She Is a Daughter Raised As the Son of a Duke

After the princess had left late at night, May proudly showed the brooch to Stella.

“Ta-da! The princess gave it to me. Isn’t it pretty?”

Stella responded with a nonchalant reaction.

“Do you want to show it off to me?”

“You were upset when you left it earlier, right?”

“Of course! I won’t attend the ball tomorrow. It’s not fun, and you’ll just leave me for someone else.”

“I’m sorry. It’s because she’s the princess, I couldn’t help it.”

“Alright. I’ll forgive you this time since I’m nice.”

“Thank you.”

Stella felt like she was giving in to the cute girl who held her hand and swayed her body, but she didn’t mind it.

“Are you really not coming tomorrow?”

“I was planning to attend the ball for only one or two days. You know, I don’t like crowded places.”

“I know. But still, won’t it be fun with the designated accessory being a mask?”

“Not really. Wearing a mask just feels suffocating. Plus, it ruins the makeup.”

“But at least with the face covered, you can try wearing styles of clothes you haven’t tried before.”

Stella’s expression changed, wondering why she brought this up, and then quickly shifted her posture, as if she noticed something.

“Are you by any chance…?”

May nodded her head.

“Yeah, I’m trying it out tomorrow.”

* * *

The next night, the second ball was held successfully. The ballroom was filled with nobles, and unlike the previous day, only the soft glow of lamp lights illuminated the venue. Since the designated accessory was a mask, it was intended to hide the faces.

With a clacking sound of heels, I entered the Crystal Hall.

It was my first time wearing high heels since possessing this body. Above the heels, Valaine’s light pink dress fluttered.

The dress had a lace design that resembled blooming hyacinths, giving it the appearance of a spring fairy.

The high heels were awkward, but what was even more awkward was the long hair that swayed with every step.

I wore a platinum blonde wig to look like a noblewoman, a look that the son of Persis, May Flotina, would never be able to pull off.

With the mask covering my face, no one would know who I was.

“Stella said she’s resting today and will attend tomorrow, right?”

Thanks to that, I was able to write Stella’s name on the guest list when entering.

Since I was dressed in a dress with long hair, I couldn’t write May Flotina.

I got Stella’s permission the day before, so it was possible.

I wandered around the ballroom, looking for Jed. Surely, Jed would be rejecting the young noblewomen who asked him to dance.

As the music flowed, the nobles paired up one by one and danced, while I hurriedly walked, avoiding the dancing nobles.

I wanted to show Jed my appearance as a woman. Until now, I had never shown my charms as a woman.

At the end of my sight, jed appeared, and my heart raced.

As expected, Jed was surrounded by young noblewomen. As the male lead, he had a unique aura, making it possible to identify him even with a mask.

I walked confidently between the young noblewomen and stood in front of him.

Jed was still as handsome as ever. But today, not only Jed was handsome. I approached him with confidence and spoke.

“Lord Bloche.”

At first, he seemed to not recognize me with just my appearance, but when he heard my voice, he seemed to realize. His eyes widened at my call.

As he hesitated, unsure of whether to address me as More or not, I extended my hand to him.

“Would you like to dance a song with me?”

The young noblewomen around us didn’t seem concerned or guarded, probably assuming I would be rejected just like them. Jed had never accepted anyone’s request before.

However, Jed accepted mine.

“Let’s do that, my lady.”

As soon as Jed spoke, the young noblewomen were taken aback. The impenetrable man accepting a dance request from an unknown young lady! Their eyes showed a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Jed and I moved to a space where we could dance.

As we exchanged polite greetings, I realized something.

Oh, right. I can’t dance…?

It was obvious before the possession, and even after becoming May, I never learned how to dance.

Despite my complete lack of dance skills, I impulsively made a dance request because I saw everyone else dancing.

What do I do now…? I’m going to step on his feet a lot.

As the music changed, and everyone started dancing, Jed came closer to me. He naturally held my right hand with his left and placed his right hand on my waist.

His proximity tickled my ear.

“I thought an angel had descended.”

I placed my left hand on his shoulder and met his deep violet eyes before speaking.

“I got all dressed up to show you.”

Jed smiled in response to my words and led the dance.

As someone who couldn’t dance, I kept stepping on his feet.

“Does it hurt…? Sorry. I’ve never formally learned to dance…”

“It’s alright.”

How could it be alright? I was stepping on the same spot repeatedly; it must have been painful for him.

Jed glanced at me with a gentle expression and spoke again.

“…If you live as a woman, you’ll probably receive a lot of proposals from young noblemen.”

“Huh?”

“Because you’re beautiful.”

It was Jed who said that, and instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt excited.

But I didn’t act shy; instead, I acted boldly.

“If that happens, what will you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Will you just let me be courted by other men?”

“Of course not.”

His arms around my waist pulled me closer to him.

“Before anyone else confesses, I’ll make sure you only hear my voice.”

I whispered calmly into his ear, not taken aback by the intimate contact.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t heard anyone else’s voice in a long time.”

You know why? Because I like you.

The flow of the dance shifted, and I found myself leading.

Zed blinked foolishly and then smiled.

“You’re proactive.”

“If I’m not proactive, I’ll get buried.”

“Why do you think that way? I’m the only one who catches your eye, no one else.”

Jed took the lead again, and the music reached its climax. I entrusted myself to him and closed my eyes for a moment.

The tempo accelerated with the climax, but my heartbeat slowed down. I felt like I was floating in this luxurious and extravagant ballroom.

It’s understandable. Soon, I’ll remove the mask of Flotina and become nothing but an orphan in this aristocratic world.

I opened my eyes and asked calmly, “Even if I’m not from Flotina?”

“…What?”

Jed stopped leading me and stood still amidst the swirling nobles around us.

We were standing still while other couples were exchanging greetings all around us.

“I’ve been thinking about why you suddenly like me.”

He keeps making sure I don’t get attracted to other men. But it’s not like he loves me that much.

“Am I a suitable marriage partner for you? If I give up the role of the Duke’s son and become the only lady in Flotina, there won’t be a better marriage prospect than me in the entire Stacia Empire.”

Soon, after the Founding Festival ends, I will break off my relationship with my father.

“I won’t live as a Flotina person anymore.”

Jed’s eyes widened and then returned to their original state. He didn’t show any reaction.

“…But what if I’m wrong, and you like me regardless of whether I’m from Flotina or not? Come to that terrace then.”

I pointed to the third terrace. The terrace where Isabella told me about the superstitions.

If it were Jed, who frequently visited the palace, he would know what superstitions were associated with that terrace.

Tonight, I will confirm Jed’s sincerity on the terrace and put an end to my unrequited love.

“I’ll be waiting.”

With a more affectionate gaze, I looked up at him.

“I hope you… come.”

This time, I sincerely hoped that my deduction would be completely wrong.

Just as I had suddenly been drawn to him, maybe he was the same.

After exchanging greetings, I headed towards the terrace. Jed watched my back from where he stood.

Once on the terrace, I took off my mask to feel the cool night breeze against my face.

I glanced at the ballroom through the opaque glass door. Since it was rumored to be a place of superstitions, no one other than Jed should enter.

While waiting for Jed, I held onto the railing and enjoyed the view outside. The combination of the black night sky and deep purple reminiscent of Jed was dreamlike and beautiful.

As I admired the night sky, my expression darkened.

No matter how much I thought about it, my deduction seemed correct.

Jed probably expected me to become the daughter of Persis and treated me well for that reason.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t suddenly develop feelings for me.

Perhaps Jed wouldn’t come to the terrace after all.

Honestly, it would be better if he didn’t come. I didn’t want him to confirm my deductions. Even if he didn’t come… that alone would be enough to put an end to my unrequited love.

Despite that, I waited for Jed on the terrace for 30 minutes. I felt the night breeze hit me repeatedly, holding on to the tiny hope that my deduction might be wrong.

Just as I was starting to think that I should go back home, the glass door, which seemed firmly closed, opened, and Jed entered the terrace.

I turned around to face him, and he looked at my unmasked face for a moment, momentarily stunned before returning to his expressionless state.

“You came.”

Even though Jed came, for some reason, I wasn’t happy. My rationality had been confirmed.

“You came to verify whether what I said was true or not, right?”

That it wasn’t because I liked him regardless of whether I was from Flotina or not.