Lady Bet had the look on her face that said, Caught you, as she raised her voice with a fraudulent weing tone.


    Arent you Lady Charlize?


    Hello, Lady Bet.


    I tried to be as cordial as possible when I said hello.


    Lady Bet approached me slowly.


    Ah, truly. Youre not a flower in a crannied wall, so why are you here alone?


    Right. Shes the fiancee of the Crown Prince and yet, her fiance isnt asking her for the next dance.


    I would be so ashamed if I were her.


    Oh, me too!


    In that way, thedies in Lady Bets party, one by one added their own take.


    Lady Bet with a triumphant look led the group with her more dominant presence.


    Its your first time attending such arge-scale ball, I was worried you might not be able to properly dress up.


    Lady Bet scanned me from top to bottom, subtly narrowing her brow as if she disliked what she saw.


    But still.youre decent to look at.


    .ah, yes.


    That dress youre wearingI believe its Madame Rositas handiwork?


    Yes, thats right.


    I nodded roughly.


    Lady Be with an astounded expression snorted at me.


    Ha, really. Madame Rosita went from dressing the noblest ofdies to eptingmoners?


    Madame Rosita did me a favor.


    I was trying to move the conversation along.


    But Lady Bet continued to dwell on the subject and became more provocative with her tone.


    Favor? A favor? Look here. Madame Rosita came like aet and took the fashion business by storm.


    Lady Be clicked her tongue.


    It was as if she was correcting me on my mistake.


    Im sorry to say this, but that dress is too shabby for someone like you to wear, Lady Charlize.


    Lady Bet again looked at me from top to bottom. This time she did so more tantly and with contempt.


    Then she widened her eyes and spoke condescendingly.


    Its worrying, to think you spent years worth of sries on that dress.


    Its fine. What youre worried about didnt happen.


    Really? Thats a relief, because it would have pained my heart if it were so.


    A dark smile crept its way onto Lady Bets lips.


    Sneering followed.


    By the way, if everyone starts going to Madame Rositas and wears the dress youre wearing, the prestige of Madame Rositas boutique will plummet.


    Oops.


    Lady Bet covered her mouth with an exaggerated gesture.


    Hmm, oh. I didnt mean to imply that Lady Charlizes dress is amon one.


    I looked at Lady Be with an unfazed expression.


    Meanwhile, Lady Be continued with an exultant demeanor.


    Ah, did you have to cry and bawl in desperation as you held onto the hem of that dress so that they would sell it to you?


    I did no such thing. Im not like Lady Bet.


    A maids sry is so paltry, if you didnt cling onto Madame Rosita shed never..wait, what did you say?


    Maybe it was because of my nonchnt tone, Lady Bet only registered my quip several seconds after.


    She turned to me, her eyes staring directly at me.


    Lady Bet seems like the type to cling onto Madame Rosita for days on end, just to receive one of her dresses.


    I curled the tips of my lips upwards.


    I was able to get a dress that fit me perfectly and I didnt have to cling one bit to anyone as you would assume.


    Hey, now.


    His Highness, the Crown Prince lent me Madame Rositas entire dresser.


    At my calm response, Lady Bets face hardened.


    The people around us, who were watching us argue, also became wide-eyed.


    Oh, my God, His Highness, the Crown Prince?


    Youre very attentive, I said sarcastically.


    Madame Rositas boutique, I also wanted to get a handkerchief there.


    The youngdies who trailed Lady Be began to chime in or rather whine among themselves.


    Come to think of it, Madame Rosita hasnt beenmissioned in thest week or so.


    Maybe its because the Crown Prince rented the whole boutique for his fiancee?


    The whispers were short-lived.


    For Lady Bet had turned to look daggers at thedies, striking fear in them.


    Gasp.


    Thedies sucked in their lips and quickly covered their mouths.


    Watching what unfolded, I posed a question to Lady Bet.


    You know what, Lady Bet?


    Wha-, What?!


    Usually, peoplesh out at people in areas which they think theyre weakest orcking in.


    Lady Bets face turned red in an instant.


    I just smiled brightly.


    Lady Bet seems to want a Madame Rosita dress very much.


    Oh, dont be ridiculous. Why would I?


    Because Ive listened to you talk only about Madame Rosita and her dresses the whole conversation.


    I know people might be able to tolerate her but I can only do it in moderation before needing to move on.


    I didnt like Lady Bet because she kept snubbing me, so I didnt exactly express my thoughts in the kindest of ways.


    I shook my head with grace.


    Well, Lady Bet must feel very upset.


    I beg your pardon?!


    You kept looking down on me because I was amoner, but do you even have a dress like the one Im wearing?


    Perhaps hitting the nail on the head, Lady Be bit her lips till they bled.


    I ended our exchange with a glowing smile.


    Madame Rosita wasnt as prejudiced as you are, Lady Bet. Thats why she dly let me wear her dress.


    At that moment, she stood there quiet as if she had been doused with cold water.


    Lady Bet with trembling shoulders looked at me.