The narrative begins with Marie, a young woman from the impoverished Baron Shadelan family, being forced to marry Count Cyros Granado. This marriage is a substitute for her elder sister, Anastasia, who was meant to marry the Count but died in a carriage accident. Marie's parents, driven by financial desperation and the inability to repay the valuable dowry already received, coerce her into this arrangement, viewing her as a mere replacement and acknowledging her lack of beauty. Marie is heartbroken and feels like she is being sold into prostitution rather than marriage.
During the four-day carriage journey to the Count's estate, Marie recalls her eighteenth birthday party, which was intended to be her own celebration but was overshadowed by Anastasia's beauty and popularity. Anastasia, a radiant and beloved figure, received all the attention, while Marie, in her plain grey dress and unkempt red hair, was largely ignored, treated more like a servant. It becomes clear that the party was, in fact, an unveiling for Anastasia, designed to attract wealthy suitors to secure the family's financial future. Marie, feeling invisible and insignificant, slips away from the party and encounters a mysterious man in the garden. He mistakes her for a servant, but his attendant, a sharp-witted woman named Mio, corrects him. The man, intrigued by Marie's knowledge of his homeland, Ipsandros, and her unique perspective on its culture, engages her in conversation. Marie, despite being forbidden to discuss her studies, finds herself drawn to him, especially when he compliments her. However, she flees when he calls her beautiful, fearing the implications and the potential damage to Anastasia's reputation.
A month later, the family receives a proposal from Count Granado for Anastasia. The parents are overjoyed, seeing it as a significant step up for the family, despite Anastasia's reservations about marrying a man rumored to be eccentric and a recluse. Anastasia confides in Marie about her fears of marrying the difficult Count and reveals her secret passion for creating women's riding attire, which she wishes she could pursue as a business. She encourages Marie to pursue her own talents.
Tragically, Anastasia dies in a carriage accident on her way to the Count's estate. Her father, in his desperation, sends Marie in her place, delivering a letter stating that Marie is Anastasia's sister and is being sent as a substitute. Upon arrival at the Count's estate, they are initially met with resistance from the gatekeeper and Mio, who informs them that the engagement has already been broken. Marie, witnessing her father's aggressive behavior, intervenes and apologizes to Mio, who is surprised by Marie's height and demeanor, recognizing her as the "Marie" mentioned in the Count's correspondence. Mio then escorts Marie into the castle.
Inside, they are met by a furious Cyros Granado, who is enraged at the arrival of Marie, whom he clearly finds unattractive and not to his liking. He had proposed to Anastasia and wants Marie sent away. However, Mio intervenes, and after a brief, intense exchange, Cyros is struck by Marie's presence. He questions her about her family's treatment and her plain attire, suspecting abuse. Marie denies this, attributing her circumstances to her perceived lack of beauty. Cyros, seemingly satisfied, instructs Mio to take Marie and prepare her, emphasizing that no expense or effort should be spared to "polish" her, even discarding the clothes intended for Anastasia. Marie is then taken to a luxurious guest room, where she enjoys exquisite cookies and tea, and Mio reveals that the tea is from Ipsandros, a detail that sparks a sense of familiarity in Marie.
Later, Cyros visits Marie, who apologizes for her family's intrusion. He reveals that her father has left, having been told he could keep the dowry in honor of Anastasia. Cyros then directly asks Marie if she was abused, a question that deeply unsettles her. She denies it, explaining her parents' actions as necessary discipline. Cyros, introducing himself by his first name, presses her about her plain dress and her role as Anastasia's "foil," implying she willingly accepted this position. Overwhelmed and unable to articulate her complex feelings, Marie reiterates that she is "not cute." Cyros then instructs Mio to take Marie, and they are led away to begin a process of transformation.
