The Bad Ending of an Otome

Was he requesting that I take his hand in mine? 

I returned my gaze to the man’s gloved hand before looking him in the eyes again. 

His blue eyes curiously averted their attention from mine. 

Perhaps he wasn’t fully guilt-free. 

I clasped his hand, feeling as if I were in a staged performance.

I sensed a gentle warmth. 

That’s when it started. 

He snatched his hand away from mine as if scared, like a frog leaping out of hot water. 

I was perplexed. 

Edmund Gloucester appeared to be equally concerned. 

What was the point of that? 

He extended his hand as if inviting me to accept it and then reacted in the same manner when I did.

“Sir Edmund Gloucester?”

“Ah, ah, it’s nothing.”

Edmund stood up, flustered, waving his hand. 

For a brief period, he appeared to lose his footing. 

I couldn’t figure out why a physically fit person would act this way. 

The Gloucesters were not lacking in any way. 

Perhaps they needed to be properly feeding their heir.

“A sincere gesture should accompany an apology.”

“Yes. I examined several options but concluded that a present or two would be insufficient to make the lady feel better. Please let me know if you have any desires, and I will do my best to grant them.”

“‘As much as possible’, right?”

“…Yes. But…”

Edmund grimaced, cautiously responding to my probing question.

“I’ve heard that Sir Edmund Gloucester owns an extensive collection of private books in his library.”

“That’s correct, but…”

In his blue eyes, a suspicious yet defensive glimmer appeared. 

What would be a good pretext if I couldn’t bring up Ophelia here…

“I recently happened to read a novel.”

<Amy and Polita> were completely coincidental that came to time.

 A mysterious pair of books that were circulating in the rumor mills.

“To fully interpret this novel, one needs knowledge of theological doctrines and magical lore.”

“…”

“Given Sir Edmund’s hectic schedule, it seems a little much to bother you with such trivial matters, and I’ve grown curious. They say you’re a known authority on such subjects in this country, right?”

“That’s correct.”

He doesn’t even refute it, which is impressive. 

I rolled my eyes at Edmund Gloucester’s overbearing confidence.

“So, I’d like to borrow something from your library. Is that even possible?”

Edmund Gloucester made a puzzled face as if he hadn’t expected such a request.

“A novel?”

“Yes, it’s a popular novel.”

“…You’ve read such things?”

Did he think the books I was reading while sitting next to Ophelia were just for show? 

Ophelia and I didn’t have many interests because we were primarily kept indoors. 

Unlike her, who would occasionally bother me when I was reading, I enjoyed it. 

Of course, I didn’t just read popular novels; I read various books.

Even I had never heard of the title <Amy and Polita>. 

I barely came across literature while living among commoners for nearly two years.

“I do everything that teenage girls do. Mr. Edmund Gloucester, please excuse me.”

Edmund was taken aback when I smiled.

“I’m also curious about Sir Edmund’s extensive collection.”

“…How long do you plan to use the library?”

“Um… well, I’m a newbie in this area… so it’s difficult to give a timeframe. Could I utilize it, at least for this social season? Surely you wouldn’t think it was too much to ask after ruining my once-in-a-lifetime debut, would you?”

I kept a smile on my face the entire time. 

Edmund appeared perplexed. 

It’s understandable. 

He’d never seen me smile like this before. 

Apart from Ophelia, I always appeared bored and tired in his presence. 

I’d never given him such a mischievous, business-like smile before.

“After all, it’s just a library. Sir Edmund Gloucester, I will not be lugging the library with you when you go out.”

In reality, my suggestion was illogical. 

Whether he was at the mansion or not, I requested unrestricted access to his library. 

It is ludicrous to imply that a guest should have free access to a house’s library without the owner’s presence, even if only for a few months during the social season.

“There must always be a butler or someone in the mansion, right? It seemed preferable to troubling Sir Edmund every time I visit.”

“Ha… Are you sure? Would you like to use our family’s library?”

“Yes, why would any lady joke about her debutante ball?”

I gave a frigid, harsh smile. 

Edmund Gloucester, who appeared to be going to respond, abruptly stopped his mouth. 

I had no misgivings about how my debutante ball ended until I got Ophelia’s letter.

It was the route I took. 

Whether Cassio Brahamdorff intervened or not, I chose to fight Edmund Gloucester. 

I’d been annoyed since the dress shop. I had something I wanted to say to him.

The following issues and meeting Raretis and Marchioness Windrose in such a state were unfortunate, but I never regretted what I said to Edmund Gloucester. 

However, after reading Ophilia’s letter from Cassio, I was filled with delight, relief, and rage.

If I had known, I would have picked my outfit more carefully, searched for more beautiful diamonds, and practiced dancing more. 

I should have paid more attention to Edmund’s grumbling and barking. 

Ophelia had planned a debutante ball, which I destroyed because of a disagreement with that man. 

How aggravating and infuriating. 

I was determined to earn my due after coming this far. 

I was certain that I would not hesitate, even if it meant being slapped, having my hair yanked, or having my limbs injured. 

Edmund shuddered as he saw my cold, pointed eyes and finally spoke after what appeared to be deliberation.

“…Fine. But it cannot happen straight away. I’m now arranging items in the library.”

“I see what you’re saying. So, when can I put it to use?”

“Starting the day after tomorrow, it will be possible.”

“Then, may I visit the day after tomorrow?”

“…Thank you. Is that all you want?”

“Yes.”

“What is the name of the novel you wish to interpret?”

I opened my mouth as quietly as possible, expecting that Edmund Gloucester, known for his passion for study, wouldn’t be interested in popular works.

“Volume 2 of ‘Amy and Polita.’ A friend of mine owns the book. I simply skimmed through it.”

“…Understood. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

I took a glance at Edmund Gloucester, who appeared to be in good health and attractive on the outside. 

A specific voice came to mind that I couldn’t shake.

‘Are you afraid that keeping me close will blur your memories of Lady Ophelia?’

Elodie, the girl who never cried. 

The game’s content has changed from what I remembered. 

Raretis and Cassio, as well. 

They differed from what I remembered, displaying lukewarm reactions to Elodie. 

Only one man stood out from the other two. 

The difficulty was that this man was the game’s most giant ticking time bomb.

Could Elodie say something like that to me in the game? 

No, it wasn’t that. 

Even if her resolve was little compared to Ophelia’s, the Elodie I recalled was not the frail and charming player character. 

Was this shift in the right direction? 

And for what purpose?

‘It’s not my concern,’ something inside me said. 

What difference does it make if it’s Ophelia or that other girl, Elodie? 

They have earned their fate. 

If they aren’t Ophelia, they will end up the same way, no matter how much admiration they receive. 

Isn’t it a relief not to be a part of this?

Isn’t it still uncertain, even if Ophelia and Elodie share some unknown similarities? 

It’s not my place to side with Elodie, especially over others.

“What did you like about Ophelia?”

Edmund was taken aback by my sudden question.

“…What did you say?”

“What did you like about her?”

He was astonished because I had never asked him such a question before. 

He was used to incessantly chanting Ophelia’s praises. 

Edmund stuttered over his words, clearly agitated.

“What do you mean, in this situation, asking such…”

“Just be honest.”

“Does a flaw even exist in Lady Ophelia?”

That’s the Edmund Gloucester I remembered. 

His expression brightened. 

His tone was authoritative.

“Ha! I’m surprised you asked me this. Lady Emilia, do you feel insecure right now? Lady Ophelia, with her unrivaled grace, elegance, and beauty, as well as her…”

“What did you like about Lady Elodie?”

“…”

Edmund Gloucester’s face, which had been confidently beaming, solidly froze. 

Everything happened in an instant. 

His face became solemn as if he was about to erupt in rage. 

I stepped in before he could open his mouth to speak.

“If you truly like someone, why should you care about others’ approval?”

Edmund remained silent, his mouth agape.

“Let others call you shameless or whatever. As long as you stand proud, what does it matter?”

That was my strategy. 

When I got close to Ophelia, almost to the brink of death, there was a rush of rumor and condemnation. 

I’d be lying if I claimed it didn’t affect me, but what others said could never influence how I felt about her.

Yes, it is possible to be obsessed with two persons who appear identical. 

Even if it appears to me like a betrayal. 

Both have their distinct attractions. 

Even if it’s because of something I don’t understand, I won’t deny it.

Elodie has a special appeal that sets her apart from Ophelia. 

If Edmund Gloucester admitted that now if he admitted Elodie’s uniqueness, I was willing to reassess my opinion of him.

Edmund, on the other hand, stayed silent. 

His face grew pale and froze as if something had severed his tongue, and he stared at me blankly. 

I felt like I was his grim reaper, and he was a fearful soul.