Sophia always felt that after that day, Celitia seemed to maintain a somewhat distant attitude toward her.

But she had always been like this, keeping her distance from everyone, so Sophia felt it was probably just her imagination.

Sophia didn't have long to dwell on this, as various matters following the competition kept her extremely busy.

Soon, the preparations were complete, and the day of the award ceremony arrived.

On this day, Sophia unusually woke up early and dragged Celitia to dress up properly.

Celitia had never been particular about clothing. Her closet was filled with identical gray linen dresses, making her look worse dressed than ordinary commoners.

If not for her outstanding appearance and temperament, with Celitia's usual attire, it wouldn't be strange if she were mistaken for a servant in some noble's household.

Sophia couldn't stand it anymore and threw out that entire closet of gray linen dresses right in front of Celitia.

She ordered guards to fetch unworn clothes from the royal palace and forcibly made Celitia change into them.

Celitia kept a wooden expression as she let two maids from the palace manipulate her appearance.

Her height was similar to Sophia's, so the clothes fit, though her figure was more slender than Sophia's.

"That's right, tighten the corset more, use some strength!"

Sophia commanded from the side as the two maids, one on each side, pulled the corset tight with force.

Celitia: "..."

She thought these court ladies were sick—why did they like wearing such tight corsets?

Besides making it impossible to walk properly, what benefits were there?

Fortunately, her waist was slim enough that even when pulled to the tightest, she could still breathe.

Sophia looked her up and down, pouting somewhat enviously.

When she wore such clothes, she often couldn't breathe, but Celitia put it on so easily.

Unable to resist touching the girl's slender waist, Sophia waved the feather fan in her hand and continued directing the maids:

"Don't forget to add the hoop skirt, and as for the chest area—"

She paused strangely, her gaze lingering on Celitia's chest for a long time.

Compared to Sophia herself, Celitia's chest was much flatter—that area couldn't be filled out at all.

Smaller was also good—one hand should be able to hold it completely...

Her thoughts unconsciously went astray, and Sophia quickly shook her head, using the feather fan to slap her own palm.

"Did you bring padding? Put it all on! Make sure to fill it out!!"

Celitia: "..."

Would this ever end?!

She was like a doll, constantly being manipulated under Sophia's direction.

By the time Sophia was finally satisfied, Celitia felt she no longer wanted to go out.

Walking around the girl three times, Sophia picked up a wide-brimmed hat decorated with feathers and placed it on Celitia's head.

"Very good," Sophia was extremely satisfied, "this is how our Miss Celitia should look."

The girl wore a white dress with intricate blue-purple ribbons decorating the chest and waist, and rose-shaped pleats of various sizes blooming along the hem.

The dress's neckline was slightly low, revealing a hint of cleavage; her waist was as slender as a willow branch, perfectly proportioned.

Her skin was extremely fair and delicate, with light makeup adding some color to her face. Her eyebrows were slightly shaped, swept elegantly toward her temples. Within her pale fragility, there was an undeniable sharp strength.

Brushing all her long hair behind her back, Celitia adjusted her hat brim and looked up, her misty purple eyes full of helplessness.

"Can we go now, Sophia?"

Although she had known before, after actually experiencing it herself...

Women dressing up was truly troublesome!!

Celitia complained inwardly.

Sophia casually stuffed the feather fan into Celitia's hand, took her other hand, and pretended to kiss it at her lips.

"Let's go, my dear Miss Celitia."

From the villa to the auditorium, Celitia could clearly feel everyone's gaze drawn to her along the way.

"Isn't that Princess Sophia?"

"Who is that young lady beside Her Highness? Which noble family is she from? Have you seen her before?"

"I don't know. Should we go ask around?"

"With such stunning beauty, is she engaged?"

Thanks to previous incidents, Celitia knew she was quite famous—there should be few students at Samuel Academy who didn't recognize her.

However, this time... not a single one of them recognized her.

Just from dressing up a little, was the difference that great?

"Princess Sophia! Princess Sophia!"

Shanie waited at the auditorium entrance and ran over excitedly when she saw Sophia.

Walking up to Sophia, Shanie looked left and right: "Eh? Didn't Lily come?"

Celitia couldn't help but remove her hat and said with a cold expression:

"Did I cast some illusion magic on myself? How can even you not recognize me?"

"Waaah? Lily??"

Shanie's scream pierced the sky as she rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

"I was wondering who that super beautiful woman beside Princess Sophia was, and even thought Her Highness had fallen for someone else, but it turns out to be Lily?!"

"Fallen for someone else?" Sophia's face reddened. "What strange phrasing—don't talk nonsense, Shanie."

Celitia couldn't help but roll her eyes at Shanie.

Benita emerged from the crowd, stood in front of Celitia, and smiled at her:

"Lily, you really should dress up more often. This look suits you very well."

Celitia let it go in one ear and out the other: "Too troublesome, no thanks."

Hearing the four's conversation, nearby students finally realized that the person standing beside Sophia wasn't someone else—it was actually Celitia.

Although not as dramatic as an ugly duckling becoming a swan, it still dropped everyone's jaws.

They knew Celitia was good-looking, but she was always so drab that it was hard to realize her true appearance.

People's impression of Celitia was limited to "pretty face, cold temperament—an ice beauty."

But seeing her today in full dress, all the brilliance she had quietly hidden burst forth, like the most dazzling diamond making a proud entrance under the spotlight.

The surrounding students instantly erupted.

Who didn't like beautiful people?

Sophia was a princess and usually not easy to approach, but Celitia was different.

"Miss Celitia!"

Someone was the first to shout, and then the crowd gathered around her.

Since many students had trained under Celitia and fought alongside her in the competition, they knew that despite her cold appearance, she wasn't actually difficult to talk to.

"Miss Celitia, you look absolutely radiant today!"

"Miss Celitia, may I boldly ask if you're engaged?"

"Miss Celitia..."

Before Celitia could show any impatience, Sophia's face darkened first.

What was this about? This was her Lily that she had worked so hard to dress up—was it their turn to make a move?

_

Tl/note: Hi all, it's translator Kayi and have some good news regarding free chapies. For the next 4 weeks I will be releasing 12 chapters a week instead of 6!

Meanwhile I'd really appreciate it if you rate/review this novel on NovelUpdates. Thank you and see you the next week!