Episode 17
Katrina skimmed through the research books Arabella had left behind.
‘This is incredible…’
Arabella’s knowledge was truly vast.
She had solved mysteries that even seasoned scholars had failed to crack.
‘…How did Lady Arabella know all this?’
The research results were so dense, it was hard to believe she had accomplished it all in her short lifetime.
Even the method to create the cure for Raymond’s curse was something the world had never seen before.
As far as Katrina knew, Arabella hadn’t received any special education.
‘She figured all this out on her own?’
Was such a thing even possible?
It wasn’t just impressive—it was astonishing, like witnessing something beyond comprehension.
Why hadn’t she revealed any of this to the world?
If she had, Arabella surely would have been hailed as a brilliant scholar.
‘She was never interested in fame.’
No one in the Aviche family knew the value of these books. No one except Katrina.
When Arabella was alive, the Duke of Aviche had dismissed her work as foolish nonsense, so what more could be expected of the others?
What kind of person was Arabella, really?
“Even if it’s just something like this, I wanted to leave it behind so Katrina won’t feel alone.”
…She had cherished Katrina deeply.
“My precious daughter, Katrina.”
“I won’t reveal this to the world myself. Katrina can use it as she sees fit.”
“She’ll make better use of it than I ever could.”
Even though Katrina was just a stray stone that happened to roll into Aviche because her holy power had awakened.
Arabella had always supported her without fail.
She was a unique—and deeply appreciated—presence in Katrina’s life.
“That young lady…”
Just then, a maid called out to Katrina.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Katrina set the book down.
At last, Raymond had come of his own accord.
When Katrina entered the drawing room, Raymond was sitting alone, drinking tea.
The sight was strange to her.
How long had it been since Raymond had waited for Katrina?
It had always been her job to wait for him.
“Katrina.”
Raymond’s green eyes turned toward her.
Katrina took a seat.
He sat across from her.
“What brings you all the way here?”
Raymond didn’t answer right away. Instead, he slowly and carefully looked over her face.
“What did you do, Katrina?”
His usual smooth demeanor was gone. In its place was a cold and resolute tone.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
When Katrina pretended to be clueless, Raymond let out a hollow laugh.
“You know, Katrina.”
His gaze turned icy, showing no mercy.
“Your Highness can only use the perfume I gave you now.”
The perfume Katrina had created wasn’t made from ordinary ingredients.
It was highly effective—but also made it so that no other herbs could be used.
“That perfume is a bit… peculiar.”
Raymond would never be able to go back to the calming agents he used before.
He needed Katrina now.
“Ah.”
Raymond laughed.
“So that’s your game.”
His expression turned frigid.
“What should I do with you, hmm?”
Only now are you getting angry?
I’ve been angry for a long time already.
“There’s an easy way, Your Highness.”
“…”
“Cooperate with me.”
Raymond looked at her like she was speaking nonsense.
“Let’s just reconcile already.”
Katrina decided to extend her hand first.
It was just to help Raymond understand the situation—she wasn’t trying to become complete enemies with him.
Besides, wasn’t she allowed at least this much?
After all the ways he had used her. After all the wounds he had caused.
‘Even so, there was a time when I thought fondly of you.’
A boy who suddenly appeared in her life one day.
She once believed those times would become beautiful memories.
The vivid image of the green garden was still clear in her mind.
And the boy walking slowly through it, bathed in golden sunlight.
“Please ask me to be your partner.”
“…”
“And…”
The boy who had once shown so much interest in her.
Was she merely an amusement to him from the start?
She had never truly loved Raymond. But in another way, she had liked him.
Which is why the betrayal she felt was indescribable.
“I want you to pretend to love me.”
There was a time when Katrina had pretended to love Raymond for her own needs.
Now, she needed the reverse.
Raymond pretending to love her.
When Selena heard of Raymond’s visit, she grew uneasy.
Raymond had gone to see Katrina?
“Mother, are you really going to just sit back and watch this happen?”
“…”
“Why hasn’t Father sent Katrina to the convent yet?”
Selena was full of anxiety as she vented to her mother.
Ever since Katrina had woken up, her unease hadn’t gone away.
They had said Katrina would enter the convent…
Mocking her now felt like something from ages ago.
“I heard your father instructed Katrina to attend the Harmony Banquet with the Crown Prince.”
“What?”
“He must be trying to give Katrina a chance.”
“Then what should we do?”
Berta looked firmly at her daughter.
“You become the Crown Prince’s partner.”
But…
Could she really pull that off?
“You must, Selena.”
“Mother, I…”
“That’s the only way to drive Katrina out.”
“…”
“If you miss this chance, it may never come again.”
Come to think of it, Katrina was at her lowest point right now.
No one supported her. She had no one on her side.
‘Why wouldn’t I be able to push her out?’
She could do this.
And Selena… might even know how to move the Crown Prince’s heart.
So Selena made her move to go see Raymond.
Raymond was just leaving the estate, seemingly finished with Katrina.
“Your Highness.”
Selena called out to him somewhat urgently.
Raymond turned to look at her.
“What is it, Lady Selena?”
Seeing Raymond’s gentle smile made her face flush.
His sculpted features were clear and flawless. His handsome appearance was almost intoxicating.
“What do you need from me?”
His kind voice eased Selena’s nerves.
Maybe… her plan could really work.
“I—I want to be your partner…”
It had to be her, not Katrina.
“Hm. What to do…”
But Raymond looked at her with a hint of regret.
His expression was one of boredom.
“I was planning to ask Katrina to be my partner.”
“…”
“I’m sorry, Lady Selena.”
Raymond turned to leave as if the conversation was over.
But Selena wasn’t going to let him go so easily.
“Is it because of the perfume Katrina made?!”
Raymond turned back at her outburst.
He was still smiling. But it wasn’t the same warm smile from before.
Now, there was a chill to his expression.
Selena started to suspect her hunch might be right.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
The cold pressure in his voice made Selena flinch.
Had she made a mistake?
“It’s just… Your Highness changed after you started using that perfume…”
“Hm.”
“You used to hate Katrina.”
“…”
“You found her clinginess annoying. But then you suddenly changed, so I wondered if maybe…”
“Selena.”
Raymond called her name, and she had no choice but to stop talking.
“You want to be my partner?”
A smooth arc formed on Raymond’s lips.
In that moment, Selena was certain.
Raymond hadn’t developed feelings for Katrina.
‘Something really did happen!’
The perfume Katrina had made was no ordinary thing.
Just as Damian had said…
