Chapter 1

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The Villainess's Honey is Sweet
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Elegant melodies drifted through the ballroom.

Ladies in splendid gowns were as lovely as flowers in full bloom, each a unique blossom.

But among them, one lady shone brighter than all the rest.

“You look exceptionally beautiful today, Lady Lopes.”

“You will save the next dance for me, won't you?”

The lady, surrounded by gentlemen, smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

“Oh, really… you make me blush.”

Serapina Lopes.

Alongside Duchess Claudius, she was lauded as the most beautiful lady in high society.

Her innocent, light-green hair and deep green eyes, the color of new spring leaves.

And a mermaid-style gown that hugged her form, flowing smoothly to the floor.

She was the very picture of a mermaid.

“Blush? I only ever speak the truth.”

“There is no one as beautiful as you, Lady Lopes.”

Just as the surrounding gentlemen were busy showering Serapina with flattery,

another lady entered the ballroom.

At the same time, a great stir went through the crowd.

“Who in the world is that lady?”

The lady held her back straight, unflinching under the weight of every eye in the room.

Instead, she simply offered a relaxed smile in return.

A moment later.

Those who recognized her widened their eyes in astonishment.

“Wait. C-could it be… Lady Ansi?!”

Lalitt Ansi.

The close friend of Serapina, who was known as the Lily of high society.

However, the rumor that circulated in secret was…

‘Serapina’s footstool.’

A gloomy, drab appearance.

A frumpy dress completely unsuited for a ball.

And a hunched posture that made her seem all the more insignificant.

With Lalitt by her side, Serapina shone all the brighter.

But the Lalitt of today was completely different.

“It can’t be.”

“Is that really the gloomy, drab Lady Ansi?”

The gentlemen who had been so intent on winning Serapina’s favor found their gazes turning away from her.

Delicately crafted diamond ornaments sparkled like stars in her thick, jet-black braid.

And then there was the silvery gown, ethereal as mist.

Gone was the stringy, ghost-like hair that had been Lady Ansi’s trademark, and gone was the ill-fitting dress that stopped awkwardly above her ankles.

Today, Lalitt was dressed to perfection.

Meanwhile, the ladies, with their keen eyes for fashion, identified Lalitt’s dress and accessories in an instant.

“That dress… isn’t that a Madame Soberno?”

“And that diamond hairpiece! It’s new from Celsiani!”

From head to toe, Lalitt was adorned in pieces from the most exclusive brands in the empire.

The shock of seeing this new Lalitt was fleeting.

Serapina’s eyes turned as cold as ice.

“…”

She plastered on a bright smile and approached Lalitt.

“Lari, you must have been quite excited for the ball. You’ve really gone all out.”

But contrary to her friendly tone, her eyes, as they scanned Lalitt from head to toe, were filled with pity.

“But what a shame. The dress and the jewels… they don’t quite suit you, I think.”

“…”

Lalitt met her gaze with a blank expression.

Serapina let her eyebrows droop pitifully, as if for all to see.

“Honestly, your features are a bit plain. Don’t you think such a glamorous outfit creates a sense of… disharmony?”

“…”

“If you were going to spend so much money, you should have told me. I could have helped you choose a dress and jewels that truly suit you…”

Just then.

“Was that comment meant for my ears?”

Click, clack.

The sharp click of heels on the marble floor rang out.

Eyes as blue as a lake stared arrogantly at Serapina.

“D-Duchess Claudius?”

Evanjeline Claudius.

If Serapina was the lily of high society, then Evanjeline was its most radiant rose.

The one and only daughter of the empire’s sole ducal house.

Dazzling honey-blonde hair and eyes that sparkled as if inlaid with sapphires.

Beauty, status, and wealth.

A lady lacking in nothing, one of the most noble in the empire.

She was the one who now snapped at Serapina.

“I personally styled Lari from head to toe today.”

“What?”

The color drained from Serapina’s face.

Ignoring her, Evanjeline continued in a sharp voice.

“But to prattle on in front of everyone about how the dress doesn’t suit Lari…”

“D-Duchess!”

“Are you not, in a roundabout way, insulting my taste as unrefined?”

“O-of course not! I was merely…!”

Serapina scrambled to make an excuse.

But Evanjeline had already lost interest in her.

“Hmph. In my eyes, Lari looks exceptionally beautiful.”

Toward the ladies and gentlemen watching with anxious expressions,

Evanjeline offered a leisurely smile.

“What does everyone else think?”

“Of course! You are absolutely right!”

“I never realized Lady Ansi was so beautiful!”

“Your eye for beauty is truly remarkable, Duchess!”

The crowd unanimously affirmed Evanjeline’s words.

It helped that the newly styled Lalitt was, in fact, quite beautiful.

…But more than anything, it was because they feared Evanjeline’s piercing glare.

“To be honest, in my eyes…”

Evanjeline’s smile deepened.

“Lari looks far more beautiful than Lady Lopes.”

“…”

“…”

In that moment,

everyone quickly exchanged glances.

Not ‘Lady Ansi,’ but the affectionate nickname, ‘Lari.’

Which meant one thing.

Evanjeline considered Lalitt a close friend.

After all, Evanjeline had never called anyone by a nickname before.

After a moment of silence, Serapina seemed to clench her jaw, her lips trembling.

“Lari, you’re too cruel.”

Her deep green eyes, glistening with tears, gazed pitifully at Lalitt.

“How could you do this to a friend? I only wanted to help you, but to ignore me just because you’ve become friendly with the Duchess is…”

Unable to confront Evanjeline directly, she aimed her attack at the easier target: Lalitt.

However.

“Lady Lopes, isn’t that a rather childish way of thinking?”

“Duchess!”

“It’s been some time since your debutante ball. How long do you intend to cling to this notion of ‘my friend, your friend’?”

Tsk.

Evanjeline clicked her tongue audibly and glared at Serapina.

“So childish.”

“…!”

Serapina’s face burned with shame.

After casting a disdainful look at Serapina, Evanjeline glanced at Lalitt.

“I see no value in continuing this conversation with Lady Lopes. Let’s go, Lari.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

Lalitt beamed and fell into step beside Evanjeline.

“…”

“…”

The crowd stared blankly at the backs of the two departing ladies.

A moment later.

Stopping in a secluded garden, Evanjeline spoke, her tone prim.

“About that dress… I didn’t get it for you because I like you. It’s just embarrassing to have someone so shabbily dressed standing next to me.”

Glaring into the darkened garden for no reason, Evanjeline held Lalitt’s hand tightly.

“…So don’t go anywhere else. Stay right by my side. Understand?”

“Of course.”

Lalitt gazed down at her hand, held fast in Evanjeline’s, then broke into a radiant smile.

“After all, you’re the only one I have, Eva.”

Truly, my villainess is the best