Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 06, Act 61: Noble Beliefs, Blooming with Resolution Part 2

Translator: Blushy

Editor: delishnoodles

Cordelia stopped apologising half-way through because she recognised Shelleys figure at the corner of her eye. Clive also glanced at where she was looking since she had stopped speaking unnaturally.

Earl Cyldereines daughter? It would be best if you stayed away from her.

Yes, I think so too. But shes acting a bit strange, isnt she?

Shelley and Cordelias eyes met for a moment. Shelley threw a strong smile at Cordelia and said something to the waitress who was preparing the drinks. Cordelia didnt know what Shelley had said, but the waitress seemed troubled.

Cordelia-sama, are you going over there?

Yes.

Its not something you should poke your nose into. Moreover, its her.

But Ive also prepared for complaints at the store, so I might be of help. Besides, it would be better to settle this before His Highness shows up, right?

Clive sighed at Cordelias query. It was fortunate for her since he didnt refute.

Then, Clive-sama. Ill see you later.

Then, Cordelia turned her back to Clive.

(Shelley recognised me and is up to something. I dont want to tempt her, but shes troubling others. I just cant leave this alone.)

Considering the actions that Shelley has taken until now, her public attacks will be trivial. She will either get me involved while falling, say rude things to me, or deliberately step on my dress like she did last time Those were the actions that immediately came to Cordelias mind.

She wasnt Cordelia, and Shelley wasnt going crazy, so she should be able to handle it calmly.

When she got close enough to Shelley to be able to talk to her, her gaze clashed with Shelleys blue eyes. Seeing Shelleys provocative smile, Cordelia felt like Shelley was going to do something after all and put up her guard .

But who would have expected that multiple glasses would come flying towards her?

Cordelia realised that Shelley had done this when the cold liquid slid down her skin. Fortunately, the liquid was juice and not wine, but it had still gotten all over her face and dress. The glasses shattered when they hit the ground, and the sound unexpectedly echoed well around her.

(This is! Normally anyone would be furious about this!)

Cordelia wiped her face before she spoke, and the people around her looked at her quietly.

(Im hogging all their attention.)

She could tell that everyone was looking at her while holding their breaths.

They may be able to understand the situation from the shattered glasses on the floor, the liquid on Cordelias face and dress, and from seeing Shelley hold the tray, but they couldnt comprehend why this situation had happened.

Even Cordelia would have wondered what had happened if she saw this from an outsiders perspective.

Cordelia didnt miss the momentary look of accomplishment on Shelleys face, although Shelley seemed surprised.

(The Heroine didnt make this big of a blunder in the game.)

There was a scene in the game where the Heroinecrashed intoCordeliaand spilled her drink on her. But it hadnt been as brash as this.

Cordelia, who had only received a slight injury, flew into a rage and had made unreasonable demands to the Heroine, so she might have been the person who had attracted everyones attention instead.

I cant imagine why Shelley would do something like this, but I have no intention of following the scenario she wants.

(Let me declare that how the Cordeliashe envisions would do.)

Cordelia was scared and nervous, but she decided to hide all that in her mind.

She had come here with the determination to confront Shelley. Even though she hadnt expected this to happen, she wasnt going to back down.

Cordelia made a blank face and opened her mouth with determination.

Its you again? Do you have any idea what youve done?

This was the first time that Cordelia had said the same words as the in-game Cordeliato Shelley.

The setting was different, but Cordelia decided that this line was accurate since Shelley wanted to expose the true nature ofCordelia.

Shelley covered her mouth with both her hands.

I, I wanted to help I, Im sorry, Cordelia-sama.

Cordelia couldnt see Shelleys expression since she had her face down.

But it didnt seem like she was really apologising. She had done it intentionally from the start, and even though she seemed frightened, she had justified herself before apologising.

Cordelia sighed.

Look carefully at how foolish your actions were.You need to apologise sincerely and reflect on your actions, not try to justify yourself.

Cordelia-sama Are you saying that words arent enough? What would you like me to do to show my sincerity?

What was the reason behind her trembling voice?

Shelley stiffened as Cordelia approached. Shelley might have expected a slap to come flying at her, but Cordelia wasnt Cordelia. Even if she sometimes quoted Cordelia, her thoughts were completely different from hers.

Cordelia walked straight past Shelley. When she took three steps forward and turned around, Shelley was still looking at her in surprise.

Cordelia turned her sharp gaze towards Shelley. So, she really hasnt noticed after all.

The person you should be apologising to first is this person, is it not?

Excuse me?

The person who was trembling the most at those words was the waitress who had turned pale.

Shelley didnt understand the meaning behind Cordelias words even when she saw the trembling waitress who was speechless.

The waitress quickly lowered her head in a panic.

I, Im sorry! Are you!?

Please dont worry about it. Im alright.

But, th-the glass your dress too!

The waitress was extremely confused since the drinks she had prepared were snatched by a young lady, and then used to harm another young lady. Then, her eyes widened even more when she saw the glass shards scattered on the floor.

Cordelia stopped the waitress with one hand when she was about to run up to the shards.

Please calm down. Youre going to hurt your hands. It seems like other people have gone to get cleaning tools, so please wait.

B-but

Its alright, this will all be over by the time His Highness arrives.

Still, the waitresss colour didnt return to her face as she was wondering how this had happened.

Shelley-sama, are you not going to apologise?

I dont understand what youre saying! Its obvious that that person has done nothing wrong! What does she need to be afraid of?!

Shelleys face was filled with frustration.

Cordelia had spoken words that Cordeliawould say, and yet the result was different from what Shelley had imagined.

Shelley was supposed to expose the ugly truth about Cordelia, but she understood that it had not gone as she had expected from how people around her were acting.

Cordelia slowly stood up.

It is responsibility for the job that youve been entrusted with. The host will probably ask who is responsible for this.

Are you trying to blame her? The glass isnt yours, so dont talk like youre all that!

Im saying that that is a possible scenario. This situation could be perceived as such, she let a guest help her with her job, and thus caused harm to someone the royal family had invited. Even if I didnt care, I wouldnt be surprised if she were to be held accountable in some way.

Shelley probably didnt understand the value of the glasses here. Cordelias dress might stain as well. Shelley probably didnt even imagine what would happen if the bill for these things were directed at the waitress.

When Shelley glared at her while trying to find the words to refute, Cordelia pressed her for answers.

What the hell do you want to do by causing trouble for others? If youre going to continue to do these things, thenbe prepared to make an enemy out of Cordelia Enna Pameradia. I wont show you any mercy.

With that declaration of war, Cordelia felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Although her conflict with Shelley wasnt completely over, she was able to tell Shelley this firmly in the dress thatCordeliapreferred to wear, using the same lines as Cordeliabut yet, with a different opinion thanCordelia. With that, Cordelia felt like she could bid farewell to Cordelia.

However, Shelleys voice shook.

Why do you speak as if youre on the side of justice!?

Her voice was honestly really quiet. She had asked a question, but she wasnt asking Cordelia this. But no matter what Shelley thought, there was no one here who would take her side.

Then, Shelley suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Cordelias arm.

Wah?!

If only if only you had acted like you did in my dreams!

Cordelia widened her eyes at the magic that flowed into her arm.

Suddenly, an unpleasant feeling coiled around her body and her heart jumped loudly. The feeling was extremely close to the sensation she had felt when she had dispelled Laras curse.

(This is a curse?! Why does Shelley?!)

I can guess that Shelley had strong magic powers since she was born to the Clydereine House, but I didnt think she could use this kind of magic in two years. Besides, would Earl Clydereine even teach her this kind of spell?

She tried to shake Shelleys arm off, but the chill made it hard to move. Besides, the power that Shelley had used to grasp her arm was so strong that it was hard to believe it came from a lady.

(Is her magic going out of control too?!)

Cordelia understood that Shelley didnt care if she had killed herself in this process and desperately tried to resist.

However, her momentary lapse in judgement had been grave.

(This is bad!)

The graveness of the situation must have been immediately conveyed to everyone else around Cordelia and Shelley as well, because she thought she heard the voice of a knight on duty.

(But she wont make it!)

I have to get away at all costs With that thought, Cordelia concentrated all her nerves and resisted with her magic.

(Theres no way Im giving up!)

She persuaded herself, and her arm suddenly became hot.

(This is the bracelet Gille-sama gave me?)

The heat ran through her body as if counteracting all the chills she was experiencing, and the unpleasant feeling that was consuming her, disappeared.

The bracelet shattered at the same time.

Cordelia looked at the bracelet that had fallen onto the floor while trying to calm her rugged breaths.

(I was protected by this bracelet?)

Shelley was seized by the knight while Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief. However, Shelley had already fainted and didnt show any resistance.

Are you hurt?

The knight who had spoken to her was Clarice, someone whom she already knew. Cordelia shook her head a little.

No, Im fine. More importantly, she might have some kind of curse cast on her.

A curse?

I dont know. But she had magic flowing through her that I dont believe is hers.

Cordelia informed Clarice quietly and Clarice nodded.

Shelley had invoked magic to harm Cordelia, and in the castle at that. This needed to be investigated even if it was determined that the magic wouldnt kill Cordelia. Cordelia didnt know what punishment Shelley would receive because of that, but that wasnt something she could control.

Im going to leave for now. Im not dressed appropriately to be in public at the moment.

Then, Ill call Isma-sama.

Thank you for your concern, but its alright. I cant interrupt Onii-samas work.

Isma may have already heard about this commotion, but Cordelia didnt want any plans to be changed since this was an event sponsored by the royal family.

Cordelia picked up the shattered bracelet.

May I ask you to arrange a carriage for me? I look like this, so Ill wait for them in the less crowded courtyard.

Understood. Then, Ill have someone go with you.

No, thats fine too. I at least know where we are, I need to calm down a bit.

When Cordelia said that, Clarice didnt say anything else either.

But Cordelia remembered that she had something to say before she left, so she bent down in front of the waitress and spoke.

If youre worried about the glasses, then Ill explain this at a later date. Its clear that you hadnt intended for this to happen.

No, thats I, I

I dont mind. But if youre that concerned about todays events and dont want to work here anymore, then I would like to invite you to the Pameradia House. We welcome responsible people.

Then, Cordelia left the hall. As she passed Clive, she was able to tell him, Please allow me to have that talk with His Highness at a later date.