Episode 21
As soon as they entered the ballroom, many eyes turned to Katrina.
“This is my first time at a party like this… I’m nervous,”
Haile Evans admitted, clearly showing signs of tension.
From what Katrina knew, Haile Evans came from a humble family in a remote region.
He had caught the eye of Hildegarde, who was spending a peaceful retirement in a quiet place.
Hildegarde had a hobby of keeping talented people by her side and nurturing them.
‘The fact that he became her aide must mean he’s quite capable.’
Hildegarde only chose people strictly based on merit.
Even the Duke of Abiche had become her son-in-law for similar reasons.
“I’ll give you a tip. Flaunt your connection with my grandmother.”
“I wouldn’t want to trouble Lady Hildegarde…”
“Just mention that you’re her aide. That’s just stating a fact.”
“…Thank you, my lady.”
“Follow me. I’ll make sure you stand out.”
“…Excuse me?”
Katrina turned her body toward the hostile gaze locked onto her.
First and foremost, it was her father, the Duke of Abiche.
“How dare you come here?”
As Katrina approached, he scolded her.
But his voice was low enough for only Katrina and Haile to hear.
His eyes clearly said: You should be staying quiet until your departure to the monastery—how dare you come here?
“Father, and this gentleman here is—”
“Get him out of here.”
Katrina ignored him and brought Haile forward.
“L-Lady Katrina…”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Haile desperately signaled that they should leave.
What are you so worried about?
“This is Haile Evans.”
“Did you not hear me say to get him out of here?”
“He’s my grandmother’s aide.”
“…!”
At last, the Duke of Abiche turned toward Katrina with a hardened expression.
There was only one person in the world the fearsome Duke bowed his head to—
His mother-in-law, Hildegarde.
“Did you say he’s whose aide…?”
He probably hadn’t known.
He hadn’t seen Hildegarde in recent years.
She had stepped down from her position as head of the family and retired to a quieter place.
But her influence over the Abiche family remained strong.
“Her previous aide retired a few years ago. I heard she recently appointed a new one. That’s Mr. Evans.”
The Duke’s stiff expression was a sight to behold.
Normally, aides were looked down upon, but it all depended on whom they served.
And being Hildegarde’s aide was not something to be taken lightly.
“I also heard she’s starting a new business lately. Mr. Evans and I were just talking about it.”
“…”
Only then did the Duke regain control of his expression.
If he treated Hildegarde’s aide disrespectfully, she wouldn’t take it lightly.
“…Welcome to the Abiche Unity Ball.”
“…It’s an honor to be invited.”
Haile looked completely bewildered.
Katrina smiled in satisfaction.
The Duke looked at her with displeasure, but in the end, he had no choice but to allow her to stay.
Katrina dragged Haile away from the spot.
She had introduced him to the host of the party. Her job was done.
Just then, she spotted Selena and her clique. They, too, were watching Katrina.
Raymond and Damian were also visible.
“Looks like they’re all having fun.”
She couldn’t ignore them either.
As Katrina approached with Haile, Selena spoke as if she had been waiting.
“Katrina, you really brought Mr. Evans?”
“He’s a good man. I really wanted to bring him.”
“A good man? Now I’m curious. Go on, introduce us, Katrina.”
The moment she introduced him, they would try to tear him down.
They’d regret it once they found out who he was.
Katrina smiled calmly.
“Haile Evans is my grandmother’s aide.”
Selena’s expression instantly froze.
“I told you—he’s a good man.”
“Your grandmother’s aide?”
Selena scanned Haile from head to toe. It was blatantly rude.
“Katrina, were you that desperate to find a partner? Desperate enough to bring someone your grandmother employs…”
“Mr. Evans, I’m from the Borg family…”
But before Selena could finish, another noble interrupted her.
In that instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
“I’m the eldest son of the Hwilton family…”
“Mr. Evans! It’s truly an honor to meet you…”
Everyone started lining up to introduce themselves to Haile.
“How is Lady Hildegarde doing these days?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, could you perhaps put in a word about me to Lady Hildegarde…”
Hildegarde was still the true power behind the Abiche name.
Everyone rushed to grab Haile’s attention, trying to use him as a connection to Hildegarde.
And Katrina wasn’t much different.
“K-Katrina, it’s been a while. Are you feeling well?”
“Since you woke up, I hope you haven’t been in pain…”
The entire mood of the party began to shift.
Why?
Selena couldn’t understand what was happening.
Katrina wasn’t the Crown Prince’s partner.
She had brought some insignificant man from a minor family.
“Katrina, I’ll send you a gift soon. It’s great for restoring your health!”
“Well then, I…”
Why had she suddenly become the center of attention?
It was a place that was supposed to belong to her.
“If we had known Katrina was bringing Haile Evans, we should’ve stopped her.”
Selena looked dazedly at Damian.
“You really thought taking her partner would be enough?”
That’s what she had believed.
If Katrina failed to bring the Crown Prince to the Unity Ball, she’d be exiled to a monastery.
After this party…
“Katrina’s managed to secure her place.”
“What?”
“Do you seriously not get it?”
Damian looked at Selena with pity.
“Look at how this party is moving.”
Everyone was revolving around Katrina now.
“At this point, even her father can’t do anything.”
She was actively making connections with the nobles—how could they still send her away to a monastery?
Damian brushed past Selena.
It was only long after that she came back to her senses, finding herself alone in the ballroom.
It felt like an old memory—one that had haunted her for years—was returning.
“Did you know?”
That woman with a devilish face had once smirked and whispered:
“Katrina will steal everything from you.”
“Your mother and you will never escape the curse that awaits you.”
Hateful Arabela.
Those words never left her mind.
And now Katrina’s smiling face overlapped with that memory.
“You always wanted to steal what’s mine, but you’ve never succeeded—not even once.”
You’re the one who stole from me, Katrina.
Selena would never let Arabela’s words become reality.
“Things will not go as you wish.”
Selena took out the potion she had brought.
And without hesitation, she poured it into Raymond’s wine.
