3. Love Letter (1)
[On the day I felt I would detest the scent of flowers, on the day the sky I always looked up at felt exceptionally clear, I met you for the first time. You flew to me like an angel and comforted me when I was dispirited. The flowers densely embroidered on you were more beautiful than any flower that was there.
I remember you telling me not to cry.
I cannot forget your gentle smile.
I fell in love that day.]
Seeing the unfamiliar word 'love,' my head tilted involuntarily. From the next line on, it was filled with detailed descriptions of how much they loved and longed for someone. After reading the entire letter, I picked up the envelope placed on the desk and examined it this way and that. Seeing "To Miss Florence Christopher" written at the edge of the envelope, it didn't seem to have been delivered by mistake.
What could this be? While I was wondering and skimming through the letter content again, Ethan, who had been standing behind me reading along, dropped a remark.
"It's a love letter."
...No way? I tried to argue that it was ridiculous, but no matter how many times I read the contents of the letter, I couldn't find any explanation other than it being a love letter. Ethan grinned mischievously and asked who sent it. The sender's name wasn't written on the letter. I kept reading down the neat handwriting. I wanted to know more than anyone. That was because there was no one who would send me a love letter.
***
Recently, I completed my social debut. It had been a year in the making. During that time, I learned many things. Starting from basic cultural knowledge to art, music, dance, embroidery, reading, poetry writing, horseback riding, dining etiquette, and various other manners...
Actually, one year was a short time to learn everything about being a noble. After mastering various cultural arts, memorizing five types of dances, and finally gaining some courage to meet people, Ethan recommended that I attend a party.
"You've worked hard preparing all this time."
It was an occasion to formally introduce Florence Christopher. Most nobles hold their debutante ball along with their coming-of-age ceremony, but Florence Christopher hadn't done so, so it could be considered her official first debut.
Because of that, a lot of preparation was necessary. From the dress to greetings, expressions, tone of voice, and behavior, I paid close attention to the finest details. And Ethan accompanied me as my partner. I couldn't say it was perfect, but I thought I had done my best.
Of course, the debut wasn't as smooth as the preparation.
Many people took interest in the attendance of Florence Christopher, the adopted sister of Count Ethan Christopher, who hadn't shown her face for a long time. However, that interest turned to mockery at her appearance, which was different from the rumor of her being an "incredible beauty." On the other hand, some didn't hold back their whispers, saying the rumor of her being an "incredible eyesore" was true. Thanks to that, the party became an occasion where fondness and aversion were felt simultaneously. It was easy to imagine how Florence's reputation would be distorted following this party.
But the most unbearable thing was that because of me, even Ethan received strange attention. In the carriage returning after barely managing my expressions and finishing the party, Ethan comforted me when I was dispirited. Knowing he was genuinely worried about me, I tried hard to act as if nothing was wrong, but whenever Ethan kept his distance from me or stepped away, the sounds of people mocking my face echoed in my ears.
It was a situation I had fully expected. No matter how good a dress I wore or how beautifully I adorned myself, I couldn't completely change my appearance. I never expected it to be a pleasant occasion. It was an event I attended looking toward a distant future, not the immediate present. But experiencing it firsthand, I couldn't help losing my confidence.
That night, unable to sleep, I sat on the balcony floor and watched the stars twinkling in the sky. Then, the bouquet that Vincent gave me as a congratulatory gift caught my eye—he had heard news of me and made time to attend the party even if late. The bouquet decorated with white and pink flowers was pretty just to look at. When I buried my face in that bouquet and inhaled its scent, my depressed mood seemed to ease a little.
After completing my social debut like that, I began my social activities in earnest. I frequently attended parties with Ethan and met people. Each time, I could hear evaluations about myself, knowingly or unknowingly. Sometimes I even heard outright mockery. Still, as nobles, most didn't show it openly, as if trying not to lose their refinement, but ultimately, there was no difference in that they were evaluating others.
And I always tried not to lose my smile. Knowing that reacting emotionally would only worsen my evaluation, I had to summon patience every time. Actually, that was the only way to respond.
That was also the case when staying at the Christopher mansion. At first, I was too busy adapting to notice, but it seemed my story had become quite a topic of conversation among the servants. Well, that was bound to happen. I thought the reason their murmuring didn't reach my ears was thanks to Ethan's consideration. Still, the maids attending to me treated me without prejudice. As I started my social activities, I became quite close with them.
Still, there were good points too. The fact that my worry about whether I could do well had somewhat lightened, and that I could meet Violet. I met Violet while listening to the marquis's third son—said to be called the family's disgrace—openly mocking my appearance, and I was contemplating whether to step on his shoe heel. It was at the third party I attended.
"Truly incomparably rude. Do you not know what propriety is? I heard your youngest brother entered the Academy this time, so it would be good for you to receive some education again on this occasion. It seems necessary."
The smoothly delivered rebuke was surprising, but it was my first time knowing Violet had such a cold side. While skillfully criticizing the other person, Violet was smiling gently as if maintaining etiquette. However, her face was giving off a look that said, "I've said this much, so won't you scram?" Seeing Violet like that, the man couldn't say anything and was completely flustered.