“What should we have you wear today?”

Lady Rearwin’s excitement filled the room as she headed toward the wardrobe, humming a cheerful tune. Although the clothes weren’t hers, she seemed as thrilled as if they were. She began rifling through the collection of outfits, clearly enjoying herself.

I stared at her in a daze, my slightly parted lips refusing to close. Dad had bought me plenty of expensive and beautiful dresses, but nothing on this scale.

“This one will do!”

Lady Rearwin pulled out a pink tulle dress that shimmered like it was dusted with sugar. The countless sparkling lights on the layered skirt made it seem like stars had spilled onto the fabric. A pink diamond brooch shaped like a heart adorned the neckline.

Wow.

The scale of the Pluto Ducal House was simply overwhelming.

Not even a blood-related daughter—just a ward—and yet they prepared dozens of luxurious dresses like this for me. I had never even seen a dress of this caliber before, let alone worn one.

Without realizing it, I muttered in awe.

“It’s so beautiful, my lady.”

“Isn’t it? I think this dress will suit your golden curls perfectly. Let’s try it on, shall we?”

“Yes.”

I followed the servants and allowed them to help me change. The fabric was soft and luxurious, brushing against my skin like a delicate whisper.

As the servants adorned my hair with jeweled accessories, it felt as though stars had been pinned to my head.

Do I deserve this level of luxury?

Finally, the servants guided me to a mirror. The moment I stood in front of it, I found myself staring into the eyes of a princess from some distant kingdom.

I didn’t even have time to fully process what I was seeing.

“Oh my!”

“You look stunning… Truly breathtaking!”

“My lady, are you a fairy?”

Lady Rearwin clasped her hands over her mouth, gasping in admiration. The servants couldn’t stop exclaiming either.

Even I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Wow… I really do look stunning.

A princess identical to me stood on the other side of the mirror.

The saying “clothes make the person” didn’t even begin to cover it. I almost didn’t recognize myself. It wasn’t just a transformation—it felt like I was wearing an entirely different identity.

My face glowed as if illuminated by divine light, and the pink tulle dress gave me an ethereal, otherworldly appearance.

For a brief moment, I even turned my head slightly, wondering if I had sprouted transparent wings.

Lady Rearwin joined me by the mirror, her expression just as incredulous.

“…I can’t believe it. Even in such a magnificent dress, the thing that shines the brightest is you, Centi.”

“Centi?”

“Oh, hoho. I’d like to call you Centi as a term of endearment. Would that be all right?”

“Yes! Of course.”

I nodded with a cheerful smile.

Centi.

Until now, my nickname had always been “Cresen.” This was the first time anyone had called me Centi.

Though it was new, I found that I liked it. It sounded cute, didn’t it?

“Thank you.”

Lady Rearwin smiled warmly and placed her hands on my shoulders as we both gazed at the mirror again. Her expression softened, growing more serious.

“...Looking at you like this, Centi, you really do seem like an extraordinary child. Even if I had a daughter of my own, I don’t think she would be as special as you.”

“No, that’s not true. There’s no way.”

I waved my hands dismissively, flustered by her excessive praise. Comparing me to the daughter she might have had felt absurd.

“No, truly. Seeing you, I’m confident that you’ll grow into someone remarkable. I didn’t expect to bring such an extraordinary child into our family.”

“You’re too kind.”

Could she really mean it?

Her words were so genuine, it left me feeling strangely emotional.

Lady Rearwin’s expression brightened once more.

“And you even speak so eloquently! Your parents must have raised you well. Remember, no matter what you do, I’ll always be here to support you.”

“…Thank you so much.”

Warmth filled my chest.

Her words felt sincere—comforting in a way I hadn’t experienced since losing Dad. Was this some kind of reward for sacrificing myself to save Meteor during the tutorial?

As I pondered, I gently ran my fingers over the hem of the pink dress. I couldn’t deny it—this dress was the most beautiful thing I had ever worn.

***

After finishing my elaborate preparations, I boarded the carriage with Lady Rearwin. Judging by her dress and hat, adorned with even more flowers and lace than usual, today’s destination seemed particularly important.

Despite the ornate details, she still looked elegant rather than overdone. Truly, the mother of a male lead had a beauty that defied all logic.

Across from me sat Meteor, resting his chin on his hand as he stared out the window with a bored expression.

His attire was equally grand, exuding sophistication. Yet, his sulky demeanor made it clear he had been dragged along against his will.

Still, he’s so cute and handsome….

At just thirteen years old, his boyish charm was still intact, but I could already tell how much more striking he’d become as he grew older. The rarity of his current cuteness made it feel even more precious.

“Isn’t it exciting? Bringing you to a social gathering feels like a dream come true,” Lady Rearwin said suddenly, pressing a hand to her chest as if to contain her excitement.

“I can’t wait to see how everyone reacts when they meet you. Oh, how I’ve envied the ladies who could bring their daughters to such events….”

Meteor sighed and shook his head.

“As your son, I should’ve stayed home and continued my training, Mother.”

“Mettie, you need to look after Centi. This must be her first time at a gathering full of noble ladies. Imagine how unfamiliar it’ll feel for her.”

“Centi….”

Meteor repeated my new nickname, letting out a faint sigh. Perhaps he found it amusing that his mother had given me a nickname so similar to his own.

Still, something about Meteor felt different to me.

The Meteor I had met during the tutorial was kind and gentle. But the one before me now seemed colder, a little more aloof.

Maybe it’s because of his heart-shaped lips?

As that thought crossed my mind, I cringed internally at the memory of my past blunder.

Before long, we arrived at our destination. As we stepped out of the carriage and entered the estate of a noble family, we were guided to the garden.

Bathed in soft sunlight, the sight before me left me momentarily breathless.

…Wow, it’s like a living painting.

The garden was immaculate, with perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs. The flowers were so vibrant and exotic, it was hard to believe they existed in this world.

For a region in the north, this place was as lush and opulent as the capital itself.

What amazed me even more was knowing that the Pluto Ducal House’s gardens were on an even grander scale than this.

As I tried to take it all in, I suddenly heard Meteor’s voice from behind me.

“Careful, or you’ll trip.”

Before he even finished speaking—

“Ah!”

I stumbled and fell onto the grass.

It seemed my body, still adjusting to being eight years old after living as a twelve-year-old, hadn’t fully adapted yet.

Meteor looked more surprised than I was, muttering under his breath.

“…Didn’t actually think you’d fall.”

“Oh my, Centi, are you all right?”

Lady Rearwin quickly rushed over to help me up.

As she dusted me off, I heard an unfamiliar voice nearby.

“Oh my, Lady Rearwin Pluto!”

“?”

I turned toward the sound. Thankfully, my dress had escaped without a single stain.

Standing there were three noblewomen dressed as meticulously as Lady Rearwin. Judging by their elegance, they were likely some of the highest-ranking nobles in the kingdom.

Beside them were children close to my age, their eyes scanning me with wary curiosity.

However, the moment they noticed Meteor, their guarded expressions brightened instantly.