Flower of Steel

Those words were completely calculated, but she seemed to have been touched by them. Matilda looked impressed and bowed with tears in her eyes. She probably must be thanking me for saving her life and allowing her to remain as a noble.

She could have thought I was the reason for all of this. However, it wasn’t Elise, the person she formally considered a god, who saved her from this crucial moment. It was me, who she used to think of as an enemy. With Elise, who was the source of Matilda’s hate toward me, ignoring her, her hate must have lost its worth. Trust is so weak that once it cracks it crumbles away so easily. Just like how I felt towards Kyles.

Glaring, Matilda must be feeling angry at Elise for ignoring her and turned back to me with trusting eyes. But do I feel sympathetic towards her? No way. I plan to persuade her since she should know much about Elise von Schuteiner and dig up Elise’s weakness from her.

“Are we clear on our misunderstandings then?” I asked.

“Lady Marina, I apologize for trying to insult you and misunderstanding you. You may not want to see me, but it would be great if you could forgive me,” said Matilda.

I know I saved her life, but to call me with such honorifics! Her dramatic change of heart coming from her simple ways was astounding. Underneath, she must be an innocent person and must have been thankful to Elise for having her as a close follower because she was trustful of others. Matilda was proud of having Elise by her back and showed off her relationship. Because of that show-off, she exaggerated and insulted her while I was talking with Elise. But she must have felt betrayed because Elise turned her back on her.

Thanks to that simple and stupid woman, my plan became easier. These kinds of people have specific characteristics. They seem to stay loyal to one another if no betrayal happens. It was just ironic that she first placed her trust in Elise and now me.

“Matilda, I have misunderstood you as well. It’s because I didn’t know you well.”

Yes, a lot. I was even worried that you would trust Elise even while you were being accused. But now I know that there was no need to worry about that. Thank you for being actually much more stupid than I thought.

“But I envy your courage to come up, apologize, and accept your wrongdoings. You are an amazing person,” I said.

I didn’t think she wouldn’t have standards or pride. If I had known that her pride that seemed unbreakable would be destroyed so easily then I wouldn’t have done so to this extent.

I didn’t feel too good about it. I couldn’t forget that the Crown Prince was looking at me. Usually, I wouldn’t feel bad about using someone, but why did it keep appearing in my mind this time? It felt like my hair was stuck on something protruding, unpleasant, and uncomfortable.

***

“Marina!” Rave approached me while I was out alone on the terrace. Why was he looking at me like that? There was sadness in his eyes. “Why are you always… trying to take every burden by yourself?”

I thought about his words. But that’s obvious. My every action, word, and everything is under my control. Who could take responsibility besides me?