Chapter 23 - Impact (1/2)

Chapter 23 – Impact

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Teaching Dorothea a lesson left me exhausted, so I decided to go home. Moreover, I did not want to stay here longer. Even if I talked to other young ladies, I felt uncomfortable because they seemed to be stuck only on topics related to the Crown Prince.

After calling the carriage earlier, I was about to take a step out of the backyard of Kirkler mansion when someone called out to me.

“Are you going now?”

I turned around with a faint smile at the now-familiar voice. Odeletta was walking towards me with an elegant smile. I did not get a chance to look at her properly earlier because it was hectic, but she really was beautiful.

I smiled and nodded sincerely. “Yes, Lady Odeletta.”

“Are you not feeling well?” Odeletta asked me anxiously, and I shook my head.

“No way! No. I’m really healthy!” I put on a big smile as proof, and Odeletta smiled back at me in relief.

“I’m glad you’re not sick. I was worried.”

Odeletta…has beautiful teeth–huh? Her teeth are really neat. I admired her for a moment, then soon asked her a question.

“Did something happen?”

“Pardon? Ah… No! I didn’t call you up for anything. I was just wondering why you were leaving early.”

“I’m not sick, but I’m a little tired. I thought maybe I should go home early and get some rest.”

“I see. You shouldn’t get sick. That’s a good choice.” She nodded and gave another stunning smile, and then her expression turned cautious. “Hmm, I…”

“Yes, Lady Odeletta,” I prompted.

“I don’t know if it’s rude to ask you this…”

It was not like her to be so hesitant, and I looked at her curiously. Why was she like this? “It’s alright, Lady Odeletta. I don’t know what this is about, but you can ask me about it.”

“Ah…”

But even after hearing my answer, Odeletta was still quite hesitant, and I seriously wondered about what she was trying to ask me. At last, Odeletta spoke in a cautious voice.

“Did you fight with Lady Dorothea?”

“…”

Ah, what? Was that all she was going to ask me?

It was such a bland question that I almost burst into laughter, but I refrained from doing so in order not to look weird.

“Yes, I did,” I said concisely.

“As expected… I see.” Odeletta carefully continued to select her words. “Actually, your voices were so loud… I tried not to listen to you. I’m sorry.”

“Ah, it’s alright.”

Dorothea’s voice was a little loud, so I thought someone would notice us, but I didn’t expect that it would be Odeletta. In that case, it was likely that other people besides her noticed the heated exchange between me and Dorothea.

“It’s alright. Well, I don’t really care,” I answered with almost self-despair.

“Is it too nosy of me to ask why you fought?”

“As you may expect, it was about what happened earlier. You and other people probably feel the same, but I also don’t like someone talking senselessly about me.”

Odeletta gave a nod of sympathy. “Lady Dorothea’s behavior was rude. Besides, I didn’t know she would say that in front of you.”

I concluded the conversation with a smile as a sign that I was fine. “Anyway, it happened. I feel better.”

“I don’t really know what happened, but I am glad you look happy.”

“Thank you, Lady Odeletta. I am going to leave now…”

“Ah, Lady Maristella.” Odeletta grabbed me when I was about to turn back, and I turned around with a puzzled expression.

“What is going on, Lady Odeletta?” I asked.