The Bad Ending of an Otome

Josselin

* * *

“… Emilia.”

Is this how it feels to flee from a fox only to run into a tiger? 

I cocked my head. 

Raretis Hope was there in front of my face. 

If Marchioness Windrose, a Chaperone, and Raretis, a Cavalier, are both elsewhere, who fills in for Elodie? 

Oh, I was here alone, without Countess McGinty or Cassio. 

It wasn’t the time for me to be concerned about others. 

I awoke from my reverie and took in the man’s looks. 

Given that the debutante ball often begins in the early evening, it was not too late.

In other words, it was a little early for couples to begin secret rendezvous in the outdoor garden. Fortunately, there was no evidence of anyone. 

Perhaps they fled because of the man’s presence.

Black hair that is neatly arranged. 

Dark eyebrows. 

Purple eyes make it difficult to read what he is thinking. 

A cautious hand advanced and stroked the end of my cheek. 

Unconsciously, I flinched, and the man’s eyes twisted.

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

Despite my response, Raretis appeared even more unhappy. 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little bottle he presented to me. 

He grabbed my hand and forcibly placed it in my palm after I merely looked. 

The bottle was about the size of two finger joints. 

There was a sloshing sound, indicating the presence of liquid.

“… Drink it. The ache will subside.”

“What is this?”

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary. It’s a medicine given to all knights.”

“Is it a potion?”

“…”

I was taken aback when I read the answer from the man’s silence. 

A potion…

Magic was not as dramatic and spectacular in this world as in other fantasy worlds. 

It was more like sorcery. 

Some believed in it and investigated it, although its use varied widely. 

The majority of magicians were hermits who rarely contributed to society. 

Ordinary folks were unlikely to see a magician. 

On the other hand, ordinary folks avidly consumed the items created by magicians. 

The potion was one of them. 

Ordinarily, when one thinks of potions, one thinks of holy power or priests, but because this is not a monotheistic religion, the presence of faith is equivocal. 

Holy power did not always imply healing power. 

As a result, potions concocted by magicians were extremely valuable.

Of course, it did not provide miraculous healing. 

Pouring a potion on a severed limb and reattaching it did not work. 

Because it is supplied to all knights, it is most likely a middling or low-grade product for sustaining a fatal wound. 

Raretis, on the other hand, was the opposing party. 

It wouldn’t be a high-quality remedy if only used on a little swollen cheek. 

I returned the tiny bottle to the man.

“Please take it back.”

“Emilia.”

“I don’t think I need it.”

“… Even with that bruise?”

“It will go away in a day or two. It’s not even bleeding, as you can see.”

Raretis’ purple eyes sparkled with a problematic thought. 

It appeared to be bitter.

“What if I want you to make use of it?”

I knew he was nice, but this was an unnecessary gesture. 

My head shook.

“You shouldn’t use a potion casually when you can’t put down your sword at any time.”

Even though he is Raretis Hope, he cannot utilize potions recklessly as if they were water. 

You don’t need to use the entire contents of the container to cure a single bruise. 

It would be a waste to take the potion only to deal with the fallout from his relationship with Elodie.

“It’s fine. I’m not going anywhere for a while. I had to come out today, but the ball is tomorrow or the next day…”

I overheard the man sighing. 

He has a really low voice.

“Where in the hell have you been all this time?”

“…”

I clenched my teeth like a clamshell.

“I have, how much…”

It was always a bland voice, but it seemed as though emotions were boiling over.

Raretis, who had previously ceased speaking as if suppressing himself, eventually opened his mouth.

“…No, no. What has brought you here today? You’re not even fond of such occasions.”

How did he find out? 

It’s not like I’ve clarified that I dislike crowded areas. 

We virtually grew up together, whether we like it or not. 

Knowing each other’s likes and dislikes is not unusual.

“I, too, am a twenty-year-old noble maiden. It is not unusual to have a debutante ball.”

“Even after living hidden among the commoners for over two years without leaving any news?”

“I didn’t try to hide on purpose.”

“Lia.”

“…I think it’s my fault for leaving the Marquis’s house without saying anything.”

“…”

“But, that’s all.”

The mythical knight, said to be capable of taming anything alive, whether a mountain or a rock, produced an unfathomable expression. 

His lips shook slightly as if he couldn’t bring himself to ask the questions he wanted. 

Because he is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously. 

Because he is also considerate.

Yes, it appears that the Marchioness also attempted to locate me. 

She tried to find me, but it appears she was unsuccessful. 

That’s all there is to it. 

I gave a slight smile. 

The man’s face got more complicated as he stared at my smile.

“Cassio Brahamdorff is more complex. To you…”

“Yes, I know.”

It was a look that made me wonder, “Then why?” 

Knowing Raretis’ personality of not meddling in other people’s issues, I found the situation amusing. 

After all, he is a knight who does not go against the flow of events. 

That man must have been nervous to see me holding the hand of someone with whom I had a bad relationship and throwing a premiere party after not hearing from them for over two years.

Cassio Brahamdorff was my cavalier.

And Countess McGinty is my chaperone.

Even out of curiosity, one will notice that oddity that happened to Cassio Brahamdorff.

Primarily since I fought and was slapped in the face by Edmund Gloucester while he was away.

“Do you think I’d be duped by a man who isn’t even honest with me?”

“…”

Raretis was stunned by my truthful statements.

“I’m not that stupid.”

“Lia.”

“I appreciate your concern, but you should go.

“If you don’t trust Cassio Brahamdorff, why are you with him?”

Should I tell this man the truth? 

I paused for a moment.

“I have something that he has.”

“…With that guy?”

It was an unusually sharp reaction. 

Of course, Cassio Brahamdorff’s public and private image is almost phony. 

He can’t say out loud that he regards the other person as a fool, not even worth a bug while smiling. 

Being prepared before being hit in the back of the head is always preferable, but Raretis’ quick reaction was unexpected.

He merely left it alone after praising Ophelia like a robin? 

Or it’s an attitude warning me not to do anything stupid. 

No, it seemed weird for Raretis to say something to me as if he expected me to do something dumb with his partner, Elodie. 

It defies logic to imagine that I would do something with Cassio.

“He is a good person.”

“Emilia.”

“It was good to see you after such a long time. Lord Raretis, the lady you chose for a partner, has been alone for far too long.”

“Talking about others is not important right now.”

“…”

To be honest, I wanted to flee. 

It was tough to deal with Raretis Hope when I was emotionally weary. 

The man’s expression was not flattering. 

Even when we happened to meet, he had a curiously awful face.

I could have eaten and lived happily without working if I had stayed at the Marquis’s house. 

Still, I went without saying anything one morning, mixed with the commoners, worked, and then met him again at the ballroom, which was understandable. 

He was always an attractive man, regardless of his expression. 

He acquired the nickname ‘wooden stone’ because he was uninterested in the opposite sex. His face seemed to hold something back, his lips were tightly compressed, and he was considerably taller than my head.

“Where are you going to be staying?”

“ Lady McGinty’s townhouse, since she’s my chaperone, she’s been most hospitable to me.”

“Do you have no intention of returning?”

“Yes.”

I was surprised at how calmly the response came out.

“You should prioritize your partner over me. It’s time for the debutante ball. You should also keep an eye on Marchioness Windrose.”

“…”

“Everyone assumed you’re to wed. You should not be impolite to your fiancée.”

“What exactly are you talking about?”

His voice returned, sharper than ever. 

My shoulders shrugged.

“Everyone knows that the success rate of engagement or marriage ceremonies for couples who debut together is high. Everyone understands that if Elodie is accepted as a daughter-in-law, she will certainly inherit the title of successor…”

“It’s just a rookie partner. Stop guessing. If we’re going to talk about it, you’d rather…”

“Yes?”

“…”

Raretis fell silent again as I responded. 

What about me? 

If Raretis had a rough idea of the type of man Cassio Brahamdorff was, he would realize that the distance between us and becoming a prospective pair was considerable. 

It nearly appeared to be jealousy, even though it shouldn’t have. 

The circumstances were highly bizarre.

Raretis Hope in front of me was both tender and brutal. 

A gentle soul who could never be mine. 

A person who was painful to be around because it was evident that they were delusory. 

I never imagined asking about someone else’s business with such a hollow heart and a smile. 

It was true that Cassio Brahamdorff and my relationship may have been misconstrued from the outside.

Although there was nothing to brag about in terms of position or background, there were instances where a bride married a guy who was far superior in terms of circumstances out of pure love—considering Cassio, who never had a scandal while always paying lip respect to his young female fans.

There was enough evidence for others to connect the two of us. 

Cassio and I, of course, had very different personalities. 

We were rivals who hissed at each other, with Ophelia in the middle. 

Are we now allies who ‘lost’ Ophelia? 

Even Raretis, who had seen everything, was perplexed, let alone other people.

“Cassio is a good business partner.”

Raretis, who was already in a bad mood, seemed to worsen. 

Ophelia, after all, had despised Cassio since she was young. 

His personality must be blamed for the outcry. 

It’s understandable for a genuine individual like Raretis to despise him.

“Are you talking about a partner who leaves you alone like this?”

I had no idea this dude could be sarcastic. 

Thanks to his extraordinarily powerful voice, his slightly mocking tone sounded like music. However, Cassio Brahamdorff, a quick-witted and action-oriented character, had just been seen.

It was back then. 

Raretis extended his hand to me.

“Emilia.”

“…”

“Let’s go back to the mansion.”

“…”

“I will do my very best to fulfill whatever you desire.”

“You don’t need to feel responsible for me.”

“What?”

“Yes. Even though we lived together in the mansion like siblings…”

I forced a grin.

“I didn’t leave because I wanted you to hold me like a child. Rather, the opposite is true.”

I wondered if the Marchioness had been discovered sitting dejectedly in the lounge. 

Still, it’s important to avoid calling attention to yourself and walk away from the area. 

Even if he or I were not present, Lady Elodie would most likely be surrounded by other followers.

I stared at the man who extended his hand to me with what appeared to be sincerity. T

he knight with whom every girl in this land wants to shake hands, even if only at the fingers. Once upon a time, I envisioned that man reaching out to me. 

There was a moment when I thought that if it happened, I would be content even if I died on the spot.

The wind howled. 

The figure of the man extending his hand to me was beautiful in and of itself. 

A person with a tight expression like a sculpture. 

He would whisk me away if I grasped his hand. 

He would be gentle with me. 

He is not someone who breaks his word. I, on the other hand, gently moved his hand away. 

I could feel his fingertips trembling as soon as my palm contacted his.

“You are concerned about me venturing outside and encountering difficulties. Honestly, House Windrose has done more than enough for me.”

“…”

“I’ve made my debut, so I’m an adult now. It was okay mixing with commoners and working. I got lucky.”

“Why, specifically, with Cassio…”

“We had some things to offer and other things to take. However, Raretis, you might be better off worrying about your partner. At first appearance, she appears to be incapable of saying anything bad everywhere she goes. I, on the other hand, can open my tongue freely and end up like this.”

“Whatever you said, it’s not a reason for you to be slapped.”

“I told Count Edmund Gloucester that I didn’t like her.”

I noticed the man’s expression change. 

Yes. 

This man has been consciously avoiding any discussion of Lady Elodie with me.

It was heartbreaking. 

Because, even if he called her a ‘debutante partner,’ he was paying too much attention to her.