Resetting Lady - Chapter 259

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

Special Side Story 2

8.

Rebecca greeted familiar acquaintances in the waiting room with a bright smile, wearing the uniform she had personally ironed. The black uniform that suited Rebecca’s tall stature exuded a mysterious charm and drew passionate gazes from the noble ladies and young women.

‘I really am so cool.’

Rebecca had always thought that pants suited her body type better than skirts. So she was extremely pleased with this opportunity to wear them confidently at a ball. The quality, dignity, and fit were incomparable to the pants she wore at the hunting grounds.

“Oh my, Rebecca. I heard you enrolled – is that a military academy uniform?”

“Yes! It’s been so long, Lady Lian.”

“The outfit is so wonderful! It really suits you well.”

Lian smiled brightly as she looked at Rebecca.

She, who had become a countess, was showing a slightly rounded belly. Rebecca was surprised to see her wearing unusually loose clothing compared to usual.

“Oh, perhaps…?”

“Yes, it’s been six months now.”

“Congratulations! You must invite me to the baptism ceremony, right?”

“Of course. Actually, I was going to rest today, but I came because I heard Rebecca would be here, you know?”

“Really? That’s so touching.”

“Miss Rebecca Sayertes?”

“Lady Sola!”

Rebecca moved among her old acquaintances with light, cheerful steps, like a lively swallow filled with energy.

“Rebecca, can you also do the male steps?”

“Of course, mademoiselle.”

“Kyaa.”

Rebecca enjoyed the attention and enthusiastically talked about how well she was doing at school, pretending her future was secure. Karen watched Rebecca’s excited face with a strange feeling, stroking her own cheek. It wasn’t that Rebecca disliked dresses. But even as her mother, Karen could clearly see that the military academy uniform suited Rebecca’s figure better than dresses.

And Rebecca was delighted just by wearing something different from usual, enjoying herself among the people. Whether she wanted to boast about enrolling or was happy to show off her unique fashion. Karen felt a pang in her chest watching Rebecca look more joyful than usual. If she had known Rebecca would be this happy, she should have let her dress freely.

However, her closest friend of the same age, Isabella, was looking at Rebecca with a worried expression.

“Um, ma’am. But is it really true that His Majesty wanted that?”

“Isabella. Did you greet Rebecca?”

“Yes, I did as soon as I arrived.”

Unlike Rebecca, Isabella was wearing a dress even more elaborate than usual. Karen admired the quality of the earrings and necklace she was wearing, thinking that Isabella had indeed put in proper effort. A dress that was the very model of high society, unlike Rebecca’s.

“Well, isn’t it wonderful.”

“It suits her, but…”

“I’ve decided to be modern now too. What’s wrong with wearing clothes however you want.”

Karen slightly bit her lip, remembering Rebecca’s sharp words about being old-fashioned. Do you know, daughter? Mother is really trying to accept you. But Isabella shook her head. That wasn’t the issue.

“Rebecca said that His Majesty asked her to be his escort.”

“She told me the same thing.”

“But with so many guards in the palace, why would he need an escort?”

Isabella raised her eyebrows while holding her fan.

“It might be fine for a small tea party, but it’s too radical to wear at a dinner ball, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

“Could there be some misunderstanding? What if he only requested her attendance, but Rebecca misunderstood…”

Isabella whispered quietly.

“Moreover, today even ‘that’ Princess Diana is coming.”

King Louis’s popularity as a potential groom was rising day by day.

Whether he wanted it or not, it was inevitable. Particularly, Princess Diana attending today was someone who wanted to hunt Louis. The fact that she had once pretended it was a mistake and visited Louis’s bedroom, nearly causing a diplomatic incident, was known only to his closest associates.

However, since she was the first princess of a considerably wealthy nation, Louis had no choice but to quietly cover up her mistake. A domestic noble woman like Rebecca appealing to have an intimate relationship with Louis could serve as a means of gentle rejection.

Karen whispered quietly to the worried Isabella.

“That’s probably right. No matter how much His Majesty doesn’t care about women’s clothing, he wouldn’t have requested such radical attire. The escort thing from the beginning too.”

“…As I thought…! Wouldn’t it be better to change her clothes even now?”

“Why bother?”

“Pardon?”

Karen smiled while covering her mouth with her fan.

This was the first time in her life she had seen Rebecca look forward to a ball like this. Until now, Rebecca had always treated them as boring, forced gatherings and even made other attendees uncomfortable, but now she was showing the joy of expressing herself, showing off, and socializing. It was an expression that would never have appeared if she had worn a dress chosen by Karen as before.

“She’s so happy like that.”

“But when she finds out it was a mistake…”

“Then she’ll learn the lesson that she should know the dress code clearly before going in the future.”

—Swoosh.

The fan opened. Karen’s eyes curved beautifully.

“Wouldn’t that be interesting too?”

Ohohohoho—

The Countess of Sayertes looked at her daughter with a slightly wicked smile. Rebecca felt a bit chilled and nodded quietly, keeping her mouth shut. Was this why her mother Isella used to say ‘Karen has some scary aspects too’? Karen’s appearance of anticipating trouble looked truly delighted.

Then, a royal guard quietly approached Rebecca’s side and whispered.

“Miss Rebecca Sayertes. His Majesty says he must make his entrance now, so please come to his room.”

“Ah, yes, understood.”

Rebecca straightened her back, checked the sword at her waist, and stood up.

Then the royal guard tilted his head and pointed at the sword.

“It’s dangerous, so please leave the sword behind.”

“What? How can I protect His Majesty with bare hands?”

“…We will protect His Majesty. Cadet Rebecca.”

Rebecca tilted her head at the guard captain who deliberately emphasized that she was a student. Was it said hastily so the message wasn’t conveyed properly? But His Majesty definitely asked her to protect him. As Rebecca touched her sword with a confused expression, the royal guard urged her again.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

“…Yes.”

Rebecca reluctantly left her sword in a corner of the waiting room at the royal guard’s urging. It was a ceremonial sword anyway, with barely any edge. But it would be necessary for minimal self-defense. Rebecca followed the royal guard with a displeased expression.

“Ah, you’re here?”

Louis, properly dressed up, showed none of his usual fatigue. The handsome young man with brown hair and green eyes naturally wore an innate splendor. He was indeed a king with beauty worthy of envy from other countries.

“Your Majesty! You’re dazzling today!”

“Is it okay? That’s a relief. But, um, that outfit…”

Louis looked at Rebecca with wide eyes.

Rebecca grinned and spread both arms, spinning around once.

“Isn’t it cool? It’s the military academy uniform! It really turned out well, as befitting something the best designers worked on.”

“That’s wonderful. My opinion went into choosing that, you know.”

“Wow, as expected, our Majesty has the best eye. Thank you. Your Majesty looks really wonderful today too.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Louis laughed heartily watching Rebecca give him a thumbs up.

Seeing Rebecca made most of his complicated thoughts fly away. Maybe it was because he’d known her since childhood. Louis reached out to pat Rebecca’s neat hair, then stopped himself and awkwardly withdrew his hand.

“You dressed like that to protect me, right?”

“Yes!”

“Oh…”

Louis had naturally meant for her to protect him as a social partner. Since Princess Diana had a history of trying to physically assault him, he wanted to create a smokescreen by putting forward Rebecca, who was closer to him than anyone. He naturally thought she would understand it that way.

But Rebecca seemed to think she was specially taking on the role of a royal guard, ignoring all protocols.

‘That can’t be…’

No matter how strong and spirited Rebecca was, resembling Raymond, she was only an 18-year-old girl. She was at her prime as a high society lady, but far too young to entrust with guard duty. Louis looked up at the ceiling briefly with a troubled expression.

With today’s appearance, it would be difficult to stop Princess Diana.

‘You completely misunderstood.’

“Isn’t it cool?”

But Louis couldn’t bring himself to tell the sparkling-eyed Rebecca the cold truth. Louis finally placed his trembling hand on Rebecca’s shoulder with a pat.

“It really suits you. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!”

She wouldn’t mix with the royal guards anyway, and even if the outfit was somewhat masculine, it had the neat yet splendid restraint characteristic of ceremonial clothing. It was properly formal. And there would be no problem dancing either. Though a bit embarrassing, Louis held back a sigh and took Rebecca’s hand.

“Then I’m counting on you as both my partner and guard today.”

“Just trust me, Your Majesty! Oh, but… I don’t have a weapon, is that okay?”

“It’s fine. Anyway… if it’s you, I’m sure you can protect me sufficiently even with bare hands.”

His tongue almost got twisted, but he somehow managed to finish well. Rebecca looked at him with slightly suspicious eyes, muttering “Is that possible…?” while touching her own forearm, but didn’t respond further.

“Shall we go in, Your Majesty?”

“Gladly. My knight.”

Louis suppressed the laughter that was bubbling up and took Rebecca’s hand.

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