Prologue
If one were to name the most influential woman under the age of twenty in the capital's high society, it would undoubtedly be Sierra Fernaine.
Should someone seek out a respected elder in society and inquire about her, he would say this:
“Heh heh. You mean Miss Sierra Fernaine? She is the honorable daughter of Count Fernaine. The Fernaines are a family of long standing. They want for nothing materially. You wouldn’t know how much her father and brothers dote on her, having lost her mother when she was young. Truly a lovely family.”
Indeed, her family is thus: a widowed father and three older brothers.
And on top of that, a thoroughly beloved daughter.
At the very moment the questioner nods, a thoughtless young nobleman beside him would interject:
“The greatest beauty in the Empire—ah, no. The greatest beauty on the continent, I should say!”
Skin as white and pure as white magnolia petals, dazzlingly curling silver hair, a long neck, and slender limbs.
Her eyes are a tender spring green like new shoots that have waited all winter.
Because of this beautiful appearance, she earned the splendid nickname, ‘White Magnolia of the Empire.’
“Moreover, she is brilliant. You would be amazed if you knew how many books she reads.”
As the young nobleman’s admiring exclamations of longing continue, his younger sister would undoubtedly hide her mouth behind her fan and shoot her brother a glare.
“She’s obviously pretending to be innocent. She only avoids answering and coughs when it’s disadvantageous to her, you know? Then those foolish men fuss over her, telling her not to speak and to just rest.”
“Do not speak ill of Miss Sierra! If you were even half as kind and delicate as she is, I would have no worries.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Once the younger sister folds her fan in offense and disappears, the thoughtless nobleman would shake his head as if there is nothing to be done.
“Miss Fernaine is kind and gentle. She is a true saint. However, her health is poor, and she coughs often, so I worry. Everyone in society worries.”
“Hoho, in my opinion, it’s all the act of a fox.”
“What would you know, Mother? Women, honestly. Why are you all so obsessed with slandering Miss Sierra?”
“It’s not slander but objective fact. Ohoho.”
While the noblewoman watches her son with pitiful eyes, the gentleman beside her clears his throat.
“Ahem. My dear, this may be rude of me to say but... are you suggesting that Miss Sierra acts like a fox to win men’s favor?”
Naturally, this is not a question at all. It is merely an opening gambit to challenge the notion that the noblewoman is wrong.
Naturally, the noblewoman, a seasoned veteran of high society, would vanish, leaving nothing but a “hoho” in her wake.
Then the gentleman speaks to the lingering image of his wife.
“But Miss Sierra, even when she sways as if needing help for anyone to see, never takes any man’s hand.”
That was true. Softer and more delicate than the flesh of strawberries or peaches, bruising easily, and prone to dizziness even after standing briefly, Sierra never took the hand of any of the countless young noblemen who wished to escort her.
When she refused all of them and stubbornly straightened her back alone, every man’s heart ached.
How could she inspire such protective instincts!
It was obvious she would accept no one’s help. That alone drove the men mad with longing.
“If her goal were to lead men around, she wouldn’t act like that! She is through and through pure and noble!”
“Innocent, frail, sickly, pure, and beautiful!”
“Waaaaaah!”
Sierra was an angel, a fairy, and a goddess. The moment she entered, the surroundings seemed to shine, and the hall felt filled with a goddess’s grace.
They clasped their hands together. Oh, Sierra! Oh, Sierra Fernaine!
If only they could kiss the back of her hand but once!
The women blinded by envy and jealousy, who slandered and hated Sierra, were fools. How could they fail to recognize Sierra’s true character?
Not that the men paid those women any heed, anyway!
At that moment, someone sighs.
“I am worried. Come to think of it, did not Miss Sierra collapse yesterday?”
“Ah, which is why she has not come to the party today.”
“Usually, even if she collapsed, she would surely attend the party as if nothing were wrong, bestowing happiness with her smile....”
“I worry that something grave might be the matter.”
* * *