The Bad Ending of an Otome

It was sad at times that people didn’t grasp the child’s heart, but I also believed it was fortunate. 

There would have been no need in using me if everyone knew and adored the child’s hedgehog-like inner world from the start.

“Lady Emilia is clever enough to know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Are you saying someone has cast a spell, so that no one can help but love those two?”

“That might be possible.”

Cassio Brahamdorff chuckled.

“It appears that the spell does not work on me. Mr. Cassio, how about you?”

“Of course, Lady Elodie is lovely to me. Who has eyes to reject her beauty?”

The man’s tone seemed unusual. 

It was as if he was saying, ‘Her beauty is not the only important thing to her.’

“However, even if what you said is correct, it’s ironic. What good is a magical spell that makes everyone fall in love with you? She didn’t live long enough to appreciate it.”

“I think so too.”

I scowled. 

Is he now attempting to play a game with me?

“Why didn’t Lady Ophelia leave a letter for Emilia?”

“… Perhaps she assumed I wouldn’t listen, so she enlisted your help instead. She must have known I wouldn’t make my debut willingly.”

I was upset. 

Why didn’t I get a letter when that man did? 

When I go to visit her tomb, I should ask her. 

What were you thinking, Ophelia?

“If she had been healthy and directly asked you and me for a favor, would you have refused?”

“… Even if I disliked it, she would have sweet-talked me into doing it.”

“Then why now?”

It’s a conundrum. 

I had an epiphany. 

The questions the man casually tossed at me were crucial. 

This man is knowledgeable. 

I’m not sure what it is about Ophelia. 

Why? 

What? 

Is there anything even I, who has ‘played the game,’ can’t figure out?

That could be correct. 

There must be something I’ve forgotten or am unaware of. 

The game has turned into reality. 

There is no way of knowing whether the causality imposed in the game to make it a game is the same in reality.

Emilia, who should have been kicked out of the Marquis’s house, did not depart on her own. 

I’m not sure which route the player is going right now, but the Cassio route has been demolished. 

The original piece was completely destroyed by me holding his hand and making my debut.

This is obviously a fantasy realm. 

There is magic, even if most people are unaware of it. 

There are priests and gods. 

There were also weird religious bandits who attacked individuals at the border and were repulsed.

Then there’s me. 

Shouldn’t I have questioned it? 

Simply because that’s how it worked in the game. 

That was the plan all along. 

Because it’s destiny.

 I should not have taken it for granted for such reasons…

“…There seems to be more secrets about her that I don’t know.”

My voice was quite low. 

Could I have changed things if I had sought to learn more and taken action? 

Could I have saved her without simply concluding that I had done my best?

‘There is one requirement. Make Emilia the most distinguished woman at this year’s debutante ball.’

A passage from the letter sprung into my head. 

It was unmistakably ‘this year.’ 

What does it imply? 

Was it the year Ophelia die? 

Or was it the year Cassio Brahamdorff found me? 

What does it all mean? 

How much had he estimated? 

Cassio Brahamdorff’s grin widened.

“I think so.”

“Do you like seeing people in trouble? I’m not sure what you know, but could you please help…”

“I can’t. Lady Emilia has high hopes from me.”

Expectations, be damned. 

I had to fight myself not to curse. 

Why did Ophelia pick this person to be my partner? 

There’s no one more fitting than him, come to think of it. 

Edmund would have been hesitant to choose me in any case. 

I wondered if he would have abandoned me and fled the moment Elodie appeared, even if Ophelia had requested him to.

I would have fled if Raretis had arrived to take me up, regardless of Ophelia’s message. 

I’d never shown Ophelia any symptoms of admiring Raretis, but… she might have realized I was thinking about Raretis and went rigid and tense. 

Of course, being close to Cassio Brahamdorff didn’t make me pleased in my current situation. 

Cassio Brahamdorff talked softly, as if gently coaxing a kid.

“There are no detective novels where the criminal is revealed in the first chapter.”

“I don’t want to be an additional victim who gets sacrificed in the hands of the criminal while the mystery is being dragged on.”

“I intend to do my best for the safety of my precious partner.”

The man attempted to be nice as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. 

I’m not sure why he chose a detective fiction as a metaphor. 

It was disturbing. 

It was ominous even if he smiled and closed his grey eyes in a gentlemanly fashion. 

What does it matter whether he’s a stunningly beautiful man? 

Cassio Brahamdorff’s insides are pitch-black.

So, what should I conclude now? 

There is something unique about Ophelia and Elodie that you are unaware of. 

Ophelia has already died, but Elodie is still living, so how can I tell? 

What advantage would that have for me?

…Of course, I can’t pass up such a tempting offer. 

I steeled my resolve as I peered into those cunningly gleaming grey eyes. 

That girl is the only person in this world to whom I have opened my heart. 

I can’t ignore even a single letter from her, even if she’s dead or gone. 

If there is something I am not aware of.

I must be aware of it. 

I’ve lived in fear.

I couldn’t even look into my own eyes. 

I shook and covered my genuine sentiments like a coward, fearful that others would see and laugh at the innumerable scars inscribed on my heart. 

I was afraid I’d lose my backbone and be persuaded by having nothing. 

As a result, I fled. 

I tried not to let my heart be anchored somewhere. 

My cowardice was probably known to her as well. 

She was the nasty, jealous, and irritated girl I remembered.

The Marquis’s mansion was not my home. 

It was a lplace I couldn’t have. 

I separated myself from the Marquis and Marchioness, who couldn’t possibly be my parents. 

I gave up on the affection that couldn’t be mine. 

I left the maids who couldn’t properly serve me like a lady behind.

But even she couldn’t deny it. 

I couldn’t be a coward in front of her. 

Just as eating and sleeping do not imply that you are alive. 

Brewing coffee at a place where no one knows me, like spending time alone, does not imply that it was actually my life. 

Cassio spoke in my ear as if he were telling me a secret.

“You will soon receive an invitation for a tea party at the royal palace.”

“…”

“This is an official invitation. Of course, you can’t say no.”

“The name value of the Brahamdorff family is really something.”

“You will also get to see the name values of others, such as the Windrose Marquis’s house.”

“Are you saying that I should pretend to be friendly with Lady Elodie there?”

“I always respect Lady Emilia’s choices.”

…Something doesn’t feel right. 

Raretis would naturally act nicely because he was Elodie’s partner. 

And, while it goes without saying that Edmund is absolutely smitten, it was unsettling to witness Cassio Brahamdorff seem uninterested in front of Elodie.

Is he saying there’s no need to pretend to be friends, even verbally? 

Of course, it was he who pointed out that my treatment of Ophelia and Elodie differed from that of others. 

To be honest, my demeanor lacked maturity. 

Out of childish stubbornness, I continued to ignore Elodie. 

Others must have noticed it as well. 

It wouldn’t be good for rumors if I openly reject my opponent at a royal family-hosted event. 

Ignoring the goodwill at an official meeting to which we had even brought chaperones would be the ideal opportunity to propagate stories.

“It all comes down to a power struggle in the social circle. Who’s better, I’m better, a location where words and appearances are used to fight instead of swords. There should be no major issues as long as you respect Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness the Princess.”

“By the way, how do you know that an invitation will come from the royal palace?”

“My aunt told me.”

With a peculiar feeling, I glanced at the man’s smiling face.

“I guess I can’t refuse then.”

“Emilia will not be defeated. This year’s social season has lots of discussion starters.”

And one of them is going to be me. 

I made an effort not to sigh.

“Anyway, now that it has come to this, I can’t run away.”

“I thought you would say that.”

This year, especially this social season, felt like the eye of a hurricane to me. 

I’d read Ophelia’s letter and listened to Cassio Brahamdorff’s moving words. 

I would be an idiot if I couldn’t even guess.

“Consider it a treasure hunt. A game in which you must locate the wealth that your beloved Ophelia has hidden.”

Is it all in my head? 

I was bothered by the man’s statements. 

It had an odd tone to it. 

The man placed the tip of his index finger on my brow. 

It wasn’t nearly familiar enough to feel at ease, and it was more of a meticulous touch, as if measuring something, than being dry.

Those phrases sprang to mind for some reason. 

Ophelia’s words, ‘The most valuable thing she had was me.’0

Does this imply I am the concealed card she has carefully hidden in the most strategic location?

“Okay.”

Anyway, my response was one.

“Anyway, since I’ve already decided to compete, I might as well aim for first place. I rely on you, partner.”

“Likewise.”

“The clock is ticking… I’m leaving right now. Kitty was sick with worry, and if she finds out…”

I came to a halt. 

What if she finds out? 

Anyway, I’m the visitor, and Cassio is the house’s young master. 

Of course, there are servants who covertly sell their employers’ privacy everywhere, but if they are detected doing so, they should give up on ever working for a renowned family again. 

Objectively, there was nothing to be concerned about, but for some reason, that person’s kind expression troubled me. 

Cassio made an odd expression at me.

“Have you already grown fond of her?”

“She’s a good kid.”

“Come to think of it, you did take care of a few servants of the Marquis’s house in a strange way.”

“Anyone would do that much.”

“Even to the people who used to ostracize and keep their distance from you?”

“If you put it that way, Ophelia and I used to be sworn enemies, and it’s abnormal for you and me to be talking alone in this situation.”

Not all of the Marquis’s servants were on my side when I was younger. 

Of course, in the end, it was the same. 

There were those who supported me and admired me, as well as those who were envious of me, envied me, and attempted to knock me down. 

People who witnessed me not cry a single tear on the day of the burial said I was a cold-hearted girl.

He was correct. 

In the end, no matter how delicately stated, I was Ophelia’s maid, servant, companion, and toy in that mansion. 

In the end, Ophelia comes first for them, and I come second. 

Of course, I became close to a few of them, but that was it.

I didn’t want to kid them by asking, ‘Do you like Ophelia or me?’ Because I already knew the answer. 

Also, even though I cared for people, it was only those close to me. 

I made a point of giving tiny gifts on the birthdays of individuals close to me in order to please Ophelia. 

If they appeared ill, I would refer them to the Marquis’s house doctor.

I didn’t want to take care of people who looked at me with displeasure every time they saw me because I am human.

“You have no idea how many times I wanted to distort your smiling face like a shattered teacup in a day.”

“A teacup is a fairly little vessel. I thank Lady Emilia for her kindness.”

“If you feel uncomfortable in bed tonight, I hope you think it’s because of my small malice.”

“My honor.”

Cassio smiled and pushed open the door. 

The dimly lighted corridor was dark, and simply walking in made me feel cold. 

But I didn’t think twice. 

Walking alone in the dark corridor was far more comfortable than dancing among people dressed to the nines.

“Lady Emilia trusts people too much.”

Cassio spat those remarks at my back.

“Whether that’s poison or medicine, only Lady Emilia would know.”

The door shut before I could ask what he meant. 

It was a peaceful night.