Chapter 22: Chapter 22 - A Heated Argument

Chapter 22 – A Heated Argument

I blinked in surprise. I didn’t expect her to be so honest with me over the fact that she was jealous, or that she thought that I was similar to Dorothea. However, I did not feel bad. It was good to solve misunderstandings.

“I’m grateful that you were honest with me. In fact, whether His Highness likes you or you like His Highness, it’s not a matter I can interfere with. In any case, it’s not like emotions can be controlled at will,” I said.

“Things may change later, but for now…thank you for saying that,” she said softly.

“There’s no way His Highness wouldn’t like someone as good as you.” Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense for him to not like Odeletta. If I were a man instead of a woman like Maristella, I would pursue Odeletta. Who wouldn’t be infatuated with such a wonderful woman? “I’m certain that His Highness will fall in love with the beauty of eternity. I’m confident.”

“Ahaha, those are pleasant words to hear.” Odeletta gave me a smile. “I think love and friendship are important, but I don’t want my friendship with you to get twisted.”

“Me too! Both are important!” I agreed. After a moment, I continued. “So then…let’s not be awkward with each other anymore. Alright?”

“Of course, Lady Maristella. When would we ever do that?” Odeletta smiled brightly and made eye contact with me, and I was able to feel at ease.

Phew, I’m glad I said all this beforehand.

‘So now…’

Should I meet another person?

‘The culprit behind this.’

Dorothea, where are you now?

***

“Marie!”

A high, sharp voice called out to me, and a smile spread across my face. Perfect timing—I already parted from Odeletta and was searching for Dorothea alone. I put on a neutral expression and then turned around.

Dorothea was running in my direction with a bright look on her face. This was not a scene in the original story, but the author would have described it as “with a lively look as always.” The thought made my mood sour. What on earth was the author thinking?

“Marie, where were you? You suddenly disappeared,” Dorothea said fussily.

“…I was with Lady Odeletta,” I replied, and Dorothea’s lips turned into a frown.

What, you’re giving me that look? I don’t think you can do this under these circumstances.

I wanted to say that to her, but I decided to hold back my words for now. Honestly, I wasn’t that eager to talk to her.

“Why?” Dorothea demanded in a trembling voice. “Why are you still with Lady Odeletta at today’s tea party?”

“…Because that’s my feeling.” It was childish, but really, it was up to me. Why would she interfere with that? I scowled and concluded my speech.

“Why are you being so nosy?” I asked.

“Why!” Dorothea shrilled.

Ah, I sensed that she was going to say her usual line again, and my brow crinkled.

“We’re friends,” she said.

We’re friends. Friends, friends, friends! Friends my ass. Since when has this genre turned into a teen drama?

I looked at her pitifully. “Friend?” I said with a smile. It was better to mingle with ants on the road than to be friends with her. At least ants wouldn’t smack me around.  “Am I really your friend?”

“I am your best friend, Maristella Janice La Bellafleur. Is there a problem with this proposition?”

For one, it was a completely false proposition.

“You don’t think of me as a friend,” I retorted cynically. “In fact, I’ve been wondering about that, but after today I’m certain.”

“For what reason …!”

“You like it when I’m in trouble, don’t you?”

“What?”

“You like it when I’m humiliated publicly?” I continued.

“What are you talking about, Marie!” Dorothea yelled.

“If you really thought of me as a friend, then you shouldn’t have brought up the story of the Crown Prince earlier.”

“I…” Dorothea raised her voice in indignation, as if she were being falsely accused. “I did it for you, Marie.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. You did it for you.”

“…”

“You didn’t do it for me, did you?” I gave a wry smile. “You think something was going on when I was invited to Thurman Palace by His Highness?”

“I just spoke the truth.”

“So,” I added with a smirk, “Why are you being presumptuous with what happened between me and High Highness? This is a matter between the relevant parties, not you, a third person, Dorothea.”

“…”

“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.