episode_0012

In the warm afternoon of a spring day when Seo Juha truly transformed into a refined woman.

The minor commotion that occurred at Viscount Beauren’s townhouse fortunately did not spread to the capital’s social circles.

Naturally, the people of the Beauren family remained tight-lipped about the events of that day.

Since the youngest miss arrived from the estate to the townhouse in the capital a year ago,

Eleanor had been like a mascot at the townhouse, always showing a smiling face without a hint of complaint.

Even without explicit instructions, the servants cooperated, and the incident of that day faded into obscurity.

Not even Albert Beauren, the father, or Albrice, the uncle, knew what had happened at the mansion that day.

In contrast, Lady Olivia approached the situation somewhat pragmatically.

As a highly esteemed Viscount Beauren, especially with their cherished youngest daughter, gaining a new VIP client was certain if they handled the matter well.

Furthermore, compared to their wayward eldest daughter, Eleanor was composed and rarely spoke ill words.

To prevent any strange rumors from spreading to the valuable VIP client-to-be, Olivia strictly monitored the staff present at the time.

Even with Olivia’s strict orders,

the staff who went to find the viscount were all women, accustomed to such occurrences each month, so they saw no need to bring up that day’s events.

Unlike other noble ladies, Eleanor’s quiet and exceptionally kind behavior towards even commoners like themselves also helped silence any gossip.

Thus, the incident was quietly buried, and time swiftly moved on.

Eleanor’s condition, which had hit rock bottom, naturally returned to its original state.

As Albert Beauren, who had been cautious around his daughter, once again became a doting father, engaging in playful banter with his son.

Lady Olivia’s dressing carriage returned to Viscount Beauren’s townhouse.

“Madam, Miss, have you both been well during this time?”

Carefully moving luggage to avoid wrinkling precious dresses, Olivia greeted the mother and daughter with a bright smile.

“Thanks to your care in various ways, we were able to recover quickly.”

Even by modern standards, Lady Olivia’s smile was brimming with a spirit of service, prompting Eleanor to politely respond with a slight nod.

Standing beside them, Lady Etienne Beauren turned her head slightly to gaze at her daughter’s face.

It had been just a year since Eleanor left the estate for the townhouse in the capital.

In that short time, her daughter had matured significantly in body, thoughts, and words.

Her attitude towards her father and uncle, as well as her interactions with the estate’s staff and those beneath her, showed respect and politeness.

She was vastly different from the Eleanor of a year ago, who had charmed everyone she met with her coquettish ways.

Upon first seeing Eleanor, Etienne wondered if someone had tampered with her daughter’s mind.

She even entertained the thought that perhaps something had affected her after recovering from a fever.

Reuniting after a year, Eleanor had become a different person, enough to make her mother feel this way.

At least in the bedroom, she had transformed into a lovely girl who, unlike before, nestled in her mother’s arms to play around.

Etienne thought of himself as someone who had survived a near-death experience, just like Albrice had said.

Looking at Eleanor, he greeted Olivia who had come to the mansion, unconsciously raising the corners of his mouth.

“You must be tired from your long journey. I have prepared some light refreshments in the drawing room, so why don’t you have a cup of tea before changing into your dress?”

As always, Eleanor sat closely beside Etienne, observing the crowded drawing room filled with people, while her mother elegantly held up a teacup.

There were fewer people than expected who had come from the dressing room. Perhaps today, unlike before, there was only one dress to choose from.

Unexpectedly, unfamiliar figures filled the drawing room in their place.

The maids, staff from the dressing room, and ladies filled one corner of the crowded drawing room, while her father and brother bickered in another… Well, they were family, so it was to be expected.

Even the maids who had gathered around the mansion at some point… well, they were here to see their young lady dressed up. They probably wanted to see their young lady in a dress.

However, the woman who elegantly approached her side and raised a teacup was an unexpected figure.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, all disappointed.”

In response to Eleanor’s sharp gaze, Rosha smiled brightly and carefully set down the teacup she held in her hand.

“This is Eleanor’s debutante dress. As a teacher, you must come and see.”

Without waiting for a question, Rosha answered with a smile. Eleanor was taken aback by the charming smile and pure eyes of the married woman.

As Etienne’s platinum blonde hair swayed from side to side, he gently took Eleanor’s hand in his.

“I asked Albrice to call Olivia. She is also a busy person, and today is probably the last day we can prepare, so we need to move and see.”

Eleanor nodded slightly.

Although there were fewer people who came to the mansion, there were significantly more eyes watching than before.

And I have to dance in front of these people?

I’ve possessed an idol trainee, not a noble daughter, right?

Eleanor quietly sighed to herself without Etienne noticing.

Sophie entered the drawing room and hurriedly announced that everything was ready.

Struggling to lift her feet that refused to move, Eleanor finally managed to stand up from her seat.

“Mother, Sophie says everything is ready, so I’ll go change into my dress now.”

Etienne smiled and let go of his daughter’s hand.

Guided by Sophie, Eleanor headed to a vacant room behind the drawing room corridor.

Unlike the room next to the bedroom filled with dresses.

Here, there was a large full-length mirror, a vanity table, and the pristine white dress she had worn for the first and last time welcoming its owner by the mirror.

In the end, Eleanor’s debutante dress was decided to be a pure white dress adorned with a full neckline.

Since then, Eleanor was not in a state to try on dresses anymore.

With the social season approaching, Olivia also did not have time to visit the mansion again.

If the dress she had worn back then had been bad, she wouldn’t have known, but the pure white dress suited the innocent Eleanor quite well.

It showed a bit too much skin… but still, it didn’t look cheap or vulgar, as Olivia had said.

Thanks to this, Eleanor stood in front of the mirror once again, facing the dress from that time.

Staring at the dress hanging on the hanger, Eleanor unconsciously examined the delicate hem of the dress.

Naturally, there was no trace left of when the white skirt had been stained red.

“Below the waist, we’ve put on new fabric. So you can rest assured, miss.”

A voice from behind spoke to her.

Turning her head, she faced an unfamiliar woman. She seemed to be someone belonging to Olivia, rather than the mansion’s staff.

Eleanor’s fair face had turned crimson upon hearing those words.

“Um… Thank you for your hard work…”

Eleanor whispered softly.

No response came back.

Was it because the words were spoken too quietly to hear, or out of consideration for the shy lady?

Approaching Eleanor’s side, the woman holding the dress simply offered a faint smile.

Soon, maids surrounded Eleanor.

As always in the morning, Eleanor surrendered herself to the hands reaching out to her.

One, then another.

With each gentle touch of the women’s hands brushing against Eleanor’s skin, both the blouse and the white camisole underneath, along with the high-waisted long skirt, seemed to vanish into thin air.

Thus, beyond the mirror, the platinum blonde lady stood with only a single brief covering her modest chest as she raised her arms.

A familiar voice came from behind.

Someone swiftly unfastened Eleanor’s waist.

Underneath her flowing locks, Eleanor bit her lower lip hard, suppressing the urge to let out a restrained moan.

“Miss, we’ll cinch your waist a bit. And we’ll lift your chest as much as possible from below.”

Gradually, the rigid corset’s structure passed over Eleanor’s bare skin.

Feeling the slight pressure, Eleanor took a deep breath.

Though it was just a little, thanks to the connotations of the word “corset,” Eleanor unknowingly tensed her abdomen.

The corset, firmly encasing a sturdy frame within soft fabric, lifted Eleanor’s small chest significantly.

Gazing at her altered silhouette in the mirror, Eleanor marveled at the sudden change.

Is this what they call a bustle in this era?

Feeling a strange self-consciousness, Eleanor entrusted herself further to the maids dressing her in the gown.

Once she had it on, it didn’t seem much different from before.

Except for the securely fastened corset, everything remained the same, from the delicate lace to the elegant pleat decorations.

Naturally, the deeply cut neckline remained unchanged as well.

“Right, isn’t the bosom not too pronounced in this?”

Glancing at the slight collarbone and the modest cleavage beneath it, Eleanor turned around aimlessly in front of the mirror.

Trying to find a posture that avoided excessive exposure, but it was futile.

“Oh, you look beautiful.”

Sophie replied while tidying the hem of the dress.

The other maids in the room agreed with Sophie’s statement.

“Yes, miss, nowadays you need to be at this level for the young gentlemen to take notice.”

“You have such a pure face to begin with. Moreover, with this figure, you look so elegant that other ladies might get jealous.”

Sighing inwardly, oh well… I don’t need the attention of men or the jealousy of other ladies.

“Alright, the dress is all set. Now, here, put on these shoes we brought for you and then you can leave. The heels are a bit high, so be careful.”

Assisted by a maid who gently placed the shoes in front of her tiny feet, Eleanor cautiously stepped onto the silver shoes.

The comfort wasn’t too bad. Unlike the heels she wore last time, these had a fairly low heel, making it easier to move in this direction.

However, her heart wasn’t as comfortable as her feet.

Struggling not to fall, Eleonore managed to lift her foot and grabbed Sophie’s hand.

“Oh, goodness. Miss! It’s dangerous to walk like that. Walk properly! How do you expect to dance like this?”

Eleonore’s face, heading towards the reception room, seemed like a young lamb being led to the slaughterhouse.