Chapter 53
For a while, the household was unsettled.
After the commotion over Katrina’s marriage proposal, incidents had kept happening one after another.
But soon, peace returned to the Abiche family.
“Finally, I can breathe a little easier.”
They had managed to settle the matters somehow.
“Well done, Damian. We owe a lot to you.”
The Duke of Abiche commended Damian’s efforts.
Though things seemed to be resolved, there was one person who was not pleased with the situation—Selena.
“Nothing has gone right since Katrina came back.”
Selena believed everything was because of Katrina.
If it hadn’t been for her marriage, things wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand.
She also heard whispers that relations between the Abiche family and the imperial court had become precarious.
“I must see His Highness the Crown Prince.”
She wanted to know what he was thinking.
And… ever since the Harmony Banquet, she had not seen Raymond even once.
“All I did was give His Highness what Katrina used to give him…”
Had the Crown Prince grown to dislike not only Abiche, but herself as well?
She needed to know.
Thus, Selena headed to the imperial palace to meet Raymond.
When she arrived, Raymond was busy flipping through documents in his study.
He only looked up after quite some time.
“It’s been a while, Lady Selena.”
When his golden hair caught the sunlight streaming in through the window, it gleamed like golden threads.
The moment she met Raymond’s green eyes, Selena’s cheeks flushed red.
“He’s so handsome today as well.”
“But what brings you here?”
Raymond asked her business, his face expressionless.
“Well…”
After some hesitation, Selena spoke.
“I heard you’ve suffered a lot because of Katrina.”
Raymond paused in the middle of signing and looked at her.
“It hasn’t been particularly difficult.”
“…”
“Is that all you came to say?”
“Your Highness, I…”
Selena faltered. Now that she was here, she didn’t know what to say.
“I want to know what you intend to do with Katrina.”
Finally, she managed to speak with conviction.
“To be honest, this whole matter has nothing to do with the family. It all happened because of Katrina.”
“Hm…”
“I came despite the discourtesy, out of worry for my family.”
She watched his expression carefully.
Her heart always raced whenever she was near him.
Ever since she was very young.
But by his side, there had always been Katrina.
Selena bit her lip.
Part of her even wished he would punish Katrina harshly.
“I will respect whatever decision Your Highness makes.”
She spoke with determination.
“Because I lo—”
“Lady Selena.”
“…Yes?”
Raymond’s unusually detached manner today made her even more nervous.
“Next time, I would prefer you not to come unannounced like this.”
He smiled faintly, as if troubled.
“I love Katrina.”
Selena froze on the spot.
She couldn’t even remember how she returned home.
***
“Lina, are you alright?”
Katrina looked at her maid, who had been absent-minded for days after her friend’s death.
To Katrina, it had been a fleeting acquaintance.
But to Lina, it had been a precious friend.
That must be why she had begged Katrina to take her friend in.
“…My lady, I’m alright.”
But her face said otherwise.
“Take a break. As long as you need.”
“…Truly, I’m fine.”
“That’s an order. Go.”
“…My lady.”
Lina burst into tears.
“Thank you so much.”
Katrina quietly patted her maid’s back.
Once Lina left for her break, Katrina finally turned to the real task before her—
She had to catch the family’s spy.
***
That day as well, Katrina was summoned to the imperial palace.
The suspicion surrounding House Abiche had not yet been cleared.
“They’re just dragging this out to torment me, aren’t they?”
Normally she would’ve been furious, but not today.
Because this meeting was a welcome one.
“I’ll use Raymond to catch the spy.”
Katrina didn’t know exactly who the spy was.
But she had her suspicions.
“Katrina, you’re here?”
Today, Raymond had arrived first—a rare occurrence.
Katrina obediently sat down.
“Your Highness, I yield.”
Her words made his eyes flicker.
“I’ll do as you wish.”
“…”
“It’s too painful. All these misfortunes, the constant suspicion…”
She forced herself to squeeze out nonexistent tears.
Raymond silently watched her.
“…It’s so hard.”
She subtly gauged his expression.
A faint smile lingered on his lips.
I see. You enjoy seeing me grovel.
That’s what gives you satisfaction.
Bastard.
“Oh dear, Katrina.”
Before she realized, Raymond had leaned closer.
“Don’t cry.”
His cold fingers brushed the corners of her eyes.
“When you make that face, it pains me.”
But his expression didn’t look pained at all.
“Do you want me to help you?”
“…Yes.”
“Mm.”
He smiled down at her.
“Do you want me to?”
As if daring her to beg.
Of course—that was what she expected.
Katrina pulled a vial of perfume from her bosom.
“I brought this for you.”
Raymond’s gaze lingered on the bottle she held out.
“Please accept it. This is what I came here today to give you.”
“…”
“If you doubt it, I’ll use it myself first.”
“No need, Katrina.”
Raymond took the perfume.
“Thank you.”
Feigning nervousness, she eventually showed a look of delight.
Satisfied, Raymond brushed back her hair.
But Katrina wasn’t done yet.
“Your Highness…”
She called softly, clinging to his arm.
His body stiffened, his green eyes narrowing at her.
“Thank you for accepting it.”
“…”
“May I bring you another next time?”
“…You’re acting strange today.”
He looked at her curiously.
“…I do hope you’ll summon me again.”
She clung to him desperately.
“Please, you must help me…”
She whispered the words he liked to hear.
“Right now, Your Highness is the only one who can save me…”
After that, she rose without hesitation.
Smiling faintly at the gaze following her back—
Her plan was only just beginning.
***
Selena wept in despair.
For Raymond to say he loved Katrina—
It was impossible. She couldn’t accept it.
“But Your Highness… you always disliked Katrina.”
At that, Raymond laughed as if he’d just heard something amusing.
“I never once said that with my own lips.”
Was he joking?
Selena returned to her room, utterly dejected.
Her maid cautiously approached.
“M-my lady.”
“What is it?”
This maid was her confidante, the one who always brought her news of the household.
She spoke carefully.
“Lady Katrina is making perfume again.”
…What?
“My lady, His Highness doesn’t truly love Lady Katrina.”
At her side, another maid, Betty, offered comforting words.
She was one of the few Selena confided in.
Talking to her always eased the ache in her heart.
“But His Highness clearly said…”
“Don’t you think it’s strange? The moment His Highness declared he loved her, Lady Katrina suddenly began making perfume again!”
