“Haha, what? Do you want to be my partner? You want to go to the party with me?”
There was a brief commotion with Alex protesting, but everything was eventually settled.
Rachel later scolded her.
“Why did you do that? You gave Eleanor the Duke! What were you thinking?”
“If I keep insisting, the Duke will probably see me as immature. It’s better to show him a mature side, right? That’s why I did it, Mother.”
Fortunately, Rachel seemed convinced by Catherine’s reasoning and let it go.
The party was held at the Duke’s estate in the capital.
Since it took several days to travel from the Northern Duke’s territory to the capital, they had to leave early.
And somehow, Catherine ended up sharing a carriage with Rachel, the Duke, and Eleanor.
“……”
“……”
The atmosphere in the carriage was cold and suffocating.
‘Someone save me…’
As soon as Eleanor entered the party, all eyes were on her.
Since heroines who repeatedly go through regressions know all the future fashion trends, it was only natural that she attracted attention.
“Oh my! Look at that dress. How can the color be so beautiful?”
“I always thought pink was tacky, but… it makes her fair skin shine even more.
Where did she get such a stunning design?”
“Goodness! Look at her dress and accessories! That alone costs more than three houses in the capital!”
As expected, people were mesmerized by Eleanor’s appearance, admiring her new dress design and her beauty.
Even Catherine had to admit that Eleanor was the most dazzling person at the party tonight.
When Catherine remained silent despite all the praise for Eleanor, Alex looked at her curiously.
“That’s strange. You always wanted to be the center of attention. Didn’t you always say you’d kill Eleanor if she outshined you? Are you really okay with this?”
Alex tilted his head toward Eleanor, gesturing at her with his chin.
“W-What are you saying? Mind your own business! I’m already fifteen now. I’m too old to be jealous over something like this!”
“Hah! Since when did fifteen-year-olds stop feeling jealous?”
Alex snickered and led Catherine to a sofa in the corner of the ballroom.
“I’m getting some drinks. Stay here.”
He left her alone and disappeared into the crowd.
Catherine turned her gaze to the dance floor, watching elegantly dressed nobles spinning like blooming flowers under the sparkling chandeliers.
Then, her eyes landed on Eleanor, who stood out the most in her beautiful pink dress.
“I didn’t know you were interested in business investments, my lady.”
“I thought noblewomen found these things boring…”
“You mean Eleanor started this investment before the Duke’s family did?”
Several businessmen surrounded Eleanor, discussing investments with her.
‘I don’t get all this business talk. Does she understand it? Well, she is smart, after all.’
Catherine absentmindedly watched Eleanor when someone suddenly approached her.
“Catherine?! What are you doing here alone?”
“Who…? Oh, uh… Abigail…?”
The girl had vibrant orange hair, a tall and slender figure, and a lively presence.
She was Abigail Frongs, the eldest daughter of the Frongs baron family, which ran the “Funkers Trading Company” and was incredibly wealthy.
In the original story, she was one of Catherine’s close friends and also one of the villains who harassed Eleanor.
“Uh… hi.”
Catherine had known her for a long time, but they weren’t exactly close, so she felt a bit awkward.
‘Why is she so excited to see me?’
“What are you staring at? Eleanor? Why are you looking at her?”
Abigail’s bright yellow eyes followed Catherine’s gaze and immediately twisted in displeasure.
‘Was I looking at Eleanor that much? But is this something to get upset over?’
She pouted as if she were a child jealous of someone getting all the attention.
“Ugh, and that ridiculous dress—what is she even thinking? Does she think that suits her? Ugh, what’s so pretty about that? Our trading company has much better dresses—”
Maybe it was because she was a villain in the original story, but Abigail naturally started criticizing Eleanor, even though anyone could see that Eleanor’s dress was stunning.
The pink silk shimmered under the chandeliers, and the lace and ribbons were arranged perfectly—not too extravagant, but just right.
Her pearl and amber-colored jewelry had a unique design that highlighted her fair skin and elegant posture.
And yet, Abigail was calling it ugly?
‘Does she have bad eyesight? I thought a merchant’s daughter would have better taste.’
“Abigail, she’s my sister… Please be more careful with your words.”
“…What did you say?”
Abigail’s voice dropped slightly, and Catherine felt a tiny bit scared.
“…I mean, just try not to say anything too harsh,” she continued carefully.
“What?! Are you taking her side? You, Catherine Valentine?”
Abigail’s face turned as red as her hair.
“And why are you suddenly using formal speech? Are we strangers now?! You promised to call me ‘Abby’!”
“Ah, uh… S-Sorry? Sorry, Abby.”
Flustered by her outburst, Catherine quickly corrected herself.
‘Why is everyone here so obsessed with weird nicknames? First August, now her?’
“I’m so upset! How could you do this to me?!”
Was she mad at Eleanor or mad at her? The priorities here seemed all wrong.
Catherine, overwhelmed, tried to calm her down.
“Ah, anyway, we’re in public. Be careful what you say, okay?”
If someone overheard and told Eleanor, it would be a disaster.
She had been trying to behave lately, and she didn’t want people to think she was still the same old Catherine.
“Since when did you care about that?”
“Abigail—Abby, please. For my sake… just this once!”
“Ugh! Fine! I’ll be careful! Hmph!“
With a huff, Abigail dramatically plopped down beside Catherine.
Her sulky expression made her look like an angry little Pomeranian.
‘Ugh, I want to smack her.’
Catherine sighed, glancing around desperately.
‘Alex, where are you? Please hurry back and get me out of here…’
For the first time in a while, she missed Alex.
