The Bad Ending of an Otome

She smiles as if relieved, yet it’s not a smile at all. 

The woman who acted as if nothing else mattered except the departed Ophelia… 

Knowing her frailty should make me joyful, but it doesn’t.

“Yes, the past. It’s quite remarkable. Right. Even the late Miss Ophelia, wouldn’t listen to Sir Raretis to some extent? Lady Elodie also has faith in Sir Raretis. It appears that Sir Raretis’ tenure with House Windrose was not in vain. Having such trust from the ladies…”

The implication was clear: ‘Were you portraying both Ophelia and Elodie’s partner? 

Have you always had a thing for women that appears similar to you?

Cassio was irritated that Raretis Hope, with his mysterious and solemn manner, was not an accessible target for his prodding. 

Cassio strained to repress a burning resentment that even he considered irrational, hiding his displeasure beneath a cheery façade.

Raretis Hope, on the other hand, simply stared at him with unfeeling eyes. 

His hair, so black it appeared to stain one’s hands, provided a stark contrast to his exceedingly frightening purple eyes. 

His skin was pale, even though it should have been rough from frequent horseback riding and sun exposure. 

Cassio, who rarely felt inferior because of his appearance, felt unjustly resentful.

“Do you not like Elodie?”

“What an odd question.”

“It seems so.”

Cassio was at a loss for words, which was unusual for him.

“Who could dislike such a lovely lady? Unless they were deaf…”

“I pity her.”

It was such an uninteresting tone that Cassio doubted his ears. 

Pity? 

Pity?

Raretis Hope had been dutifully playing Elodie’s spouse, a figure of decorum, albeit a little rigid, which many romanticized. 

Elodie, who had become the talk of the town like Cinderella, was objectively the envy of many. 

But what about her?

“But that’s all there is to it. I can help those in need as far as my abilities allow, but that’s where it stops. I won’t miss out on something important to feel sorry for someone else.”

“What strange things you say.”

“If you’re going to play around without being sincere, I’ll have no choice but to regard you as an enemy.” 

Raretis replied calmly. 

It sounded more severe because of its stillness.

 Is there an ‘enemy’? 

Cassio almost burst out laughing. 

The name of the Brahamdorff family was not a joke, no matter how much of a young hero Raretis Hope was, trusted by the ill monarch.

The family’s patriarch was the Minister of Finance, and the family had long been known for its wealth. 

They had power over three major guilds and many social and artistic luminaries. 

Although it is stated that money cannot buy honor, a family like Brahamdorff could afford it.

Raretis, on the other hand, had an uncertain background, despite his exceptional ability. 

His position as deputy commander of the Glamis Knights, the knights’ allegiance, the king’s favor, and his valor, abilities, and character were all extraordinary. 

But there was a reason why he, the Hope family’s second son, grew up in the House Windrose rather than his own. 

The heads of both families were close, and Raretis was connected to Marchioness Windrose.

However, Raretis’s birth mother despised him, preferring his older brother and refusing to even look at him. 

His delivery had been a tough one, and she was lucky to have lived. 

There were attempts to calm the mother, who refused to look at her newborn, but there were limitations. 

Mrs. Hope would convulse at the sight of the baby, making everyone uneasy.

Even the oldest son, whom Marchioness Hope adored, couldn’t compete with Raretis, who was always one step ahead of him. 

The Marchioness eventually cursed Raretis, vowing he would one day destroy his brother. 

While not strong, the Hope family possessed a distinguished nobility. 

It was unimaginable to send a healthy boy to the countryside or to be adopted for such a trivial reason. 

But they had to keep unfavorable rumors at bay. 

There were several constraints to keeping him in the mansion…

As a final resort, Marquis Hope resorted to a friend, Marquis Windrose. 

That is how Raretis became a member of House Windrose. 

Given the status of both noble families and the presence of Ophelia, the move had some validity.

Fortunately, Marchioness Windrose took a fancy to Raretis and treated him as if he were her son. 

Ophelia, who was severe and mature for her age, liked him. 

Marquis and Marchioness Windrose are claimed to revere Raretis as if he were their son, and his presence in the household has been their final blessing. 

Nonetheless, the reality that Raretis’s original family is the Hope family, each with their rightful successor, cannot be denied.

Ophelia was never properly married to Raretis. 

People are saying that now, with Elodie’s appearance and the Marchioness’s favor for her, this fortune has arrived in lieu of the deceased Ophelia…

Regardless of what anyone says, Cassio Brahamdorff is the rightful heir to the Brahamdorff family; he has proven his abilities, and all of his kin recognize him; attacking Cassio is effectively attacking the Brahamdorff family.

“Why do you think I’m playing games?”

“…”

“An enemy, that’s a rather frightening thing to say. Although I’ve learned to use a sword, against Sir Raretis, what difference would it make whether I hold a sword or a straw?”

“Don’t even think about playing games with Emilia.”

“…”

“I don’t like to draw my sword rashly. But even so.”

Raretis Hope’s face was close.

“When the time comes that I must draw it, I will not hesitate.”

It wasn’t a hollow threat.

Cassio’s face tensed. 

Raretis Hope is not a man to issue frivolous cautions; he understands the consequences of his words better than anybody. 

Even Cassio, who once derided him as a ‘boring man,’ felt humiliated by Raretis’s candor.

Why is he delivering such a caution now, when it would have been more appropriate to issue such a warning to Edmund Gloucester, who had smacked Emilia on the cheek?

Cassio might have sensed this; he might have predicted the events of the debutante ball night; he could have intervened, but he chose not to, partially to observe how ‘Emilia’ would respond. 

Could Raretis have detected this?

Cassio used to think Raretis Hope was a dull man, especially when Edmund Gloucester openly demonstrated his inferiority to him, who was Ophelia’s betrothed at the time. 

Despite all the men flocking and courting his fiancée, Raretis maintained his composure without emotion.

“I hope you keep my warning in mind.”

He openly worried about Emilia, caring for her more than his partner Elodie. 

Whenever they were alone, his eyes constantly followed her. 

He even showed up at the Brahamdorff family’s townhouse, a place he had never visited before, claiming to have a gift for Emilia. 

He hadn’t even been to the grand Brahamdorff mansion, despite the Minister of Finance’s numerous invitations!

Cassio Brahamdorff observed Raretis Hope’s leaving figure and let out a hollow laugh, feeling as if he was under a spell, albeit the aftertaste was terrible.

* * *

“Sir Edmund Gloucester sincerely apologizes for the disrespect he showed to the Lady.”

Surprisingly, the person delivering the letter was Edmund’s butler, who appeared to be in his 50s or 60s. 

is speech was crisp, and his demeanor impeccable; he seemed like a nobleman, even for a subordinate.

I didn’t think he was a petty man, but there was no gift to accompany his apologies, which felt like a begrudging admission of ‘I’m apologizing because I have to.’

Receiving a letter personally delivered by the butler of the Gloucester family in the drawing room of the Brahamdorff family seemed weird because Countess McGinty’s confidante, Housekeeper Mrs. Nelly, was present.

Kitty, standing beside me, had her face frozen red in tension due to the room’s atmosphere. 

The butler’s manner was gentle and polite, clearly indicating his experience and closeness to Edmund. 

I wondered if he would maintain his poker face if I tore up the letter.

“Just words?”

My remark seemed to stiffen the butler’s ordinarily friendly expression.

“Oh, excuse me. It’s just that every morning when I wake up, my cheek still throbs with pain. I’ve developed a habit of saying whatever comes to mind to forget the pain. Maybe my muscles haven’t fully relaxed from the debutante ball…”

I knew it wasn’t appropriate to speak in this manner to a subordinate of Edmund Gloucester, rather than Edmund himself, but…

Both apologizing and accepting an apology are at the discretion of each party. 

He didn’t come himself, but sent his butler; though it was a polite gesture, the visitor was neither the king nor his chief steward; in fact, I was disappointed that the slap was delivered by him, but the apology came through someone else.

Kitty covered her mouth with her palm, as if attempting to suppress her laughter, while I didn’t open the letter.

“Truly, you have faced a great ordeal. I, Willard, deeply regret my master’s wrongdoing and…”

“Yes, it was a great ordeal. So, Mr. Willard.”

The butler’s expression tensed as I smirked and pushed the letter back towards him. 

There was a reason for me to be impolite to the butler of the Gloucester family, whom I didn’t need to treat with civility.

“Please tell him that it is polite for the person involved to make the apology in person.”

“…”

I didn’t go after the first day. Still, I heard that Elodie, Edmund, and Raretis went on the second and third days, with Raretis leaving after the first dance each day and Edmund consistently staying by Elodie’s side. 

Cassio and I didn’t go at all, and Countess McGinty went only on the last day to fend off the hyenas trying to pry into our affairs under the guise of concern.

“Since I’ve been indisposed and unable to travel far since that ‘great ordeal,’ it seems Sir Edmund will have to make an effort to come here himself. What a shame, isn’t it?”

“Lady Emilia.”

“Don’t worry too much. Sir Edmund Gloucester is a ‘fine’ gentleman, isn’t he? He was always perfect, always attentive to a lady, wherever he may be. If he truly cares about a lady’s honor as he claims, he wouldn’t repeat such disgraceful behavior.”

At first, I considered not accepting his apology at all, but Cassio and the Countess both advised me that if I were not going for the perfect angel image, it wouldn’t hurt to play the victim a little. 

In society, whether I like it or not, I’m bound to be compared with Elodie. 

Image is vital in society as well.

Playing the angelic type who gives everything and still smiles sweetly, like Elodie, is out of my league; better to be someone who ‘takes care of herself first’. 

Based on that conclusion, I smiled while subtly stabbing Mr. Willard, the Gloucester family’s butler, whom I would generally treat with formal professionalism.

‘Is this a double insult? You know this doesn’t bode well for any women he attempts to pursue, right?’

I have no personal resentment. 

Please accept my apologies. 

Consider it a case of meeting the wrong boss. 

By the way, did this butler feature in the game as well? 

I can’t wholly recollect the side characters; their photos are too hazy.

“I understand your ladyship’s sentiments,” the butler said professionally, his embarrassment effectively hidden.

“I will consult with my master and ensure that he apologizes in a manner that doesn’t inconvenience you. I am truly sorry to visit you again for such an unpleasant reason.”

“Sure.”

The butler paused for a time when I didn’t respond with the customary niceties like ‘No problem’ or ‘It’s okay.’ 

Why should I say such things, especially to someone like Edmund Gloucester, who isn’t attractive?

“Given the reputation of the Gloucester family, I trust you, Mr. Willard.”

The butler managed a slight smile, though it didn’t appear natural; it was like establishing the responsible party’s identity and association for future reference.

Hmm, I was a bit worried too. 

He must have written the letter himself, right? 

I was curious about what he wrote. 

If he had written something like, ‘Yeah, I was wrong, but you also said things you shouldn’t have in public. Sorry for slapping you, but you were also at fault,’ then I’d have to tear it up right here. 

I decided it was better not to raise my blood pressure by reading such content and returned the letter without opening it, still smiling.

When I expressed my wish to return the letter, Mrs. Nelly, the housekeeper standing next to me, accepted it and delivered it back to the butler, who bowed to everyone again and left with an excellent approach.

“Did the Countess instruct you to return the letter?”

“No, she just said that sometimes being too nice isn’t the best strategy.”

I had become acquainted with several maids whom the Countess kept around her. 

The Countess always had calm, tight-lipped, and skilled maids. 

Mrs. Nelly, the housekeeper, was responsible for overseeing them. 

For this incident, she had personally come when she heard the Gloucester family’s butler was visiting, even though the Countess was away visiting her grandchildren.

“So, what do you plan to do if Edmund comes to apologize?”

“I intend to argue we couldn’t finish last time because of everyone around.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s why I hope he comes when my cavalier is here. I wonder if that timing will work out…”

Mrs. Nelly’s fear was understandable; it was natural for her to be concerned about me having another encounter with someone who had previously physically abused me, but I had my doubts. 

What did I want to do with that guy?

I’d been slapped, and it made me angry, hurt, and humiliated to have it happen in front of others, especially those I didn’t want to see me in that state, but it was more about the context and situation; I shouldn’t feel shame over a slap. 

If it had happened at my café, during a fight with him, I might have grabbed a broomstick and whacked his shins as payback.

“It’s a joke, Mrs. Nelly. I intend to have a serious talk with him.”

Given that I was already surrounded by all sorts of valuables from the Brahamdorff family, there wasn’t much I could demand from Edmund. 

If there was anything to gain from Edmund, maybe information? 

Ophelia probably didn’t leave anything with Edmund, and if there was anything about Ophelia and Elodie, Edmund, being obsessively devoted to them, might know something…

If Raretis was the guardian of the few normal endings, then Edmund was the embodiment of the bad endings. 

He did everything from imprisoning for life, brainwashing, enslaving, to treating characters like Ophelia… he didn’t shy away from any means.

When Elodie rejects him and receives protection from House Windrose, he even seeks Cassio’s assistance in bringing down House Windrose; however, the game does not elaborate on the circumstances leading up to this, instead focusing on the dreadful situation Elodie, the player, found herself in.

Still, it was surprising how the once powerful family could fall so drastically. 

Was it due to heresy? 

Was there an issue with the royal family then, and they blamed the family? 

Or was it a crime of regicide? 

Whatever the case, all sorts of charges were attached. 

It seemed like the epitome of political manipulation and intrigue.