MYSM | Chapter 06

Chapter 6

Lady Vester’s social gathering.

As expected from someone who enjoyed playing matchmaker, most of the guests at Lady Vester’s gathering were young men and women. If one exaggerated a little, it wouldn’t be wrong to say this place was the origin of all gossip in Fritz.

At least, that was what Lady Vester herself believed.

She was a woman who thought that a single piece of gossip was far better for conversation than ten classic books.

And the bold “highlight” she introduced at today’s gathering was something both fascinating and slightly unpleasant to the guests.

***

“Come, Miss Visvaren. Sit here. Of course, the seat of honor should go to today’s special guest.”

“Thank you, Lady Vester.”

Following obediently behind her was a young lady with eyes like lilacs.

Introduced as Miss Visvaren, she neither smiled easily nor spoke much throughout the gathering.

Only when someone spoke to her first would she respond with her rare, gentle voice. Even then, if the conversation went on too long, she would quickly fall silent and excuse herself.

For a woman making her first appearance in Fritz society, she’s quite arrogant.

The men didn’t seem to mind, drawn in by her pure beauty, but most of the women clearly did not view her favorably.

“Lady Vester, just who is that woman? She was lucky enough to be invited here, yet she barely speaks. She doesn’t even try to socialize with the other ladies.”

“As I mentioned, she is the granddaughter of the Visvaren matriarch. She only arrived in Fritz yesterday. Perhaps she’s simply used to being treated like that. Fritz must still feel unfamiliar to her, so it would be kind of us to be understanding.”

Normally, a host should smooth things over and help any guest who feels out of place.

But Lady Vester simply leaned back on the sofa, smiling as she sipped her tea.

She didn’t stop the women gossiping about Sincere, nor did she explain her quiet behavior.

After all, someone’s discomfort always turns into gossip.

Through her teacup, Lady Vester carefully observed Sincere.

Now that I’ve placed her here, she really does stand out.

A beautiful woman naturally attracts attention, whether she wants to or not.

Every gesture, every glance draws eyes—admiration from some, jealousy from others.

Lady Vester recalled when she first invited her.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I already have plans today, so I don’t think I can attend. If there’s another opportunity, I’ll visit your residence then.”

Sincere had declined politely and gracefully. She truly didn’t seem regretful at all.

But the Visvaren matriarch felt differently.

“It is not proper to refuse your first invitation after arriving in Fritz. Unless you wish to be rude to Lady Vester, you should go, even if only briefly. And you’re already dressed so beautifully, aren’t you?”

At that moment, Lady Vester had been inwardly impressed.

Did the Visvaren matriarch already know about today’s gathering?

Her doubts disappeared.

Despite withdrawing from society after losing her daughter, the matriarch still seemed to understand Fritz society perfectly.

Truly worthy of being the wife of the legendary Admiral Helmut Visvaren.

Even if the family had fallen, there was a reason she was still respected.

Of course, a young lady who had just arrived from the countryside could not understand such intentions.

Sincere looked startled at the word rude.

“Is that so? Lady Vester… would it really be rude to decline your invitation?”

“Oh my, not at all. Everyone has ‘more important’ plans sometimes.”

Lady Vester gently pushed things forward—out of “respect” for the matriarch.

And Sincere was not someone who could act rudely, nor disobey her beloved grandmother.

So in the end, Sincere attended the gathering.

And just as Lady Vester expected—

She became the center of attention, like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

It was still too early in the season for warm-colored dresses, but heavy winter colors would look outdated.

Sincere’s soft, water-colored dress looked as if it had been made perfectly for this moment.

The married women, like Lady Vester, were more relaxed in their judgment.

“She must have come to Fritz to find a suitable husband. With that face, it would be a waste not to. Though with a faded family name, I wonder how good a match she can secure.”

“I guarantee it. Before this week ends, at least five proposals will arrive at the Visvaren house.”

Despite their differing opinions, everyone there agreed on one thing.

Soon, spring would fully arrive, and the frozen lakes would melt.

Carriages would flood Fritz, searching for marriage prospects.

Some women would bloom like roses lasting until summer.

Others would fall like magnolias before the season could endure.

The most dazzling and competitive season of high society—spring—was just around the corner.

And here, today—

The main figure of this upcoming season had already been decided.

A young lady of Visvaren who suddenly appeared in Fritz before the season even began.

A peony had bloomed out of season.

Would it freeze first—

Or wither away?

“…What am I even doing here?”

Standing alone in the garden, Sincere looked up at the clear sky with sad eyes.

Just like last night, the sky was endlessly bright.

The sunlight reminded her of the bonnet she had wanted to buy—

The lace bonnet Erze had wanted so much.

If it had been Erze here instead of her, she would have gotten that bonnet.

That was meant to be Sincere’s wedding gift to her sister.

But the one standing here now wasn’t Erze.

It was Sincere Reverke—

Shamelessly being called Miss Visvaren, even though she wasn’t truly one.

Even if she didn’t know all the details, Sincere understood one thing:

Her grandmother had pushed her into this situation.

It seems Grandmother wants me to get married…

Perhaps, since Erze would soon marry well, her grandmother also wanted to send Sincere off.

What pleased the matriarch most wasn’t just Sincere’s beauty—

But her ability to walk gracefully while hiding her limp beneath her dress.

Because no man would want to marry a woman who limped.

The more satisfied her grandmother looked, the more suffocated Sincere felt with guilt.

I have to find Erze and return as soon as possible.

Lying to her grandmother was painful.

And the clothes she wore didn’t feel like they belonged to her.

Even being called Miss Visvaren felt wrong.

To the public, the Visvaren matriarch only had one granddaughter.

The accident happened when the twins were very young.

Later, only one of them was officially registered into the Visvaren family.

And after that, both lived in the countryside, so no one even knew the granddaughter’s name.

That was why—

Even if Sincere was introduced as Sincere Visvaren, no one questioned it.

As if that name had always belonged to a single person.

Because of that, Sincere couldn’t reveal the truth.

Especially now—

When Erze had run away.