The Power Of The Dubannes Pt. 2

"This morning, I woke up early to get my chores done as I knew in the afternoon my Mistress would be having a tea party with Miss Millstone."

"To clarify, you're talking about Carol Millstone, correct?"

"Yes. Miss Carol Millstone."

"Did Ophelia exhibit any strange behavior?"

"No. She was excited for the tea party with Miss Millstone, as she wished to make amends with her."

"Amends?"

"Yes. Originally, my Mistress and her got off on the wrong foot. It was at the beginning of the school year during the first-year events."

"Please continue with the story."

"Yes. During the tea party, my Mistress realized she had accidentally left behind her handkerchief and asked me to retrieve it from her room. Miss Millstone's maid, Rachael, came along with me as her lady had also forgotten her handkerchief."

I paused after this and began to rub at my eyes as they began to burn a bit. Ah yes, tears, my old enemy. Fucking emotions. I wasn't the one in a hospital bed, she was.

"When Rachael and I arrived back we found my Mistress out cold on the ground, with the area in disarray. There were puddles of water everywhere and snacks scattered on the ground as well. M-my Mistress was so cold I," I truly began to cry at that point.

"I thought she was dead."

I rubbed at my eyes to no avail as the tears continued to pour down my cheeks. I thought that I had gotten all of those tears out my system at Ophelia's bedside, but it seems not. I calmed down at the words of the Headmistress.

"Miss Simmonds, we understand this is a sensitive topic for you." She paused and looked at me, making sure I was listening no doubt. "But, do you think that Carole Millstone committed this crime?"

"There is no doubt in my mind that she did this heinous act against my Mistress!"

I myself was shocked by my sudden outburst but calmed down. The Headmistress recovered quickly as well.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because ever since Miss Millstone came in contact with my Mistress, she's held her in contempt. There have been various incidents where she tried to humiliate my Mistress out of jealousy. I could not count them with two hands."

"Is there anyone who can verify these claims?"

I could only scoff softly. "Only the entire student body, Headmistress Mauve. Especially my Mistress' close friends."

"Could I have their names?"

"Miss Jane Bueford and Miss Flora Béchanger."

"Thank you, Miss Simmonds. If we have any more questions for you, we'll call for you."

And with that, my interview ended.

--------

"Was she telling the truth?" Once the silver-haired woman left the office, Headmistress Mauve turned to the figure in the chair next to her desk.

He nodded. "Every word that came out of her mouth was the truth. Even the tears running down her cheeks were real."

"I've never heard of a maid like that. Well, that doesn't matter at the moment. Have those two girls called to my office. After that..."

The Headmistress leaned back in her chair and smiled.

"Send in Carol Millstone."

--------

When I arrived back in Ophelia's hospital room, I was met with Jane and Flora sitting at Ophelia's bedside. All talking most cheerfully. There were even flowers on the side table.

"I brought over your homework from Etiquette class. The teacher said she sends her well wishes."

"Carol hasn't shown up to any of our classes either. I hope they expelled her immediately. Such a menace shouldn't be around other people!"

Ophelia smiled gently. "I missed your voices."

I decided to wait quietly until someone noticed my presence as the scene before me couldn't help but make me smile. It was nice to see Ophelia have so many friends. For so long she only clung to my skirt and wanted to spend time with me.

If it weren't for the most recent incident, the school would be the perfect environment for Ophelia.

Unlike what I expected, everyone noticed me quite quickly. I only noticed when everyone went quiet and I finally came back to reality.

Jane was the first to speak. "I can't believe it! Ava was smiling! I thought she could only look blank."

My smile was instantly gone after that. Jane is much too blunt. She's lucky that was the look I was going for or I'd be terribly sad.

"Jane! You're so rude!" Flora looked mortified and hit Jane with a smack on her hand. The blonde girl pouted. "But Ava is much prettier when she smiles. She'd be able to snatch up any man for marriage."

Ophelia was noticeably quiet during this interaction. When I looked over at her, I was in for a treat. The cutest little pout was on her face, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out.

"I don't want Ava to get married to a man."

I couldn't help but laugh and practically skip over to pet her head gently. To hell with witnesses, a cute Ophelia encounter only happened so much!

"Why doesn't Ophelia want me to get married?"

She nuzzled into my hand. "Because Ava will leave me all alone."

. . .

SO CUTE! OPHELIA'S SO CUTE! I JUST CAN'T! WHY WASN'T THIS SIDE OF HER SHOWN IN THE BOOK MORE?! I WANT MY CANON CUTE OPHELIA! TO DEPRIVE THE WORLD OF THIS CUTENESS SHOULD BE A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY!!!~

Oops. I got a bit too into my feelings just then.

"Ava, are you and Ophelia dating?"

"Absolutely not. She's my Mistress, I'd never overstep boundaries."

Jane's silly question was instantly shot down by me, who was still affectionately petting Ophelia. Why would I ever date Ophelia? First of all, she's a minor. Secondly, she's like a little sister to me. That's gross. I don't take advantage of teenage emotions, thank you very much. I have morals!

Why do Jane and Flora look like they understand everything? And why does Ophelia look like her soul's been ripped from her body?

----A Bit Earlier----

"You and Jane are dating?" Ophelia asked in shock, looking at the two of her closest friends in amazement. While they had seemed very close when she met them, Ophelia never considered the two of them dating. No wonder they escorted each other to the Introductory Ball. She felt like such a third-wheel. "For how long?"

Flora's blushing face contrasted with her blue hair and eyes. "Since the beginning of the year. This girl," She gestured to Jane who was holding her hand with a dopey smile. "Just came up to me asked me to marry her. This was a compromise."

As expected, Jane was always too blunt.

"Love at first sight is a powerful thing."

"I didn't expect Jane to be the type who believes in that."

"Me neither. Then she asked me to marry her when I didn't even know her."

Jane was still smiling like a dope, a complete contrast from her usual self. Flora was still all blushy, but noticeably happy.

Ophelia couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

"Jane, how do you confess to someone?"

"Directly."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then be more specific!"

"... How do you confess to someone who doesn't even know she likes you back?"

. . .

No one in the room would deny they knew exactly who she was talking about. And Ophelia's bright blush was the most telling thing ever.

They couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

----Back To Present----

Flora and Jane eventually had to leave due to the callings of the Headmistress, leaving me and Ophelia alone in the room again. Ophelia looked a bit relieved, but I couldn't tell why.

However, the girl still wanted to be spoiled a bit. Which explained why her head was on my lap.

My Mistress is still a child, so this bit of attention should be allowed.

"Ava?"

"Hm?" My stroking of Ophelia's head came to a stop when she turned to look up at me.

"Do you ever want to get married?"

"Not particularly. If I begin to like someone and our relationship develops to that point, sure. I'm in no rush."

Ophelia went a bit quiet and nuzzled her head deep into my lap. She said something but it was muffled.

"What was that, Young Miss?"

"I don't want to marry Floyd."

"Why is that?"

"Because I love someone else."

I didn't say anything out loud, but I let out the biggest sigh of relief in my life when Ophelia said she didn't like Floyd. She definitely wasn't going to die by his hand if they had no relations with each other. But who was it that Ophelia liked so much? Do teenagers fully grasp the concept of love? I don't know.

"Who is it that Ophie likes?"

"Not telling."

"Then can you describe them? Perhaps I can guess."

Ophelia paused for a moment, putting on a familiar thinking face.

"Well... They're someone who's very kind, although they often seem to not be very aware of it. They're also very dense. I've been trying to tell them I like them for forever but at this point, they must be deliberately ignoring me. Or they're just that silly. But I think that adds to their charm."

"Wow. That person sounds a bit hard to deal with."

Ophelia looked at me with an indescribable look in her eyes and sighed.

"You have no idea."

---------

"State your name."

"Carol Millstone."

"Do you know why you're here today, Miss Millstone?"

"Because I'm being accused of something I didn't do!"

"Do not raise your voice at me. Contrary to what you say, everything points to you Miss Millstone."

Headmistress Mauve paused and took a long sip of her tea. "You were the only one at the crime scene, the only one with a motive, and the only one who refused to come to my office for the longest time."

"I'm the victim here! She was the one who attacked me!"

"Oh? And do you have any evidence of that?"

"Well... No, but she did it! I swear!"

"Miss Millstone. The only mention of Miss Dubannes attacking you has come from her own mouth, and she claims self-defense after you attacked her."

"That's bullshit! I never attacked her!"

"... That's all I needed to hear Miss Millstone."

"Thank god-"

"Guards, come arrest Carol Millstone for assault and attempted murder. The Dubannes family will be pressing charges. Your father will be contacted."

"What?! This is insane! I didn't do anything! Let go of me, let go of me! Do you know who I am?!"

Headmistress Mauve shrugged. "Of course we do. You're a poor excuse for a student and an even poorer excuse of a human. Get out of my sight."

The office finally went quiet with the exit of the brunette as the Headmistress looked over from her desk.

"Was she telling the truth?"

The figure in the chair only shook their head.

A decisive no.

[ I GOT IT DONE. I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF. YAY! ANYWAY THERE'S ANOTHER PART OR TWO TO THIS CHAPTER COMING UP THIS WEEKEND OR EARLIER LOOK FORWARD TO IT OK BYE LOVE YOU ]