Chapter 37
Chapter 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Ball, You Don't Dislike It, Right?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura Carolline had been feeling unsettled lately.
The reason was obvious.
It was all because of the annual ball—an event that had every student at the academy buzzing with excitement.
The topic haunted her like a ghost, popping up everywhere she went.
"Have you heard? They're holding a ball at the academy!"
"Of course! A ball—how romantic!"
"But how do we pick partners for the academy ball?"
"Who knows? Probably on the spot there. That's why I scouted a skilled dressmaker this time—"
"Oh, brilliant! My family's jeweler is—"
Conversations about the ball wormed their way into her ears no matter where she went.
Laura barely resisted the urge to plug them.
The subject made her deeply uncomfortable.
'A ball... I probably can't go...'
She sighed inwardly at the thought.
Her eyes grew misty with melancholy.
In truth, Laura had been looking forward to a ball for quite some time.
The epitome of glamorous high society and the flower of noble culture!
Born the fourth child of a modest viscount family, the chance to experience it had always seemed like a pipe dream. The day she learned of it, she'd lain awake buzzing with anticipation.
Fantasizing that maybe, just maybe, she'd have a storybook romance like the heroine in a novel.
But no such opportunity had come.
A brutally practical problem stood in her way.
[...For the reasons stated above, we regret that we cannot send you additional allowance.
Your faithful servant from the Carolline family, Patrick Ort Besang.]
"I figured as much..."
Yes.
She simply didn't have the money for a ball.
Laura sighed deeply as she read the letter from her family.
Strictly speaking, lack of money didn't bar her from attending.
There was no entry fee.
This ball in particular wasn't hosted by some noble house but by the academy itself.
They'd officially announced that all students could attend.
But a ball was a place to show off and forge connections.
To participate, one had to dress to impress.
Otherwise, you'd be ignored by everyone, left standing forlornly in a corner like forgotten furniture.
And dressing up cost money, of course.
More than the pittance her humble viscount family sent for basic dignity.
Laura had been saving diligently with that in mind, but...
A recent unexpected expense had tripped her up.
The riding outfit she'd bought to follow Laura Clarins.
Her novel friend Ellie, who'd pried the story out of her gloomy expression, had flipped out.
"Why on earth did you buy that? You don't even ride!"
"But... if I didn't buy anything while shopping with her, it'd hurt Laura's feelings..."
"So what? That's no reason to! Just ask her to buy it for you next time!"
Ellie fumed as if it were her own plight, but Laura held no regrets.
It was her choice, and it had made Laura happy.
She could see it as a memento of that day—not without value.
...Even if she'd never learn to ride and wear it.
When Laura shrugged it off so philosophically, Ellie groaned in frustration.
"Then just borrow money for a dress. Pay her back when your allowance comes. She can spare that much, right?"
"I couldn't..."
"Couldn't what? Just ask! She's nice—she might say yes. Especially now, when she's all about saving face?"
Despite Ellie's prodding, Laura shook her head.
"It's not about face."
"Then what?"
"I'm her friend. I don't want to do anything that makes her feel bad."
"Ugh..."
Ellie rubbed her temples, exasperated.
But she didn't argue further.
She knew the rumors swirling around Laura Carolline and Laura Clarins.
Vile whispers that Laura had cozied up for her wealth.
Inevitable, given a poor viscount's daughter befriending the duke's fiancée from a count's family.
Borrowing money in that climate?
The rumors would ignite and sweep the academy.
She could bear them alone.
But they'd splatter filth on Laura too.
Her precious, noble friend.
Laura couldn't stand that.
Ellie asked sadly,
"So you're really skipping the ball? You were so excited."
"......"
"For people like us, it's not something to pass up. You know that, right? We need to snag a match before graduation."
Laura's face fell further at Ellie's words.
She was right.
Laura had anticipated the ball, but it was even more crucial than that.
The academy existed to provide jobs for nobles without inheritance.
But for someone like Laura, ignored by her family through adulthood, a few years of study wouldn't land a proper position.
Most would end up near-commoners, scraping by.
Marrying into a solid family changed everything.
Even a non-heir from a family with a small fief would secure her noble status.
And the ball was the perfect stage for that.
Countless daughters from minor houses sharpened their blades for that day alone.
Blades called charm, to ensnare a man.
Laura knew it well.
So her response was laced with resignation.
"Even if I went, it wouldn't work. I can't dance."
"Laura!"
"It's hopeless, Ellie. Just... pretend you went for me. Thanks for worrying."
With that, she ended the conversation and left.
Ellie's voice called after her, but Laura shook it off and returned to her dorm.
She flung herself onto the bed without changing and grabbed the novel by her bedside.
A romance by her favorite author, Robinson.
She flipped to a scene she'd memorized, dialogue and all, and thought,
'Yeah, who do I think I am?'
For someone like her, yearning after novel heroines was enough.
If this were a story, she'd be an unnamed extra.
But even affirming that, as she read her favorite scene, her heart wouldn't lift.
The night felt colder than usual.
Regardless of Laura Carolline's mood, excitement for the academy ball only grew by the day.
Laura Clarins couldn't escape it either, and eventually, the topic arose between the two Lauras.
Laura Carolline tried her best to keep her usual expression as she listened.
"You've arranged to go with Lord Leonardo?"
"Yes. He didn't seem thrilled... but he agreed when I asked."
Laura Clarins smiled shyly, reminiscing.
Laura Carolline put on her usual envious fuss.
After receiving that familiar reaction, Laura Clarins broached the topic Laura Carolline had dreaded.
"What about you, Laura? Anyone catch your eye? I hear lots of people line up partners ahead of time..."
Laura Carolline clenched her fist under the desk.
Tension surged within her.
She thought in dismay,
'She assumes I'm going.'
Of course.
She'd always been the first to gush over romance talk.
This was Laura Clarins's first ball too, so she'd expect her company.
And for the first time, Laura Carolline had to shatter that expectation.
She racked her brain desperately.
'What can I say that'll make her accept it?'
No idea. She wasn't good at lying.
But the truth wouldn't solve anything.
The Laura she knew would leap to fix her problems.
'No dress? She'd buy one. Can't dance? She'd hire a teacher.'
But that wouldn't do.
It'd fuel the rumors.
And tarnish Laura Clarins's image.
As a fan who shipped Leonardo above all and rooted for her romance, she couldn't allow it.
So for the first time, Laura Carolline lied to her.
"I... probably can't go to the ball."
"What? Why? You don't like balls?"
"Of course not. It's just... family matters. I have to step out that day."
A lame excuse anyone would see through.
But she prayed Laura Clarins would take it at face value.
Laura Clarins stared at her with her beautiful violet eyes.
She asked again.
"You don't dislike the ball, right?"
"Of course not. Who wouldn't want to go? I'm really bummed I can't."
This time, pure sincerity.
Laura Clarins nodded with a smile.
"Got it. That's fine, then."
Relieved she'd accepted it so neatly, Laura Carolline sighed inwardly.
Honestly, it was almost too smooth—made her wonder if Laura Clarins hadn't wanted her there after all—but
At least she wasn't hurt, so she'd take it.
With that weight off her shoulders, she chatted with Laura Clarins a while longer.
And the next day, she learned why it'd been so easy.
"Miss Carolline, a package has arrived for you."
"A package?"
Laura Carolline tilted her head at the maid's words.
Her family was the only one who sent her things, and they'd said no money—so what could it be?
Maybe Father changed his mind?
With faint hope, she accepted the delivery.
Her eyes widened when she saw what it was.
"This is...!"
A dress.
A glamorous one fit for a true noble lady had been sent to Laura Carolline.