Chapter 84
Catherine giggled as she poked her older brother Kenneth’s shoulder. Kenneth stared straight at Sanya and openly mocked her.
“Seriously, is that even a dress? The fabric looks worse than what our housemaids wear.”
“She probably thought it was her best dress and wore it just because she’s coming to a fancy place. So pitiful. Pfft.”
“Don’t tell me she’s going to wear that to the ball too?”
“No way. She wouldn’t, right?”
Hearing their blatant ridicule, Sanya’s hands trembled. She gripped the hem of her dress tightly with both hands and lowered her head.
There was going to be a ball after the exhibition. While the other ladies and noblewomen had separate dresses prepared for the ball, Sanya did not.
‘…I don’t want to go anymore.’
She regretted it. She had begged Isolen to take her to the exhibition.
Isolen had warned her, saying this kind of situation would definitely happen and told her to think carefully. But Sanya, envious of the others, insisted on coming along.
And now she was facing the harsh reality.
As Sanya lagged behind, Isolen turned around and called out,
“Sanya, what are you doing? Come on.”
“…Isolen.”
“What?”
“Sorry. I’m not feeling well. I’m going to return to my room. I don’t think I’ll make it to the ball.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Isolen let her go quickly, without pretending to stop her. She knew that would only make it worse for Sanya.
That night, while the ball was in full swing, something happened.
Someone broke into the exhibition hall and smashed the glass case, stealing the ruby necklace.
People immediately suspected Sanya Friss. Many had seen her staring at the necklace like she was hypnotized.
The owner of the exhibition, Marquis Doriton, questioned her first.
“You said you were going back to your room to rest, but you snuck in and stole the necklace, didn’t you? If you confess now, I’ll let it go.”
“It wasn’t me! I swear, I didn’t do it!”
People gathered around and murmured,
“I heard her family’s struggling financially. Maybe she stole it to help them.”
“Such a shame. That’ll ruin the Friss name.”
Frightened, Sanya cried and pleaded her innocence.
The marquis searched her room thoroughly. When the necklace didn’t turn up, he finally believed her.
“Well, it would’ve been too daring for a girl like you to pull something like that. There’s no way you could’ve gotten past the security.”
“Thank you… for believing me…”
It seemed like the matter was settled.
The next morning, just before the guests—including Isolen—left the Doriton estate, Sanya quietly pulled Isolen aside to the bushes behind the manor.
“What is it? Hurry up. I have to leave.”
“Actually…”
Sanya stepped into the bushes and rummaged around before pulling something out.
It was the stolen ruby necklace.
“I did it. I stole it. It was so pretty… I just wanted it so badly… I wasn’t thinking… and now I regret it so much. What should I do?”
Isolen’s face twisted in disbelief.
“Oh my god. Are you serious? You should’ve confessed last night when the marquis gave you the chance!”
“I-I was too scared…”
“Then go now! Apologize and return it right away!”
“Can’t you… return it for me? I can’t face him…”
“Are you insane? Why should I clean up your mess?”
“Please, I’m begging you…!”
Sanya forced the necklace into Isolen’s hand.
“Ugh… seriously…”
Isolen looked down at the trembling Sanya crouched in the bushes with frustration.
A girl witnessed the whole scene from a distance. Catherine had come out for a walk before leaving and saw Isolen behind the manor—with the ruby necklace in hand.
She couldn’t see Sanya, who was hidden in the bushes.
‘What? So it was Isolen who stole it? That’s surprising…’
Just then, Kenneth’s voice called from afar,
“Catherine! Let’s go. Time to board the carriage!”
Catherine ran to her brother, laughing innocently.
“Brother! I just saw something hilarious! Isolen was holding the stolen ruby necklace!”
“What? But Isolen was at the ball the whole time. She couldn’t have stolen it unless she had two bodies.”
“I don’t know how it happened, but I saw it! We need to tell the adults!”
“You’re just saying this because you hate Isolen. No one’s going to believe you.”
“So unfair! I’m telling the truth!”
“Just come on. You probably saw it wrong.”
Kenneth pulled her away. Catherine clenched her fists, determined to uncover the truth one day.
Meanwhile, Isolen shoved the necklace back into Sanya’s arms.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t see or hear anything, so don’t ever show your face to me again. And clean up your own mess.”
“…”
“If you still have any pride, go confess to the marquis. That’s the only way to save yourself and your family.”
With that, Isolen turned her back and left.
Sanya stayed crouched in the bushes for a long time, then hid the necklace in her clothes.
Later, she boarded a carriage supposedly heading back to the Friss estate, but she changed course.
Wearing a black robe, she went to the black market and sold the ruby necklace. She believed it was better to handle it herself than risk disgracing her family if she got caught.
She buried the pouch of money she received in the garden of her estate as soon as she returned.
Ten years passed.
The necklace, having gone from hand to hand in the black market, finally landed in someone else’s possession.
“I found it! Finally!”
It was Catherine Ortega—the girl desperate to expose Isolen’s ugly past.
‘But why would Isolen sell someone else’s family heirloom? It’s not like she needs the money… Whatever. Who cares about the reason now.’
A few days later, Catherine tried to ruin Isolen’s tea party with the necklace—but failed. After that, her obsession with Cheshion grew stronger.
She eventually summoned the demon Marbas to curse Isolen.
Cheshion realized the ruby necklace was the demon god’s second soul fragment.
“This is insane. Catherine… she really did all this?”
Anna, who had seen the same memories, asked carefully,
“What will you do about Catherine?”
“I’ll kill her. She deserves it.”
“True… Please go now. I have to return before the teleport portal closes.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
Anna, having put Ham back into her pouch, mounted her horse and left.
Cheshion returned to the carriage and resumed his journey to the Duchy of Ortega.
By the time he arrived, it was early evening. The Duke of Ortega was shocked by the sudden visit.
“Is something wrong? You’re covered in holy relics…”
“I need to meet Lady Ortega.”
The duke looked troubled.
“I’d like to call her right away, but Catherine hasn’t left her room in days… Ever since Your Grace rejected her… She’s been terribly heartbroken.”
“I have urgent business. Please take me to her room immediately.”
“Yes, of course. But, Duke—did you put on perfume? There’s an unusual scent…”
“Just lead the way.”
Though puzzled, the duke guided him, hoping that a conversation with Cheshion might help his daughter move on.
They reached Catherine’s door. The duke knocked.
“Daughter, Duke Edel has come to see you.”
A deep, unfamiliar man’s voice answered from inside.
“Yes, Father. I’ve been expecting him.”
It was Marbas.
The duke gasped and stumbled back.
“W-What the?! Who are you?! What kind of lunatic is in my daughter’s bedroom?!”
Cheshion stepped forward and drew his sacred sword.
“Stand back. There’s a demon in there.”
“W-What?! Your Grace, what nonsense is this?! There’s no such thing as demons!”
“I wish I could believe that. But there’s no time. I’ll explain later, just—wait, what?!”
Thick black smoke started leaking from under Catherine’s door. It touched the duke—and he collapsed on the spot. Servants walking nearby also fainted.
Creeeak—the door opened.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
A tall, muscular demon with black hair leaned casually against the doorframe. He looked Cheshion up and down and smiled.
“Oh my, wearing all those holy relics? That’s a bit much. I’m not here to fight. Want to come in and chat?”
Marbas gestured politely toward the room.
“I don’t feel like chatting with a demon.”
“Then we can talk here. You’ll want to hear this—it’s about Gremory.”
“…”
Cheshion almost swung his sword. But he stopped.
Inside the room, he saw Catherine.
She was in a horrifying state—unable to even stand, crawling on the floor, her entire body covered in a skin disease.
She met Cheshion’s eyes and desperately shook her head.
She didn’t want him to attack.
