Chapter 03: Ominous Signs and the First Ball

Lately, Fiene has been frequently bedridden. Her body felt heavy, and she would occasionally have fits of peculiar coughing.

However, she couldn’t afford to stay in bed. There was work to be done to assist her father, Donovan.

In the Count Hausen’s household, Fiene was the only one without magical abilities, and she always felt out of place within her family. In this country, lacking magical powers was a disadvantage in marriage proposals. Perhaps due to this, Fiene had never attended a social gathering where she could meet potential suitors.

As a result, she only had hand-me-down dresses from her older sister, Muge. Her assigned room in the mansion was smaller and more inconveniently located than those of her siblings.

Fiene finished preparing herself and, in front of the old vanity mirror, began to comb her hair when her usual damp coughing fit resurfaced. When she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, she noticed blood.

This couldn’t be a trivial matter. Despite repeatedly asking her busy parents to have a doctor examine her, they dismissed it as a mere cold.

Fiene poured water from a pitcher into a glass and moistened her throat. This usually helps to alleviate her cough. Maybe, she thought, her time was running out—a dreadful premonition that haunted her alone.

With renewed determination, Fiene, her tired body urging her forward, stood up. Just then, the door to her room swung open with a bang. Muge entered without bothering to knock.

“Sister, please knock before entering—”

Fiene’s words were, as usual, cut off.

“Hey, Fiene, I have a favor to ask.”

Muge only spoke to her sister when she needed something, treating her otherwise as if she didn’t exist.

“What is it? I have to assist Father with his work now.”

Unlike her sister, who was always busy attending tea parties and social events, Fiene had household chores to keep her occupied.

“Oh, you’re without magical abilities, so it can’t be helped. You won’t be blessed with a good match, so you might as well do something for the family.”

Muge’s voice was casual, yet it carried hidden thorns and contempt. She was ashamed to have a sister without magical powers.

“So, what is it?”

Fiene wanted to keep it brief.

“I have a date from now on.”

“Yes…”

So what? Fiene wondered. She didn’t have any clothes to lend to Muge, so she looked at her sister with suspicion and tilted her head.

“Well, you see, I’ve double-booked for tonight’s ball. Can you go to the ball in my place? I can’t ask Maggie, who’s only fourteen, right?”

Maggie was the youngest sister of Muge and Fiene in the Hausen family.

“But… I don’t have a dress suitable for a ball, and it’s impossible for me to go in place of my sister.”

Moreover, Muge seemed to be popular with the gentlemen, and Fiene thought everyone would be disappointed if she went in her sister’s stead. The sisters didn’t resemble each other, not even in hair color.

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s a masquerade tonight.”

“A masquerade?”

Fiene had a bad feeling.

“Yes. It’s your first ball, isn’t it? It’ll be a good experience. I’ll lend you my dress, a mask, and even a wig.”

Muge said this with a condescending tone.

“I’ve never been to a ball, and I can’t dance.”

Fiene hesitated.

“Oh, but you’ve had proper dance lessons. It’s a chance to show off your skills. In your case, there might not be another opportunity like this.”

Muge wasn’t the kind of sister to listen, even if Fiene objected.

In the end, Fiene was forced into a slightly oversized dress specially made for Muge, wore a wig of her sister’s red hair, and put on a mask.

Even her father, who had asked her to help with household chores, immediately agreed to Muge’s request. Donovan, Fiene’s father, was indulgent toward the beautiful Muge and often granted her whims. Fiene had never experienced her concerns being acknowledged.

Fiene gazed at the darkening cityscape from the carriage window, feeling melancholic. She sighed at her own weakness in being unable to refuse her sister’s request.

The venue was one of the wealthiest mansions in the capital. As the Hausen family carriage approached the entrance, Fiene nervously handed over the invitation addressed to Muge.

Wearing a mask, she entered without being recognized, feeling relieved.

Upon stepping into the venue, she was greeted by the sight of men and women joyfully dancing under glittering chandeliers.

Overwhelmed by the bustling atmosphere, Fiene stood still for a moment. Then, a male voice from behind exclaimed, “Is that hair color Muge’s?” Fiene jumped.

If she spoke, she would be exposed immediately. Fiene hurriedly fled.

Moving to a dimly lit area where the chandelier’s light didn’t reach, she regained some composure.

(That’s why I didn’t want to… I wouldn’t have danced anyway.)

Fearful of being exposed as not Muge and more concerned about that than regret or sadness, she contemplated going to the restroom to remove the red wig.

If it became known that she was the second daughter of the Hausen family without magical abilities, she would likely be ridiculed instantly.

Lost in thought, she was suddenly addressed. “Miss, would you dance with me for a song?”

Fiene looked up in surprise.

She hadn’t expected to be invited when she was in such an inconspicuous shadow.