Chapter 55
Catherine turned her head in every direction, searching for Sawyer.
True to the Duke of Iberk’s reputation, the estate was blooming with gorgeous flowers. But not even such beauty could hold Catherine’s gaze.
Her focus was singular: marriage to Lord Sawyer.
Her eyes, darting like a predator, finally landed on Sawyer and Iset talking quietly in the far corner of the terrace garden.
She couldn’t hear what they were saying from this distance, but Iset seemed to be getting quite cozy with Sawyer—lightly brushing a petal from his shoulder, her smile playful.
Annoyingly, the two looked perfectly matched. The atmosphere between them seemed unusually warm, as if the air around them belonged to a different world.
Catherine clenched her jaw in frustration.
“I never should’ve left those two alone and returned to the banquet like a fool.”
Composing her twisted expression, Catherine headed toward them.
Hearing footsteps, Sawyer turned first.
His smiling face stiffened the moment he saw Catherine.
Her eyes twitched at his stark change in demeanor.
“Ah, Lady Catherine,” he said, with thinly veiled hostility.
It was obvious now—Iset had whispered something to him.
Catherine glared at Iset, who clung to Sawyer with a confident grin.
But she suppressed her anger. She couldn’t make a scene in front of him.
Smiling forcefully, she stepped closer.
“What were you two talking about so happily?”
“Ah, music,” Sawyer replied.
“Music?”
Catherine shot a subtle glance at Iset. You? Talking about music? She doubted it.
But Iset shrugged casually.
“Of course. Lord Sawyer loves music and singing—just like someone from the Iberk family should. Isn’t that right, Sawyer?”
“My mother is quite fond of it, so I naturally picked it up, Iset.”
Sawyer responded warmly, his gaze toward Iset gentle—like looking at a long-trusted friend.
“What did she tell him?!”
Catherine’s heart pounded, her breath becoming unsteady.
‘Calm down.’
The inner voice belonged to Eclipt, who had silently appeared behind her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You should let Sawyer leave for now.”
“Let him go?”
“We need to find out what Iset told him, don’t we?”
Catherine agreed, nodded slightly, then fanned herself.
“It’s a bit warm today.”
“I’ll fetch something to drink.”
Sawyer was polite and well-mannered. Even if he disliked Catherine, he wouldn’t ignore a thirsty lady.
She watched his retreating figure with satisfaction… then spun sharply toward Iset.
Iset smirked and said something unexpected:
“Thanks, Catherine.”
Catherine blinked in confusion.
“Because of you, I’ve become quite close with Sawyer.”
“What?”
“Turns out he has a half-sister. We got along so well.”
That meant… Iset had spoken about Catherine to him.
“What did you tell him!”
“Who knows? I didn’t lie. You seem awfully sensitive.”
“You—!”
“Should I have told him about the moldy milk you made me drink? Or when you made the doctor ransack my room?”
Iset began circling her mockingly.
“Or should I go further back—to the time you locked me up and abused me?”
Catherine’s face flushed red. She had no comeback. Everything was true.
But then she sneered.
“You should’ve started with this: You’re not even a real Pereshte. You’re just a lowborn orphan.”
Though Catherine knew Iset was Diana’s true daughter, she believed Iset herself didn’t know.
“How would you know if I have Pereshte blood or not?”
“What?”
“Even I don’t know who my real parents are. So how could you possibly know?”
Iset stepped closer, now standing eye-to-eye with her. The once frail girl had grown, now looking her rival in the eyes.
“Yes, I grew up as an orphan.”
She leaned in and whispered into Catherine’s ear:
“But how can you be sure I don’t carry the Pereshte blood?”
Enraged, Catherine shoved her hard in the chest.
“Don’t kid yourself. You think being adopted makes your blood noble?”
“Sorry, Catherine. There’s something you don’t know.”
“What don’t I know?”
“Pereshte blood does run through me.”
Catherine’s eyes widened. Did she know she was Diana’s real daughter? No—it couldn’t be.
“Each noble house has an heirloom seal passed down by the founder.”
“So what?”
“The gemstone in that seal reacts to the family’s blood.”
Catherine blinked rapidly. She hadn’t known that.
“If what Iset says is true, that means it could reveal that I don’t have Pereshte blood.”
Seeing Catherine shaken, Iset pressed on:
“Of course you didn’t know. That knowledge is passed only to the head of the house.”
Catherine tried to regain composure.
“So what if you do have Pereshte blood?”
She smirked.
“You grew up a maid. Do you really think the Ernst family name can erase your filthy origins?”
Just then, a chill ran down her spine. She turned—and saw Sawyer, holding two glasses of iced juice, staring at her with a dark expression.
“L-Lord Sawyer…”
Had he heard everything?
He had.
“That was… too much, my lady.”
Catherine’s heart sank.
“N-no, I didn’t mean—”
“This isn’t my place, but aren’t you sisters?”
“She’s lying! Iset—my sister—must’ve filled your ears with lies!”
“All lies…?”
“Yes! Every word!”
“Then you’re saying the good things Iset said about you were also lies?”
Catherine’s lips parted in shock.
“Good things? She… praised me?”
“Yes.”
Sawyer’s voice was firm. Somehow, he was angry—but not at Iset. It reminded him of his own family.
After his parents remarried, his new sister had never accepted him. Treated him like a threat.
“Sawyer, stop. I’m okay.”
Iset’s eyelashes trembled as she smiled sadly.
Sawyer realized his expression had grown hostile.
Why am I so angry?
Clearing his throat, he bowed his head.
“Forgive me. I spoke out of turn.”
Then he bowed to Catherine as well.
“I apologize to you too, Lady Catherine.”
Revealing such strong feelings to noble ladies wasn’t appropriate. But Iset had reminded him too much of his past self.
“I shouldn’t have interfered…”
“I’m sorry too, my lord…” Catherine muttered, face pale.
“I just didn’t want any misunderstanding between you two.”
The hostility in Sawyer’s eyes had faded—now replaced with remorse.
Catherine managed a small smile of relief.
Still, it was clear—Sawyer would never harbor warm feelings toward her again.
That was enough. Iset smiled softly. Even if she didn’t end up with Sawyer, Catherine surely wouldn’t either.
Suddenly, someone ran toward them.
“There you are!”
“Anna.”
The maid from the Duke’s estate had been looking for them everywhere.
“The main event is starting soon! You need to be in the center terrace.”
“Let’s go, Iset. Shall we, Lady Catherine?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Both girls followed behind Sawyer.
In the center of the terrace, a grand piano, violin, cello, and more instruments were displayed.
“Mother…” Sawyer sighed.
“What are all these for?” Iset asked.
“She loves music. She’s probably asking guests to perform.”
Just as he finished, Serena’s amplified voice rang through the terrace.
“Thank you all for coming to my son’s birthday party!”
“To thank you, we’ve prepared small gifts!”
Maids entered with trays full of beautifully wrapped presents.
“Anyone who performs a musical piece will receive a gift!”
This was a signature event of the Duke’s parties.
Seasoned nobles laughed knowingly and stepped forward.
Soon, the instruments were claimed—but Serena still looked unsatisfied.
“Isn’t there anyone who’ll add their lovely voice to these wonderful instruments?”
She searched the crowd. No one volunteered.
Until someone boldly raised their hand.
Everyone turned toward the source.
It was Catherine.
