Cinderella Did Not Leave Her Shoe - Side Story III Part 2

 

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Thanks to Aa88 for the Ko-fi. Much appreciated.

Aftermath:

The ball was lively. Free flowing alcohol with sumptuous offerings for the guests. Our hosts created such a perfect atmosphere, the guests quickly forgot the shocking happenings.

At the end, there were fireworks.

I felt incomprehensible fatigue and incomprehensible satisfaction. I could feel my thoughts clouding due to all the wine I had been drinking, so I made my way out of the ballroom intending to get in my carriage and go home to sleep.

But I was stopped by the Erschlen butler, and asked to follow. I wondered what this was about as I followed him to one of the drawing rooms.

There, Prince Stefan, Volker and the other escort, the duke and duchess, Priscilla and the girls were gathered.

What was this tension?

‘Um…’

The floaty feeling of drunkenness evaporated in an instant.

‘Madame Brennan,’ Stefan began stiffly.

For a moment, I began to grin at him addressing me as Madame Brennan, but then I realised that this was not the time and place and kept my face as neutral as possible.

‘First of all, I would like to sincerely apologise to the Castley family as a representative of the Royal family,’ (Zuben: Shouldn’t you be apologising to the actual head of the Castley family?)

Oh no! Not again! Didn’t he get it before? Why was he bowing?

‘There’s no need, your highness, I’ve received so many apologies, I’m so full, I can’t have anymore.’

Don’t you understand? You’re my friend!

‘I’m sure it’s the same for mother and father. We’re happy with our lives as it is. I believe I have to apologise,’ I bowed, ‘I caused all this to happen on Lady Priscilla’s birthday. I’m really sorry!’

Eugene and I ended up messing up Priscilla’s birthday. But no matter how much I regretted it; I couldn’t turn back time.

I would never experience a night like this again. They have been very good friends to someone like me who was so troublesome. It was better not to be friends, wasn’t it?

I really couldn’t make up for the impasse. What should I do…?

‘Fredericka, what are you doing this for? Why are you apologising like you’ve sinned?’

Delfina hurriedly ran up and put me upright.

‘It’s not your fault. We planned this!’

‘Huh?’

Delfina explained, in order to defeat Eugene soundly, they needed him to see me. They knew he would take a pompous stance when he saw me, so they incited him into his display. Using this to show the world evidence of his mannerlessness.

But…why would they do such a big thing? Eugene’s behaviour may certainly be arrogant, while it was unpleasant to bear the brunt of it, it didn’t directly hurt anyone.

‘Why are you asking why we would do that? Don’t you understand?’ Delfina asked as she led me to a chair to sit.

Sylvia, Priscilla, Marie and Lutina gathered around me.

Priscilla laughed chuckled softly, ‘We wanted to get revenge for our dear friend being hurt.’

‘We know that you try not to let it bother you, you try not to trouble others. You care about others’ feelings more than yours,’

‘That’s why we wanted to spoil you a little. ‘

‘Isn’t that what General Brennan does?’ Sylvia gave Volker a look of ridicule and he went a little red and coughed.

What a wonderful thing!

I can’t believe such a miracle…having friends.

But even so, why Priscilla’s birthday? I feel sad about ruining a once in a year event.

Lutina proudly pointed her index finger as though she read my mind, ‘Priscilla said she didn’t want to borrow someone else’s stage to take down Eugene. We knew he would not turn down a ducal invitation; it was inevitable.’

Hearing this, my heart was filled with inexplicable joy washing away my apologetic self.

Priscilla did this for me? What a compassionate person! I will follow her for the rest of my life. She had to be my nee-sama in the next world. I wanted to be born a man in my next life and protect Priscilla. Actually, even in this world, even though I am not a man…

For some reason, my gaze went to Stefan. He looked at me menacingly, shaking his head.

Was he telling me not to say it?

Even Volker, his eyes were saying, “Fredericka, don’t say that you love Priscilla more than me!”

…

Alright, fine.

‘I would like to ask a question,’ The Duke spoke, after he had been listening quietly.

I sat up straight.

We had met a few times during my visits here, but I still felt a bit intimidated by his quietness. I was more nervous talking to Duke of Erschlen than talking to his Majesty.

‘This evening, I was watching you, and it looked like you were trying to mitigate the situation, rather than try to get rid of Cajés. Why?’

He seemed to be someone who couldn’t be deceived. My actions may have seemed strange, especially if one knew what Eugene had done, and perhaps the Duke knew everything about the annulment, and Miss Julia.

‘I understand you didn’t want to cause a scene and exaggerate the incident. But considering the treatment you received, it is alright to trample on that ridiculous man’s head.’

Wow, that was unexpected.

Priscilla’s father is impressive!

I thought before I spoke, choosing my words carefully, ‘I suppose I looked like a tragic heroine in that scene, and it helped damage Eugene and the Duke of Cajés.’ (Zuben: Um, your distress didn’t look calculated but okay)

I’m sure they agreed with that assessment, but I didn’t want to say too much because it would reveal my true nature. (Zuben: Nothing in fifty plus chapters indicates that you’re any more than a cream puff, dear.)

I’m sure I’ll be able to make up for it with them, just to save my skin.

‘I was just thinking, maybe it would have been better to do something merciful for later favours than to embarrass Duke Cajés.’

One couldn’t predict what the Duke would do once pushed into a corner. Even if he was a shitty person, he was still a duke, his retaliation would surely be fierce. The Duke had acquiesced because it was the Crown Prince. If I had dared to sell favour in a way everyone could see, I wonder if it would have been an insurance that could have bought us time. On the other hand, he might resent us for being humiliated. But at least we didn’t beat them into an unrecoverable pulp.

In the end, I hadn’t been able to come up with a good move. I was just panicking. Where on earth was the little villain…but what did it look like to other people?’

There was a heavy silence not even the ruffling of clothes.

Ah, is my nature too terrible? Are they too amazed?!

Suddenly there was a burst of laughter from everyone.

‘“Use” that racoon dog; that would have been fun!’

The duchess covered her mouth and laughed elegantly, ‘Surely, it sounds like it would have been more profitable plan.’

Huh? I stared vacantly at everyone.

Delfina hugged me, after I laughed shyly.

‘Fredericka~’

It was like a signal, Priscilla, Sylvia, and Marie rushed to Lutina, all chattering.

I was relieved I wasn’t part of that for now.

Oh my, was it okay to fit into the circle? (Zuben: Marie is your maid and she seems fine)

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