Episode 16
‘Originally, I planned to smoothly become partners with Raymond…’
Katrina willingly decided to change her plan.
There was always the option of being dragged along as in the past, catering to his whims just enough…
But what if Raymond disrupted her plans again?
What if he broke his promise once more?
Raymond was the type who could suddenly pull anything.
‘It’s not like I haven’t been through this before.’
In the past, she had obediently played the part of Katrina in the game to return to her world…
But things were different now.
Raymond must not interfere with her plans anymore. It was time to redefine their relationship.
Katrina would show him—
who stands to lose more by wasting time.
“Young Lady, I’ve placed the books you asked for in your room.”
“Well done.”
A little earlier, Katrina had ordered the servants to retrieve her belongings from the storage room.
Since the Duke of Abiche intended to cast her out, most of her belongings had been dumped in storage.
Truthfully, she didn’t care whether most of them still existed or not.
The only thing she truly needed was the research material Arabella had left behind when she was alive—her books.
“However, some of the documents are in Young Master Damian’s possession.”
“Damian?”
“…Would you like me to speak to him?”
Katrina paused in thought, then shook her head.
“I’ll go find him myself.”
“Understood.”
Katrina went straight up to her room.
Arabella’s books were spread across the desk.
She looked through them with satisfaction—until she noticed something that made her expression harden.
…The perfume she had made was missing.
“Did you touch anything on my desk?”
“Other than placing the books there, I haven’t touched anything, Young Lady.”
The servant looked confused, not understanding what Katrina meant.
She didn’t seem to be lying.
‘Then who took it?’
Even if it was lost, it wasn’t a big issue.
To anyone but Raymond, it would smell like an ordinary perfume.
…Still, the idea that someone might’ve entered her room unsettled her.
“Your Highness, an invitation has arrived from House Abiche.”
Around this time every year, House Abiche would send an invitation to the Harmony Ball.
It had become routine for Raymond, so he felt little emotion about it.
“Have you decided who to take as your partner?”
The aide cautiously asked, gauging Raymond’s mood.
Once upon a time, Katrina had been his main partner. That was a long time ago.
For the past three years, Niel France had typically been his partner.
Although the partner changed from time to time, it was usually her.
“Shall I send a letter to Lady France?”
“…”
“Your Highness?”
Raymond rested his chin on his hand, looking as though he was pondering something.
His eyes lowered lazily.
“Put it on hold for now.”
“Do you have another lady in mind?”
“Maybe.”
“Understood. Then I’ll wait for further instruction.”
Most likely, Raymond would choose Niel France as his partner again.
Unless something changed.
If he chose Niel, Katrina Abiche would be in trouble.
After all, she was clinging to the Abiche estate using herself as leverage.
“And Your Highness, Young Master Damian has requested a visit.”
“Ah. Makes sense.”
Raymond had disrupted Damian’s plans, so of course he’d show up.
“Let him in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A short while after the aide stepped out, Damian entered.
He bowed with his usual emotionless face.
“What did you and Katrina talk about?”
Of course. Raymond expected that question.
“Curious?”
Raymond rested his chin on his hand and smiled.
But Damian calmly replied,
“What did she promise to give you?”
“I don’t see why I should tell you that, Damian.”
Naturally, Raymond had no intention of answering.
Damian’s cold gaze was met with a smooth smile.
“You must have received the invitation to the Harmony Ball.”
Raymond looked toward his desk. Indeed, the invitation had arrived just before Damian did.
“Who do you plan to take as your partner?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Refuse her.”
Damian said firmly.
Raymond turned from the invitation and looked at Damian.
“Refuse who?”
“You know.”
He meant Katrina Abiche.
So there was a reason not to take her as a partner.
And Raymond had a pretty good idea what that reason was.
“Stop putting House Abiche in an uncomfortable position.”
“You mean you’re the one feeling uncomfortable, Damian.”
“…”
“It’s about the wishing stone, isn’t it, Damian?”
Raymond sneered at him.
“You think I wouldn’t find out?”
“…”
“Trying to make a deal with Lucife to secure priority rights to the wishing stone.”
Of course Raymond knew Damian had made a deal with Lucife.
Sending Katrina to the convent to earn favor with the temple in exchange for priority negotiation rights to the wishing stone.
That way, House Abiche would get their hands on it without resistance.
“I’m staying neutral, Damian.”
“…Neutrality?”
“Yes.”
“Is that truly what Your Highness wants? Just neutrality? Nothing else?”
Suddenly, Raymond felt a discomfort near his heart.
“Until recently, you never even summoned Katrina unless it served your purpose.”
His fingertips began to stiffen.
It was a familiar sensation by now.
He knew exactly what this warning sign meant.
“I’m sorry, Damian, but let’s stop here.”
“…”
“I have another appointment.”
Damian stared at Raymond for a moment, then bowed his head.
Raymond gave him a faint smile.
“Very well. I’ll take my leave then.”
After Damian exited, Raymond leaned back in his chair.
He opened the drawer and took out a sedative.
Though it wasn’t as effective as Katrina’s perfume, it was enough to get by.
Hadn’t he survived the past three years with this?
Thinking that, Raymond placed the sedative in his mouth.
It looked like a cigar. He slowly inhaled and exhaled—
and then felt something strange.
The sedative wasn’t working.
Raymond put the cigar down.
Something was wrong.
He tried a different one.
Still no effect.
He switched again. And again. And again…
Until there was only one left.
“…Ha.”
Just a few days ago, it had worked fine.
There could only be one reason.
“Katrina.”
What did you do?
The only thing that came to mind was the perfume she had sprayed on him.
Raymond’s mood darkened.
He immediately summoned his aide.
“Call Katrina Abiche.”
He had to find out what she had done.
It didn’t take long before his body started to collapse.
‘Katrina Abiche.’
He frowned deeply.
His skin was pale, cold sweat forming on his forehead. Sharp pain pierced through his body.
Every breath came ragged, and his limbs were wracked with pain that felt like they were being twisted.
Raymond clenched his teeth.
Three years ago, he had been suddenly cursed.
The only way to lift the curse was to kill the caster. But he didn’t know who that was, so he remained in this state.
Half a day passed, and his aide returned.
“…Your Highness, Lady Abiche has refused your invitation.”
Katrina Abiche had rejected Raymond.
It was the first time that had ever happened.
