Chapter 20 - An Interpretation (1/2)
Chapter 20 – An Interpretation
As always, the conversation between the young nobles was stereotypical and predictable—gossip at social circles hovered around topics like a new dress at a boutique, or the story of a young man travelling with another woman ahead of his wedding. Fortunately, when I heard something that I had read in the book, I was able to lead the conversation from time to time.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear? Duke Escliffe—”
“Marie?”
A voice suddenly broke through from the crowd. I turned around with a puzzled expression.
“It’s you!” the voice said.
I didn’t know if the owner of the voice realized that she had broken the flow of conversation or if she was just ignorant. Meanwhile, Odeletta was the queen of managing her facial expressions, and she greeted the newcomer.
“Greetings, Lady Dorothea.”
“Oh, Lady Odeletta?” Dorothea said, as if she just noticed Odeletta’s presence. “There you are. I didn’t see you.”
That was impossible. Odeletta’s pink hair was a rarity among the young nobles. Additionally, she was sitting right next to me… it seemed Dorothea’s incivility was on purpose. A wry chuckle inadvertently escaped from my mouth.
“Marie, I didn’t know you were here. Do you know how hard I’ve been looking for you?” Dorothea pouted.
“Haha…”
Honestly, I wished I could say, ‘Why didn’t you just socialize with other people by yourself if you didn’t see me? Did you have trouble finding anyone because you don’t have any friends?’
However, there were too many watching eyes, so I sadly kept my mouth shut. Keeping a convincing image as Maristella was just as strong as my desire to kick Dorothea out of here, so I smiled awkwardly.
Odeletta gave a casual smile and spoke to Dorothea. “Oh, I didn’t know that Lady Cornohen was looking for Lady Bellafleur. I brought her here as soon as she arrived… I apologize.”
“You brought Marie here, Lady Trakos?”
“Lady Maristella is not only a friend of Lady Cornohen, but also a friend of mine…”
Dorothea’s face turned visibly pale, as if she could only think of it as a joke. It was as if Odeletta had just said something equivalent to “I’m going to marry Lady Maristella.”
“A friend of Lady Odeletta’s?” Dorothea repeated in an incredulous voice.
“Oh, didn’t you know?” Odeletta smiled and took my arm. “In fact, we became friends at the Crown Prince’s birthday party. I remember that you were there at the time, but you must have forgotten.”
“…”
Whether Dorothea forgot or not, she pressed her lips tight. Odeletta did not stop there.
“Everyone may get tired of me saying this so often, but… I’m delighted to be friends with Lady Maristella, since she is very kind. She knows how to take care of others, and her heart is warm.”
“…”
“I am curious about how Lady Cornohen is friends with such a kind person,” Odeletta continued.
In other words, she was saying, ‘How could someone like you be friends with her?’
Dorothea was no idiot either, and she understood the implicit meaning in Odeletta’s words. Her pale face soon began to turn red with anger. I almost cracked a laugh, but I forced myself to hold back.
“I think I’m a good enough person to be friends with someone like Marie,” Dorothea announced in self-praise.
“Really?” Odeletta said, smiling as if she were possessed.
“Of course. There’s a saying that like attracts like, after all.”
I’m sorry Dorothea, but don’t say that we’re similar in any way. The person you got close to was the original Maristella, not me!
“Oh yes, I just remembered this story.” Dorothea smiled as she said something meaningful and another young noble took the bait.
“What story?”
“It’s a very interesting one… I’m sure those of you that already know know that.”
“What are you talking about?”
The moment I realized what Dorothea was about to say, my face turned pale, just like hers did earlier. She must be crazy. Dorothea, are you going to bring that up here?
“Not long ago, Marie was invited to Thurman Palace.”
The table became suddenly interested.