I Put all my Stats into Charm - Chapter 61

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I Put All My Stats Into Charm Episode 061

I stared with my mouth agape at the array of dresses spread before my eyes.

“You brought all these clothes for me to wear?”

“That’s right. You’ll need something to wear to the ball, won’t you? Surely you weren’t planning to go in the same clothes you always wear.”

I had been wondering what to wear anyway. Calliton’s gift was well-timed.

But the clothes he brought looked like easily more than ten outfits.

I glanced sideways at Calliton.

“What’s your ulterior motive?”

“What ulterior motive?”

There was no way someone who always made a show of saying I owed him a debt whenever he did me a favor would help with pure intentions.

Calliton, who understood the intent behind my question, frowned his handsome brow.

“Don’t tell me you think of me as some shameless person who extorts money?”

“It’s just too much to call a simple gift!”

“Just a few dozen outfits?”

He crossed his arms decisively.

“A participant coming to a ball I’m attending in everyday clothes. Just thinking about it is horrifying.”

So he’s telling me to change because my outfit would be embarrassing.

As I thought, there’s no way Calliton would help out of pure goodwill, but then he added:

“I was the one who suddenly suggested holding a ball. You wouldn’t have had time to prepare ball gowns either.”

He spoke in a tone that suggested it was no big deal.

“As Crown Prince, I’m personally bestowing grace upon the people of the Empire. So just wear them.”

So this was the result of his own way of showing consideration.

“…”

To think he’d worry about something like that. He has surprisingly thoughtful sides.

‘Jerome seemed like he was going to make me clothes.’

Could a dress be completed before the ball?

It didn’t seem like a dress could be made in just a day or two. It seemed better to accept Calliton’s consideration.

I carefully examined the dresses.

From subdued designs to glamorous ones. The dresses came in various colors.

Seeing the intricate decorations and sophisticated designs reflecting the latest trends, they looked expensive at first glance.

I’m not used to such flashy things.

Even in the real world, I was a monotone office worker who wore white, black, and gray-toned clothes.

As I stood in front of the dresses pondering for a while, Calliton approached.

“Want me to help you choose?”

“I’d be grateful if you would.”

Calliton stood beside me.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then held several dresses up under my face.

“Hmm…”

Quite a serious expression.

Anyone watching would think he was pondering affairs of state.

Then Calliton picked up one dress. It was a pale yellow dress studded with cubic zirconia.

“This would be good. Take a look in the mirror.”

I stood in front of the full-length mirror holding the dress Calliton had chosen against my body.

‘Oh.’

It seems to make my complexion look better?

“What do you think?”

Calliton seemed to think the same as he nodded.

“It suits you well.”

“I’ll go with this one.”

“Good. Send the rest to the Tower of the Moon.”

He’s sending all these dresses to the tower?

“You’re not returning them?”

“Why bother with such hassle.”

Being royalty, his scale is different.

There’s no reason to refuse a gift given without strings attached.

“Thank you. I’ll wear it well.”

“If you need a dance practice partner, let me know. I’ll partner with you as long as you don’t step on my feet.”

Why are there so many people offering to be dance partners today?

While I appreciate the offer, Calliton will never become my dance practice partner.

If I dance with him one more time and his affection rises again, that would be troublesome.

But I responded appropriately out of courtesy.

“I’ll do that.”

“See you at the ball.”

After Calliton left, I carefully hung up the dress.

Good. The outfit for the ball is sorted. Now I just need to practice dancing.

The plan is proceeding smoothly.

I felt like everything would work out well.

The day of the ball approached.

‘I’ve practiced dancing enough too.’

Thanks to practicing whenever I had time, it seemed unlikely I’d step on Jerome’s feet.

‘Now shall I try on the dress?’

Just as I was about to take the dress out of the wardrobe, I heard a knock.

“Please come in.”

A servant entered carrying a large dress box.

“The Duke has sent you a dress.”

Huh? Already?

How long has it been since he took my measurements, and the dress is already finished?

I opened the dress box with some bewilderment, and saw a pale purple dress.

The dress had delicate embroidery over subtle pale purple silk. The dress with its antique atmosphere seemed timeless, modest yet elegant.

I stroked my chin.

‘Hmm, this is a dilemma.’

Should I wear the dress Calliton gave me, or the dress Jerome gave me?

There was no need to ponder long.

‘I should wear the dress Jerome gave me.’

I’m sorry to Calliton who was thoughtful, but Jerome is the one I need to capture.

To make a good impression on Jerome, I should wear Jerome’s dress.

I chose Jerome’s dress without hesitation.

The Duke’s Palace, usually dark and quiet, had been transformed into a different world of splendor just for today.

The chandelier lights sparkled, and the melody of string instruments gently enveloped the ballroom hall.

Northern nobles wearing masks exchanged glances and laughter with each other, while wine and finger foods went up and down on silver trays.

I looked around while wearing a rabbit mask.

‘Which one of these is Jerome.’

Because people had covered their faces with masks, I couldn’t distinguish who was who.

‘Why does it have to be a masquerade ball? It’s so confusing.’

Just as I was grumbling internally.

From behind, along with a deep musky scent, a familiar man’s voice spoke to me.

“Would you like to dance together?”

A man wearing a wolf mask politely extended his hand.

The man was dressed in a navy blue military-style formal uniform with a black cloak draped over his shoulders.

“Alright.”

As I nodded and took the man’s hand, he smoothly escorted me to the center of the ballroom.

The man supported my waist with one hand and clasped my other hand with his.

When a subtle warmth seeped through where his hands touched, the ballroom music began to flow.

I matched his breathing and moved my steps in sync with the man.

The hem of my dress fluttered in circles to the rhythm of the ballroom music. Blue eyes visible beyond the mask gazed at me quietly.

Thanks to my diligent practice, I had enough composure while dancing to strike up a conversation with the man.

“A wolf mask, it suits you well, Duke.”

The man hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“…How did you recognize me?”

Well, 【Starlight Chronicles】 is a game that provides audio after all.

How many hours have I poured into this place. I’ve heard the male protagonists’ voices to the point of being sick of them.

“There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize the Duke’s voice.”

“…”

“How did you recognize me, Duke?”

“I recognized you by your dress.”

“Ah.”

Am I an idiot?

I belatedly remembered that the dress I was wearing was the one Jerome had sent.

Jerome gazed at me quietly before opening his mouth.

“The dress suits you well.”

What’s this supposed to be.

With just one compliment making every hair on my body tingle, I pressed my lips tightly together.

I felt like laughing might come out, and also slightly like running away, so I opened my tightly closed lips.

“Thank you. The uniform really suits you well too, Duke.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded lightly.

As the tempo of the music slowed, we moved our bodies slowly to match the slower beat.

Good start. The atmosphere is really nice too.

“I want to dance only with you today, Duke.”

“…”

I don’t have time to waste on other guys. Today I’m going to capture you for sure.

Jerome fell silent upon receiving my burning determination.

His gaze was definitely looking at me though.

“Duke?”

Don’t tell me you’re thinking about something else?

When I cautiously called Jerome’s name, he answered a beat late.

“…The chance to dance with Miss Emmerbier, it’s truly an honor for me.”

What, you were listening after all?

I almost felt a bit disappointed, but anyway, the atmosphere is good and dancing together is what matters, so I’ll let it slide.

With each step I took following Jerome’s lead, a subtle musk scent brushed past my nose.

The body heat transmitted through our fingertips, the sweet music – everything harmonized perfectly.

I slowly entrusted my body to his lead.

“You’ve been living here continuously, haven’t you, Duke?”

“That’s correct.”

“I’m curious. What it feels like to grow up in such a splendid place.”

“Would you like a tour of the Duke’s Palace?”

“If you would allow me.”

I can’t miss the chance to spend intimate time with Jerome.

Did our hearts connect?

Before long, the music ended and as we came down from the floor, Jerome brought two glasses of wine from a silver tray.

Then he offered one to me.

“Would you follow me? I’ll give you a tour of the Duke’s Palace.”

I took the wine glass and followed him.

Past the bustling ballroom, we arrived at a spacious and quiet gallery.

In the long corridor stretching beneath the high ceiling, red carpet was laid, elegant artworks were displayed here and there, and portrait paintings in frames hung on every wall.

“This is the family gallery. It’s a place where we keep heirlooms and portraits of the previous dukes.”

Looking at the portraits of the previous dukes, I could feel the calm and quiet dignity I usually sensed from Jerome.

Is this kind of atmosphere a family trait?

Then, my steps stopped in front of one portrait.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————