The Bad Ending of an Otome

I had to laugh at it.

“I have my doubts too. Truthfully, I don’t feel like I’ve picked up that much.”

“You know what? Didn’t you just have a very pleasant conversation with the young master? People of high intellectual caliber often avoid engaging with our young master.”

“That’s because they’re plotting a way to out-talk Cassio, of course. To be honest, I couldn’t care less.”

“What do you mean?”

“It signifies that Cassio will do whatever it takes to scrape the insides of anybody who begins a battle with him. I don’t have to worry about keeping up appearances or whatever, so I can be bold.”

Cassio Brahamdorff uses his smile to stomp people with his words. There are plenty of people who hate him for it, and some who will try to crush him underfoot out of jealousy or envy. Cassio Brahamdorff had no mercy for jerks like that. First of all, folks who start arguments out of a sense of inferiority often have many vulnerabilities that may be exploited, and even if they don’t have any vulnerabilities themselves, their loved ones may not be blameless bystanders.

People like that are like pieces of meat to Cassio Brahamdorff, who enjoys collecting the vulnerabilities of others as a pastime and is used to power conflicts in business.

“Not at all what I meant. I try to ignore the fact that I have flaws. Presumption… definitely. I could as well be a nobleman in that regard.”

“Pretentiousness?”

“Your young master is terrifying because he can make bluster into reality.”

To him, I am like a bloated balloon, full of air and pretension even though I have nothing to offer. It’s ironic that my lack of resources gives me the confidence to be brash. As I have no friends, family, or pedigree, he has nothing to use against me in talks but Ophelia’s letters.

No, without the letters, he wouldn’t have had any motivation to track me out or negotiate with me. Therefore, I am aware. He’s being kind to me. I have no idea why he seems to be interested in me. I have no idea what sort of game he is engaged in. He observes my antics with the interest shown in a kitten’s antics. Whether or not he intends to, playing with and breaking a defenseless fallen noblewoman like me is a piece of cake for him. If I am the weaker party, then there is no doubt about the imbalance. I reflected in the mirror just inside the restroom’s door.

Ophelia, in your letter to that guy, you wrote what?

A blank and pallid face was mirrored on the silvery cloud. I saw a sad face.

‘Lady Ophelia.’

At midday, it was a garden. Due to its enormous size, calling it a garden is doing it a disservice. There are statues and fountains, as well as grass on terraces. A neatly manicured garden with flowers blossoming amongst the bushes. A perfectly manicured garden where one can go barefoot without fear of getting hurt. It made perfect sense. It was here that the sickly Marquis’s lone daughter spent the majority of her time. A lengthy seat was placed close to a water fountain. Ophelia, sitting there by herself, was more divine than human.

The goddess in the foundation myths of the country adored attention from the people but was more arbitrary than anybody else. With her help, the first king was able to create a prosperous country, but legend has it that he eventually went insane trying to win back the goddess’s love and died. Cassio Brahamdorff voluntarily bent down to kiss the girl’s feet.

Ophelia’s long silver hair swayed in the sunshine as she turned to face him. Her green eyes, which were both as dark as moss and as clear as fresh leaves, gazed unafraid at the person in front of her. A note of respect crept into his recitation.

‘Lady Ophelia.’

‘You made it?’

She had a cascade of silver hair. She wore a white lace dress that reached her ankles and a pale yellow shawl that draped over her arms. She looked lovely despite her extremely casual clothing for seeing a visitor. Her voice was cold and uncaring. Actually, ‘indifferent’ is being generous. She seemed mildly irritated, despite having personally summoned him. Still, Cassio Brahamdoff beamed with contentment.

‘Of course, since you called for me.’

The girl snickered. The smile conveyed extreme displeasure. Emilia would have said to Ophelia, ‘Ophelia, it’s better not to smile at all’ if she had witnessed that. If you flash the other person a smile that is obviously hostile, they will likely provoke you. Obviously, she was a pro at dealing with Emilia like that. If she smiled seductively and flicked her finger, ‘Don’t I look pretty when I smile like this?” would be the only question she needed to ask.

And then, without hesitating, she’d say, ‘No.’ The girl would deftly turn the tables and declare that was sufficient. For a split second, Cassio was irritated by the foreboding nature of the scenario. What business did that unimportant girl have to enter his mind as he stood before Ophelia?

‘I need to make a request of you.’

‘Whatever the Lady wants, whatever the cost.’

‘Avoid making ludicrous claims. Would you be willing to plan a revolt to overthrow your father and make me queen of this nation if I asked you to kill him right now?’

‘It’s not impossible for me to do if you give me enough time.’

‘You’re not even serious.’

Her emerald orbs gleamed with a mocking laughter. Cassio Brahamdorff pretended to be injured by putting his hand on his left chest.

‘My feelings for Lady Ophelia have never changed.’

‘So? Is it your idea to make a public show out of the fact that I was the true queen by placing the crown of a queen on my coffin when I die, long after life has gotten old and boring? I don’t want to hear it, so don’t.’

‘Absolutely, Lady Ophelia. A precious diamond merits equally exquisite embellishment. Shouldn’t one hang out with a lady with greater sophistication rather than some random wildflower?’

‘Oh?’

‘Nothing would make me happier than if Lady Ophelia had finally seen the futility of keeping that guy at her side and chosen to abandon him. Of course, there would still be a downside. Lady Ophelia’s beauty wouldn’t be as noticeable without him by her side, like a firefly next to the sun.’

‘Oh no, here we have another dunce who thinks gold is in everything that glimmers.’

‘Lady Ophelia?’

‘It’s more of an order than a request, if you ask me. If you pay close attention, I could let you kneel in front of my tombstone and pay your respects once everything is finished.’

‘Whatever it is, it would be an honor, Ophelia.’

‘I really don’t care for you. That having someone like you on my side is the finest hand I can play right now… It looks like I’m out of luck… Not at all what I mean. The reason is because I used up all my good fortune when I met Emilia.’

Ophelia whispered something to herself as Cassio Brahamdorff peered at her. The girl, who was ice cold to everyone else, softened up like a cat hiding its claws in the presence of her age-mate Emilia. And it made Cassio Brahamdorff very unhappy. Shouldn’t the clever, graceful, and lovely Ophelia, who could make anybody fall in love with her at first sight, and who did not falter even when tragedy was welcomed, and who carried poison inside her, be joined by someone even more beautiful?

This Ophelia, however, disliked everyone. As a result, she displayed disdain. That wasn’t it at all; he actually enjoyed it. Those who open out too much to others are either extremely intelligent or extremely naive. Either they have a huge heart that can easily accommodate others, or they give hearts away without thinking about the consequences. So, that girl, who was more stunning and noble than anybody else and who deserved to be cherished for simply being in the world…

Her animosity for Edmund and apathy to Raretis, as well as her disdain for Cassio, made sense. She was the kind of rough diamond that came around once in a thousand years. To be worn on her had to be something of the highest virtue that would not waver not even for her. But the young woman from a disgraced aristocratic family who joined the House of the Marquis at the same time made her heart melt like sugar on fire.

Cassio Brahamdorff’s brows wrinkled subconsciously as he saw Emilia casually spewing venom at him. He found her to be annoying. It seemed out of place, like a piece of cheap brass had been glued to the side of a priceless diamond.

Ophelia’s lack of romantic interest was only to be expected. That Ophelia was so smitten with Emilia. That Emilia pretended to be more familiar with Ophelia than anybody else in the room. That she carried herself with such poise that not even the insults hurled at her by him and Edmund could shake her. As if a perfectly fitting piece of a puzzle suddenly becomes shattered and out of place.

Ophelia stared blankly at the man who had inadvertently lost control of his facial expression. Cassio scrambled to regain his composure. A blunder like that was not allowed. Cassio masked his mild anxiety with a deft smile. Blonde hair that sparkles and grey eyes that exude class. A stunning appearance that would catch the eye of any woman.

‘Lady Ophelia?’

‘I really dislike you.’

Not that it came as a shock to Cassio Brahamdorff. Ophelia, despite her timid demeanor, actually had a highly cutting wit. Perhaps it was because she was always stuck indoors. She read hand-painted dollar store novels without shame and spoke with the vulgarity of a factory worker. Because of her position and respect for the guests, she probably had to bite her tongue frequently. In addition, she did not hold back from sharing her emotions. Perhaps the only person she treated somewhat well was Raretis.

Cassio and Edmund were little more than the equivalent of a dead mouse she may tread on when seeking for her slippers in the morning. That circumstance further added to Cassio Brahamdorff’s admiration for Ophelia. His outward persona, interpersonal connections, skill set, body of knowledge, and even lineage and status. Nobody had ever spoken to him like that before. Those who criticized him actually secretly frightened or envied him. Beautiful Ophelia was the only one who openly despised him and refused to have anything to do with him. He was used to hearing the negative comments. The tone of her voice was different today.

‘And yet, isn’t that life? One must accomplish more than only what they wish to. I’d like it if everybody just died instantly and didn’t move in their graves or caskets.’

Ophelia chortled. Like a paper flower drenched in water, the grin was hazy and hard to decipher. This wasn’t like her at all because she was always so honest.

‘You undoubtedly already know that my life expectancy is low.’

‘Lady Ophelia.’

‘If you get all teary-eyed and sentimental on me, I will immediately stuff your head into the fountain, so be quiet.’

There was radio silence from Cassio Brahamdorff.

‘Therefore, I made the decision to plan ahead. Yeah, right. Can you believe it? I can’t believe I just said that.’

Ophelia gave a little giggle.

‘Originally, I wanted nothing more than a quiet burial. To burn down this dreadful home along with all of you and my dead body. It would be lovely if this place was destroyed and everyone was in pain like a bunch of dimwits. After I’m dead, it doesn’t matter if the world ends or if people go insane. What does it matter whether the flowers blossom and then perish or if people keep dying year after year?’

The gorgeous girl, who appeared to be more of a doll than a human, talked without so much as a smile.

‘I made a decision to put my faith in an idea called hope. Even if it’s not necessarily for me.’

‘Lady Ophelia.’

‘That’s weird, huh? I never in my life expected to give credence to such naive feelings. God isn’t on my side, and the people who say they love me are all dolts. Even taking a deep breath might be difficult at times. And yet, here I am, contemplating the afterlife and meeting in secret with you without Emilia, who despises her so much.’

‘Secret meeting without Emilia?’

‘Yes. No way should she learn about our meeting today. Don’t let her know what I have planned for today either. Well, I suppose she’ll figure it out on her own even if I don’t tell her.’

‘May I ask why?’

‘The most valuable information is typically withheld till the end. That’s the norm, anyhow.’

Ophelia had always been mysterious, but she seemed more mysterious that day. Ophelia was always seen next to Emilia, despite the fact that many others despised her. What is Ophelia keeping from Emilia? And on purpose, no less! If he hadn’t heard it for himself, he never would have believed it. Maybe that explains it. Ophelia had never sought a favor from Cassio Brahamdoff before.

‘Could I not fulfill Ophelia’s wish?’

Ophelia’s expression changed from one of bewilderment to a sarcastic grin.

‘Why?’

‘…’

‘Not able to respond, are you? Curiosity? Not even close. Why would I think you would ignore and deny my request, which you clearly value more than everything in the world? There’s no use in telling Emilia, right? You really hated Emilia, didn’t you?’

‘Ophelia, no. That was a pointless inquiry. I…’

‘Flustered?’

‘…’

‘How silly. I won’t be so kind as to hold your hand through this, so we’ll just leave it at that. But I hope you weep and pound the earth over my grave.’

Ophelia Windrose boasted and acted superior.

‘The more choices you have, the better. I’ll give you a chance too.’

The entire conversation was unintelligible, but the girl remained confident the whole time. As if she were announcing the formation of a universal fact. She was always stunning from head to toe, but something about that day brought out her natural beauty.

What term would you use for this? Her customary smile, which was fragile and exquisite like a severely fractured crystal, looked a little different now. Akin to a prophet who foresees a storm would destroy everything in her path but remains hopeful that new life will spring up here in the future.