Surprisingly, it was almost time for the party, and the setup was nearly complete.
People were bustling about, carrying all sorts of items. Since the party would start after dinner, most of the food would be desserts.
“Have all the attendees finished their meals?”
When I asked, Yang Hye-in slightly bowed her head and replied.
“Yes, dinner just wrapped up.”
Living in this mansion has its perks, like the sheer spaciousness of it. The dining area can accommodate at least twenty people, though there’s only one table, so we couldn’t all eat together at once.
“…How did you prepare the meal?”
“……”
Yang Hye-in didn’t respond.
Looks like she’s still doing it all alone. Despite suggesting this time she should let other people or companies handle it, her independent nature was showing again. I decided not to say anything.
Because in her mind, she wouldn’t stop until she pays off her perceived debt to me.
Still, I hope she’d let someone feed her sometimes.
“Well then, let’s go.”
I transitioned into a more proactive role, but I still felt a twinge of guilt towards her.
The toughest part was that she did everything by herself.
Despite my intention to take the lead for what was supposed to be a small celebration among friends, things spun out of control and ended up like this.
“Oh, Sara!”
Sohee, who had gathered the attendees beforehand, waved at me.
Sohee was also wearing a red dress. It was a stunning design with her shoulders exposed.
With her beautiful face and figure, she looked entirely different from her usual maid outfit.
In reality, if she just kept her mouth shut, she might seem like a very dignified young lady… but that faded hair color gave her an oddly delinquent vibe.
Next to Sohee were Ha Neul and Sua, both in red dresses too. Ha Neul’s dress showcased one shoulder with a rather ornate style, while Sua’s sleeveless design, although modestly cut, still gave an elegant appearance.
Both let their hair down, which they usually wore tied up.
Definitely, these two had the aura of young ladies. It wouldn’t be odd for Yang Hye-in to bow her head and call them young ladies right now.
Likewise, I was in a red dress too. Originally, it was meant for her, and due to her not being one for excessive decoration, it wasn’t overly flashy.
But it suited me.
Hmm, maybe I should have her try it in a dream sometime. And then lay her on the bed and enjoy her reactions… just a thought.
Anyway, we weren’t the only ones in dresses.
As it turned out, the number of attendees matched the invitations she sent out: twenty-one people. Not many received the invitation directly from her—most came along after.
Some might be hoping for something, or maybe just being here already means they’ve gained something. The image of being personally invited by ‘Ye Sara’ held some weight after all.
Of course, it’s up to these people to maintain that image… but the fact is, it’s a privilege not granted to most.
I’m finally starting to understand just how significant my name, status, and wealth are.
Ironically, it’s not that I figured it out by myself, but because she spoon-fed me the realities.
Truly, she’s quite something.
I placed my hand on my chest and felt my heart racing.
This heart isn’t just mine; it belongs to her too.
…I need to cherish it. I thought about that, and I absolutely couldn’t treat my body carelessly.
Because I wanted to be together for a long time.
And for that, it’d be best to maintain my position as long as I could.
Alright then, first, I clapped my hands as she did. The atmosphere, which had been languid after dinner, shifted as everyone’s attention turned to me.
Now, I wasn’t scared of those gazes.
No, the ones who should be scared aren’t me, but them.
The events to unfold and the futures that would unravel because of those events.
They would be both exciting and terrifying.
And everything starts from the invitation issued in my name.
“Alright, everyone. The party will be starting soon.”
Hmm.
How should I say this?
For now… right, let’s just be honest. Like she always did.
“There are those who may see this as an opportunity, while others might just want to experience it once. But whatever you think, getting your face recognized here can’t hurt. Because you’re all invited in ‘my name’.”
Yes, my name.
That’s what really matters.
The ‘only’ daughter of Ye In-soo, the former head of Yujin Group.
Heir to the majority of that fortune, which I’m expected to inherit in the future.
Those were the very facts she wanted to make clear to me.
“So if, by any chance… someone doesn’t recognize you and disrespects or curses you, just drop my name. You’re free to use it openly here. Just please don’t attack anyone in red.”
As soon as I mentioned the red clothes, people looked around.
Everyone was in red.
She really can’t help but wonder if this choice was a mistake, but I thought it was great.
Whether it’s pretty or embarrassing doesn’t matter—it’s eye-catching.
So what if it looks a bit off? Who cares if it stands out too much?
What really matters is that everyone wearing red here is on my side.
I have no idea what will happen moving forward, but right now, these are the people moving for me. The ones I personally invited.
Well, some lucky few might just randomly be in red, but… I don’t care.
As long as I can position a group under my ‘influence’, that’s enough.
The reason scholarship students at Hwayoung High School cling to wealthier students is to secure paths for jobs after graduation, right?
Then I can move along similar lines.
It’s just that my influence can be much larger than most groups.
“Have fun at the party, but please, just remember one thing.”
Since it was so quiet around, I didn’t even need to raise my voice for everyone to hear me clearly.
“What enables you to be here is that I invited you. If you don’t forget that, I won’t forget it either.”
Forgetfulness is okay.
New students will come next year and the year after.
People can always be added.
And I can do that.
… All of this is something I realized thanks to her.
I placed my hand on my chest again.
My heart is racing.
Because of her, it’s still beating.
Who this heart should beat for is all too obvious.
Well, I guess I’ll use it for myself now and then too, huh?
“Alright everyone, let me thank you in advance for coming to my birthday party. I hope you all enjoy yourselves. Ideally, it would be a memory that you can’t forget for a ‘lifetime’.”
I don’t know who started clapping first.
But at some point, everyone in the waiting room was applauding.
I smiled brightly at everyone.
*
“……Hmm.”
As if intrigued, Ye In-hyuk scanned the lobby.
He knew it had been inherited, but this was only his second time actually stepping in. Unlike the rather desolate feeling he got last time, this definitely felt like a splendid party venue.
All the guests were still quite youthful. It couldn’t be helped; he was the one hosting this party. Since it was the first birthday party for his cousin’s daughter, he wanted to make it grand, and if she had friends, he wanted it to feel comfortable for them.
“Was there a dress code?”
“No, sir. I didn’t put that in as per your instructions.”
The secretary beside him quickly replied.
“I see…”
Indeed, looking again, most of the people in red looked quite young. The only adult he recognized was the maid from last time.
“Then that means this was Sara’s idea.”
This is a method often employed. Suggesting everyone wear the same outfit but secretly informing someone else differently just to embarrass them. Of course, he didn’t think Sara was aiming for that.
Rather, it seemed more like a sort of ‘camouflage’.
“This is way better than I expected. No need for worries.”
Ye In-hyuk muttered as he glanced toward Sara in the distance.
She was smiling with an expression of confidence, unlike the last time he saw her, the star of the party.
Amidst all the red-clad individuals, she certainly looked the part of a protagonist.
