Chapter 21: It’s really nice to see you, Dottricia! Part 1
“Hohoho!”
“Oh my, did that really happen? That’s quite impressive.”
Suddenly, a group of noblewomen walking toward them from the other side of the garden caught her eye.
People are here today as well.
Fay, worried she might run into someone she knew, quickened her pace.
Though meeting those who had lost their memories wouldn’t cause any real trouble, she disliked the feeling of being unsettled. She wasn’t here to dwell on past grudges but to complete the task the Crown Prince had entrusted to her.
As she tried to avoid the fresh lavender scent tickling her nose and evade the crowd, she found herself near the back entrance of Arcadnia Hall.
‘Well, nothing I can do.’
It was still morning, so apart from the group she almost encountered, others would likely be inside. If she took a detour around the edge, she could slip away from the hall…
‘Sigh…!’
Was it fate’s doing?
Her hastened steps suddenly slowed to a halt.
Inside the grand Arcadnia Hall, beyond the large windows, stood Duchess Klein, deep in conversation with someone. And just outside, separated by a mere wall, stood her—Fay—no, Morgana’s, old friend: Dottricia.
My god.
Dottricia, with light makeup and an ill-fitting pale violet dress, stared intently at the ground.
Morgana remembered wearing the exact same dress when she first came to the palace, and someone had made the odd comment that she looked like a flamboyant calico cat.
It wasn’t a pleasant memory, but the Duchess hadn’t told me to wait outside the hall back then. She had left me alone to test me. Only the people have changed, but why is Dott here? Should I turn around and leave?
As Fay hesitated, the choice was made for her. Dott, gently tapping the floor with her shoe, suddenly lifted her head, locking eyes with Fay.
Hello, my nemesis.
In that instant, Fay made up her mind.
Face her.
I won’t run from you.
“……!!”
Dott’s crimson-painted lips parted in shock, her pupils trembling. As Fay approached her with deliberate steps, she greeted her with surprising warmth.
“…Dott? It really is you. From a distance, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Oh… Oh…”
“How have you been?”
Fay couldn’t be sure what expression she wore as she inquired about the well-being of the friend who had once killed her. If she had a mirror, like the one Leon had gifted her, she would know instantly. Her face, though, wasn’t twisted with grief or anger.
A rare dimple appeared on Fay’s cheek, her bright green eyes scanning Dott’s darkened expression. To any onlooker, she simply appeared as a friend catching up after a long absence.
Dott’s feet, hindered by the ribbon around her waist, stumbled slightly as she leaned against the wall.
Morgana!
Morgana was wearing a plain white linen dress and a simple short cloak. She didn’t look like a servant or a maid, nor did she appear noble, but her attire made it difficult to treat her with disregard.
Dott was dumbstruck.
Why is she here? What’s going on?
“M-Morgana?”
“It really is you, Dott! Even dressed like that. I was ready to apologize if it turned out not to be you. I was so tense about not making any mistakes in such a place like the palace.”
With an exaggerated motion, Morgana placed a hand over her chest and sighed dramatically, which made Dott’s eyebrows twitch with suppressed emotion.
It was, of course, anger and disgust.
Why… Why do I meet Morgana here, of all places? I can’t even go inside Arcadnia Hall, and now this? What reason does she have for being here? Could it be…?
‘No, that’s impossible. Everyone else has lost their memories—how could Morgana be the only one unaffected?’
Dottricia couldn’t even begin to suspect that Morgana might still carry fragments of the past.
‘No, she’s too simple. She wouldn’t come all the way to the palace just to taunt me. This isn’t some absurd opera! If she knew, she wouldn’t have stayed silent all this time.’
Seeing the girl she had once killed cheerfully chatting with her was simply bewildering.
‘Yeah, she’s just as clueless now as she was back then.’
The brief cold sweat running down Dott’s spine soon dissipated, and her sharp tongue returned, selecting words to her advantage.
“That’s only natural. I don’t know why you’re here at the palace, but you should leave before anyone notices.”
“Is there a problem?”
“This place is for noblewomen of the highest rank. If anyone becomes curious about you, it could lead to big trouble.”
“Ah, I see. Understood.”
‘Did I make a mistake?’
Dott’s urgency grew as she realized the real princess would leave soon without a doubt.
Ever since leaving Grace Monastery and becoming Eina, she hadn’t heard a thing about what was going on back there. Before heading to the Duke’s residence, she had felt relieved, thinking it all worked out. But not knowing what was really happening was frustrating.
‘I should at least know what’s going on over there, whether I cut ties or not.’
There was no way Pochette, who despised Dott, would share any news from outside, and as for the other people at the Duke’s residence, there was no need to even mention them.
Recently, though, Young Lord Kassel had been leaving the estate a bit more, which gave her a small breath of relief. With her keen sense, she barely picked up the news that the monastery had recently brought in a large supply of wine, but information was always lacking.
‘Should I try to find out why Morgana’s here and what she’s up to?’
Legnakra
So good 🥰🥰🥰