The Bad Ending of an Otome

Nanny Odile prudently replied with a smile to the question only once: ‘I like you both, Miss.’

‘I know.’

That’s what I responded with. 

I was completely aware of that. 

All too well. 

Someone else might have thought that was an infinitely foolish question. ‘Do you prefer mom or dad?’ 

Its weight was most likely just that. 

But, clinging frantically to that tiny balloon-like question, I let it go before it swelled and ruptured. 

I turned aside, pretending not to notice, even though I knew that balloon would eventually fly high into the sky and shatter, returning as trash.

“…If I call for you, will you come?”

“Anytime, anywhere.”

“If I’m in danger, will you save me?”

“Even if you are in hell.”

The man responded without hesitation. 

I cracked a smile.

“…I’ll be careful not to stumble and fall into hell then.”

The knight, who never broke a promise, grinned once again. 

It was a smile reminiscent of Cerberus, who had risen from hell to guard Persephone.

“Are you short on money?”

Kitty only rolled her eyes, worried. 

A gentleman Kitty had previously seen sitting inside the carriage a few times. 

Miss Emilia had abruptly left, and Kitty contemplated her next location with the lady’s bags and remaining money. 

That’s when a well-dressed, immaculate middle-aged man stopped her.

Closer scrutiny revealed him to be Edmund’s butler, who had previously visited the townhouse. 

Kitty was concerned about his motives but couldn’t reject a noble’s invitation as a maid and not Miss Emilia herself. 

Kitty stepped inside the roomy yet austere black carriage. 

Edmund Gloucester was waiting inside. 

His appearance was nearly identical to the last time she saw him. 

Well-dressed attire. 

Monocle that sparkles. 

Blue eyes that are thinly opened and long, tied-back blue hair.

“I, I don’t understand what you’re saying…”

“Your father is worthless, your mother is sick, and your only brother is working like a slave in an inn.”

“…”

Kitty clenched her teeth. 

How did Edmund Gloucester find out about her predicament? 

Her distrust grew. 

Considering her circumstances, Kitty’s job at the townhouse was a lucky break. 

She had temporarily worked at a baron’s estate and received a letter of recommendation for her vivacious and hardworking disposition.

Her friends envy Kitty’s good fortune. 

Working at the townhouse was simple, and she received her pay promptly. 

She also had regular vacations. 

Kitty couldn’t have asked for a better job. 

The only issue was her family’s predicament.

“Doesn’t your entire salary go towards medicine?”

“What do you want to talk about with someone like me…”

“It’s nothing much.”

Edmund Gloucester took a close look at the bags Kitty was carrying.

“What is it? May I look at it?”

“Oh, it’s the lady’s personal belongings.”

The waiting butler handed over a suitcase in response to Edmund’s motion. 

It was brimming with gleaming gold coins. 

Kitty exclaimed.

“We’ll look at it right before you, and in return, I’ll give you all this.”

“…”

“There’s nothing strange about it, right?”

“Why, why would you do that…”

“This has nothing to do with your lovely ‘Miss Emilia.’ It’s simply to verify that my lady is not in danger.”

His remarks, ironically, made Kitty feel relieved. 

She was carrying only a shawl she had prepared for Emilia in case she got cold, a book, and some extra money. 

Edmund’s eyes were dry.

“So, are you not going to do it?”

“…”

“I could make you do it if I wanted to. I could make a variety of excuses. Like apprehending a maid who has escaped with a significant sum of money…”

“My lady would never believe such a ridiculous excuse!”

“I might charge you for being impolite to a noble. Or… how many aristocrats do you believe would look for a maid who went missing after strolling the streets with a huge sum of money?”

“…”

“Whether I take it by force or you show it willingly in exchange for these gold coins, it doesn’t make a difference, does it?”

Edmund Gloucester gave a frigid laugh. 

Kitty gently laid her bag down, studying both the butler and Edmund. 

The butler took it, opened it, and delivered it to Edmund. 

Edmund glanced through the book and stopped on a ripped page.

“…Just as I expected.”

“My lord?”

“Give her the money.”

The butler gave Kitty the bag of gold coins. 

She grasped it with hesitant hands.

“The book is in good condition, and you have some extra cash. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“If, if it harms my lady…”

“Didn’t I warn you? I’m acting for my lady’s sake.”

Edmund Gloucester replied coldly. 

The butler kindly packaged the book and returned it to Kitty. 

She gathered her possessions and the money with trembling hands.

“Today’s meeting is to be known by no one.”

Kitty swallowed the words that sprang to her throat. 

When did this man begin following her? 

What was the point of his waiting? 

She struggled to come up with something to say. 

It didn’t appear to be a major threat to the lady. 

She was terrified of what might happen to her. 

He was, after all, a high-ranking noble.

Kitty had received money for doing something bad, regardless of the reason. 

Her fingers were trembling. 

Such acts should not be performed by servants in high-ranking noble residences. 

Even the smallest deviation in information could result in swift dismissal.

Particularly for a maid serving a lady. 

Details such as dress style or accessories for a special occasion can be essential information in social circles. 

Countess McGinty was very rigorous in this regard.

Of course, Emilia could shield her. 

But, in the end, she was simply a guest. 

If the owner decided to hold a servant accountable for their conduct, a guest could not intervene. 

In the end, Kitty would keep this information private. 

Edmund whispered as she walked away from the carriage, watching her disappearing form.

“People.”

Deep scorn lingered in his eyes.

“Give them a handful of coins, and they’ll do anything. What an idiot I was to call her a maid.”

“News has come that Lady Elodie has returned to the Marquis’s mansion.”

“What about the other side?”

Edmund Gloucester snapped his lips irritably as he remembered the shredded book.

“…They lost track of the movement as the companion is Lord Raretis.”

“For God’s sake, it’s the capital! How can they not follow one person in such a crowded place?”

Edmund erupted in rage but quickly calmed down.

“Should we deploy more people to the bookshop?”

“Where did the original ‘Amy and Polita’ copy surface?”

“Three locations in the capital. They all claim to have found it…”

“Are we sure we planted a copy in that bookshop today?”

“That is correct. We also recommended the book to the lady who accompanied her.”

“Make sure the bookstore staff keep their mouths shut.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

However, the butler bent his head.

The two copies of ‘Amy and Polita’ acquired by Countess Beth’s daughter today from the bookstore were skillfully produced forgeries. 

Edmund Gloucester had been researching the book since Emilia suggested the second volume of ‘Amy and Polita.’

He was initially certain it was no ordinary book, especially since Emilia, who generally stared at him with chilly eyes, had enquired about visiting Gloucester’s estate for it. 

Amy and Polita’s first book to hit the market was a typical romantic novel. 

However, several words were blurred or smeared, as if printed wrongly.

The second volume of ‘Amy and Polita’ became legendary among bookshop personnel and voracious readers. 

Polita, a character from the first volume, was said to have attained significant financial success. 

She created ‘something’ to assist lovers in similar situations like herself and pointers to identify that ‘something’ was allegedly included in the second volume.

The story was dismissed as a prank of naive youth in the capital, where trends produce the nonexistent, but Edmund suspected otherwise. 

He grinned when he confirmed the original second volume of ‘Amy and Polita,’ which he had obtained through various means. 

Substantial knowledge of magic and theology was required to fully comprehend the magic circle at the end of the second volume. 

In addition, a few words from the first volume were required. 

It indicated a location to the ignorant reader who followed the book’s context and matched what appeared to make sense. 

It was the Lusha River’s only ship docking station. 

Only small boats and skiffs could pass through the capital’s Lusha River, which was too shallow for huge ships to navigate freely.

The docking station was nothing more than a boat storage place. 

Another docking station renting out tiny boats to lovers would make much more money.

Yes, civilians could only go so far with the information they had, disregarding basic details like dates and hours. 

When an expert, such as Edmund, inserted ‘real’ arcane knowledge, it evolved into something entirely new.

“You’re investigating something like this?”

Edmund Gloucester let out a surprised giggle.

To those who seek the truth, the altar always welcomes you.