The Kind Older Sister Is No More

The Duchess’s ball was a perfect place for Irene, who was not familiar with society. First of all, it was less awkward because there were many people who attended that banquet. The distance was not far from her house, and because it was a duchess’s banquet, she should be allowed to attend. 

More than anything else, even when Irene had not shown any interest in social events before, it was difficult for her parents to oppose her from attending. Especially when she showed a willingness to participate in social events, it was because she was already an adult, so she did not have to obey her parent’s orders in that matter. However, she had always been compliant and willing to follow her parent’s wishes before purely.

As expected, Irene’s parents looked very displeased when Irene’s maid relayed her request to them. Although they were reluctant, in the end, they still gave her permission to attend the banquet.

“Miss, I’m sorry that I did not know your preference for the dress, so I bought several dresses for you.”

The maid came with a tired face in the late afternoon, and she brought several dresses, each with a different colour.

“I like something simple that’s not outdated.”

Irene replied whilst thoroughly checking each dress that her maid brought. Although she did not have much experience in social events, she had good taste when choosing her dresses. Then finally, Irene picked a dress. It was a dark navy dress decorated with light peach ribbons. The colour of the dress would go well with her milky hair.

“I will pick this one. I’m in a hurry, so please quickly dress me up for the banquet.”

“Ok, but is it all right if I am the sole maid who attends you? Is it not more appropriate for other maids to dress you as well, Miss? It is not too late to ask other maids to….”

“There is no time for that. I do not want the preparation to become messy. It is all right, so hurry up.”

“I understand if that is what you want.”

Frustrated by Irene’s cold manner, the maid muttered her reply in a small voice and then began to groom her. First, it was combing through her milky brown locks. Irene’s soft hair dropped softly over her shoulder and cascaded down her back as the maid styled it. In fact, there was another reason as to why Irene trusted the maid to style her. This was because she often saw this maid groom Riel. Irene could see that this maid held quite a bit of experience in attending to women. 

As Irene expected, the maid was quite skilful in decorating her. With an hour left until the ball, the preparation was over. Irene opened her eyes and looked in the mirror as the maid bowed and then receded with a tired face. She glanced at herself in the mirror, but Irene could not shake her eyes from her reflection.

Irene’s hair that usually felt like an untamed broom, had turned into soft threads of silk. She also wore a necklace decorated with rubies and pearls on her neck to accentuate her neckline. Additionally, the off-the-shoulder dark blue dress that Irene wore contrasted with her pale skin. On her feet were the daintiest midnight blue heels, completing her look.

Irene’s olive-coloured eyes, which usually looked dull, glistened as if they reflected bright jewels. Since Irene rarely did such a proper dress-up, as the formal occasions she attended were few, she felt an unfamiliar sense of foreignness with the lady in the mirror. On the other hand, she was deeply impressed by the skill of the maid. The maid could make her sparkle with dust, tint, and makeup. As she observed herself, she noticed that her dull complexion had disappeared, and in turn, she now looked youthful and bright. The inferiority she felt whenever she compared herself to Riel, all dolled up, was no longer there.

“You’re beautiful, Miss.”

Her maid, who was discouraged before, spoke up boldly this time. Irene smiled and thanked her.

“Thank you.”

“Huh? No, you did not have to thank me.” The maid sounded surprised because she did not expect Irene to be grateful to her. It was her job to serve her mistress, and she had never been thanked before.

After she was fully prepared, Irene left the room to go to the banquet. The carriage had already been prepared in advance, so all she had to do was leave the house. But as usual, things did not work out that easy for Irene.

“Sister?”

    Irene assumed that Riel and her parents were walking inside after taking a stroll around the garden and then ran into Irene. Riel looked surprised at Irene, who was all dressed up. Through the maid, her parents already knew that Irene would attend the ball, but Riel seemed to have no idea about this.

“Wow, you look so pretty, sister. But where are you going?”

“I’m going to the ball.”

Irene said without hesitation. Riel’s eyes became large, as if she did not expect that answer.

“A ball? But you never attended an event like that before.”

“That’s right. I had never attended before because I had to take care of you. But that will not happen again.” 

“Irene!”

Count Chase frowned at Irene’s answer. Then the countess tried to take Riel inside the house, but Riel stood firm in her place. Riel’s gaze was fixed on Irene’s beautiful and colourful dress.

“Just quickly go to the banquet, please.”

“Ok.”

After the commotion in the morning, the count seemed to have cooled down. He tried to let Irene go without scolding her. However, at that moment, Riel grabbed his hand and spoke.

“Daddy, I also want to attend the ball with my sister.”

”Why all of a sudden do you want to, Riel?”

Count Chase replied as if it was a nonsensical request. Irene was also taken aback at Riel’s unexpected request, but Riel continued to beg with a tearful face while holding the count’s arm.

“Irene must feel awkward because she has never attended the ball. I will fill that empty spot and accompany her.”

”But Riel, didn’t you collapse yesterday? Your doctor just told me that you are not allowed to go outside for a while.”

“But my sister….”

“Riel!” Irene cut off Riel’s endless begging. Riel looked back at her. Irene calmed down her breathing then plastered on her face the most pretentious and bright smile. 

“No need to accompany me.”

”…”

“I will go and come back then.”

Riel looked blankly at Irene, then Irene raised her head and confidently walked away. The maid who had just watched the situation hurriedly followed in Irene’s footsteps. Irene could not hear any more of their voices behind her back as she entered the carriage. So, it seemed that Riel had stopped whining. It was only because Riel had seen Irene dressed up that she had once again wanted to take her own spotlight from her.

“Hahaha…”

Irene suddenly burst out into laughter inside the carriage. Her voice rattled against the wooden boards. It was a senseless laugh that belted out when she thought of Riel’s flustered and red face. To her, it was the first of many pleasant surprises she had begun to discover after making her decision to leave. 

I’ve never seen anything like this before.