The Bad Ending of an Otome

Is this just a coincidence?

 As I watched Elodie smile brightly, I couldn’t help but be skeptical. 

Beth’s eyes widened in response to Elodie’s words.

“Oh, my?”

“Yes. Peach tart is excellent but much better with cold, stewed peaches on top. People frequently prefer the basic tart since it is more visually appealing.”

The dessert topped with stewed peaches in sugar was slightly deeper in color than the fresh fruit. 

Thinly sliced fresh peaches layered on tart dough did appear more enticing. 

Still, I was hesitant to agree with Elodie because I felt uneasy. 

Beth, biting her lower lip beside me, spoke up joyfully.

“That’s right, Lady Emilia!”

“Thank you for the tip, Lady Elodie.”

“You’re welcome.”

Elodie replied calmly, her face as charming as a porcelain doll. 

Even though she was aware of my confusion, she examined the menu.

“Melon sherbet is a must-try. They don’t do delivery for that.”

“What are your thoughts, Lady Emilia? I’m sure I can eat anything.”

“…”

Beth must have seen my ambivalence regarding Elodie during the last tea gathering. 

But now, as she glanced at me, her eyes glittered with pleasure and joy. 

It was her first proper tour of the capital, and she was accompanied by a fellow noblelady her age. 

The enticing pastries appeared to be pulling her in. 

I sighed quietly.

“Order whatever you want. We can leave some after a couple of bites.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!”

Beth’s voice rang with intensity. 

Meanwhile, Elodie kept her always pleasant demeanor. 

Dressed in a white sleeveless gown with tiny blue flowers, white gloves, and a platinum lily hair adornment. 

She embodied the image of an innocent and delicate lady, as usual. 

I widened my eyes and looked behind her.

Could Edmund Gloucester or Raretis appear unexpectedly behind her? 

Elodie laughed softly as she noticed my attention.

“Um, since we met this way, do you mind if I join you? We can try additional meals now that we have one more person.”

High-ranking nobles rarely share food. 

Each person has their piece, which they eat gracefully, leaving the remainder if they are full. 

The three aristocratic ladies present, however, were not really ‘true’ high-ranking aristocrats.

Given Elodie’s and my circumstances and the fact that Beth was a lady from a noble family but lacked a strong foundation in the capital, staying at a relative’s house for her debutante ball, no one here would think Elodie’s idea was miserly. 

However, this did not imply that we would joyfully divide our food with forks. 

Beth inquired, a little perplexed.

“But, Lady Elodie, don’t you have any company? Lady Emilia and I intend to tour the capital together.”

Elodie’s face brightened with a smile as if waiting for this signal.

“Yes. I came out by myself since I was craving something delicious. I’ve been hearing a lot about this area recently. You mentioned it in your letter, Young Lady Beth, didn’t you? That you intended to go to this store.”

That’s when I recognized what was going on. 

Beth was the catalyst… 

She had also started writing letters to Elodie! 

And even boasted about spending time with me! 

It’s one thing to brag, but nevertheless…

Beth brightly confirmed as I fell silent.

“That’s correct! I was looking forward to it, and I’m so glad we were able to go!”

“So, Lady Elodie, you’d like to join us?”

“Yes.”

Elodie lowered her eyes halfway, her lashes throwing shadows.

“Um, is it too much trouble? But I don’t have anything planned for today either… I decided to come today since I was envious of what Young Lady Beth mentioned in her letter…”

I should have read Elodie’s letter after all. 

I regretted it once again. 

I would have examined what she was saying if I had known we would meet like this. 

The gorgeous Elodie speaking in a dejected tone seemed to move Beth deeply.

“A trouble? Absolutely not! What are your thoughts, Lady Emilia? It’s more fun with more people, whether it’s two or three girls wandering about, right?”

“…”

I tried not to crease my brow. 

What is this situation? 

Is it Ophelia’s heavenly punishment? 

Is she having a good time in her grave, thinking I’m out having fun eating beautiful meals with new friends? 

But, Ophelia, if that’s the case, please tell me. Don’t come at me with this surprise…

“…For the time being, let’s just order. Please bring three stewed peach tarts, three melon sherbets, and three éclairs.”

“Understood.”

I delivered the menu to the waiter while clutching my brow, a headache brewing. 

Elodie laughed and sat at our table when she saw the meal was ordered in threes. 

She then smiled brightly, the type she only displayed on formal occasions. 

Beth, clearly captivated by that smile, inquired,

“Lady Elodie, do you often go out alone like this?”

“Not usually. But everyone was so busy today that I couldn’t ask anyone to accompany me.”

She appeared to have brought at least one maid with her. 

I spotted a maid with a blank look, casting a ghostly shadow across Elodie. 

Her strange expression suggested she was hired after I left the Marquis’s mansion. 

This is unusual. 

Windrose does not hire or fire maids and slaves on the spur of the moment.

After all, who knows what occurred with Ophelia and me gone? 

Standing behind me, Kitty seemed to bristle as the maid with the expressionless face glanced at me with interest. 

With a glance, I calmed her down and turned away.

Anyway, Elodie was relieved to be alone. 

Or did it? 

I could have refused her company if someone from the Marquis’s mansion had accompanied her.

The feast arrived while I was thinking about what to say. 

The visual appeal of the sweets was magazine-worthy. 

A tart with almond cream and stewed peaches on top. 

Melon sherbet scooped like grapes and carefully layered with ice in a tall glass that shimmers beautifully. 

And the éclairs, with their shiny chocolate cream.

Beth squealed with delight. 

Her eyes were almost completely closed in ecstasy.

“Ah, to see these in person.”

“I was really surprised, too, when I first ate here.”

“Let’s just eat for now.”

My emotions were unimportant; the meal was unadulterated.

A moment of stillness followed as we picked up our forks. 

It’s a universal reality that once people start eating, they stop talking. 

Every meal lived up to the restaurant’s reputation. 

The peach tart, packed with stewed peaches and cream, melted in the mouth, as did the melon sherbet. 

When bitten into, the cream-filled éclairs spread a delicious flavor.

Elodie, who I anticipated to be quiet, ate with unusual zeal. 

Beth appeared almost hesitant to swallow each bite, her face filled with ecstasy, but her fork moved quickly. 

So much for sharing. 

It was only a short time before our table was decimated. 

Elodie asked, setting down her fork,

“What’s next after this?”

“How about taking a stroll along the Lusha Riverbank? There must be a lot of pleasure boats there!”

The Lusha Riverbank was a favorite destination for people of all ages because of its lovely surroundings. 

According to legend, a goddess created the river for the first King, who regretted the city’s absence of a proper water source.

However, the legend remains a legend, and reality remains reality. 

Nowadays, it’s simply another riverbank, always busy with portrait artists, children playing, and couples having intimate discussions on leased boats.

“You want to look at the boats?”

“There’s an old bookstore nearby… and a square… and many flower shops…”

Beth fumbled with her fingers. 

The old bookstore she mentioned earlier was the big draw for her. 

I had a rough idea of where it was. 

There is a square with a fountain surrounded by several attractions and stores. 

Unlike regions with high-end boutiques catering primarily to royalty, it has a bustling, commoner-district vibe. 

It’s not a location average, etiquette-conscious noble ladies would visit casually.

“…Will Lady Elodie agree to that? We might have to walk a long distance.”

“Of course.”

Elodie, predictably, answered my probing query with a bright smile. 

I accepted my fate with mixed emotions. 

I would have to deal with this predicament sooner or later. 

After being rejected so directly by me, not everyone can maintain their smile and be that forthright. 

Beth was the only one openly excited, oblivious to our subtle tension.

“Such a free-spirited young lady, and Marchioness Windrose has been so patient with her for so long.”

“What did you just say?”

The brows of Marchioness Irenne Windrose shook. 

This occurred in Countess Citrine’s salon. 

It hadn’t been long since Marchioness Irenne, who had isolated herself both officially and personally following her daughter’s death, had resumed attending social functions.

Elodie, who had come in from the countryside, had met her one spring day and had rallied her connections to help her launch. 

Irenne had also been visiting many events to fulfill her obligations as a chaperone, particularly with certain noblewomen she had long known. 

Her friendship with Countess Betty, in particular, was pleasant.

People occasionally act pettily, make tongue slips, or say things that expose their true motives, but Irenne had assumed she was fairly good-natured with her. 

This was especially true given how much she favored her daughter Ophelia when she was alive. 

It was why Marchioness Windrose had been more forgiving and lenient with her.