Chapter 37: The Eye of the Storm (III)


    Friend? I dont know what youre up to, but youll never be able to approach His Highness.


    Theres no n, and youre very deluded. I have no intention of approaching His Highness.


    Of course, the same goes for Ophelia.


    Ha! Ohohohoho! If you dont know, Ophelia and I have already decided to be lifelong friends.


    You must have threatened her.


    Nonsense, who makes friends through ckmail? Oh, my God. I can tell now that I see it. I can understand why you dont have friends.


    Ophelia, caught in the midst of the snake and mongoose baring their teeth and ring at each other fiercely, did her best to think, but s it was in vain, mountains stayed as mountains and water remained as water.


    Simply and innocently drinking chamomile peacefully, she was taken aback by Catherines continuation.


    You are too much of a meddler. Are you suspicious of Ophelia and following her during her private time like this? Who is going to do anything for the crown prince?


    <em>Kuhup! Keuk! Keuk keuk keuk!</em>


    Oh, Ophelia. Use this.


    If you used that handkerchief, the smell of perfume would choke your nose. Ophelia, use this instead.


    A handkerchief appeared on either side of Ophelia, one with extremely gorgeous and delicatece, and the other with only initials embroidered on it.


    Eyes like the grayish tidal wave were shifting over from one side, while blue eyes that had been shaking like a ferry inva on the other side were resolutely shining.


    <em>Keuk!</em> Ugh uhh. Its okay.


    Ophelia shook her head as she forcibly swallowed something that could not be normally done with human will with desperate determination and resolute will.


    The reason her eyes were moistened was because of her throat, and not because of this crazy situation.


    Seeing Ophelia smile awkwardly, Catherine and Iris eyes met.


    The two, seemingly about to growl right away, soon avoided each others eyes and withdrew the handkerchieves.


    And at about the same time, they apologized to Ophelia.


    Sorry.


    Sorry.


    They realized btedly that they were only exploding their feelings in front of the person concerned.


    Opheliaughed and shook her hand.


    She couldnt bear to say that she was fine, but she didnt feel like ming either of them.


    The two had been like cat-and-dog even before they knew her.


    She didnt think that they would instantaneously smile merrily just because she suddenly appeared in the middle.


    How on earth did you be friends with someone like Lady Fillite, whos terribly stiff and dry when ites to fun?


    Actually, I want to ask you about that. How did you be friends with Lady Sheffield overnight? The very beehive that everyone shuns.


    Uh. Yes. Thats um Somehow.


    It was a very ambiguous answer and no one would bepletely satisfied with it, but Ophelia had nothing more to say.


    She couldnt exin to Catherine, as it would require saying all the deeply personal things Hermia and Iris were entangled in.


    Simrly, she couldnt tell Iris all the very personal talk she had with Catherine.


    In the end, the only thing Ophelia could respond with was an ambiguous smile.


    But, more than that, she was not willing to remain sandwiched between the two of them and having to continue to listen to the elegant yet direct sarcastic remarks maimed at the opponent; all of which pierced her eardrums.


    Ophelia reached her hand out towards bothdies, who seemed to have cooled down.


    Holding Catherines right hand and Iris left hand, Ophelia added strength to both of her hands and said,


    Can you step back a little for me?


    Then Ophelia lifted her chin as much as she could and straightened her back.


    Look!


    Look at me!


    Catherine and Iris nodded as if they could hear those cries clearly.


    If Ophelia says so.


    Ill endure it.


    From Iris to Catherine.


    They spoke like they were making a promise, and Ophelia epted it.


    Im sorry, but you guys Arent you guys actually good friends?


    Pushing down the words that had reached her throat, Ophelia raised her teacup. She was about to take a sip when Catherine asked, waving her hand gently.


    Ophelia.


    Yes.


    And Lady Fillite.


    Im an aide.


    Its hard.


    Whatever.


    Right before the second war broke out from Iris cutting Catherine off, Ophelia hurried to extinguish it.


    The festival! I came here because of the festival!


    Festival?


    The Marquisate of Sheffield holds the most interest in the festival and is closely connected with other families.


    I didnt ask you.


    Its a pity that you cant infer this simple thing, so Im informing you. Purposely.


    As Ophelia watched the second battle between the snake and the mongoose with dazed eyes, she recalled the main culprit that had brought her to this ce.


    <em>Come to think of it, youre close with Lady Sheffield</em>


    <em>Ouch! Ah, ah! Yes. youre right! F Thats right, it starts with that letter! You dont have to tell me!</em>


    <em>Calm down, theres something to do with the Sheffield family.</em>


    <em>Im already stuffed with work that Im about to explode.</em>


    <em>Its about the festival. Werent you paying attention?</em>


    <em>Im not going to put up with it anymore.</em>


    <em>Ill free you from paperwork.</em>


    <em>I can do anything.</em>


    Remembering that much, Ophelia swallowed amentation in her heart.


    The culprit was her mouth.


    Soon after, she tried to rub her face, but she gave up, looking down at her hands that were still tightly held.


    Right. Isnt it said that regret is alwayste?


    I shouldnt have said Ill do anything.


    If I knew it would be like this, I would just do the paperwork.


    Ophelias ears twitched as she swallowed bitter tears.


    Its quiet? It didnt seem like its just a feeling It wasnt.


    Somewhat noticing the bloody battle had ceased, Ophelia was taken aback upon finding two pairs of eyes staring at her.


    Certainly.


    Right?


    What?


    Its a rabbit.


    Like a rabbit.


    What is it about a rabbit, all of a sudden?


    As Ophelia, bewildered, tilted her head, Catherine pointed at herself and said.


    Snake.


    Iris also pointed at herself.


    Mongoose.


    Uh uhm. Thats right.


    They knew?! Snake and mongoose!


    Look at that. She didnt deny it, right?


    Thats right. If its a normal reaction, she would have tried to deal with it urgently, asking what kind of snake and mongoose it is.


    The image of a snake and a mongoose floated above their heads too clearly to deny, so Ophelia pursed her lips before finally closing them.


    She pondered about how to deal with it, and as she slowly sunk deeper into her thoughts, Catherine shrugged and asked.


    Didnt you say you came to me about the festival? What is it?


    There was barely any time to get to the point, so Ophelia held her distraught mind and steadied it so as not to miss her chance.


    It may be a bit sensitive.


    Everyone, go away.


    As Ophelia lowered her voice, Catherine didnt hesitate to dismiss everyone around her.


    Iris eyebrows twitched at Catherines demeanor, where she couldnt find the slightest amount of hesitation, not even the amount of a chicks tears.


    How easy?


    She never imagined that she would see <em>that</em> Lady Sheffield obey someones word so obediently.


    They said they were friends, but did Ophelia somehow got hold of Catherines weakness?


    If it had been before, Iris wouldnt have thought of this at all, but after going through the case of Hermia and the Marquisate of Neir, she realized that it was quite possible.


    Unaware of Iris confusion and her doubts, Catherine smiled innocently at Ophelia with her gorgeous face.


    Its okay now, right


    As she said so, Catherine patted Ophelia on the back of her hand, as if asking for praise.


    Thank you. Its perfect.


    Anytime you want.


    Iris expression was morphing more and more, but Catherine ignored it. Meanwhile, Ophelia was concentrating on figuring out what to say next.


    What should I say to her?


    It was an open secret that Catherine, though not the next head of Sheffield, was deeply involved in her family affairs.


    Thus, she couldnt just humiliate her to her face by asking, I heard that Marchioness Neir is working behind the scenes against your family?


    To put it vulgarly, if the Marquisate of Neir is a family that snorts loudly in the political world, the Marquisate of Sheffield could be said to be a family that farts a little in the business world.


    Fortunately for the imperial family, the two families that dominated the political and business worlds were on tight footing.


    Crucially, the Marquisate of Sheffield strongly supported the imperial family; very different from the Marquisate of Neir.


    So Im sure Marchioness Neir is plotting something behind the scenes against Marquis Sheffield, but I dont know if its rted to the festival.


    Hmm, instead of mentioning the entire family


    Unlike the dirty rtionship between families, the youngdies might be on good terms, so Ophelia first asked,


    What is your rtionship with Lady Neir?


    Shes an annoying woman.


    Annoying? I see.


    Ophelia was relieved that the rtionship had been sorted out at once, and Iris quickly nodded like she agreed tremendously.


    Catherine, whose eyes met Iris, also nodded in silence.


    Did people say that the enemy of an enemy is a friend?


    No words were exchanged, but at that moment a strange bond developed between the two.


    Of course, it was in danger of being smashed in a matter of seconds.


    Shes presumptuously aiming to be the crown princess. No matter how I look at it, it cant be her. The entire empire knows that Lady Neir is greedy. Where is she going with that greed?


    I strongly agree. But if you put your hand on your chest and think about it, didnt a certain Lady Sheffield openly say that she would sit on the crown princess seat? Using grounds that only thedy knew.


    A very refreshing answer returned to Iris sharp and bloody words.


    <strong><em>Ame:</em></strong><em> Yo Richard, get it together! Thedies kinda seem more charming than you!</em>


    <strong><em>Dea:</em></strong><em> if Iris and Catherine cant get Ophelia maybe they can get together? nothing better than enemies to reluctant friends to lovers haha!</em>