Chapter 4 - That’s Your Role, Not Mine (1/2)

Chapter 4 – That’s Your Role, Not Mine

“…”

Silence.

It was only natural. The party host said she was interested in the Crown Prince, but a crazy woman immediately interrupted and said the same thing afterwards. Dorothea somehow managed to uncomfortably remain in the center of attention. Remaining confident regardless of any awkwardness was a talent.

I sighed deeply inside. Our good Maristella kindly defended Dorothea whenever the latter made these absurd remarks. That was the role the author wanted Maristella to have—to stay by the heroine’s side to cover up her mistakes and help her achieve her desire.

But I was Oh Mari, not Maristella. I didn’t have the slightest desire of helping Dorothea.

“Oh…” A bewildered sound emerged from Odeletta’s lips, then she replied with a polite smile. “I see.”

“Yes, Lady Odeletta,” Dorothea said proudly, without any intention of retreat. “I also fell in love with him at first sight…but it turns out Lady Odeletta does too. You have good taste as well.”

Dorothea gave a playful chuckle. But no one else but her laughed. nevermind that they were even at a party. However, Dorothea did not seem to mind much.

“Yes, Lady Dorothea,” Lady Odeletta said. “His Highness the Crown Prince is a well-rounded and handsome man. So how can I be the only one who has a crush on him? What you said was only reasonable.”

Odeletta didn’t look offended, but she was only wearing a mask. In truth, it was written later in the novel that she was quite displeased by Dorothea. Odeletta already knew that Dorothea didn’t look at her favorably; likewise, she didn’t like Dorothea either. However, Odeletta’s role as villainess made her hate the other woman more. A villainess was necessary in the story, so it was an inevitable.

“As you know, the Crown Prince is at an age where he cannot delay marriage. He’s getting older.” Odeletta ended the conversation with an elegant smile. “It is my wish that he will marry a good partner, whoever it is.”

“So do I, Lady Odeletta. Isn’t that the wish of all the nobles?” Dorothea said with another tinkling laugh, and I wanted to yell at her ‘Are you crazy, Rothe? Please stop it!’ But if I did that, she would probably say, “Why, Marie. This is entertaining.” There was no dealing with her.

Odeletta gave a light bow and politely excused herself. “I should go to another table. I hope you will continue to enjoy the party, everyone.”

She maintained her composed elegance until the end, then, after she left, the chatter at the table continued. I looked at Dorothea, who was actively participating in the conversation. However, I noticed she was glaring sulkily at Odeletta, who was talking to a table with another group.

I sighed once again. Although the events did not go as described in the novel, the author had written the confrontation between Dorothea and Odeletta as a triumph for the heroine. The author seemed to like it when Dorothea confessed her love to the Crown Prince and humiliated Odeletta.

*

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*

“Why did you do that?” Dorothea asked when we were back in the carriage.

“What?” I responded.

“The situation earlier,” Dorothea complained as she rubbed her lips. “Why didn’t you take my side?”

“You mean when you mentioned the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, then!”

“Rothe, what do you think I should have said?” I was genuinely curious about her answer, which was not described in the book.

She replied without hesitation. “There are many things. For example, ‘His Royal Highness seemed very interested in Lady Dorothea’ or ‘Actually, Lady Dorothea’s hair looks better than yours’ or ‘His Royal Highness said he likes rich women.’ Those kinds of things.”

“…”

What was this fool talking about?

“Are you serious, Rothe?” I asked in stunned amazement.

Dorothea nodded. Wow, crazy.

“If I had said that, we would have both been buried. Are you insane?” I snapped.

“What are you talking about? It’s not wrong.”

“Then if it wasn’t wrong, why didn’t you speak up?”

“What?” she said dumbfoundedly.

“I might not have thought that in that situation. Why didn’t you say it yourself?”

“That’s your role, not mine, Marie.”

“…What?” Her words were like a blow to my face.

“I need someone to help me,” she explained. “If I say it by myself, then my image would…not be good.”

“…”