The Bad Ending of an Otome

When I questioned if she was exhausted from yesterday’s events, she instructed me to rest because the tea hour had gone on longer than intended.

I heard Countess McGinty clucking her tongue as I left the room.

 I thought I heard her say something like, “A dead woman as a rival, stupid…fool,” but I assumed I was mistaken.

* * *

Alison Dot, an 18-year-old girl with vivid red hair the color of ripened apple peel and green eyes the color of apple leaves, was pretty lovely. 

On the day of the royal palace ball in May, the commoners who looked up to the upper class staged their own non-festival festival.

The dance hall, which was open to the public, was crowded with couples dressed to the nines. 

The streets were crowded with night markets and stalls, as well as families and children who had come to view the rare sights. 

In the square, women dressed in light-colored gowns and decked with flowers attempted to resemble the nobility’s debutantes. 

The majority of them were young girls aged 17 to 20.

Normally, if a large crowd gathered and made a disturbance late at night, the guards would have intervened, but because the palace was also hosting a ball until late at night, the entire capital was buzzing. 

As a result, the festival for commoners continued in magnificent style. 

To the exciting music, young men and women ran out, joined arms, and danced in circles.

People meeting for the first time exchanged names and addresses, and sparks sparked from every passing stare. 

Alison Dot worked as a waiter in a small restaurant specializing in Aldric Duchy cuisine. 

The shop’s generous owner closed early, allowing her to put on the new clothes she had purchased in preparation for today’s celebration and hit the streets.

The clown from the circus group performed stunts. 

Flower salespeople who targeted girls who couldn’t purchase flowers ahead of time displayed bouquets of flowers wrapped in paper and shouted out to potential consumers.

Alison joined the dance procession with a tingling heart. 

The light green garment, nearly white in color, was stunning and well worth the hefty price she paid for it.

A beautiful blue rose colored with a special dye adorned Alison’s chest. 

It wasn’t a genuine flower, but it was made of expensive cloth. 

The blue rose complemented Alison’s red hair and green eyes perfectly.

 Everyone looked at her at least once as she danced among the people. 

She gained self-assurance. 

She saw no reason why she couldn’t have a great boyfriend.

Connie, who works across the street, comes to Alison’s shop for lunch every day and mocks her for being unable to find a suitable man. 

Connie brags about her fantastic lover, who used to be in the city guard, and comes every night to pick her up to protect her from intoxicated clientele.

Alison’s determination paid off, as she soon noticed a lovely man giving her an odd look.

He was a regular guy with brown eyes and brown hair who wore a simple brown jacket, cotton pants, and a tidy white shirt. 

He was earnest, and Alison appreciated that he appeared shy and struggled to strike up a discussion with her.

Sincerity is essential. 

Alison had been diligently saving money in the hopes of opening her own shop within the next ten years. 

The last thing she needed was to become involved with a scumbag who drinks and steals his wife’s money.

Alison smiled shyly at the man, and by the time the second dance began, they were already holding hands.

The man claimed to be a trader, traveling from the city to the provinces to sell the latest things and bring local delicacies back to the capital. 

His wandering lifestyle and lack of a regular location were disadvantages, but he aspired to one day run a shop. 

He was also 22 years old, which was ideal for Alison.

The two danced and then headed to a juice stand. 

They also purchased a few cups of homemade booze laced with alcohol. 

Because the crowd was so dense, they decided it would be preferable to drink outside in the fresh air rather than go inside a shop. 

They experienced a passionate first kiss after a drink.

Alison believed the man was her fate. 

She hesitated to return home, so she didn’t mind when he recommended she go to a dark alley she generally avoided. 

Even though it was dark, they were only a few steps from the busy main street.

“Jimmy, meeting you today feels like fate,” Alison said quietly.

“Me too,” said the man, who appeared awkward but simply had eyes for Alison. “I’m extremely fortunate.”

Alison smiled as she folded her green eyes into a smile in the cool night air.

“I don’t mind the silver hair, but I struggled to find someone with green eyes to meet my quota.”

“…What?”

Alison felt a shiver run down her spine. 

No way. 

Was he among those who kidnapped and sold others? 

Alison couldn’t believe how quickly the man she thought was friendly had turned. 

She was too engrossed in the atmosphere! 

But, with so many people there, this event happened once or twice a year. 

Is she actually in danger? 

It made no sense. 

She had worked so hard her entire life. In an instant, a slew of ideas raced through her head.

The woman screamed for help, opening her mouth wide. 

But something struck her throat and the back of her neck first.

Something thudded to the ground. 

Alison passed out because she couldn’t shout. 

Jimmy swiftly dumped the flower cart in the alley and shoved the woman inside.

He placed flowers on top of her, hiding her from sight. 

People eagerly received flowers as gifts and used them to decorate their clothes and bodies, so the area was overrun with flowers.

Flower merchants were selling flowers late into the night, taking advantage of the peak season. 

Jimmy blended in with them, moving the cart away from the action. 

His method was so devious and skillful that no witnesses could be discovered.