Chapter 28 I Can Do It Alone.
Rhiannon, who had transformed into a stunning beauty, rode in a carriage heading to a private ball hosted by the noble Viscount.
Despite being a private event, the Viscount was known for his friendly and approachable nature, resulting in a wide circle of acquaintances.
As a result, the ball had quite a few guests for a "private" gathering.
Kaine sat elegantly in the carriage, crossing his long legs and smiling.
"This isn't an official ball, nor is it just a small gathering of close friends. Sarah Belts is attending another event with the princes, so she probably won't be here tonight. ...I think this party is perfect for Lady Rhiannon's debut at a ball, don't you? I call it the 'I Can Go to a Party Alone' operation!"
"That operation name is clearly mocking me, isn't it?!"
"Hahaha. Don't worry too much. Even if you mess up a little, it will only tarnish the Clahsen family name."
"Isn't that just a roundabout way of telling me not to fail?! But of course, Halesia is coming with me, right?"
"Not at all. Lady Rhiannon sometimes forgets, but Lady Halesia is, despite her appearance, a member of the royal family. She can't just casually attend a private ball."
"What about my acquaintances?"
"To put it bluntly, you have none. When it comes to a ball, I can't just tag along like I did at the last tea party."
"I'm not completely alone!"
Rhiannon felt a wave of dizziness as Kaine grinned mischievously.
"Lady Rhiannon, this is the dream ball you've been so eager to attend. Is there a problem?"
"There are so many problems! I need time to prepare..."
"Oops, there's no time to waste. We've arrived at our destination, so get ready."
With that, Kaine quickly took Rhiannon's hand and helped her out of the carriage.
The venue wasn't far from the royal salon they had visited before.
Before Rhiannon could protest, she found herself standing in front of a magnificent mansion.
The cheerful music and bright laughter of the guests could already be heard from outside.
(This is the party venue...)
Rhiannon stared up at the mansion in a daze.
The ball being held in the capital was a place she had longed to attend, so much so that it appeared in her dreams.
If Kaine hadn't stopped her, she might have wanted to go out every night.
However, being suddenly brought here and told, "Alright, it's the ball," left her confused.
More than anything, she wasn't mentally prepared.
On top of that, she didn't know anyone here.
Her unease overshadowed any excitement.
"Are we really going?"
To be honest, Rhiannon was extremely nervous and already wanted to go home.
She took a step back, but Kaine, smiling behind her, blocked her way.
"Don't worry, my lady. Everything is going according to my plan. There's nothing to be concerned about."
In a low, sweet voice, Kaine whispered in Rhiannon's ear.
Before she could ask why, a servant standing by the mansion's entrance approached them.
Kaine smoothly presented their invitation, and the servant, after examining it carefully, smiled brightly.
"Welcome, Lady Rhiannon Mimi Clahsen!"
The servant's voice rang out loudly as the door to the ball opened.
All eyes turned to Rhiannon at once.
With that, the option to "run away" no longer existed.
(Wh-what should I do...?)
Caught off guard, Rhiannon looked as though she might cry.
Kaine, still wearing his mysterious smile, gently pushed her forward.
Rhiannon hesitated but stepped inside.
The Viscount Caireno's mansion was bustling with nobles and attendants, all dressed in elegant gowns and tuxedos.
This season, the Kairen weave fabric was in vogue, and many noble ladies wore dresses designed with this material.
However, Rhiannon was too nervous to notice such details.
She wondered whether her back was straight and kept muttering internally:
"I need to hold myself together, Rhiannon Mimi Clahsen! If I mess up here, it will bring shame to the Clahsen name. No, I can't think like that. I have to act gracefully for now. Is my walking strange? How do I walk again? When my right hand is forward, I move my right foot... uh, um..."
As Rhiannon stiffened, nobles around her whispered from a distance.
Her large, deep blue eyes glistened as her nervousness escalated.
"They're definitely laughing at me... The only daughter of the Clahsen family isn't impressive at all..."
However, Rhiannon's assumptions were far from the truth.
The nobles' gazes were filled with respect and admiration.
They were captivated by her stunning beauty.
With her large blue eyes, adorable cherry-pink lips, shimmering milk tea-colored hair flowing to her waist, and delicate tiara, she looked enchanting.
Her classic gown, boldly showcasing her slender shoulders, suited her perfectly and stood out among the Kairen-fabric trends.
She was so stunning that whispers of admiration spread among the guests.
"Which young lady is that?"
"Could she be from that family...?"
Rhiannon, oblivious to this admiration, muttered quietly, "I want to go home," when suddenly someone spoke from behind.
"Could it be that you are Lady Rhiannon, the only daughter of the Clahsen family?"
"Uh, yes, that's right..."
Rhiannon stiffly turned around to see a sturdy middle-aged man with brown hair tied casually at the back of his neck.
He smiled warmly and shook her hand.
"It's an honor to finally meet you. I'm Aldin Caireno, the host of this ball. Please, feel free to call me Aldin."
"The host, Viscount Caireno...!"
Rhiannon straightened her back and bowed gracefully.
"I'm Rhiannon Mimi Clahsen. Thank you for the invitation."
"No, thank you for coming. I'd heard that Lady Rhiannon is quite busy, so I sent the invitation hoping for the best. I never expected you to actually come."
"Busy? Me?"
Rhiannon asked, genuinely surprised.
Her life revolved around her bakery part-time job and her room—hardly busy.
Viscount Caireno, momentarily taken aback, smiled widely.
"Oh, playing coy, are we? Such modesty! But your glory shines brightly and cannot be hidden."
"Ah..."
Here's an improved version of that section, focusing on the natural flow of the narrative and clarity:
---
"I've heard the rumors. Lady Rhiannon—no, Lady Rhiannon has been secretly involved in charity work, making large donations to orphanages and providing food to villages suffering from famine. Yet, you go about your days without showing your face in high society. Truly, you are a remarkable young lady."
Viscount Caireno stroked his chin in admiration.
Although Rhiannon found the conversation baffling, it seemed that this was how people viewed her.
After a while, the nobles who had been watching from a distance suddenly gathered around Caireno and Rhiannon.
They had overheard the conversation and quickly realized that the beautiful girl was Rhiannon, the only daughter of the Clahsen family.
"I've heard the rumors. They say you are fluent in foreign languages and have opened trade routes with other countries."
"Ah, I've heard that rumor too. And that you secretly dealt with an assassin who was after the king..."
"How wonderful that is! I've also heard that Lady Rhiannon rescued a stray kitten that had been abandoned..."
The nobles surrounding Rhiannon now gazed at her with admiration.
Surrounded by so many people, showered with compliments, Rhiannon was momentarily taken aback, her eyes wide with confusion.
She didn't understand what was happening, and of course, had no idea about any of the rumors circulating.
However, before Rhiannon could interject with the truth, the nobles continued to heap praise upon her.
The "Rhiannon" they spoke of was an incredible philanthropist, a diligent worker, and someone deeply knowledgeable about the arts.
Of course, none of this was true. These were completely unfounded rumors.
Rhiannon felt bewildered.
(Wh-what is going on here...?)
Still, being surrounded and pampered by so many people wasn't entirely unpleasant.
In fact, Rhiannon started to feel a bit pleased.
She was the type who would get carried away with flattery, even if the compliments were baseless.
(Well, whatever happens, happens!)
In the end, Rhiannon decided to stop overthinking it.
Opportunities to be praised so openly by a crowd like this were rare.
In the middle of the gathering, Rhiannon leaned back and laughed heartily.
"Ho ho ho! I've been hiding it for so long, but now that it's out, there's no helping it! Praise me for my benevolence!"
The nobles cheered and showered her with compliments all night.
For the first time, Rhiannon felt truly adored as she danced the night away, returning home in bliss.
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