Chapter 7

After leaving the presence of His Majesty, my father immediately lunged at me.

"Adele! What is the meaning of this!?"

Between my father and me, Lady Dianne stepped in, shielding me with her body.

"Adele has important work for the country. Please treat her with respect."

My father glared at Lady Dianne but seemed unable to retort due to the king's command.

"Adele. My dear, where did you get that dress?"

"Yes! Sister, there shouldn't be anything in your room, so where were you hiding it? How could you keep it a secret from me!"

Be careful what you say; your regular searches of my room will be exposed. This is not the duke's residence but the venue of the ball.

I was momentarily taken aback, but when Lillian reached for the dress, I pushed her hand away.

"Ow! What are you doing!"

"Lillian. Father, Mother. This dress belongs to Lady Dianne."

I couldn't let her take it as usual, so I spoke firmly and glared at Mother. I was warning her to keep Lillian in check; she couldn't ask Lady Dianne, a young lady from another house, to hand over something she had borrowed.

Mother flinched, but Lillian was still not convinced.

"Why can only Sister borrow it! That's so unfair! Give it to me!"

"Be quiet, Lillian. Lady Dianne lent it to me out of pity because I don't have a dress. I must return it without a single stain. It's not mine, so I can't give it to you."

I pressed my temples. Why must I explain such common sense? I felt more exhausted than pitiful.

"But since Sister is wearing it, you can give it to me, right!"

"...Mother"

Seeing that reasoning with Lillian was futile, I turned to glare at Mother, who still had some sense of shame.

"L-Lillian. That dress doesn't belong to Adele. She has to return it after the ball."

"Why! It's so unfair for Sister to wear a dress I don't have!"

How can she say such abnormal things in public? I'm really starting to worry. Maybe we should have her see a doctor.

"You surpass even the rumors."

Lady Dianne whispered in my ear. Ah, so she was aware of our family's situation. That's why she lent me the dress.

"Staying here is embarrassing. Let's go over there."

Led by Lady Dianne, I moved away from my parents, who were struggling to calm my crying sister, and entered the crowd.