TEOGDA Chapter 2

Marriage was Raina’s only escape from this household.
But to find a husband, she first had to enter society.

“Raina, do you think it’s that simple? Fine, if you insist, let’s consider it next year.”

‘Next year?!’

Raina’s face darkened.

Last year, and the year before that, her debut was delayed under the excuse of financial troubles.

Yet now Bella, upon turning twenty, was making her debut without hesitation.

Next year, Charlotte would just come up with another excuse.
If Raina stayed silent, she’d end up spending her life working like a servant in this house.

Her heart pounded with urgency.

“Since Bella’s debuting anyway, I can just go with her, right? We’re already preparing for it, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“You think it’s that easy? You need to submit an application, prepare a dress—there’s a mountain of things to do.”

“Mother, I don’t need any of that. Just let me stand beside Bella. I’ll wear any dress, it doesn’t matter. Just… let me attend.”

“You really don’t need anything else?”

Charlotte gave Raina a calculating look, scanning her from head to toe.

“Yes. I really don’t.”

“Then, want to come with me today?”

Charlotte said, a mysterious smile tugging at her lips.

“Really?”

Raina asked in disbelief, but Charlotte responded with haughty confidence.

“Just one condition. Go sing a song at Laorde near the city walls. You’re quite good at singing, after all. They heard you once and have been begging to hear you again. I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.”

“Laorde?”

Raina’s face turned ashen.

Laorde was a tavern.

For a noble lady to sing in a tavern—it would ruin her reputation for life.

“Mother, that’s… that’s too much.”

“They’ll pay thirty silver coins for a good performance. I had to splurge on Bella’s dress this month, so we’re a bit short on funds. And your father’s spending hasn’t exactly slowed down.”

“But… Mother, Laorde? I’ll sing at any other concert, anywhere else.”

“That kind of place doesn’t pay well, you know. Don’t worry, Raina, you can wear a mask while you sing. No one will know it’s you.”

Raina hesitated, tempted by the offer.

“…No one will recognize me?”
“Of course not. With a mask on, who could tell? If you don’t like it, forget it. You can just debut next year.”

If she missed this chance, it would be another year—
No, even next year wasn’t guaranteed.

“Well? Are you going or not?”

“I’ll do it. But you have to promise to keep it a secret.”
“Obviously. We have our family’s honor to think about. You’re still the eldest daughter, after all. Can you imagine what people would say if they heard our family’s eldest was singing in a tavern? Just wear the mask, sing one song, and slip out quietly. No one will know, so don’t worry.”

Charlotte’s excitement grew as she continued.

“Just one song, right?”

“Yes, just one. Sing it and then hurry over to the ballroom. Now that I think about it, you’re already twenty-three. You won’t be exactly welcomed at the debutante ball at your age. You’ve made a wise choice.”

She patted Raina’s back as if praising her, despite Raina’s incredulous expression.

“Come along, I’ll show you the outfit and the mask.”

Charlotte grabbed Raina’s hand and led her into a room. The moment Raina saw the outfit, she recoiled in horror.

“What is this?”

“What do you mean? It’s what you’ll wear.”

Charlotte spoke nonchalantly.

The gaudy, shimmering red dress was vulgar.

The front plunged nearly to the chest, and the tight fit outlined every curve.

Raina shook her head, horrified.

“I can’t wear that.”

“You can’t?”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed unpleasantly, her hand lifting sharply.

Raina flinched and shut her eyes tightly. Cold fingers tapped lightly against her cheek.
Tap tap. A warning.

“Such innocence. Don’t worry. You’ll have the mask. No one will suspect a thing. And at Laorde, no one even looks at you unless you’re wearing something like this.”

Typical of someone from Laorde.

Raina turned her head away, hiding the disgust in her eyes.

Charlotte pulled a mask from the wardrobe and held it out.
Made of white plaster, it would cover her face—but it gave off a strange, eerie vibe.

“You want me to wear this?”

Even if she was desperate to debut, this… this was too much.

“See? Your face is completely hidden. Nothing to worry about.”
“Mother, even so, how could I show up to the debutante ball in this?”

“Of course you can’t!”

Charlotte grinned.

“Raina, do you think I’d send you to the debut in that? There’s a boutique next to Laorde. I’ve arranged a carriage and your debut dress will be waiting. This is the dress you’ll wear to the ball.”

Charlotte reached past the red dress and pulled out a soft pink one.
Layered with delicate white lace, it was beautiful—enchanting, even.

“That’s the dress Bella was going to wear first. But for some reason, she’s been eating more lately and gained weight, so it doesn’t fit anymore. That’s why her new dress just arrived today. But this should fit you…”

Raina stared at the dress, mesmerized.
She’d wanted to wear it ever since it arrived at the manor.
Elegant and refined, adorned with tiny pearls and lush lace—it was perfect for a debutante ball.

Raina’s gaze wavered.

“Well?”

“…Fine.”

Defeated by Charlotte’s persuasion, Raina nodded.

If she missed today’s opportunity, another might never come.
Besides, with Charlotte set on this, it was only a matter of time before Raina was dragged off to sing at Laorde anyway.
In that case, it was wiser to ensure she could at least attend the debutante ball in return.

Once she debuted, proposals would follow—and with that, a chance to escape this house.

Wearing such clothes was more humiliating than death, but it was still better than spending the rest of her life aging away, brewing healing potions and doing chores, never having debuted at all.

“You made the right decision. Now, finish up your tasks quickly—we’ll be leaving this afternoon.”

Even by carriage, the trip to the capital, where the debutante ball was held, would take over an hour.

Once she’d finished preparing breakfast, Raina grabbed two loaves of bread and hurried out to the yucho field.

Yucho, with its healing properties, was notoriously difficult to cultivate.

Too much water and it died. Too little, same result.
It couldn’t be left in too much sun, nor too much shade.
Neither strong nor weak winds were good, nor could it endure temperatures too cold or too warm.

Maintaining the perfect balance required skill, delicate care, and constant attention.

Some even resorted to using subtle enchantments.

But with the Rosebird family in decline, they had neither expert cultivators nor shamans.

Yet Rosebird’s yucho was still considered top-grade.

All thanks to Raina’s singing.

Eighty percent of the yucho’s growth in the Rosebird lands was due to her voice.

Today, as she caressed the wilted plants under the harsh sun, she began to hum softly.

Her sweet soprano filled the air, and the withered leaves soon perked up with life.

She didn’t miss the moment—carefully giving them just the right amount of water.
Too much and the sensitive roots would rot in an instant.

“Thanks for bouncing back,” Raina murmured, gently brushing each leaf.
Looking at the budding yucho flowers brought peace to her heart.

Once they bloomed and bore fruit, she could make new healing potions.

Raina’s potions were known for their exceptional quality and often sold for high prices.

“Grow well, my darlings.”

By midday, under the blazing sun, sweat beaded on her brow as she inspected every plant and watered them one by one.

Still, the hope of attending the debutante ball tonight lifted her spirits.

In truth, Raina had one card she was secretly counting on.
Once she debuted, there was already someone she intended to propose to.

Terrier, the second son of Viscount Dogg from the Dr. Dogg family, whom she’d met while selling her potions.

Perhaps due to his Dog lineage, his gentle eyes and kind demeanor had deeply charmed her.

He’d even hinted at his feelings, subtly suggesting they go on a date. But since she hadn’t debuted yet, she couldn’t accept.
Once tonight’s debut was done, she planned to ask him to marry her without delay.
Or, if not Terrier, anyone else would do.

As long as they came from a decent family, were sincere and kind—nothing else mattered.

‘I just need to get out of this house.’

Her heart raced at the thought that tonight, a new life might finally begin.

* * *

High society in the Lecia Empire was abuzz with excitement tonight.
That’s because it was the day of the Debutante Ball, an event held only once a year.
It was the day when noble young ladies who had come of age were presented to society—and the day gentlemen sought potential brides.