The Bad Ending of an Otome

But then, as if by magic, Emilia vanished when Edmund was distracted. 

He had heard that she had met Raretis in the market. 

He assumed she had been transported to the Marquis’s house, but this did not appear to be the case. 

Cassio was also suspected briefly, but Edmund dismissed the notion. 

Why would that man, who usually had a sour smile, bother now?

Edmund was understandably concerned when Emilia vanished. 

What would have occurred if something had happened to her? 

What if she had become involved with some deadly organization while he was away? 

But he chastised himself for being concerned. 

She wasn’t worth the trouble. 

Maybe before Lady Elodie appeared, but now there was Elodie. 

Why should he worry about such a forgery now?

But when he saw those apathetic black eyes staring at him and Elodie at the dressmaker’s, he felt his blood run cold. 

The narrow, transparent black irises appeared to accuse him.

Unbeknownst to Emilia, it was because of him that she had survived for nearly two years uninjured. 

To think she’d flee, accepting the hand of the Brahamdorff, right beneath his nose! 

The sight almost made his stomach turn. 

For a brief while, he was unaware of Elodie’s presence.

‘What gives you the right to be angry, Edmund Gloucester?’

What had she mockingly said to him?

‘If you want to be a gentleman courting a girl, don’t be disrespectful to others in her presence.’

Emilia had often hurled caustic insults at Edmund, but he had never been so enraged. 

He reasoned that he should just put up with her shenanigans in front of Ophelia. 

Emilia’s voice wasn’t often that piercing. 

Yes, it sounded emotionless, but it wasn’t that frigid. 

But on that particular day, he felt a shiver travel down his spine.

‘If you’re going to act like that, don’t get angry or hypocritical when your companion isn’t polite to you.’

Yes, that was the first time Emilia genuinely ‘got angry.’

‘If not this or that, then not in front of me,’ she says.

A cool hand brushed on his cheek. 

He couldn’t bear the thought of shoving it away. 

She was merely a tiny woman with no authority. 

She would be pushed away if he pushed. 

Despite his dislike for her, he was perspiring heavily. 

His jaws felt locked tight as their gazes collided. 

Her voice in his ear was as harsh as poison.

‘You shouldn’t have embarrassed yourself in front of someone who isn’t even her.’

It sounded like divine retribution.

The woman he believed was always quiet was profoundly silent, frigid, and terrible in her rage. 

It was like poison that might kill you with a single drop. 

Would it have been this difficult even if the dead Ophelia had come back to life to chastise him?

He desired to flee. 

That was the only feeling he had. 

He didn’t come to till she was gone. 

Shame washed over him like a tidal wave as he noticed Elodie’s worried expression.

What a display! 

How could she still be so conceited? 

Was she counting on the Brahamdorff? 

Not just him, but also Elodie, should be ignored. 

He clenched his teeth, convinced that she was out of her depth. 

He felt pathetic for being truly overwhelmed.

He became enraged when he ran into her at the royal palace banquet. 

He was furious that she downplayed his feelings for Elodie. 

Elodie was, despite what anyone claimed, as lovely and innocent as the essence of Ophelia’s soul, which he couldn’t keep from returning to him.

He reasoned that this time he needed to defend her! 

How could she treat Elodie as if she were a poor substitute? 

She, who was nowhere near Ophelia in stature!

Edmund only realized what he had done after slapping her. Emilia did not falter even at that moment. 

She stared at him, her cheek swelled and crimson as if to ask, ‘Is that all you’re capable of?’ 

It was terrific how annoying she could be. 

Edmund clenched his teeth. 

His rage was uncontrollable just thinking about Emilia. 

He drank whiskey straight from the bottle, eventually feeling his boiling insides quiet down. 

His blue eyes flashed with remarkable vigor.

“…I need to teach her a lesson, show her her place.”

He had to show that he, Edmund Gloucester, was not someone who should be dismissed so pitifully by such a small woman. 

He still ground his teeth at the memory of Raretis’ admonition.

He, too, had never liked Raretis. 

Raretis was unfazed by anything, whether it was his imminent marriage to Ophelia, his calm demeanor in the face of any guest, or his lack of ostentation regarding his love with Ophelia. 

Was it the wealthy’s leisure? 

Or was it because the Marquis and Marchioness pampered him as if he were their son?

Even’she,’ Emilia, appeared discreetly attentive to Raretis, which said a lot. 

Despite Edmund’s devotion, only Raretis was regarded as Elodie’s formal partner in social circles. 

Why? 

Why doesn’t Elodie detect Raretis’ apathy?

“He’s the same…”

Raretis Hope was precisely like that woman. 

Cassio Brahamdorff is a… 

Although he usually welcomed Edmund with a grin and offered his services as a partner, he was ultimately responsible for Emilia’s debut. 

The only thing he could compliment him for was not clinging to Elodie, but the way he stared at him with those dry, calculating eyes was unsettling at times.

Cassio appeared to be generously sharing his part with Edmund, but the outcome suggested otherwise. 

Seeing that expressionless woman dancing with Cassio… was more revolting than he had anticipated. 

Cassio Brahamdorff had obnoxiously introduced that despicable woman into high society. 

Who else would do something like this? 

That’s why it was so vexing. 

Edmund had organized his ideas.

“For now, yes, for now, I’ll just play along…”

Edmund inhaled deeply.

“…Tell her I’d like to meet. I’ll pay her a visit.”

In his piercing blue eyes, a mystery light flickered and vanished, like a dying star with a destructive tinge.

* * *

Honestly, I was having quite a relaxing day, which was unusual for a lady who had just made her social debut. 

I slept in, bathed, ate well, and dressed up for fun.

Even today, I diligently saved the invites that kept coming, hoping for one from the royal family, as Countess McGinty had instructed. 

The bored maids of the estate occasionally dragged me to be their makeup practice model. 

I would occasionally take tea and talk with Cassio or Countess McGinty. 

It would have been unthinkable for ladies from other homes, who would constantly be meeting new people, dressing appropriately, and keeping proper manners. 

On the one hand, it was reasonable that a lady who had been assaulted and humiliated at the debutante ball would retreat to her house.

Following his refusal of Edmund Gloucester’s letter, his butler arrived in person, suggesting a suitable date for his master to be fixed. 

It was unexpected, but I agreed to pick a day and notify them. 

There were no such events after that. 

I was legally free until Mrs. Nelly, the housekeeper, arrived with surprising news.

“Who did you say has come?”

“Sir Raretis has come to see Lady Emilia.”

“…”

Why? 

What does he want? 

Without informing me first? 

I couldn’t keep my puzzled frown from showing. 

After all, I was under the patronage of Countess McGinty. 

And the Brahamdorff family had given her this mansion as a present. 

Although Cassio had a room, it was a bit of a stretch to say it was wholly hers.

If Raretis and I were good friends, his unexpected arrival would not be a problem. 

But it was a little… unseemly for an unmarried man to visit an unmarried lady residing at her guardian’s place. 

Usually, the courteous way to do this is to send a letter requesting permission, describing the objective, and selecting a suitable day. 

Sir Raretis Hope, a well-known nobleman, was unlikely to be unaware of this. 

Was he underestimating my abilities? 

Or, considering the old bond, was it because we grew up together like siblings?

“…Do you know what he wants?”

“He said he can only tell it to Lady Emilia.”

“…”

Mrs. Nelly’s face was serene, but I was stunned. 

Instead of responding, I took a look at my clothes. 

Mrs. Nelly scrutinized me from head to toe and clapped her hands to summon the expert maids. 

Before I could say anything, the professional maids had combed my hair and brought me a lace-woven shawl.

“I… you don’t need to fuss over my appearance too much for Sir Raretis since we’ve known each other for a long time…”

“It’s a matter of the Brahamdorff family’s dignity.”

“Alright…”

I responded submissively, almost as if I were speaking to Countess McGinty. 

The outcome was prearranged. 

I would have kicked out Edmund Gloucester if he had charged in like that, but how could I treat Raretis the same way?

The maids’ eyes twinkled with excitement at the thought of meeting ‘him,’ Sir Raretis Hope. 

I made tea and told the staff to let the visitor in. 

I initially walked down to the drawing room to wait for Raretis. 

Soon after, the man entered the room with caution.

When he spotted me sitting first, the man’s face changed. 

He appeared nervous and hesitant. 

His knight’s uniform appeared stiffer than usual, his gloves whiter than usual, and every cufflink glittered. 

It had to have been my imagination because he always looked perfect. 

His intense violet eyes were evident beneath his thick brows.

“Hello, Sir Raretis.”

“Emilia.”

“I’m glad to see you’re well.”

“Are you alright?”

He inquired, his voice concerned. 

That makes sense. 

I almost let out a sigh of relief as I felt the tension in my body release. 

His impromptu arrival had a clear purpose. 

He had to be concerned after what happened to me that day. 

Even the ordinarily unflappable man’s eyes seemed to quiver when looking squarely into his face.

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“That’s encouraging. When I didn’t hear from you, I became concerned.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Kitty, who was standing to the side, surprisedly enlarged her eyes. 

Hmm. 

Yes, Raretis Hope is currently every woman’s ideal man in the country, so this circumstance – his expressing worry – may appear romantic. 

I forced a sigh and a half-hearted smile. Raretis’ attention was locked on my face, which was rather uncomfortable.