Surviving As An Obsessive Servant – Chapter 170 – Side Story Chapter 5

Author: Asternkm

Surviving as an Obsessive Servant
Side Story Chapter 5

The news that Duchess Denkart would be attending the debutante ball in early spring sent waves through the capital.

No one had been more invested in this debutante season than Cassidy’s second daughter, Rose, so there was no way she could have missed hearing about it.

And upon hearing it, she was utterly devastated.

Denkart… As if disappointing my sister wasn’t enough, now she’s here to steal my spotlight too?!

In truth, this year’s debutante ball was practically Rose Cassidy’s event.

She was supposed to be the star—she had the lineage, the looks, the perfect qualifications!

She won’t know anything. A merchant girl from some backwater trading house? At best, she knows how to count money.

Or maybe she’d just smile and bow, since groveling was second nature to her.

This wasn’t just a brief introduction—it was a long event, one that required constant interaction. There was no way the sharp-eyed nobles wouldn’t notice her flaws.

She’d slip up.

I may have lost the first dance, but just wait and see. I’ll stand out the most with my grace and poise!

To achieve that, her first dress and the one she would change into mid-event had to be flawless.

She had entrusted only the most luxurious fabrics to a renowned salon and meticulously selected every accessory, down to the tiniest gemstone earrings, with experts.

And, most importantly, she had covered her face completely with the famed clay mask from the East.

Her maids fretted, terrified of possible side effects, but Rose didn’t care.

The commotion brought her mother to her room.

But Rose, who knew her mother better than anyone, didn’t expect words of encouragement.

“Don’t get too excited. The Duke of Denkart will also be in attendance, so make sure to greet him with perfect decorum.”

“……”

“You must not behave rudely toward them. If you act recklessly, you will be severely punished.”

The same lecture, over and over.

Cassidy never forgets a favor. She was probably about to say that again.

Sure enough—

“Cassidy never forgets a favor.”

Her mother repeated the same tired words, exactly as Rose had predicted.

Rose barely held back a sigh and tried to let the words wash over her.

“If not for Denkart, our family would have collapsed long ago. Gratefulness comes before vanity—that is what makes a true lady.”

But this time, she simply couldn’t take it.

Of all times, why did she have to be reminded of their “gratitude” at her own debutante ball?

“…That’s why Sister gave away our family heirloom, that enchanted stone tablet, to the young duke! How much more do we have to give?!”

“Rose!”

“Enough. You told me I need to find a good husband at this debutante ball. I’ll do my best to achieve that.”

“…Get some rest.”

Though her mother was devoted to Denkart, she still loved her daughter.

After watching her mother’s resolve waver, Rose flopped onto her bed, seething.

I shouldn’t have snapped at her… I feel awful.

But her clay mask had hardened, and she couldn’t move her facial muscles too much.

And she absolutely couldn’t cry—her eyes would swell. She couldn’t afford to lose over something so trivial.

It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. I just have to outshine the duchess. That’s all.

Determined, she headed into the debutante ball.

Behind the Imperial Hall, where the ball was held, were numerous waiting rooms. Rose’s was the largest.

Following Terua’s long-standing tradition, the highest-ranking families were introduced last. Since Rose Cassidy was among them, she had yet to make her entrance.

Her face glowed with the most dazzling beauty she had ever achieved—but her expression was anything but bright.

So they didn’t bother changing the order.

She recalled the girls she had passed on her way to the waiting room.

Dressed in white gowns, their faces were stiff with nervousness.

They were all so young.

While some women made their debut after marriage, that was exceedingly rare.

Clearly, everyone was uneasy about the fact that the exception this year was none other than the Duchess of Denkart.

Hmph. She’ll probably show up last, thinking she’s the main attraction.

Rose tried to compose herself, but she could feel her insides twisting.

At least the noble ladies were being introduced one by one, escorted by their cavaliers.

That meant there would be a brief moment when all eyes would be on her as the debutante.

Then, something unexpected happened.

“Duchess Lobelia Denkart is entering.”

“…?”

For a split second, Rose thought she had lost track of her turn.

But no.

The maids around her were just as confused and unsettled.

Then, she heard the familiar names of the noble ladies being called.

And finally, at the very end—

“Lady Rose Cassidy is entering!”

…Why?

Had her parents interfered somehow?

No, impossible.

They’d rather die than do something like that.

Rose was shaken but quickly masked her emotions.

She only had one debutante ball in her life. She couldn’t let anyone ruin it for her.

But in her flustered state, she made a mistake—one she never would have made otherwise.

As Rose stepped forward, nerves and surprise tangled her steps, nearly causing her to stumble.

No, not now!

Her face paled as she wobbled, but just as she thought she would fall, an invisible force seemed to steady her.

Before she could fully process the relief, something caught her eye—a glimmer from afar.

…Duchess Denkart?

Though only her parents had attended the succession ceremony, Rose had seen the duchess’s portrait before.

Violet eyes curved gently in her direction, glowing softly even in the dim light.

…As if to reassure her. As if to tell her she had done well.

“Rose?”

The voice of Prince Shekman, her chosen cavalier for the evening, pulled her back to reality.

She had been on the verge of tears but quickly composed herself, donning a dazzling, captivating smile—just as her name suggested.

The next official sequence, the opening dance, was hers to lead with Prince Shekman.

Tradition dictated that in Terua’s high society, the highest-ranking individual entered last and opened the first dance.

But the Duchess of Denkart gave that up…? Or did she not know? Or was there another reason behind it?

A debut into high society was always overwhelming, but Rose’s mind was now a whirlwind of confusion thanks to the duchess’s unexpected actions.

Why… Why didn’t she take the first dance this time either? Could it be that she still doesn’t know how to dance?

Despite her lingering thoughts, Rose did not make another mistake.

After several dances had passed, the Duke and Duchess of Denkart finally took the stage.

And when they began their dance—

Wow… it’s perfect!

There wasn’t a single flaw. Her movements were effortless, without excess or stiffness—completely refined.

Though the duchess was quite tall, it didn’t seem awkward at all.

Instead, her long limbs only made her movements appear even more elegant and fluid.

The duke, too, danced with extraordinary grace, his gaze toward his wife filled with undeniable sweetness and tenderness.

“Wow…”

A hushed admiration spread through the young noblewomen.

Many of them began to look at the couple with awe, some with open envy.

Even the noble ladies who had accompanied their daughters and younger sisters to celebrate their debuts were captivated.

And the duke… He was supposed to have been ill! He doesn’t look sick at all!!

Rose wasn’t the only one sneaking glances at them.

Some had seen the duchess before, but for many, this was their first time witnessing her in an official setting.

The warmth in her unexpectedly gentle smile seemed to put many at ease.

But the real issue was the man beside her.

His towering build was already intimidating, but his cold, expressionless eyes made him even more terrifying.

…Scary!!!

Why in the world did my sister fall for someone like that?

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t come up with an answer beyond his looks.

That radiant golden hair, those elegant features, skin smoother than the finest porcelain…

Rose was hit with yet another shock.

What in the world does she put on her skin to make it glow like that…?

Rose had spent an outrageous amount of time on skincare, even dusting her face with finely ground pearl powder for this occasion. Yet standing before the duchess, she felt utterly defeated.

It was clear now—looks were everything.

And now, she finally understood why the duke had fallen for his wife.

Why the previous duke had accepted a commoner as his daughter-in-law.

Because when someone smiled like that, no matter how difficult the setting, they could brighten any room.

“Lobelia Denkart.”

Even from afar, she exuded kindness. She seemed like someone Rose wanted to befriend.

…But that was just a thought. Actually approaching her was another matter entirely.

…That man is way too scary to get close to!!!!

Rose couldn’t bring herself to approach and instead kept stealing glances from a distance.

The Duke of Denkart had such an intense aura that it felt like he might draw a sword the moment a frail noble lady got too close.

Logically, she knew weapons weren’t allowed in the ballroom.

But his presence alone was enough to make her imagine it.