Harper is a typical high school girl with an annoying younger sister that is obsessed with otome games. Unfortunately, she dies as she saves her sister from getting hit by a truck, and gets reincarnated into her sister's favorite cringey romance gam...
The years flew by, and before I knew it today is my debut into society. Every respectable noble in the Amaria empire and even some from other nations will be coming to it.
Due to the high standing the Callisto family has, my debut is being held in the Royal Palace, which meant we had to travel a three day journey to the capital for it. My wonderful family and I have been staying in a mansion I didn't even know we owned near the royal palace.
When I first came to this world, I was mesmerized by the extravagance of the lavish parties held by the nobility. However, now they make me sick.
They're all for people to attack you through rumors and words with double meanings. Basically a bunch of cowards that wouldn't have the guts to face me in a fight.
Plus, all the fun things at parties aren't allowed since it's deemed improper. You can't eat the delicious food that the chefs spent hours to prepare, and you can't even dance how you want. Instead, you have to do these boring ballroom dances that I'm horrible at.
My three maids burst into the room. Luckily, I was able to bring Layla, Mila, and Sadie with me.
"Today is the big day!" cries out Layla.
"I can't believe you've already grown up so fast! It's your debut already!" says Mila, shedding a few tears, "Nevertheless we will get you looking beautiful for your big day!"
"One of these days you've got to tell me what you guys are drinking in the morning to be this excited so early," I reply. They laugh, and continue chattering about how they've been waiting for this moment their whole lives.
Thank god they don't know I'm already betrothed. As they decide which jewelry best matches the dress I'm wearing today, I can't help but get lost in my thoughts. I wonder if my betrothal to Hal was enough to change the original plot of the story.
Most likely not since there is still plenty of reason to kill the whole Callisto family for rebelling. Not to mention it's not a real engagement since Hal isn't the prince of the Menda Empire. I still can't let my guard down.
What's worse, I'm almost positive that I'll be meeting some of the capture targets today.
"Ahem," says Sadie. I snap back to attention. "We've decided on either the sapphire jewelry or the ruby one. The red of the ruby would bring out your eyes, but the blue sapphires would match the dress more. We're in quite the predicament!"
They end up choosing the a mix of the sapphire and ruby set. After I bathe, and they do my hair and makeup, I'm finally ready.
I look at myself in the mirror, and am taken aback at how good a job the maids have done.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Thank you so much! It looks amazing!" I exclaim.
"Your praise makes it all worth it my lady!" answers Sadie.
"Now go out and have a wonderful debut!" cries out Mila.
I plaster on a smile and wave goodbye, exiting the room. My heart thumps in my chest. I don't think I'm ready to go out and meet the male leads that will probably be there. This event wasn't described in the game but I know that it was Eve and the crown prince's first meeting which didn't go well.
I leave the room to find Nyx and Finn waiting in the lobby. Nyx is wearing a crisp black suit with a vest that has gold patterns embroidered on it. I can't help but wonder how he isn't a male lead with such good looks.
Finn has on a light blue suit that compliments his eyes, while giving him a sort of innocent look. It sort of matches my outfit too, and I wonder if he did that intentionally since I've noticed he seems to be oddly more attached to me recently.
"You look even more beautiful than normal. Everything will go fine today, it'll be like all the other parties we've been too," Nyx reassures me.
"Thanks," I reply. He always seems to see through my masks to know how I'm really feeling. I sigh, "Alright, let's do this thing. We all look amazing I'm sure there's no way we can fail this!"
We walk to the carriages outside the mansion. My father, mother, and brother are already in one of the carriages looking extra moody today for some reason.
Luckily Finn, Nyx, and I have a separate carriage. I'm also thankful that they were allowed to come at all. My father loves to show off "my people" as he likes to call them at any opportunity. He always likes to flaunt that I've formed a demon contract and have a magical genius as a "disciple" since he thinks it shows the power of the Callisto family.
It's far from the truth, and the whole disciple thing was just a rouse to convince my father to let them stay. In reality, we've only known each other for a few months and I haven't done anything that would make them follow me. If anything I'm more like "their people" since I'd be willing to sacrifice things for them surprisingly.
A servant opens the door to the carriage for me, and Nyx tries to offer to help me up. However, I know Finn will probably need help getting into the carriage since he's a little clumsy sometimes (although always very dexterous in fights?).
Finn places his hands on my shoulders, and I lift him by the waist into the carriage.
Nyx rolls his eyes, "I'm pretty sure he can do that himself," he remarks.
"Well, the carriage is so high, I need Evee to help me," replies Finn beaming, revealing dimples on his cheeks. I hop into the carriage, and pinch his cute rosy cheeks.
"Don't worry Evee will always be here for you," I tell him. Nyx gets in the carriage, and sits across from us.
The carriage starts and we ride for about an hour. At one point Finn falls asleep using my lap as a pillow. Rays of sunlight fall on him from the window of carriage, basking him in a golden light and illuminating his pink hair.
Finally we arrive at the imperial palace. One of the servants opens the carriage door, and I wake Finn up from his nap. Nyx jumps out of the carriage and the rest of us follow his lead.
Nyx offers his arm to me, "If you'd do me the honor of letting me escort you," he says.
"Ooo, so formal. The honor is mine," I answer, taking his arm.
"And me too my lady," says Finn, also offering his arm.
"This might look a little weird but alright," I say, and also take his arm. I can't reject either of them or their feelings will be hurt. They probably are feeling awkward since they aren't friends with anyone at the party and want to stick with me.
I'll have to explain to them later that people might misinterpret them escorting me though.
We walk into the imperial palace, and a servant announces our names.
"Lady Eve Callisto is entering with Lord Nyx and Lord Finn, sponsored by the Callisto dukedom!" announces a servant.
