Chapter 4. Father’s Dress

“What circumstances? Nonsense.”

“…Regardless, he’s still a war hero, isn’t he?”

As Grace cautiously added another remark, Count Helio let out a scoff of disbelief and snapped at her.

“That’s the result of a man who relied solely on his noble birth and failed to plan for the future. He should have accepted the Empress’s offer for military exemption. Instead, he foolishly went to war and ended up like that. Tell me, isn’t it laughable? That arrogance tripped him up in the end, and now he’s paying the price.”

His words were brutally sharp—as if he were speaking about a sworn enemy rather than a fellow noble.

And yet, it was Count Helio himself who had moved to the capital seeking a higher status.

Besides, how was joining the war an act of arrogance?

If anything, it was the most noble and dutiful action a high-ranking aristocrat could take.

Wasn’t it for the same reason that her father had sent her to war as a field nurse?

Grace had many things she wanted to say, but she hesitated.

Her father detested being contradicted.

It was then that Valentina interjected.

“Oh, Father, come on. You know our sweet sister—she doesn’t think anyone is truly bad. She’s kind to everyone! No wonder Peter got the wrong idea and even proposed to her!”

She had meant to defend Grace, but all she had done was pour fuel on the fire.

Grace immediately tried to stop her.

“Valentina, that’s—”

But it was too late.

Her father’s expression darkened instantly.

“That’s exactly the problem with you, Grace! Not only do you question your father’s words, but you also lead on just any common fool you come across! If you inherited my looks, then at the very least, you should behave properly! How could a young lady act so carelessly that a man would mistake her kindness for an invitation to marriage?”

“Father, that was a misunderstanding—”

Her attempt at an explanation was cut off.

“I don’t want to hear excuses! I’ve told you before—I will erase you from the family registry before I let any man just waltz into this household!”

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, Grace bowed her head without protest.

When Peter had confessed his feelings, their household had been thrown into chaos.

She had paid the price for it.

Her hair had been cut, and she had been forbidden from leaving the house for weeks.

Just the memory of it made her sick to her stomach.

Meanwhile, Valentina stuck out her tongue playfully, clasping her hands together in a mock apology.

As if a simple “Whoops, my mistake!” would make up for it.

Grace found it impossible not to find her irritating.

Moments later, their father, still fuming, issued a warning.

“If I ever catch you behaving that way again, it won’t just be your hair—you’ll be sent straight to a convent!”

A tense silence settled in the room as Grace lowered her head, enduring his anger.

Then—

“Oh, come on, Daddy! If you keep scowling, you’ll get wrinkles, and that will break my heart!”

Valentina switched tactics, draping herself over their father’s shoulders with a sugary sweet voice.

She kneaded his shoulders playfully, attempting to soothe him.

“Do you really think I couldn’t be angry after what your sister has done?”

“Grace is just too innocent and kind, that’s all. Now that we’re in the capital, maybe once she experiences the real social scene, she’ll change a little?”

“Ahem!”

“Anyway, I just can’t wait for the banquet! It’s an official summer gathering, perfectly timed for the blooming season of the roses! Imagine meeting the one in such a romantic setting—how wonderful would that be?”

The youngest, Valentina, clasped her cheeks with an expression of pure excitement.

It was almost impressive how she could behave as if she hadn’t just caused a commotion moments ago.

And yet—surprisingly—the count’s irritation melted almost instantly.

With just a single act of affection from Valentina, he had already forgiven her.

“Why don’t you just stay with your dear father forever, my little Lettie?”

“Oh my, no way! I’m going to marry a handsome prince like the ones in fairy tales!”

“But you always called me your prince before.”

“Oh, Daddy, you’re not a prince anymore—you’re a king! How could I compare you to a mere prince?”

“Ah, you sly little thing! That sweet tongue of yours always knows just what to say!”

Count Helio burst into laughter, the once-tense atmosphere turning pleasant and warm.

That, more than anything, made Grace fall silent.

She and Valentina were both his daughters.

And yet, her father had always treated them differently.

Grace knew very well which daughter was less cherished.

“Hahaha!”

Whenever Grace spoke, her father only ever scowled in irritation.

But with Valentina, his face was alight with joy.

Watching them, Grace couldn’t help but feel bitter.

Her father doted on Valentina because she looked so much like their late mother.

And beyond that—she was objectively beautiful, effortlessly charming.

It was natural for her father to favor her.

Grace, on the other hand…

She had been forced to grow up too quickly.

After their mother’s passing, she had taken on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings.

Her father had come to expect her to manage the household, treating it as nothing more than her duty.

Her younger brother, Anthony, was the heir—so he was spared from such concerns.

And Valentina?

Simply by existing, she was pampered and adored.

It was as if her father forgot that Grace and her siblings were only a few years apart.

She should have grown used to it by now.

But every time she witnessed these tender father-daughter moments, a part of her couldn’t help but feel… left out.

After their mother’s death, her father had never once softened toward her.

Instead, he had relentlessly trained her to be the perfect lady of the house.

She had been only seven years old.

Just then, Valentina caught her gaze.

Grinning mischievously, she winked before silently mouthing:

‘I just saved you.’

Did Valentina even realize how contradictory her actions were?

Did she know that she was the type to cause a wound and then soothe it immediately afterward?

Grace doubted it.

And perhaps because her sister’s actions were so innocent, she felt even heavier.

No matter what she said now, it would only make her seem petty.

She felt ashamed of herself for even feeling jealous.

‘I can’t believe I was jealous of Lettie. To Father, both of us must be the same—his daughters.’

Pushing aside the shadows in her heart, Grace forced a brilliant smile.

Just then, Valentina looped her arm through Grace’s and chirped,

“You’re coming to the banquet too, right?”

“I’m fine. I’d rather focus on learning my way around the city first—”

“Oh, come on! You can do that later! It’s a royal banquet! They only hold them four times a year! And you’re just going to let it pass by?”

“I don’t even have a dress to wear.”

It was a half-hearted excuse, but to Grace’s surprise, her father responded instead.

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“…Pardon?”

“Your dress has already been prepared. So don’t even think about skipping the banquet—you’re attending.”

“Really?”

Grace’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Never before had her father gone out of his way to prepare a dress for her.

Feeling a twinge of guilt for resenting him earlier, Grace lowered her head and murmured,

“Thank you, Father.”

“What is there to thank me for? What kind of father would I be if I couldn’t buy my daughters a dress?”

Today, her father seemed oddly generous.

At that moment, Valentina puffed out her cheeks in protest.

“Daddyyy, what about meee?”

“Of course, my dear Valentina’s dress is ready as well.”

“Really? Thank you, Daddy!”

Smooch!

Valentina planted a kiss on his cheek, making her father beam.

“Hah! That was quite the expensive reward for buying a simple dress.”

“Then… does that mean you’ll also buy me those Elérémont brand earrings that just came out…?”

Taking advantage of the moment, Valentina pressed her luck, batting her eyes dramatically.

And, of course, when her father nodded in approval, she bounced in her seat in delight.

Then, turning back to Grace, she leaned in with sparkling eyes.

“That means you’re definitely coming, right?”

Her father had gone out of his way to get her a dress.

Surely, she could afford to enjoy herself for one evening.

And truthfully…

She was a little curious about the banquet.

She had heard that the Summer Rose Banquet included a special opening of the royal greenhouses, where the Empress’s personally cultivated roses were displayed.

Grace had always loved flowers.

It was an irresistible temptation.

Finally, with a small blush, she relented.

“…Alright. Let’s go together.”

“Yay! This is going to be amazing!”

With a squeal of delight, Valentina practically jumped into Grace’s arms.

* * *

The next day, Grace found herself at a loss as she gazed at the dress her father had gifted her.

It was far more extravagant than anything she would have chosen for herself.

Of course, it wasn’t surprising—her father had never bothered to learn her tastes.

Still, it was undoubtedly an expensive gown.

There was no questioning his sincerity.

What troubled her, however, was the scandalous design.

‘This is… quite revealing.’

The off-the-shoulder dress laid her collarbones completely bare.

‘I feel like my cleavage would be on full display.’

Worse, the back was cut daringly low.

If she danced, there was a very real possibility of bare skin pressing against someone else’s.

On top of that, the dress was tight around the waist, emphasizing every curve.

As she hesitated to try it on, Valentina suddenly walked into the room.

“Sister, what are you doing?”

Then, catching sight of the dress on the hanger, her eyes went wide.

“Oh my gosh, did Father really give you this?”

“So, you think it’s too much, too—”

“It’s gorgeous! He bought me a suffocating, nun-like dress, but you get this beauty?!”

Her reaction was not at all what Grace had expected.

Blinking in surprise, she watched as Valentina inspected the gown closely.

And soon enough, her true intentions surfaced.

“Honestly, this dress totally doesn’t suit you. Father really has no sense.”

It was obvious that she wanted the dress for herself.