"Natalie, sis!"
Natalie slowly lifted her head. She looked utterly exhausted. How many dances had she gone through? Her dance card, dangling from her wrist, was crammed with men's names.
"Sis, I made it back safely thanks to you. You worked so hard!"
"…Yeah."
"…Are you okay? Did something happen?"
"Nothing much."
I didn't believe her at all.
Could someone who usually drank, danced, and partied till dawn be this worn out after just one family-hosted party?
Well, I'll ask for details later.
"Sis, let me take you to your room. Should I get you some ice water? Lemonade?"
"No need. But behind you."
"Huh?"
As soon as I turned, I was greeted by unwelcome faces—the Count and Countess Redfield.
They approached Natalie with bright smiles, only to sigh the moment they noticed me.
"I thought you'd grown more ladylike, but you're still no match for Natalie. We didn't even notice you were at the party!"
Well, that's understandable. I wasn't actually there.
Father immediately turned his attention back to Natalie.
"Natalie, you did great today. Though I wonder if you overdid it a bit… You had quite the long conversation with the young duke. Did he say anything about Dorys? Which of you do you think caught his eye more?"
"Can I tell you tomorrow? I'm so tired."
"Of course! You must be exhausted. I'll call the maids to help you up. Dorys, come help us escort the remaining guests to their rooms."
Feeling guilty for not having done anything at the party, I followed my parents. It was the least I could do.
Then, my sister grabbed my hand.
"One attendant is enough for me, and Dorys will do just fine. If the maids get involved, it'll only broadcast to the remaining guests that I'm exhausted. I don't want that."
"Well… if that's what you want."
"Dorys, come here."
Natalie raised an arm and beckoned me over with her fingers. Obediently, I slipped my smaller frame under her arm. At ten centimeters shorter, I was just the right size to act as her human crutch.
Our parents' and the staff's voices faded into the distance.
Once in her room, I helped Natalie to a seat and started removing her hairpins.
"Do you want to wash your face? If that's too much trouble, I can wipe it with a damp towel."
"No need. I only relaxed after confirming you were back safe. Honestly, I still have the stamina for three more polkas."
True to her words, Natalie, freed from her hair accessories, looked like a lioness ready for another hunt. That was a relief.
"I'm glad to hear that. I was worried something might've happened since you looked so upset!"
"Nothing happened… except the young duke has a knack for wearing people out."
"Oh, yeah, he's like that. Not a bad person, though."
Just oblivious.
"But, sis, what exactly did you say to the young duke to make him follow you around all night?"
"Oh, just some entertaining stories that I left unfinished. That's all."
"Like The Thousand and One Nights, huh?"
Since she didn't seem keen on explaining further, I didn't press. My sister had her own methods.
Then, out of the blue, she asked me a question.
"…Dorys. Do you think a fully grown person can change for the better?"
"Are you talking about habits or personality?"
"Everything. Do you think someone who's hopelessly flawed can improve?"
"Hmm…"
Why was she asking this all of a sudden?
Well, it didn't take me long to answer. I had my parents as examples, after all.
"For an adult, it's hard."
"Ha! I knew it!"
Natalie suddenly let out a triumphant laugh.
"In that case, the only option is to cut them off, right? Who's got the energy to fix people when you can just toss them out instead?"
"Why do you sound so fired up, like you actually have someone in mind? And your tone—it's scary, like you're ready to rip someone's head off!"
"So perceptive."
Her eyes sparkled with energy. If I let her go now, she wouldn't just dance three more polkas; she'd waltz five times too.
"Ha ha. Dorys, thanks for your help! Go on and get some rest."
"…Alright."
I turned to leave, feeling slightly uneasy, but stopped at the door.
Adults rarely change.
Hopelessly flawed people can't even be fixed by the power of love.
But…
"…Sis, earlier I said people don't change, right?"
"What? Changing your mind now?"
"No, not exactly. I just think relationships can change."
Natalie was as eccentric and headstrong as ever…
But just as I had come to care for her despite her quirks, relationships could shift, couldn't they?
"To cats, dogs are just filthy diggers, and to dogs, cats are mischievous troublemakers climbing high places. But some dogs and cats eventually learn to accept each other's 'differences' instead of seeing them as 'wrongs.'"
Natalie furrowed her brows.
"That's a nice story, but what if the other person really is 'wrong'?"
"Well, I can't say for certain that I'm entirely 'right', either."
"…You really like showing off how well-read you are, huh?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't."
"To me, it is. That's how we're 'different,' sis."
"…I suppose so."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"I think I understand, just a little."
I didn't know what had been bothering her, but maybe she'd figured it out.
"I'll head to bed now. Get some rest, sis."
"Sure. You too."
I gently closed the door behind me and stepped into the corridor.
After a few steps, I heard Natalie's irritated muttering.
"No, no! What do you mean 'I suppose so'? They really are the worst kind of person!"
What was up with her? Did she run into someone intolerable at the party?
'I didn't think there was anyone Sister couldn't handle.'
Well, she's an adult. She'll figure it out.
As I descended to the first floor, Mother called me over.
"Perhaps it was a mistake to have you and Natalie attend the same soirée. Your sister is not only stunning but also so full of life."
"That's true. I must have been completely invisible."
"Don't be discouraged. The more men come to see your sister, the more opportunities will come your way too."
Mother stroked my hair gently.
"You're beautiful as you are… but I'm sorry I couldn't make you as breathtaking as Natalie."
"..."
"Let's plan tomorrow how to dress for the hunting tournament. Go and get some rest for now."
"You worked hard too, Mother. I'll try to help more at the next party."
"That's sweet of you to say."
Mother let out a soft chuckle and turned away.
Hopeless people rarely change. The Count and Countess will continue to treat my sister and me as bargaining chips and discriminate between us. Such dynamics can't be erased with a kind word or two.
Still, the warmth of her hand on my hair lingered.
As I walked to my room, I absentmindedly twirled my hair where she'd touched it.
Not everything needs to be fixed. Sometimes, simply enjoying an unexpected moment of warmth isn't so bad, is it?
***
I must have said I hate soirées at least a hundred times. I don't like meeting people, and I dislike going out even more.
But if soirées were coffee, hunting tournaments were poison with a hint of coffee aroma—just enough to remind you of what you hate.
Before our carriage departed for the royal hunting grounds, Mother clasped Natalie's and my hands tightly.
"Tomorrow, one of you must return as the Queen of the Hunting Tournament, crowned with the golden laurel tiara… but I don't mean to pressure you."
Then what's with the crushing grip every time you mention 'golden laurel tiara'? Is this a hand massage?
"As Natalie mentioned after the last soirée, the young duke hasn't made up his mind yet. This time, make sure he leans in your favor!"
Mother's gaze landed especially on me as she continued.
"This afternoon, there will be a tea party for the ladies."
"…A tea party? At a hunting tournament?"
"It's how the ladies pass the time while the men hunt. If you lock yourselves up in your tent, gossip about the Redfield family will surely spread. Be sure to attend."
"Understood."
All I'd have to do was sit and drink tea, right?
But that wasn't all.
"The evening ball is crucial too. It's darker than a regular soirée, making it perfect for intimate conversations. Lure the young duke into the shadows for a sweet, private chat! But under no circumstances let any unsavory rumors arise. Got it?"
Lure him into the dark for a one-on-one chat? Hunting might be easier than this.
"That sounds… difficult."
"Have confidence! You two are the only ones who've grown close to him. Spend time with him, leave him wanting more, and part ways. Then, the next morning…"
Why is there so much to do?
The original story didn't have any of this…
…Now that I think about it, that makes sense.
The protagonist, Maria, didn't have anyone guiding her through the hunting tournament's procedures or advising her on what to do.
She spent lonely hours in a small tent the Baron Mayer had set up for appearances, torn between wanting Arthur's love and fearing it.
I was lost in sentimental thoughts when Mother asked us,
"Now then, you've prepared gifts to wish your hunters good luck, haven't you? What did you prepare?"