Rachael was grateful for me helping her out, but she still knew she'd have to go back to Carole's side as we sat crouched down in a bush. Now all those random sentences about Carole's 'clumsy maid' made sense. Rachael wasn't clumsy. The protagonist was literally abusing her under all of the readers noses. I kept telling people Team Ophelia was the way to go! No one listens to context clues, for god's sake. Fuck that series, fuck the author, and fuck the protagonist. Car Oil was the perfect accidental name for her. Her heart was as dark as it (even if car oil is technically amber colored and cars don't exist in this place yet).
"I'm so sorry for dragging you into my mess..." Rachael's voice was trembling as she spoke, once again like she was on the verge of tears. I couldn't help but feel my chest squeeze. This poor girl...
"It's fine."
"You were just trying to do your job and my mistress messed everything up."
"It's not like you could've done anything."
"I could've taken the blunt of her anger."
"That would be idiotic."
Rachael went quiet for a short while before begininng to open her mouth when I shushed her. I could hear footsteps getting closer to us. They were heavier than a lady's, so possibly a personal butler or male student. Which reminds me, Carole's relationship with Floyd must be getting quite good if she decided to act so rashly. Or I provoked her a bit too much. I couldn't help it. If you're given a chance to strike at your enemy, you'd take it. Or maybe Carole was just feeling a bit confident as the day of the Introductory Ball grew near. What, did she think Ophie couldn't find another escort? Male students would literally wait in the hallways of Ophelia's advanced classes to catch a glimpse of her! What kind of attention had that broad gotten? It was always negative or none at all!
Lost in my own thoughts, I almost failed to notice the footsteps had stopped right in front of our bush. Almost. I had noticed and had gone quiet as a mouse, waiting for the footsteps to pass. They didn't. It was silent for a long time.
"If I might be able to ask, why are there two maids in the bushes? I don't believe there is even a plant that grows humans, much less maids."
... Is that Floyd? I hope it's not. Please don't be the Crown Prince. If he saw his fiancè's maid crouching in the bushes, Ophelia would be shamed. Oh god oh god oh god.
"Your Majesty!"
Rachael noooooooooo. Why can't you let me hope? This is so cruel. I didn't want to meet Floyd like this. I didn't even really want to meet Floyd in the first place, but Rachael was already standing up and bowing so I had no choice but to do the same.
Floyd was just as handsome as in the book and in real life as mentioned. Once again, I wasn't attracted to him as I wasn't attracted to most people. Still quite strange in my opinion. Here I was surrounded by lots of attractive people and I was in no way attracted. I think being around Ophelia for so long really did make me numb to appearances.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
With my head lowered, I was unable to see Floyd's expression, but I could feel his eyes boring into my head like lasers. What the fuck do you want, murderer? You may have not done it yet, but I'll never forget or forgive! For Carole even! For a Prince, your standards are as low as Alexander's IQ! Pathetic, low standard, black-bellied, cheating, sorry excuse for a-
"You may rise. I don't believe I've seen you before, Miss?"
Oops. Got a little carried away with my mental monologue, but I meant every word of it. Anyway, the pathetic prince was probably referring to me. Hehe. Pathetic Prince. I could be a prison comedian if I ever said any of this out loud.
"Ava Simmonds, maid to Lady Ophelia Dubannes, Your Majesty's fiancè."
I put special emphasis on the 'fiancè' part of my sentence. Though I don't particularly care if he takes Carole as his Princess Consort, at least end your betroathal with Ophelia first. Dirt bag.
"Oh, that's why you looked so familiar." Floyd said, tipping his head to the side. "Ophelia spaired no detail when describing you."
At that, I could only stare at him as he stared back at me. "... My Lady talks about me?"
"Ava is the only thing she finds appealing to talk about."
"... Truly?"
"Truly. She's actually going into hysterics at the moment since you haven't appeared with her lunch."
I'm quite worried now. Mainly because, oh goodness I've left Ophelia to starve! Secondly because Ophie in hysterics was something I'd only witnessed once full force, it was a dangerous affair. That poor garden shed...
"Which brings me back to my original query. Why were you and Rachael crouching within the bushes?"
Both me and Rachael went stick straight at that. We both looked over at each other cautiously while Floyd sized us up. Before anyone could actually say anything, a loud crash resounded throughout the area along with the screaming of a name. My name in particular. Coming from the garden.
.
.
.
Oh no. Oh nooooo. Oooooh nooooooo. Sadly, there's no Kool-Aid Man in this world to interrupt the chain.
"I'd love to stay and explain the story behind the current situation, Your Majesty, but I must immediately stop my mistress from destroying the school looking for me. Pardon my exit."
With that said, I was making a mad dash back to the school gardens without expecting to see anything good. At best, Ophie would've left the garden untouched by her magic. At worst? The shed fiasco would be reenacted with the beautiful fountain.
--------
. . . I should become a psychic. Or at least an Ophelia expert at this point because I have perfectly guessed what would happen. The marble fountain that was once full of glory and artistry has been smashed into bits, along with the long knocked over lunch trolly. Completely covered in vines and had Ophelia spelled all over it. She was definitely still within the garden then. If any students nearby were smart, they'd run away long ago.
"Ophie? Ophie, where are you? I'm quite fine-"
My view changed quickly, having been tugged to the ground by a vine around my ankle. My landing was quite soft but still left a bit of soreness. When it had gotten there, I had no idea. It was obviously Ophelia's magic so I let the vine slowly drag me across the ground to wherever Ophie was. Probably.
Down the pathway, to the right, then left, and then the place where Ophelia often ate her lunches. The rose plot, where all the roses grew together. There were strange colors of roses I'd never seen before. Deep blue, dark purple, green, even black. Some colors I couldn't even name. What a fitting place for someone of great beauty but great danger to sit and enjoy her lunches.
Soon, I was hanging upside down by my ankle, skirt held up with both my hands and face first to Ophelia's golden eyes. They were a bit puffy. Perhaps she'd been crying.
"I apologize for my tardiness, Ophie." I said sincerely, staring into Ophelia's eyes as they stared back. They seemed to have millions of words and feelings to express, but no time to do so. So we were in silence. Me hanging upside down with blood rushing to my head and Ophelia gazing at me.
". . . Where have you been?"
Ophelia's voice trembled, reaching out to stroke my face, like she was making sure I was actually here. I simply let her do as she needed.
"I became wrapped up in a matter of domestic importance. The situation was not begun by me, but I ended it. Please forgive me for worrying you."
I unconsciously reached out and tried to pet her head, as I often did when Ophelia was upset. It didn't work out due to my position. Embracing her wouldn't work either. Maybe I should be put upright first. Definitely put upright.
"I was so worried. The trolly was turned over and you were nowhere to be found and... And..."
Ophelia now looked close to tears. I couldn't help but feel my heart squeeze. It probably would've been a better idea for me to run towards her rather than away.
"Ophie. . ."
Ophelia finally lowered me to the ground, upright thankfully, and the first thing I did was hug her. She latched onto me immediately like she would as a child when I was going to leave her for bedtime at night. Clingy and desperate, I'd always stay behind if she asked. I think I spoiled her a great deal. My shirt was getting wet due to Ophelia's crying, but I only rubbed her back gently.
Ophelia can be quite prideful, so I'd rather not soothe her vocally. It seems that I've gotten more attached than I thought I would've. I can barely even remember my past life as Marie and not Ava. I'll think more about that later though.
Right now, it simply needs to just be Ophelia that fills my thoughts.
--------
"Ava, how do you kiss someone?"
I almost dropped the teacup in my hands at that moment before properly handing it to Ophelia. A day or two had passed since that incident and Ophelia had been connected to me by the hip after all her classes were over. It would've been adorable if she weren't asking all these questions that were bad for my health as an older sister character.
"Why are you asking all of a sudden?"
"Because I have someone I like."
". . . Huh?"
Did Ophelia actually fall in love with Floyd like in the story? If so, fuck. If it was someone else, wonderful! If Ophelia wanted to love someone, that was great. Then, why did my chest feel tight all of a sudden? Maybe I had overused my magic yesterday.
"Is that so? Who does it happen to be?"
Ophelia looked at me for a for a bit before smiling. "That's a secret."
"At least give me a hint."
"Hm... I've known them for a long time."
Yup. That only left Floyd. Well, if worst comes to worst guess I'll be executed for treason and conspiracy against the crown.
... Did I just admit to myself that murder is an option? Huh. Joked about that a lot but never admittd it as a serious thing.
"Ava. I'm asking seriously. Do you know how to kiss?" Ophelia asked me once again, her golden eyes shinning with a familiar mischievous light.
"I suppose I do, but-"
"Then can you help me practice?"
I almost tripped over my own feet when Ophelia asked that. Truly, she could only be this bold with me and in the privacy of her room. How was I even supposed to reply to that?
"I don't think that's appropriate..."
But Ophelia was giving me those sweet puppy eyes that could get me to do anything from the couch and she was probably going to dangle yesterday's incident in front of me to get me to do it anyways. I could only sigh and go sit down next to Ophelia.
"Can't you do this with a pillow for something?"
"But real experience is better, right?"
I really wished I disciplined her more when she was little. So spoiled.
"Then... Do as you like."
Ophelia lit up immediately and scooted closer to me, making our knees touch. I decided to disassociate to make myself feel better about this situation. She may be like a little sister to me, but we're not related.
Ophelia eventually leaned closer to me, making our lips touch. Oh wow, they were really soft... NOPE DISASSOCIATE, DISASSOCIATING NOW!
Letting her do it once was going to be my downfall.
Throughout the week up to the Introductory Ball, Ophelia got more and more bold with kissing. At first it was quick pecks but somehow it had evolved into full on make-out sessions that would make my face hot. I felt disgusting. More because Ophelia was supposed to be my younger sister, not a kissing partner. Mortified was probably a better word. It may not be illegal in this world, where sixteen-year-olds can marry fifty-year-olds, making my case a lot better. But I still felt like I was taking advantage of Ophelia. Mostly because kissing her was starting to feel good. I would never admit that. For my own sanity.
The weekend rolled around quickly and it was the night of the Introductory Ball. I had spent the early evening hours helping get Ophelia ready. Bath had to be made, make-up put on, clothes ironed, and hair done. By the end, I was extremely proud of my hard work.
Ophelia's pretty black hair was put up in a bun, with her bangs and a curly fringe framing her face. The dress I'd chosen, a floor-length lilac purple dress that tied in a darker violet bow in the back, looked excellent and form fitting. To say I was proud was an understatement.
Ophelia looked like a proud, proper young lady of the noble class. It made my heart melt to see her like this.
"Ophie... You look wonderful."
"Thank you, Ava. I'm sure you'll look great too."
"Oh. I almost forgot about me."
With that said, Ophelia stood up from her seat at the vanity and went to the closet. Out she came with a box that she handed to me. I could only guess that this was my dress. I may have lost a lot of my shame, but I haven't lost enough to change in front of Ophelia. So to the bathroom I went.
--------
Looking at myself in the mirror, I was quite surprised with how... Would the word be dashing? I looked dashing. The 'dress' was actually a black suit, perfectly fitting my figure. I had decided to put my hair up into a ponytail with a black ribbon. I looked surprisingly boyish, but still quite feminine. I liked it.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Ophelia was waiting for me with a grin on her face. Her face actually looked a bit flushed.
"I believe it's an escort's job to show a lady to the ball." I could only smile cheekily as Ophelia linked arms with me.
"Of course. Shall we head off?"
"Lets."
--------
"Did you see them?"
"See who?"
"Lady Dubannes and her escort!"
"Was it not Prince Floyd?"
"No. It was her maid. I dare say she looked better than any gentlemen in the ballroom!"
"Truly?"
"Really! Miss Dubannes has been monopolizing her. She doesn't even seem to care that Prince Floyd didn't even show up..."
"I wonder why that is."