The Alyssum’s Inferiority Complex

me in front of everyone by rejecting my suggestion, right? ”

As she leaned closer, Irene could feel Lucretias eyes pierce right through her. Tears started to well up in her green eyes, but she tried her best to hold it back.

”Y-yes… ”

”Great! ”

Almost as if she had two different personalities, Lucretias frightening expression soon changed to her usual cheery attitude.

Irene walked towards where Lucretia had pointed out, near the rose bushes. With each step, she felt as though she couldn breathe, and the ladies watching felt the same.

Stopping, she looked at the ground, her hands trembling. Taking a glance to her side, she could see the silver-haired girl look down on her with a gleeful expression filled with anticipation.

With the weight of that gaze on her, she knelt down and lowered herself, with every part of her body hesitating and shaking. Closing her eyes in a wince, she moved her hands to grasp the loose dirt on the ground.

As she opened them, she could see the brown dirty mass in her hands, causing her to stop moving. Tears welled in her eyes, and she couldn stop it this time. Her whole body froze and the only movement was the trembling of her body.

”Hm? Whyd you stop? ”

”… ”

Lucretia looked questioningly at her.

”Lady Irene? ”

”I… I can do… it… ”

A large silence filled the area as she muttered under her breath. Irene turned her head toward Lucretia. Looking up, she had tears streaming down her face, as she begged and pleaded.

”P-please. J-just this once. Forgive me. I don know what I did wrong to offend you, b-but please just forgive me. ”

”… ”

Lucretia looked at her, her eyes not revealing what she was thinking. However, she breathed out a sigh, as she held her chilling smile.

”Lady Irene, with how you
e acting, people would think Im bullying you. You know Im only doing this for your own good. ”

As she retained her smile, the silver-haired girl widened her eyes as she rested her unwavering gaze at the girl below her. The pressure she exudes from just her stare caused people to feel weak.

”So. Get on with it. Unless you would like for me to help you? Though, I would have to warn you it might hurt, since I chose to wear my heals today. ”

Feeling a chill spread across her entire body, she didn want to be stepped on, nor spread dirt over her own face. However, she realized she only had those two options.

Lucretia only gave her those two options.

…

”Oh my! You already look much better! Aren you glad I suggested this? What does everyone think? ”

Scattered claps followed after a moment of silence, as the audience of ladies averted their gaze, not wanting to become the next victim to Lucretias whims.

”Y-you
e truly a genius Lady Lucretia! ”

”I-it looks amazing! As expected of you, Lady Lucretia! ”

”What an innovative solution, Lady Lucretia! B-beautiful! ”

A trembling girl clenched her hands into a fist, digging into her own skin. Her hands had become rough and covered in the brown dirt. Her green dress had become mixed with a murky brown color, as some dirt fell back to the ground. With a forced smile, Irene tried her best not to look away from Lucretia. Despite how much dirt had been smothered on her own face, it couldn hide the tears running down her face.

”Y… yes… thank you… Lady Lucretia. ”

…

This was but one moment in Lucretias life.

One of many like this in fact.

Her reason for targeting Irene Glaucina?

Irene had worn the same accessory as her at a banquet.

Though, Lucretia wouldn even need an excuse to behave the way she has. After all, who could ever reprimand her?

She was the daughter of the glorious Adallindus family. Everybody should be begging to wait on her by her feet and sing her praises.

But, what if she wasn the real daughter?