The shocking debutante ball finally ended as night fell.
I returned to my room, no longer Crescent Dallas, but officially Crescent Pluto, after what was supposed to be just a formal introduction to high society.
The realization of this was surreal.
It felt as though the world had turned upside down.
Still in my dress, I lay on my bed, pressing down on my racing heart.
"…What is this feeling? It’s not like I ever wished to be officially adopted into the Pluto family."
Though the debutante ball was over, the events and sights from the evening kept replaying in my mind.
For the first ti, I danced at a ball, and everyone was watching.
I exchanged countless greetings with peers my age, people I wouldn’t have t while stuck training in the grounds.
I spent the evening with dazzling people in the most dazzling place I’d ever been.
It left a strange aftertaste, a lingering excitent that made my chest rise and fall erratically.
"And teor returned."
I had been a little disappointed earlier, thinking he wouldn’t make it to my debutante ball. But miraculously, he appeared.
Since his arrival, I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him beyond our initial greeting.
Word of his presence spread quickly, and soon a swarm of people, young and old alike, surrounded him.
Particularly, the young noblewon seed utterly entranced, as if they might fall into his sapphire-blue eyes and never escape. They trailed after him as if hypnotized.
"…teor really did grow up well. Despite all those grueling years of training, how does he look like a prince straight out of a winter kingdom?"
Well, I suppose the protagonist’s aura should be at least that dazzling.
Did he not recognize at first glance, though?
Thinking about teor for a while, I finally prepared for bed.
I fell asleep with a strange sense of entering a new chapter of life, as if I’d stepped into a fairytale.
As my sleep deepened, I mumbled unconsciously.
"Dresses… Wearing them is fun."
"But training is still the most fun…."
That’s because with training, I can see my progress as I work hard.
I dread of dresses and training outfits competing with each other, floating in the air like a bizarre fashion duel, until I woke up.
A new morning had dawned.
The fluttering excitent from yesterday surged back to life.
This was my first morning as Crescent Pluto. I could feel it—things would change in many ways from now on.
At that mont, the servants entered my room.
“Oh, my lady! You’re awake! The Marchioness said today’s breakfast is very important and that we should escort you properly. Now that you’re officially Lady Pluto, and with Lord teor’s return, it’s a montous occasion!”
“Yes! I’ll wash up and get ready right away!”
I leapt out of bed like a disciplined knight preparing for duty.
It truly was a aningful breakfast.
But then, the servants suddenly waved their hands, flustered.
“Oh no, my lady! You shouldn’t speak so formally to us anymore! You’re now an esteed lady of the Pluto family!”
“What? Oh…”
I understood what they ant.
After over six years of using honorifics with the people around , I was suddenly expected to drop them?
It wasn’t as though continuing to speak formally would be an issue, but now that I was officially a mber of the Pluto family, I had to act in accordance with the family’s dignity.
“Ahem… Well, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll try my best. Please take care of . No, I an… I’ll rely on you.”
“Of course, my lady!”
“We’ll do our best for you, my lady!”
The servants burst into light laughter, and I felt goosebumps from the awkwardness.
Soon after, I was lightly prepared and headed for the dining hall. The atmosphere was more cheerful than usual for breakfast.
As expected, the dining hall was extravagantly decorated, even though it was just for breakfast.
One wall had two beige banners with elegant calligraphy draped across it.
[Dearest tty, welco back ho!]
[Dearest Centi, thank you for becoming part of our family!]
“…Wow.”
What was this ticulous sweetness?
I felt a sudden rush of emotion, tears welling up in my eyes. Those words alone conveyed the love of the Pluto family’s adults.
At that mont, the rest of the family entered the dining hall.
“You’re here early, Centi!”
“Oh, hello! Good morning, Marchioness. I an… Mother…”
Ah, so embarrassing.
It took everything I had to finally call her "Mother." I gave an awkward smile, but Rearwin clapped her hands with delight, her face glowing with emotion.
“Oh my goodness! Did you just call Mother?”
“…Yes. I suppose I should start calling you that.”
I smiled shyly.
The Marchioness wouldn’t know, would she?
This was the first ti in my life I had ever called anyone “Mother.”
I did have a biological mother, but I’d never t her—not even once. I didn’t know her na, nor if she was alive or dead.
Sadly, my father had never told about her. When I asked, he’d always dodge the question.
"Dad! Why don’t I have a mom?"
"You do! Your mom is right here. I’m a dad who’s better than a hundred moms combined! Haha!"
"…Tch."
As a child, I’d squeal with delight at that answer. Looking back now, Dad was just sly.
Rearwin jumped with excitent and proudly exclaid to Reuben.
“Father, did you hear that? Centi just called Mother!”
Reuben entered with a calm expression, shaking his head.
“You’re making a big fuss over nothing this early in the morning.”
When our eyes t, I offered another awkward greeting.
“Oh, good morning, Grandfather…”
“…!”
Reuben’s blue eyes widened dramatically.
For the Duke of Pluto and a revered cardinal to be addressed as “Grandfather” must have been quite a shock.
I felt a bead of cold sweat forming as I smiled nervously.
Even Reuben seed taken aback at hearing himself called that, his expression betraying his surprise. Eventually, he cleared his throat and turned his head.
“Ahem. Yes. Good morning.”
“Father, you’re clearly pleased but trying to hide it!” Rearwin teased.
Ignoring her comnt, Reuben headed to the table.
Seeing this, I chuckled softly, but Miles scolded .
“Crescent! Don’t you dare call Father. I have no intention of being your father, not even the slightest bit!”
“Oh, of course. I’ll be careful!”
Obviously, I wouldn’t call him that.
While I suddenly gained a mother and grandfather, it was clear Miles was shocked by this developnt. He had never wanted to be adopted into the Pluto family. This situation must have been overwhelming and bewildering for him.
Rearwin shot Miles a mocking glance as she sat at the table.
“Oh, please. Centi probably didn’t even think of calling you Father in the first place.”
Just then, another voice rang out in the dining hall.
“I’m not ready to accept having a younger sister, either.”
I turned to see teor entering the room, looking even fresher in the morning light.
Though he was now my brother, it seed he, like Miles, wasn’t ready to accept so suddenly.
"Well, it must be strange for him. After six years away, being told I’m now his sister would be baffling."
It wasn’t as though the family had discussed this with him beforehand.
I could fully understand teor and Miles’ reactions.
Miles eagerly approached teor, his face lighting up.
“Exactly, teor! You and I are the only sane ones in this family. We need to keep our heads straight.”
teor tilted his head slightly.
“I wasn’t implying that Mother and Grandfather are insane.”
“….”
teor walked to the table and took a seat.
Miles trembled as if betrayed, while Rearwin burst into laughter.
Unable to join the laughter, I bit my lip and made my way to the table.
For so reason, today’s breakfast felt warr and more lively than any I had experienced before.
“Well, now that everyone is seated, let’s make a toast! Fill the children’s glasses with juice, and we adults will have so morning wine. Is everyone ready?”
“Yes!”
I responded energetically, raising my glass.
“To the new beginning of our family, cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
“Cheers….”
“….”
The five of us raised our glasses, each offering a toast in our own way.
Of course, my voice was as bright and loud as Rearwin’s.
Reuben’s toast was dignified.
Surprisingly, the one who stayed silent wasn’t Miles—but teor.
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