Chapter 48
In the end, I didn’t get to ask Sylas anything.
How he knew I came from another world.
I should have asked…
But I had no choice—he completely threw me off balance.
<Wish Stone — Abiche Family to Hold Priority Negotiations with the Temple!>
Katrina read today’s paper.
So Damien had managed to secure the right of first negotiation.
She hesitated.
Damien would be going as the lead negotiator.
Which meant the wish stone would never end up in her hands.
It’ll go to the family first.
Once it was in the family’s possession, then she could think about how to steal it away.
“Milady, you’re all ready.”
Today, Katrina had to dress to the nines.
Ever since her return here, she hadn’t dressed up except for the Harmony Gathering, so the sight of herself felt strange.
Still, the reflection in the mirror wasn’t bad at all.
“Um… milady…”
Just then, Lina spoke hesitantly.
“Would you perhaps need a new maid to help you with your grooming?”
…Hmm?
“I know a maid—she’s very skilled in beauty care. If you keep her by your side, she’d be a great help to you.”
Oh, so…
She wanted to plant her friend as Katrina’s maid?
Lina had originally been a laundry maid. But after becoming Katrina’s lady’s maid, she had often said her life had become much easier.
I suppose having another maid wouldn’t hurt.
Lina was currently Katrina’s only trusted aide in the mansion.
It wasn’t hard to grant her this one request.
“All right. Bring her.”
“Gasp! Really? Thank you, milady!”
She looked so delighted.
As Katrina came down the stairs, she ran into Damien, who was already prepared.
Usually dressed neatly, he had clearly gone the extra mile today.
He paused, looking her over.
“…You’re really planning to get married?”
“Yes, of course.”
Well—absolutely not.
“I didn’t think you were. I thought you meant to stay in Abiche?”
I do. At least until the wish stone arrives at the family estate.
“Before I pass the usual age for marriage, I might as well.”
Katrina had no intention of telling anyone in the family her true plans—whether it was coveting the wish stone or planning to go back.
Uncomfortable with the topic, she smoothly changed it.
“What about you? You’re the same age as me, aren’t you?”
“If you’re to be married to continue the family line, your marriage should come before mine…”
“…”
“When the time comes for you to be engaged, your partner will probably be from the Marquisate of Franche, right?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You like Niel, don’t you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“…?”
Something was off.
Damien stared at her in silence for a long while.
Katrina, equally wordless, stared back.
A long silence stretched between them.
According to the game’s storyline, in the three years Katrina had been bedridden, various relationship developments should have happened.
She hadn’t seen it firsthand, so she didn’t know for sure.
“…What kind of misunderstanding are you having right now?”
Katrina couldn’t tell if he was hiding his feelings or if he truly meant it when he denied it.
In the game, by this point he had clearly fallen for her… but now, she couldn’t tell.
Not that she needed to. She wasn’t particularly curious.
***
“Lady Abiche, it’s such an honor to have you visit the Marquis’ house again.”
Milo greeted her with a bright smile.
Katrina was at the Carlo family’s mansion.
There was no major reason for her visit—Milo had simply sent a letter saying he wanted to see her privately.
Of course, Katrina would have ignored him, but the Abiche Duke—mad about ships—wouldn’t allow it.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
She had thought that picking a man would put an end to such annoyances, but it turned out there was still a lot to deal with.
“Ahem. And what brings you here today, my lord…?”
Milo cast a wary glance at Damien, who was standing beside her.
Why had Damien come along?
“I’m here to see the Marquis of Carlo. Don’t mind me.”
“I see… but my father isn’t in at the moment, so perhaps next time…”
“Then I’ll wait.”
“…Pardon?”
Milo looked briefly flustered.
But Damien, unfazed, sat himself down at what was clearly a date.
Katrina was dumbfounded. Why are you even here?
Milo seemed to be thinking the same thing.
But since he couldn’t openly snub Damien, he had no choice but to let him join.
Katrina kept giving Damien incredulous looks, but he stayed put without a care.
Thus, the three of them ended up having a cozy little tea party in the Carlo family’s garden.
“You’re as beautiful as ever, milady,” Milo said after a long stretch of warily watching Damien.
“Thank you, Lord Carlo.”
“You can just call me by my name!”
Not comfortable with that.
“And… may I call you by yours as well, milady? Will you permit me?”
“Feel free, Lord Milo.”
“Ah, milady…!”
Overcome with emotion, Milo suddenly grabbed her hand.
At that moment—
Sploosh!
“Oh dear.”
The teacup in Damien’s hand tipped sharply, sending tea splashing all over Milo.
In an instant, he looked like a drenched rat.
“My lord, what on earth…?”
“My hand slipped.”
Katrina stared at Damien in shock.
That’s not a slip!
A man who never made such mistakes, doing this now?
“I-It’s all right…”
“I’m glad to hear it. Still, you should change your clothes.”
Seeing Damien’s calm demeanor, Milo looked bewildered.
Was it intentional, or truly an accident?
“…I’ll be right back.”
He couldn’t very well stay seated in wet clothes, so Milo left.
The moment he was gone, Katrina turned to Damien.
“What was that supposed to be?”
First Raymond, and now you too?!
“Are you really going to marry?”
Huh? Why was that the question here?
“I told you last time I was.”
“To him?”
Admittedly, Milo wasn’t exactly top-quality husband material.
“And why do you care?”
You hate me, so what—are you trying to saddle me with the worst option possible?
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to, Katrina.”
“I never said I didn’t want to. I…”
“I’ll help you.”
Katrina looked at him.
“…You’ll help me? How?”
“There are many ways. All you have to do is tell me you don’t want it.”
He met her gaze, calm and unwavering.
Don’t want it, huh?
“Just say the word.”
His blue eyes, more serious than ever, seemed to be waiting for her to speak.
“…Why?”
She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way.
Damien gave her a faint smile.
“I don’t share my father’s opinion. Carlo doesn’t seem like a particularly good match.”
“And what does that have to do with—”
“It could bring more harm than benefit to the family.”
Katrina stared at him, speechless.
That’s so very you.
Anyway, the wish stone negotiations were soon.
She had no reason to mess things up now and risk another exhausting battle of wills with the Duke of Abiche.
