Chapter 5: Social Debut

The clinking of dishes, the fragrant smell of seasonings wafting in. The dining room of the Baron of Blanc had an atmosphere comparable to other nobles.

I looked at the plate in front of me. Pasta generously coated in a delicious-looking sauce. Seeing the steam rising, it seemed it had just been cooked. For someone like me who usually relied on takeout food, this was a sumptuous meal.

I twirled the pasta on my fork and took a bite. Savoring the food with small chews, I looked at Artasha with a small smile.

“It’s delicious! Mother, you should try some too.”

“Alright.”

Artasha, who was sitting across from me, started eating with a gentle smile. As expected of a noble, even simply eating pasta, an air of grace that couldn’t be hidden emanated from her.

“It’s as delicious as you said.”

“Isn’t it?”

It had been a week since I first met Artasha, and we had grown close enough to share meals comfortably. The once cold Artasha had opened her heart to me somewhat.

Isn’t this all thanks to my excellent sociability?

Looking at it this way, I might actually have some talent.

“Mother, say ah~”

I twirled some pasta with my fork and held it out to Artasha’s mouth. Taken aback by my sudden action, Artasha hesitated and spoke softly.

“…Tina, keep your dignity.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mother.”

I must have gotten too excited. I had unknowingly crossed a line. As I tried to sit back down with a slightly subdued heart, Artasha let out a short sigh and opened her mouth.

“…Ah.”

Artasha gently parted her red lips.

As the saying goes, parents can’t win against their children. Artasha reluctantly accepted my childish prank. Her kindness brought an involuntary smile to my face.

Artasha slowly swallowed the pasta I had given her, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and looked at me seriously.

“Tina, the date for your debut in society has been set.”

“Really?”

“Next month, there will be a debutante ball at the Imperial Palace. I think it’s a suitable occasion.”

I hadn’t expected this topic to come up so suddenly today, but having heard the news beforehand, I was somewhat prepared for my social debut.

“I’ll prepare the dress, so you should focus on learning etiquette for the next month. I’ve already found a teacher.”

“Alright.”

Given our financial situation, with debts not yet fully repaid, it seemed she was determined to debut me properly, even if it meant some strain.

“…Tina, and just so you know in advance.”

What was she hesitating about? Artasha paused with a somber look, unable to speak easily. When I held her hand and gave her a reassuring look, Artasha finally spoke.

“The daughter of the Viscount Labram will also be attending the ball next month. It would be good if you could maintain a good relationship with her.”

Viscount Labram. A name that hadn’t been mentioned in the game. It didn’t seem to be a major faction…

“Can I ask why?”

“…We owe a lot of money to that family.”

Ah, so that’s what it was.

If it’s a debt, there’s no choice.

“…I’m sorry to have to say this as a parent.”

“Don’t say that, Mother. I’ll do my best to be of help to you.”

The atmosphere surrounding Artasha was still lofty, but her deep eyes, hidden behind her long eyelashes, were sadly downcast.

She’s really such a pure person. Even if she pretends to be cold on the outside, all her emotions are transparently reflected in those clear blue eyes. Unlike me, with my dark insides.

Wanting to offer a bit of encouragement, I quietly approached Artasha’s side and gently leaned in to leave a kiss on her left cheek.

“Stay strong, Mother.”

“Th-Thank you.”

A faint blush appeared on Artasha’s pale skin. It’s amazing that such a simple kiss can make her so happy. Mothers really are fascinating beings.

‘By the way, the social circles…’

In romance fantasy novels, they say the social circles are like a small battlefield…

I should be prepared.

***

A month passed by quickly.

The lady whom Artasha had assigned as my tutor taught me sincerely, and I did my best to absorb the manners of the nobility so as not to be a burden to Artasha.

The noble world, so different from the society of South Korea, felt unfamiliar, but I managed to learn somehow. By now, I had become quite accustomed to the demeanor expected of a lady.

I also prepared something personally. Since the main goal of this debutante was to become close with the daughter of Viscount Labram, as Artasha mentioned, I dug up as much helpful information as I could.

Of course, I secretly sneaked out, saying I was going to the library…

Time passed like that, and finally, the long-awaited debutante arrived. Now, for the first time in my life, I stood in front of the main hall’s grand entrance, managed directly by the imperial palace, wearing a splendid dress.

A lavish and luxurious door adorned with gold. The stark difference was evident compared to the Blanc family, which had sold off all valuable decorations.

“It must have been difficult to get a dress like this…”

I looked down at the long, sky-blue dress. Though it wasn’t adorned with glittering jewels, the intricate patterns crafted by a master artisan served as a substitute.

Having never worn such a dress before, it felt strange for a while. When I first tightened a corset, it felt like my waist was going to break.

As much as I identified as male, I wanted to throw away this delicate dress immediately, but what could I do about the reality of being reincarnated as a noble lady?

But perhaps the hardship was worth it, because the reflection of Tina in the mirror was truly beautiful. I dared to think that I was just as pretty as the two main female characters.

‘By now, Mother must be terribly worried.’

Imagining Artasha, with her stern eyes outwardly, but inwardly full of tender concern, made me smile. Seeing her clutching my hand until the last moment and giving various pieces of advice showed how worried she was.

Artasha’s advice to me was to always stay calm and composed, and to stand tall regardless of what others said.

‘I feel a bit nervous…’

Entering the social circles, always harshly described in novels, made me quite nervous. But for the sake of my happy, carefree life, I had to overcome this. I stifled my pounding heart and boldly walked towards the grand entrance.

In front of the wide entrance, a red carpet paved the way. It felt so splendid that it was as if it was making me the main character.

As I stepped on the carpet and reached the front door, two men in plate armor, reminiscent of medieval knights, were steadfastly guarding the entrance.

“May I ask which house you are from?”

“I am from the House of Baron Blanc.”

The middle-aged knight looked me up and down once, gave a short nod, and replied.

“You are the lady of the Blanc House. I’ve heard much about you.”

Certainly, it wouldn’t be good news. However, the knight opened the door without a change in his expression. I politely greeted him and entered the building.

A scene that I could never have seen in my previous life unfolded before my eyes.

Numerous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling turned into the hall’s splendid clouds, and the luxurious carpet laid on the white marble served as the nobles’ foothold.

In the clearly evident world of nobility, numerous men and women were conversing with smiles on their faces.

‘It’s splendid.’

Just secretly taking one of the paintings displayed on the wall would significantly help with my family’s debt. Seeing such paintings lined up made me feel a sense of loss without even realizing it.

While I was blankly staring at the expensive items decorating the place, someone gently tapped my back.

“Hello.”

It was a woman who seemed to be around my age. With her passionate red hair and eyes, this woman had a rather glamorous appearance, though not as much as Tina.

She gracefully bowed her head in greeting. I, too, returned the greeting without hesitation, as I had learned in my lessons.

“Is this your first time attending a banquet?”

…How did she know?

Was I standing around too cluelessly?

Did I look like a newbie to the people around me?

“Haha, if there was such a lovely person, I surely would have remembered.”

“…Thank you. I don’t know how to respond to such excessive praise.”

Though it was a rather pleasant compliment, I couldn’t take it entirely at face value, knowing that this was the notorious social circle of the harsh world of romance fantasy.

“I’m Rose Verdalen. May I ask for your name, my lady?”

Verdalen.

Thanks to a month of studying, I could recognize her immediately. Although she was also mentioned in the original game.

If you didn’t know Lady Verdalen in social circles, you’d be considered a foreigner. She was the lady of the Count Verdalen, who succeeded in the oil business and held a significant economic advantage in the empire.

Though she lived in a world different from mine, as Artasha advised, I confidently responded without feeling intimidated.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Verdalen. I am Tina Blanc.”

“…Blanc?”

The eyes that had been filled with friendliness turned cold in an instant.