11. The Power of Magic
“Ah…”
“Your hand, my beautiful lady.”
The man, who was naturally as beautiful as the ideal I had achieved through my stepmother’s magic, was smiling at me, his arm still extended.
This was the boy who had sought me out after seeing my elegant movements, even when I looked so frumpy. The boy whose eyes had sparkled even after seeing my plain face.
“You see, I am a ‘gentleman’ now.”
I never imagined he would remember the content of our conversation, and his words made me laugh in spite of myself.
It wouldn’t do to keep this beautiful person waiting. I placed my hand on his arm, and we descended the staircase together.
At last, a murmur rippled through the hall like a wave. I let out a sigh of relief. That silence was terrible for my heart.
Seeing my relieved expression, Lord Hugues, my escort, gave a small chuckle. I wondered what he found so amusing.
“Don’t you see? Everyone is whispering about you. You are so beautiful that I, too, was captivated and was late in coming to greet you.”
“That’s not… This is my stepmother’s magic. It only lasts for tonight. It’s so that I can find a man who will see my inner self… Just for today, I am beautiful.”
I wonder if he truly understood the meaning of my words. He tilted his head, looking a little confused, then seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“You were beautiful from the moment we first met. I admit, I had my doubts about the makeup, but the elegance of your movements, your graceful bearing, and your kindness have surely only been polished further. Even now, look. Can’t you see it for yourself? Your posture is exquisite.”
He pointed to a wall, and I saw that it was made entirely of mirrors to reflect the light.
Standing next to a tall, broad-shouldered man whose golden hair shimmered red under the chandeliers, was a woman I did not recognize.
It took me a moment to realize that it was me.
Glossy gray hair reflecting the light of the chandeliers, and ice-blue eyes. A face made up to look like a different person from my usual, unattractive self. Standing tall, with a hand resting on the arm of the man beside me—the image was, I had to admit, beautiful.
That’s right. Tonight, and only for tonight, I was beautiful. I had to forget my self-deprecation and my humility… and enjoy myself.
But I had been swept into an escort so suddenly, and Lord Hugues showed no sign of leaving my side, as if he had no intention of letting anyone else have me.
Soon, another guest would arrive. The crowd would look, and the murmuring would begin anew.
Throughout it all, Lord Hugues spoke only of me. It was embarrassing, but I couldn’t imagine there was anyone else in this hall who would see my inner self as clearly as he did.
“From the moment I first met you, you were polite and beautiful.”
“Even with that makeup, did you not realize how well-formed your features are? Moreover, I have always believed that your dignified bearing, even with that frumpy face, was proof that you truly understood the intent behind that makeup.”
“What foods do you like? I arrived earlier, so I know where everything is. Let’s get a little something to eat now.”
In this way, he saw both the me he first met and the me under the spell as one and the same. It wasn’t just about the beauty of my face, or about being pretty. He did compliment those things, but Lord Hugues was just like my stepmother.
When I said I would rather have cake than savory food, he led me there, his arm still linked with mine. As my eyes lit up at the sight of so many different kinds of cake, he placed several of them on a plate for me.
But I couldn’t possibly eat this much. It would be a waste to leave it, and rude besides.
“Please, eat as much as you’d like. I will finish the rest.”
“What? No, I couldn’t possibly. To have you eat my leftovers…”
“I am the one who put them on the plate. All you need to do is taste them and tell me which one is the most delicious. Here, please take a fork.”
After he insisted so strongly, I had no choice but to accept.
The plate in his hand was laden with various elaborately decorated cakes.
Partly due to my corset, though every cake was delicious, I was full after just two bites of each.
“Which one was the best?”
“They were all so… ah, but this green one, the pistachio cream cake, was the most delicious.”
I pointed to the cake, and Lord Hugues used his own fork to bring it to his lips. I couldn’t believe I was letting a man eat a cake I had already started…
“It’s truly delicious,” he said, and then proceeded to polish off all the remaining cakes. This man. He looked so slender; I was amazed at where he put it all.
Eventually, music began to play, and the tables in the center of the hall were cleared away to create a space. It was time for dancing.
“May I have this dance?”
“…Yes. Of course.”
Lord Hugues and I stepped onto the dance floor. It wasn’t a particularly difficult piece, so we were able to dance while smiling and chatting.
“You’re a wonderful dancer as well. Do you have any other hobbies?”
“Fufu, you are too kind, Lord Hugues. Let’s see, my hobby is reading, and I also enjoy embroidery. Have you heard of the new book, Marriott’s Tragedy? A play based on it is opening soon.”
“Oh, what a coincidence. I recently read it myself. I also have tickets to the play. Would you care to join me?”
“Eh…”
I was at a loss. This magic was only for tonight. My stepmother had said that if I didn’t find a man who would protect me, she would have me engaged through an arranged marriage.
If I accepted, it would be like two-timing. I wasn’t sure how he interpreted my hesitation, but we continued the dance, smiles fixed on our faces, until the music ended.
And then, right there on the dance floor, Lord Hugues took my hand and knelt before me.
“From the moment I first saw you, I have desired no one else. Please, Lady Sheryl Muzel, daughter of the Count, I ask that you allow me to court you with the intention of marriage.”
Oh, Mother, the power of your magic is incredible.
In the blink of an eye, I had found him. Someone who truly saw my inner self, who would protect me, and who said he didn’t care about the beauty or ugliness of my face… that he would have me even with the face I had when we first met.
To this proposal, I could do nothing else but answer, “Yes.”