Chapter 22 - A Heated Argument (2/2)
“…”
“What you did earlier was very rude, Dorothea. Didn’t you learn manners? Spreading stories without the person’s consent is impolite and ridiculous.”
“I’m not just anyone else, I’m your friend. And you still think it’s rude?” Dorothea countered.
“There’s a line even between family members, and what are you?” I gave a humorless laugh. “I was disappointed in you today. I didn’t know you would be so crude. That is what low people do.”
“…”
“If we are nobles, then let’s act like nobles, hm?”
“You…” Dorothea started, biting her lips. “What are you so proud of?”
“…What?” This was ridiculous.
“You went to Thurman Palace without me. Without even telling me!”
“Because His Highness invited only me,” I said in a strong voice. “Only me.”
“…”
“Not you, only me,” I repeated.
“You don’t treat me as a friend. I said that I liked the Crown Prince, and I said that clearly at Lady Odeletta’s party,” Dorothea fired back at me with a voice that almost sounded evil. “When Odeletta said the same thing, then as a friend you should have chosen me. You know she and I don’t get along. You should have brought me too!”
“Without permission of the invitee? Dorothea, you weren’t taught that, were you?”
“…”
“No. You should have learned countless times that that’s rude. Yes, even a child knows that. It’s more ridiculous for an adult to do this. Do you not think before you speak?”
“We’re friends, so that doesn’t matter.”
“Even if it doesn’t matter, it matters to His Highness. This isn’t just anyone else, it’s the Crown Prince. We are only daughters of nobles. His Highness invited me, so naturally I have to pay careful attention.”
It was difficult to communicate with Dorothea, but I already knew this. It was killing me talking to her rather than Odeletta. I didn’t know how to win because I couldn’t even understand what she was saying.
“If this is how you’re behaving, then you’re gradually losing your sense of reality. That’s a problem, isn’t it?” I said.
“…”
“I’m advising you, Dorothea. Keep it in mind.”
Because it’s going to be the first and last piece of advice I’m giving you.
“And I think you must be mistaken because even if you’re my friend, Lady Odeletta is also my friend.”
“…”
“If both my friends like the same person, it’s polite not to interfere.”
“Since when did you have such a relationship with Lady Odeletta?” Dorothea demanded.
I actually liked Odeletta from outside the book, but of course Dorothea couldn’t know that. “I’m more attached to people who have short-term common sense than long-term irrationality.”
“What?” Dorothea blurted with a reddish face. “I don’t have common sense? Marie, watch what you say. If you keep talking like this, I can’t let this go no matter how much I care about you.”
“…”
I couldn’t imagine the expression of incredulity I must have on my face. “Are you saying you think you have common sense?” I asked.
“Are you saying I don’t?” she shot back.
“It is common sense not to do things without permission from others. Just grab anyone passing by and ask.”
“…”
“Am I right?” I smiled and made my final decision. “I truly don’t want to be associated with someone who talks about others without their permission. It’s fortunate that I was here today, but if the next time I’m not, who knows what kind of story will spread? What if it’s something horrifying?”
That would be…awful. I spoke in a dry tone and left her with cold last words. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“…”
“I don’t want to see you in the future.”
With all of my heart.
I left the place without hesitation.
You just dirtied me in the mud, Dorothea, so let’s never see each other again.
As I passed by Dorothea, who had a shocked expression on her face, I was captured by an indescribable joy.
Let’s throw away the junk car and ride the Mercedes-Benz, I thought.