Chapter 68
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Worst Debutante
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Rozanne's long-awaited debutante ball was a complete disaster.
Even after the posters went up and the announcements were made, she tried her hardest not to believe it.
Philomel, that wicked woman, was actually not a criminal? What nonsense!
'Who would believe such rubbish!'
Despite telling herself that, Rozanne's mood was utterly foul.
And the worst part? She hadn't found a partner to bring to the debutante ball.
Her cousin, a duke's daughter, had introduced her to a few promising young nobles, but none of them measured up to her standards.
After rejecting some and being rejected by others, she ended up coming alone.
And when she spotted that woman standing confidently in the hall, Rozanne despaired.
The rumors she'd denied were true. She had struck a guest of the imperial family, not a criminal.
Rozanne desperately avoided Philomel, hiding wherever she could.
The answer to her dilemma—'How can I make up for my mistake?'—was the ring she'd taken from that woman.
That red, beautiful ring.
The more she looked at it, the more she wanted to keep it rather than return it to the imperial family. It was a mesmerizing gem.
The ring was currently enshrined in her jewelry box back in her room.
She wanted to leave it there forever, but...
Rozanne suppressed her greed and decided to give the ring to the new princess.
So, as soon as the dance ended, she approached the princess. She planned to win her favor with the ring and ask for protection from Philomel.
First, she'd bring up the ring to set up a meeting, then hand it over later.
But reality was harsh.
The young ladies clustered around the princess glared sharply at Rozanne. She'd accidentally stepped on their feet and shoved their shoulders while trying to squeeze through.
They were all daughters of prestigious noble houses. One fanned herself while sneering.
"Oh my. An unfamiliar face. Who might this be?"
"You know, the daughter of that provincial baronet—Manon or something."
"She's Lady Muriel's cousin, always trailing behind her."
"Lady Muriel might want to keep her embarrassing relatives at a distance."
Rozanne's cousin, Lady Shasha Muriel, who was standing beside her, flushed red.
"...Don't you dare act like you know me from now on!"
Hearing her cousin's sharp rebuke, Rozanne nearly burst into tears from rage. Why should she have to endure this treatment?
'They just got lucky being born to good parents, and that's their pride!'
At that moment, the princess appeared before her like a savior.
The princess smiled gently at Rozanne.
"Hello, my lady. Is something the matter?"
"Your Highness!"
Rozanne hurriedly grabbed the princess's hand. The princess's serene face stiffened briefly before returning to normal.
"Your Highness, please hear me out."
"You have business with me?"
"I have something to tell only you! It's very important!"
"Hmm, but what to do? I already have plans with these other ladies. You'll have to wait your turn."
"There's no time! Your Highness, please..."
The princess firmly pushed away Rozanne, who tried to whisper in her ear.
"Wait your turn."
Rozanne looked around.
Everyone there was from high-ranking noble families. Those from families on her level were standing far off, just watching. Here, she was the loach muddying the waters, out of place.
Laughter spread among them at her expense.
"...Ex-Excuse me!"
She fled the scene.
Pacing a dark corridor, Rozanne suddenly screamed.
"Why should I be trembling like this? What did I do wrong!"
Her humiliation turned to rage, directed at innocent Philomel. State guest or decorated hero, that woman was still a commoner at heart.
A commoner Rozanne could trample!
It was all Philomel's fault that she had suffered this humiliation.
And just then, that woman appeared before the venom-filled Rozanne.
Philomel narrowed her eyes and spoke in a cold voice.
"You again."
"Ph-Philomel..."
"Don't you have anything to say to me? Even if it's too late."
It was a demand for an apology.
"...No! Do you know what I just went through because of you?"
"Not as bad as getting out of a jail cell, I bet. Anyway, so you're not apologizing."
Philomel held out her hand.
"Just give me the ring."
"No way! Why should I give it to you? It's an imperial treasure."
The woman withdrew her hand without protest.
"Suit yourself. I don't even want it back. But if you don't return it to the imperial family, I'll report you for theft."
"Th-Theft?!"
"You took it without permission. What else would you call it? If it's not back by five days from now, when this ball ends, I'll file the report."
"...Just give back the ring, and that's it?"
It was humiliating, but a tiny spark of hope bloomed in Rozanne's heart. If returning the ring meant Philomel wouldn't pursue the matter further, it was a silver lining.
But Philomel stared at her as if she'd said something absurd.
"The ring is the ring, and the slap is separate. Fair's fair—one hit for me."
She grabbed her own shoulder and swung her arm in circles, like a pre-workout stretch.
Rozanne's face crumpled in outrage.
'What did this woman just say? She'll hit me? A mere commoner dares to hit me?'
She'd rather the world know she hit the woman and face public scorn.
Getting hit by a commoner would be a fatal humiliation for her.
Even her father, Viscount Manon, had never laid a hand on his precious daughter.
Philomel smirked.
"If you don't like it, should I tell everyone what Viscount Manon's daughter did to me?"
Rozanne bit her lip until it bled.
Part of her wanted to say go ahead, but she thought of her family.
The Manon baronet family had strained to move to the capital. This was a crucial time. Her father and brothers were pouring everything into business to establish the family here.
If other families turned away now, the family's foundations would shake.
And if they incurred the emperor's wrath...
Rozanne let out a scream like a wail.
"This isn't fair! You just got lucky!"
Philomel's eyebrow arched.
"What?"
"It's true! You were born a commoner but got lucky and switched with the princess, living as one all this time!"
Rozanne unleashed a torrent of words.
"And you got lucky again, winning the emperor's favor! I don't buy that state guest nonsense. He's just covering up your crimes!"
"..."
"You must've pulled every trick to please him! Flirting, acting cute, fawning—that's why he likes you, right?"
A chilling voice cut through Rozanne's rambling.
"What do you even know about me to spout this nonsense."
Philomel looked down at Rozanne impassively. Rozanne was taller, yet it felt like she was being looked down on.
"...Hic."
At Philomel's single word and icy gaze, Rozanne shrank back in fear.
But shame soon surged at cowering before this woman.
Fueled by fury, Rozanne thrust her face forward.
"Hit me! Go on, hit me! As if a wretch like you could hurt..."
In an instant, Rozanne's left cheek burned like fire, followed by excruciating pain.
It was pain unlike anything she'd ever felt.
Her body seemed to float in the air for a moment before crashing to the floor.
Her limbs trembled. It hurt. It hurt so much she wanted to sob.
Philomel looked down at Rozanne, who lay collapsed and unable to rise. She felt a twinge of concern.
'Did I hit her too hard...?'
If she'd caused irreparable damage, it would be an indefensible crime.
Philomel cautiously touched Rozanne's prone face. No broken bones, no missing teeth.
This should be enough to claim she was just paying back the previous slap, even if Rozanne reported it later.
Not everywhere, but imperial law did allow for "an eye for an eye" to some extent.
Philomel clenched and unclenched her right hand, the one that struck Rozanne's face.
She'd been angry, but Rozanne shoving her face in had startled her into swinging.
The sensation of the slap lingered vividly. Honestly, even if it was someone she hated, hitting felt... surprisingly good, damn it.
Maybe this was her true nature. Perhaps the vicious 'Philomel' from the book was who she'd have become without constant vigilance, shaping her into who she was now.
'To avoid becoming a criminal, I have to consciously stay good.'
That was her thought, but her hand slyly rummaged through Rozanne's clutch like a thief.
No Ring of Crimson Flame. Rozanne apparently hadn't brought it.
Philomel stood up, no choice.
"Handle returning the ring yourself. You have five days. Five."
She left the fallen woman behind and exited the ballroom.
She'd achieved her goal. Time to head back and rest.