Gloria von Caldwell's Condemnation and Revenge - Episode 40: The "Interesting Woman"

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Cedric furrowed his brows as he muttered, “Is being called an ‘interesting woman’ supposed to be considered a compliment?”

Just as he was about to agree with Kate, A-ko raised her hand in her mind (Ah, um!) to ask for permission to speak, prompting him to fall silent.

As Cedric and Kate discussed whether being called an “interesting woman” could be considered praise, and what Enbury could be thinking, Gloria encouraged A-ko to speak.

(“Interesting woman” is probably a meme from a manga! Maybe it’s the original one… and if she’s bragging about it being said to her by Brian, the target of the game, it could mean she’s the heroine of this life… maybe she’s a reincarnator!)

I see. Gloria took a sip of her tea.

Among the possibilities she had considered, this was the most likely.

There was A-ko, a ghost from another world who had come to possess Gloria, and it wouldn’t be strange if there were others like her.

“Moreover, it seems that Miss Melody is getting closer to His Highness the Crown Prince through Enbury, and she’s been boasting about it to me lately… for some reason, specifically to me…”

(Eh… why would she think that? Does she think Kate is a heroine-like character from the game, like an ally? I mean, she’s a baron’s adopted daughter, not a maid, yet they’re classmates!)

“…If Salisbury’s adopted daughter is targeting His Highness as a mistress, her words to Kate are likely an attempt to undermine me as his fiancée,” Gloria continued.

“Oh, if it’s His Highness, it’s certainly easier for her to target him. In fact, there are other ladies who have tried to sell themselves to me with hopes of becoming his mistress…”

“And do you think the young ladies will be happy to hear that?” Kate shot back.

“Well, there are indeed ladies who think so. I don’t pass along the messages to Gloria, but I do keep a list.” Cedric raised his hands in mock surrender as Kate glared at him.

While Gloria was thinking about how to manage the situation with the prince, she couldn’t deny that things were turning in a direction she didn’t particularly want to acknowledge. She spoke with quiet resolve:

“Even though I can’t say my relationship with His Highness is good, given what happened with my father, I can’t even bear the thought of him taking a mistress. It tears me apart…”

She gently touched the pendant of the Guide that hung around her neck.

“God forbids such immoral relationships. I know that, if I were to become Queen, there would be moments when I couldn’t say such things. But for now, as a student… I don’t want to see His Highness with any other woman.”

“My lady…” Kate’s face turned sorrowful at the mention of “my father.” She knew well the tragic story of Gloria’s father being nearly killed by his lover’s son.

Cedric, who had become more knowledgeable than before, seemed to grasp the tragedy of the Caldwell family, though he kept silent and wore a solemn expression.

“If, despite all that, His Highness seeks comfort in other women… Kate, could you provide that comfort for him?”

“W-What are you saying?”

Kate stared in shock, while Gloria smiled gently, trying to look as if she were in pain.

Having previously been discussing the reincarnated heroine in her mind, A-ko and Cedric were now silent, caught up in the atmosphere.

“I need you to act as the kind of woman His Highness desires, to keep him away from someone like Salisbury. I could never do that, but if you do, perhaps it would be fine for me to see you with him.”

Gloria gently placed her hand over Kate’s stiffened one, staring into her hazel eyes.

“If you cry for me, get angry for me, and smile for me, I believe it would be okay for me to see you with His Highness.”

With a pleading look, Gloria asked, “Because, Kate, you’re my ally, right?”

Kate’s eyes filled with determination as she nodded vigorously—twice, three times.

Volume 5