As Rachel, Alice and Zalgo left the volcano, Leopoldine let out a small wistful sigh. "My my, she's such a firecracker, that one. So stubborn, so defiant. It's endearing, in a way~"

  Noelle let out a heavy sigh, her expression weary. "You enjoy riling her up, don't you? You know it makes you sound like a pervert, don't you?”

  Leopoldine chuckled softly, not at all ashamed of herself. "Oh, my dear, I'm simply enjoying the reactions, the responses. And I suppose, taking pleasure in the way she gets all riled up. It's all so...entertaining, don't you think? And as for being a pervert...well, I suppose I am one, aren't I? Can you blame me though~?”

  "Yes, actually, I can blame you for being a pervert," Noelle retorted, crossing her arms. "It's not right, you know. You're manipulating people, taking advantage of them, treating them like they're objects. They're humans, real people, not toys for your amusement and fetish for dark skin.”

  Leopoldine just laughed at Noelle's words. "Oh my dear, you're so naive. It's just a bit of fun, a bit of pleasure. What's the harm in that, hm? They're enjoying it as well, they're getting something out of it as well. And as for my fetish...well, there's nothing wrong with having a preference, is there? Besides, isn't the contrast between my snow white skin and Alice's dark chocolate skin or Esato's rich caramel skin just so hypnotic~?"

  Noelle scowled at Leopoldine, clearly appalled by the woman's words. "It's more than just a harmless preference and you know it. You're objectifying them, reducing them to their skin tone.”

  "Oh, but it's such a lovely skin tone, isn't it? So exotic, so exquisite~" Leopoldine said, her eyes glimmering with a mixture of desire and hunger.

  "Exotic? Exotic?" Noelle echoed, her voice filled with disbelief as she kept her boiling anger under wraps, knowing that's the sort of reaction Leopoldine is looking for. "They're human beings, not some exotic specimens to be ogled at. Skin tone doesn't define their worth or value. So what if they're different or unique? Your obsession with their skin tone is just creepy and offensive.”

  "Oh dear, you're so serious, so tense," Leopoldine said with a smirk, clearly enjoying how her words affected Noelle. "And don't be so harsh on me, darling. I'm simply appreciating their lovely skin tone. I find it quite...exotic and intriguing~”

  "You're not appreciating anything," Noelle retorted, her voice firmer. "You're objectifying them, fetishizing their skin tone. It's not appreciation; it's appropriation and objectification. And stop saying exotic. It's the same word used by people who put dark-skinned individuals in human zoos back then so people can gawk at them like they're some wild animals and not fellow living, breathing human beings.”

  Leopoldine chuckled, dismissing Noelle's words with a wave of her hand. "Oh, you're just being overly sensitive. It's nothing harmful at all. It's simply a...preference, a taste. And what's so wrong with acknowledging the differences between us? Their dark skin is so enthralling, so exotic next to my snow-white skin. How can you not see the beauty in that?”

  "Because there's more to people than their skin tone," Noelle replied firmly. "Their skin color doesn't define who they are or what they can accomplish. You're reducing them to their skin color and treating them as objects to satisfy your fetish. And that's harmful and offensive. It reinforces racial prejudice and stereotypes, and it reduces their value as human beings. It's a form of objectification and dehumanization. So stop seeing them as exotic or 'chocolates,' as you like to call them. They're human beings, not objects to be fetishized.”

  Leopoldine rolled her eyes again, growing weary of Noelle's constant lectures. "Oh deary me, you're being so overly dramatic. It's not harmful or offensive. I'm merely appreciating their physical differences, indulging in my own personal attractions, as I can and will freely choose to do so. And they are lovely. Their dark skin is like a delicious chocolate, and mine like creamy, rich white vanilla. They make for a simply delectable contrast, don't you think so, dear?”

  "They're not food!" Noelle snapped, her patience wearing thin. "They're people. And the way you compare their skin tone to food is objectifying and dehumanizing. It reduces them to objects and trivializes their human dignity. Your words are offensive and hurtful. You need to stop treating their skin tone like a novelty or an exotic attraction. Skin tone is a complex and nuanced aspect of a person's identity, and it's not to be used as a means to gratify your fetish. It's disrespectful and harmful to both them and people of color in general.”

  Leopoldine scoffed once more, her patience running thin as well. "Oh, calm down, dear. You're blowing this out of proportion. I'm simply appreciating their skin tone in my own way. And I like to draw comparisons to...pleasurable things. Can't you blame me for finding their dark, rich skin like a delectable chocolate as I do my own milky white skin like a delicious vanilla? It's a simple description, a personal attraction.

  "No, it's not a simple description or personal attraction," Noelle shot back, growing increasingly frustrated with Leopoldine's stubbornness. "Comparing people's skin tone to food is objectifying and dehumanizing. It reduces them to objects and denies their fundamental humanness. People should be seen and appreciated for who they are, as individuals with their own stories, experiences, and personalities, rather than being reduced to skin color or physical appearance. Stop seeing them as exotic or as food. They're human beings, not objects to be used or objectified for your pleasure. End of story.”

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  Leopoldine let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes once more as her smirk widened. "Oh, for goodness sake, you're being so prissy and uptight, darling. It's a harmless comparison, nothing more. I find their dark skin like a starless night untouched by the moon. And mine, like freshly fallen snow under the shimmering sun. It's simply a visual contrast that I happen to find...enticing, mmm?”

  "It's not a harmless comparison," Noelle retorted vehemently. "Comparing skin tone to celestial bodies creates unrealistic and objectifying descriptions. It's a form of dehumanization. But it appears your mind is made up and nothing I say will change that. You're a despicable person who should be ashamed of herself.”

  Leopoldine chuckled softly, amused by Noelle's outrage and anger. "Oh-ho, dearie, you're really going off on me, aren't you? But you're so wrong, you see. You're making such a fuss over nothing. It's just a way of...appreciating differences, mmmhmm. And I won't be ashamed of liking their dark skin. It's such a delectable contrast to my own. You're just too sensitive, you should learn to loosen up a bit, you know.”

  "I'm not too sensitive," Noelle scoffed, her voice filled with disgust and righteous fury. "I'm simply being a better person than you. You're treating them like they're nothing but a piece of meat for you to ogle and fetishize. It's despicable. And what's so disgusting is that you don't even understand how harmful your behavior is. Your racist, objectifying fetish should be shameful. You should seek help and education to overcome your harmful views.”

  "Oh, my darling," Leopoldine replied with a smirk. "You're just too stubborn and uptight. You're overthinking all of this. Their dark skin is just delightful to me, a contrast to my pristine, porcelain white skin. Isn't that the exact opposite of me being racist? If I was, I would be calling their skin color gross and muddy and dirty. You need to loosen up and stop being so politically correct.”

  "Your words may not be directly racist," Noelle shot back. "But your behavior is still harmful and offensive. You're reducing them to objects and using them to satisfy your fetish rather than recognizing them as human beings with their own identities and feelings. It's dehumanizing and objectifying. It's not about being 'politically correct.' It's about treating people with respect and dignity, not as objects for your fetish.”

  Leopoldine shrugged nonchalantly, undaunted by Noelle's argument. "Oh, my dear, you're making such a big deal out of nothing. So what if I see them as chocolate to my vanilla? It's just a little comparison, mmm? You're taking this way too seriously. And as for your racist accusations... Well, to be fair, my parents are. Very much so. Have I ever condoned any of it? Absolutely not. I grew up thinking they just lack good taste, while I always desired to see and feel dark skin on mine~”

  "You're still objectifying them," Noelle retorted firmly. "You're reducing people to their physical appearance, specifically their skin tone. And your parents' racism has clearly rubbed off on you. You're making comparisons that are based on skin color stereotypes and prejudices. Treat people with respect and dignity, don't use them to satisfy your fetish.”

  Leopoldine crossed her arms with a dry laugh. "Oh, my parents' racism has rubbed off on me, hmm? Well, have I called Alice or Esato a slur? Did I give them nasty looks, tell them that they're inferior to me, you, and the other two girls?”

  "No, you haven't done those things," Noelle conceded, "but your behavior is still harmful. You're using them as objects of your fetish, treating them like they're less than human. That's offensive and dehumanizing. Your behavior feeds into racist stereotypes and perpetuates harmful prejudices.”

  Leopoldine shrugged nonchalantly, unbothered by Noelle's words. "Oh, I think you're just being oversensitive and politically correct. I haven't done anything wrong. I'm just noticing the beauty in our differences, the lovely contrast between my skin and their dark skin. It's delicious~”

  "It's not about being oversensitive or politically correct," Noelle argued, her voice firm and clear. "It's about treating people with respect and dignity. You're objectifying and fetishizing them, reducing them to mere objects of sexual desire, rather than seeing them as individual human beings with their own identities, feelings, and values. It's not ‘delicious’, your behavior is racist and harmful. You need to unlearn these harmful behaviors and attitudes, and start treating people with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

  Leopoldine chuckled, amused by Noelle's moral high ground. "Oh-ho, I've never treated them as any lesser, my dear. I'm simply indulging in my desires. And my words and actions aren't harmful, darling. I'm appreciating their beautiful, rich dark skin. Can you really blame me for having good taste? They're so dark, so delightful to my eyes, while I'm as soft and milky as fresh snow. Can you deny the contrast? Can you deny how the contrast makes them look so...exotic?”

  "Your skin tones are beautiful, and contrasting," Noelle conceded, her voice firm. "But you're reducing them to their skin tone and using that as a justification for your behavior, which is harmful and dehumanizing. Your obsession with their skin tone goes beyond appreciation and into the territory of objectification and dehumanization. The language you use is racist and offensive. They are human beings, not objects to fulfill your fetish. But you're stubborn, I see, so I rest my case. Let's just wait for your clothes to get here." she ended with a defeated huff.

  Leopoldine let out a satisfied sigh, feeling as though she had won the argument. "Oh, my darling, you just can't accept that I'm simply appreciating their alluring skin tone. It's not objectification, it's just admiring something unique and beautiful. And my language is just a reflection of my admiration. It's a shame you can't see how delightful it is, but I suppose we can agree to disagree, mmm? But yes, I'm excited to see the clothes they have selected for me. I'm growing impatient.”