# Chapter 21
---
I had a dream.
In my dream, I was a short citizen who had just turned seventeen and was happily vacationing with the joy of finally becoming a high school student.
Although I was a little worried about studying for college, I enjoyed every day when I thought about my future high school life.
I don't remember exactly, but the last thing I remember was the cloudy sky I saw in early February when the cold snap was at its peak.
I died in an unexpected accident.
The hard pavement and surrounding gaze that filled my field of vision.
The snow that fell on my cheek was not cold, but warm like fire.
That feeling was the last one I remember.
"So what do you mean?"
Rick rolled up his sleeves with a tired look and looked at me.
Even though his eyes were focused on me, his long fingers slowly traced the paper.
Even though it looked like a rough scribble, it was more elegant and elegant than the handwriting I wrote with all my passion and sincerity.
I fell onto the table with my lips pouting.
And then I wrapped my arms around my belly.
"Maybe it's because my dream was disturbed, but my stomach hurts really bad.
I think I have a stomach ache.
I don't think I can go to the victory party today...
...
."
"You think I don't know that you can't even walk straight when your stomach hurts?
If you're sick, don't listen to your mother anymore and leave the room.
"I don't have time to listen to your complaints right now."
"oh my god.
How can you speak so cruelly?
Rick, you're so cold lately.
You haven't been home much lately.
"It's been almost 15 days since we last met today."
"Because there's still a mountain of work to do.
Kate, I'm telling you that you don't seem to know anything, but it's rare to find a teacher who goes home as often as I do.
"To top it off, three or four times I've been asked if I had a hidden lover in Ezelot."
Rick put down his pen, got up, and walked over to the table where I was sitting.
I had long heard that most teachers live in mansions near the academy.
It was something I understood perfectly, but being alone in a big, crowded castle made me even more frustrated for no reason.
After all, it had been five years since Nezar and Rockherd went to war, and in the summer of the following year, Eden left for Jedo to learn how to manage a merchant.
At the time, I couldn't get used to the castle's sudden silence, so I always stuck to Rick's side like a leech.
Fortunately, Rick also had to go to the Imperial Academy to get his degree a year after Eden left.
In short, I had to live alone with my mother in this big Ezelot for two years.
Now I can say that, other than going to the tea party with Charon, it was a terribly boring time.
"Is it because of His Highness Nezar?"
Yuck.
Even though I tried not to react, I woke up like I was having a seizure because it had been a long time since I heard a name.
"What do you mean, suddenly?
"It doesn't matter at all."
“Otherwise, why don’t you want to go?
The victory celebration party is an opportunity to meet Her Majesty and Brother Rockherd for the first time in five years.
"Especially, as His Highness the Crown Prince's fiancé, you can never be left out."
He fell onto the table again, as if he had never woken up.
Rick was right.
As I was the legitimate daughter of the Ezelott family and the bride of the crown prince, I was unable to attend the party.
It has only been four days since all the regular knights, including Lockherd, left the battlefield and returned to the islands.
And the victory party that will take place for three days and nights starting tomorrow night.
Yes, it's hard to believe, but it was a reunion after 5 years.
"too...
I'm embarrassed."
bad!
I covered my face, which felt like it was going to squeak, and rolled onto the table.
"They say five years is the time for a river or a mountain to change.
What if you forgot me all this time?
Nezar is now twenty-four.
Obviously, it won't impress a nerd like me...
...
."
Of course, I probably haven't thought about it in a long time.
That's why I made so much noise about looking for a lover, but my heart pounded when I imagined that he would treat me like a child who didn't exist.
I thought everything would be fine after 5 years, but is it because there's only one day left until we see each other?
My heart was already pounding and I was sweating profusely.
"ah."
A nervous sigh was heard at the top of my head.
"It seems like you need to be more careful, Kate.
"If you live like this, the minds of those around you will not remain."
"What does that mean again?"
"And Charonte Entera...
...
.
If you're going to date someone, meet someone who is normal and ordinary.
"Don't just seduce people who are different inside and out."
"By the way, do you know how pure and gentle our Charon is?
"Caron is a boy who will bow his head and apologize to me, even if he trips and falls alone in the street!"
"It's okay, it's okay.
You'll know that for the rest of your life.
"In some ways, I think it could be better."
Rick is much smarter and wiser than me, having lived two lives.
At this point, it seems more accurate to say I'm stupid than that Rick is smart, but I had no interest in a wise second life in the first place.
The Ezelot family is a noble family with one of the most prestigious and richest families in the empire.
As time went by, I became more certain that because I was born into this wealthy family, there was no need to do anything.
Just as you have done up until now, you can continue to do what you want and live the way you want.
Although life is a little boring, just breathe and eat a piece of cake.
"Are you now ignoring me like an idiot?"
"Amazing.
"Never thought you'd know that."
It was a calm voice, so I didn't feel anything either.
Instead, the dresses hanging in the closet began to appear one by one in my blank, blank mind.
The debut took place two years ago.
However, as it was a day when I was shaking so much that my shoes were shaking, I couldn't remember where I met or who I spoke to.
And after debutante, all I did was attend five or six little tea parties with Charonte.
In other words, the victory party was the second ballroom party of my life.
"Oh, that won't work!
My heart is shaking so much that if I sit still I'll get a cramp in my neck.
"I need to bother my mother so she can go out and buy me a new dress and necklace."
I quickly got up and left Rick's office.
I couldn't sleep well and tossed and turned all morning.
Is my skin better?
Surely your face won't be dull by tomorrow?
I didn't hide my concern as my cheeks lit up the shiny marble hallway.
For some reason, it looked like a black shadow had descended under his eyes.
I have to go to bed as soon as the sun sets today.
I held my racing heart and went to my mother's room.
***
In short, I couldn't sleep and tossed and turned even on the day of the victory party.
The feeling of seeing the sun rising through the window with both eyes open was a very strange and bittersweet sensation.
It was ruined.
I will find Nezar with black eyes and dull skin.
It must be embarrassing to know that such an ugly girl is my fiancee.
"Ew!
Stop blaming yourself and hold your head up, girl.
Are you so beautiful that other noble ladies can't compete with you?"
"You're so beautiful, Daisy, open your eyes and look in the mirror!"
He stretched out his arm and pointed to the mirror on the dressing table in front of him.
Inside, there was a woman with a black face, sitting with slumped shoulders and a gloomy expression.
"Whoever sees this looks like a nervous person who has been up all night...
...
I'm sure Rockherd would laugh.
Are you lucky if it's just Rockherd?
"Other people will be busy smiling too."
"Who dares to laugh in front of His Highness Nezar's young bride?
"These people are so generous."
"You think you can only laugh at me if I laugh at you in front of you?
There's something in the back of my head that I can feel even without my eyes running.
"What if I can't control my anger and end up throwing a punch?"
Daisy shook her head when she heard my depressed voice and held the comb in her hand.
"It's all in vain.
"The young lady is anxious about the idea of meeting His Highness Nezar, so she is trying to escape reality."
"...
...
Is it so noticeable?
"How can no one know?"
As soon as Rick and my mother saw my face, the only thing they said was about Nezar.
Well, after chasing him for years, we met face to face for the first time in 5 years, anyone could have guessed.
“Young lady, I haven’t been able to understand your inner self for a long time, but you are starting to show it in places like this?
But don't worry.
"I received many debts from the Countess."
As she spoke, Daisy took out a small fan from a drawer.
The light blue Brise fan made of ivory had each pattern on the front delicately engraved.
I lifted the fan with my eyes wide open at my mother's unexpected gift.
It spreads smoothly like an item that has been used for many years, without any feeling of stiffness.
"If you have difficulty hiding your expression, lift this fan and cover your mouth.
"The lady said that this fan is a very precious item imported from the East and is used for showing off."
"But I still haven't learned the fan language."
To be exact, I was never interested.
I'm sure I learned it in a liberal arts class, but I didn't remember.
"Then, you should straighten your body more than half and only cover your mouth.
It may be fine in front of a noble lady, but never wave a fan in front of young people, especially married men.
"If you don't know what to do, just hold it with your left hand."
"What does that mean?"
"That means I have a fiancé."
The use of fans by noble women in social circles has many implications.
Generally, it is used to conduct secret conversations between men and women, but in large gatherings such as victory banquets, people tend to not be very aware of how to hold and use the fan.
"But what can you do with such a handsome fan?
In the end, I couldn't find a single dress to wear.
"Thanks to you, my confidence has plummeted."
My thoughts were short.
The victory feast was not just for nobles, but was a festival enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
So even if I visited the best clothing store in town, there would be no way to get a dress because they were already sold out.
This is all because I have no experience in going to parties.
A month ago, when my mother told me she was going to the institutional system, I had to accompany her despite all the inconvenience.
As if I were a thorn in her eye to the point of not even moving, my mother left the order for me, leaving out only my dress.
Why would I discover such a fact on a day like today?
The mother is also cruel to her only daughter.
It would have been fine if she had just kicked her in the ass and dragged her away!
"Voila!
Knowing that the young lady would be depressed, the Countess has already prepared a dress for her!
Your wife has a very good eye.
"I can't believe you brought me such a beautiful dress while you were so busy!"
Beyond the mirror, pale blue lace fluttered.
An off-the-shoulder top that cinches to the waist, with richly layered lace from the hips.
I wondered what black fabric Daisy had brought, and it turned out it was that dress.
“Did your mother prepare this for you? really?"
"yes!"
Daisy responded loudly and handed me the dress.
Ecstatically, I held the dress she gave me in my arms.
How can it be so smooth to the touch!
Mom I love you.
I think this is really perfect.
A strong will to fight for no reason emerged along with a burning confidence.