Chapter 2 - I’m Asking You To Be Careful

Dorothea stared at me with shocked eyes when she heard my request. She looked at me like I was out of my mind.

Well, if it was considered normal for me to tie the ribbon on her chest, then it was normal for her to tie the ribbon on my shoe, wasn’t it? I kept my gaze fixed on Dorothea, ignoring her stunned reaction. Nothing was going to stop me now.

Dorothea blinked. “…What?” she blurted out, but she wasn’t asking because she didn’t hear me the first time. Her eyes trembled. It didn’t bother me to smile casually and explain again.

“As you can see, the ribbon on my shoe is loose. I have a back ache, so can you tie it for me?”

“…Tie the ribbon on my chest,” Dorothea said again.

“I’m sorry, Roth,” I said with a light smile. “I don’t think I can do anything because the ribbon on my foot is too annoying.”

“…”

“Tie that first, and then I’ll tie your ribbon for you. Alright?”

In truth, the sequence wasn’t important. What mattered now was to show that I was no longer the old Maristella anymore. I had to show that I wouldn’t let myself be stepped on. I already knew Dorothea’s true nature, and it would be hard for her to play innocent later.

“…Alright,” Dorothea said. There was no reason for her to refuse.

She was forced to squat in front of me as she tied the ribbon on my shoe. When I looked down at her, a tidal wave of excitement rushed over me. I wanted Maristella prey on Dorothea at least once in the novel, and now it came true! I preened in the destruction of the original work.

After a while, however, I frowned.

I thought to myself with a smile. “It’s alright if that’s the case, Roth.”

“…”

“Shall we go over there? If you continue to linger here, you won’t be able to get a word in.” I began to walk towards where Dorothea pointed earlier, and Dorothea followed behind me with a frown. I stepped in between the group of ladies who were speaking to each other in a friendly atmosphere.

“Hello. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you all,” I said.

Now that I’ve become Maristella, I would no longer be in a supporting role for Dorothea.