I poured hot tea into the empty cup on the table. Although I wasn't fond of social gatherings, interacting with others wasn't too bad, and so I inserted myself into the conversation as naturally as possible.
"What were you all talking about?" I asked.
"Oh, Lady Maristella."
"It's been a while, Lady Bellafleur. You've only become more beautiful."
"Thank you. You've become more beautiful as well."
I recited the pretentious and ceremonious words that I had seen countless times in the novel, while deliberately excluding Dorothea. I wanted her to feel the same way Maristella must have felt—alienated from the conversation like an invisible person. How painful that must be.
"Lady Labrium is getting married this time."
"Oh really? To whom? That young nobleman from the other day?"
"Ah, she was dating that man? She lied and said it was her first time with him!"
Frankly speaking, this kind of conversation was not very enjoyable, but I chuckled and replied "Yes." There was a pressure to react nicely to everything. Fortunately, the atmosphere was not as difficult to adapt to as I saw in the book, and I could still manage to talk to peers of my own age.
"Oh, you're all here," a strange voice interrupted. I turned my head towards the woman who spoke. She was a young lady with light pink hair and mysterious black eyes, but she didn't seem to have a bad reputation, as everyone around me suddenly brightened and greeted her warmly.
"Lady Trakos! Come join us."
"Would you like a cup of tea, Lady Odeletta?"
Odeletta. That was a familiar name. How could I now know it? While Maristella was a supporting character in the story, Odeletta was a woman who was revealed to be a villainess. She was a social celebrity with excellent speech and elegant behavior, and she quietly tried to hit Dorothea, the main character, from behind. Odeletta had such a vicious impression that I wondered if she was "like a fox" just as Dorothea described.
When I looked at Odeletta, however, I saw that she had a gentle and innocent face. I remembered that the author favored Dorothea as well. I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
"No thank you. Actually, I had enough to drink at the other table earlier," Odeletta declined demurely.
"I expected you to be busy because you didn't show your face…but you really must have been busy," another lady piped up.
"I'm sorry. That's why I showed up so late."
"What do you mean, late? Don't say that, Lady Odeletta. You're still very early," the lady replied, and the others followed with small titters. I laughed awkwardly along, when coincidentally Odeletta's eyes and mine met.
'Ah…'
I panicked inwardly. Odeletta was not a minor character in the novel like Maristella, but was a starring villainess. I did not want to let her know that I was embarrassed, so I remained as composed as possible. However, Odeletta did not break eye contact, and instead started talking to me!
"Lady Maristella. It's been a while."
"Yes, Lady Odeletta. It really has been."
Maristella did not frequently interact with Odeletta, as she was Dorothea's friend, not Odeletta. Dorothea was too jealous to let her friend interact with a woman that she disliked. Of course, Dorothea only saw Maristella as a maid rather than a friend anyway.
"I believe the party was the last time. I think I saw Lady Dorothea back then too…" Odeletta said prettily.
Finally, Dorothea was mentioned by the host, Odeletta.
"It's been a long time, Lady Odeletta," Dorothea replied in a cold voice.
"Yes, Lady Dorothea. You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you."
"My father bought me expensive cosmetics this time. I can give them to you if you wish, Lady Odeletta."
"Ha ha." Odeletta laughed as if she didn't know what was in Dorothea's mind. "Thank you very much for the offer, Lady Dorothea. But I still don't need makeup on my face."
"…"
Dorothea turned white when she noticed that Odeletta was insulting her. One had to be a fool to miss it.
Dorothea and Odeletta were not amicable towards each other. Dorothea was conceited, hypocritical and pretentious while pretending to be nice, but most of the young nobles knew of it and simply turned a blind eye because of her family's reputation. However, Odeletta wasn't the type that could be curried favor with small profit, and Dorothea hated her for it.
From my point of view, Odeletta was a person of unparalleled integrity and faith. The author of the novel probably hated her because she opposed Dorothea. It was a shock that the author portrayed Odeletta as a wicked woman.
"I'm glad to hear that, Lady Odeletta,"
Dorothea continued. "But skin can age in a moment. And it's only a moment before you turn into a young but wrinkled grandmother."
"Wouldn't it be great if we could stop time just with money? But Lady Dorothea, there is a limit to prevent aging with human ability. As for me…I have clean and shiny skin that doesn't need anything applied."
'Unlike you' wasn't said aloud, but everyone present heard the implication. I was overwhelmed with excitement as I watched Odeletta quietly destroy Dorothea. Oh, I sincerely wished to abandon Dorothea and join Odeletta. That was not possible right now, but perhaps later. Of course, she had to like me too.
"Anyway, is there anything anyone needs? I prepared the party, but I'm afraid that I may be lacking," Odeletta said in a humble voice.
"Of course not, Lady Odeletta! This is perfect. I've never been to a tea party like this before."
"Yes, Lady Trakos. It's like the Empress hosted this tea party herself!"
"I'm so grateful that you all think so," Odeletta said, and I realized that the reason why she was popular in society was not only because of her eloquent speech, but because of her confidence, outspoken attitude and warm heart.
In short, Odeletta was perfect. The woman that the author tried to portray as a villainess was, indeed, a great person.
"What else were you all talking about?" she asked.
"Well, I heard that Lady Labrium is getting married," a lady replied.
"Oh, I see! That's an occasion to celebrate. I'm not sure that she's here, though."
"I heard that she's very busy preparing for her wedding, but we'll find her later."
Another lady spoke. "Do you have any intention of marrying, Lady Odeletta?"
For reference, Odeletta was nineteen years old, as well as myself and Dorothea. Most of the ladies gathered here were about the same age as well. In my world, that was considered an early age to marry, in this one, it was the right age. This question wasn't new, but Odeletta replied with a rare blush on her face.
"Why wouldn't I not want to get married? I'll marry whenever someone nice shows up," she said primly.
"So you don't want a political marriage?" a lady replied.
"I don't think that's a bad thing. Marriage is a sacred union between families. Who could call that bad? I just…I just want a marriage with more sincerity."
"Is there anyone you're particularly interested in?" the lady persisted.
Instead of dodging the question, Lady Odeletta answered. "I do."
The ladies broke out into chorus.
"Oh!"
"Really?"
"Who is it?"
"Please tell us, Lady Odeletta!"
The ladies all widened their eyes in expectation of what was going to come out of Odeletta's mouth. I also wore a curious expression, but I already knew the correct answer. There was one man that Odeletta longed for in the novel. The only husband she devoted herself to for life.
"It's the Crown Prince," Odeletta said with a blush on her face, and excited whisperings and squeals broke out.
I remembered this scene. It was because of this answer that the author succeeded in framing Odeletta as a villainess early in the story. Dorothea, who already had the Crown Prince in mind, would also openly declare that she was interested in him. It wasn't difficult to create a confrontational scene, even though Odeletta did not know of Dorothea's interest at the time. In any case, Odeletta's confession was a device to put her in opposition to the female protagonist.
"Is that so?" a familiar voice chimed in. It was Dorothea.
I swallowed nervously at the tension in the air. I knew what the next line was.
"I also like the Crown Prince."