Chapter 28
By morning, Catherine’s room was completely cleared by the servants. She watched her belongings being moved out with a hollow stare.
Her new room was right next door—the second-largest in the Grand Duke’s estate—but that meant little to her.
Catherine’s fists trembled as she watched Icel’s things being moved in. The furniture was all high-end luxury.
“Grandfather picked everything himself. You’ve probably never even seen pieces this fancy. Ernst is poor, after all.”
Icel had come right up beside her, speaking with disarming friendliness. Catherine instinctively stepped away, glaring with barely-contained rage from the previous day.
“…Don’t talk to me. How dare someone like you—!”
Just as Catherine raised her voice, Alicia approached with a slight frown.
“Your Highness, Princess Catherine.”
She bowed to Catherine, then slowly turned to Icel. Her eyes were filled with hostility.
But under the gaze of the surrounding servants, Alicia reluctantly bowed to Icel too.
Icel raised the corner of her lips in satisfaction.
Alicia glared for a long moment, then whispered to Catherine:
“Princess Catherine, may I speak with you privately…?”
Inside Alicia’s room, Catherine furiously swept medical books off the table.
“Mother, how could you bow to her?! Do you have no pride?!”
Seeing Icel and Diana being compared so favorably made her sick.
Even before Icel’s arrival, Alicia’s position in the mansion had become laughably weak. Now it was unbearable.
“I’m so disgusted I could scream!”
Alicia sighed deeply. Her daughter and she were in completely different positions.
Catherine might not be Diana’s real daughter, but she still had Ernst blood. That gave her some standing.
But Alicia? She was just Calypso’s lover—nothing more. Only Diana’s death would let her take the duchess’s place.
For that to happen, Catherine had to win the rights to the diamond mine.
“Catherine!”
Alicia suddenly shouted. Catherine looked up, shocked.
First Diana yelled at her yesterday, now her real mother today. The injustice stung.
Everything had started falling apart since Icel arrived.
“What gives you the right to yell at me, Mother?!”
She burst into sobs. Alicia shook her head again.
She’s too emotional. She’ll never beat Icel like this.
“Calm down, Catherine. This isn’t the time to cry! Do you want to lose to Icel?”
“Never!”
“Then hide your feelings. You must never show them again.”
Catherine wiped her tears, finally cooling down.
She had to be calm. Yesterday’s emotional outburst had cost her the best room.
Her tense shoulders dropped, and her rage gradually subsided.
Alicia gently stroked her moonlight-colored hair.
“I’ll handle the mage exam arrangements.”
“No need.”
Catherine’s tone was firm, startling Alicia.
“I’ve got a plan of my own.”
“A plan…? What are you talking about?”
“Just watch and don’t interfere, Mother.”
Catherine didn’t mention the forbidden magic books she’d stayed up reading last night. She smiled confidently.
“Let it all proceed. Don’t touch anything. Understood?”
“Catherine…”
She stormed out. Alicia watched her leave, worry etched across her face.
Meanwhile, Icel’s room was fully transformed.
“It turned out so beautifully!”
“Yes. I should write Grandfather a thank-you letter.”
Diana admired the room. The wallpaper and flooring had been redone. The whole mood had changed.
Everything had been chosen by the Marquis of Pereshte to ensure his granddaughter outshined Catherine.
Catherine’s old room had been that of a sweet girl. Icel’s new room radiated mature elegance.
“Look here, Mother.”
Icel opened her wardrobe, revealing rows of luxurious dresses—also gifts from the Marquis.
Jewelry boxes lined the vanity, overflowing with gems.
“Even my dressing room is packed with dresses and jewels the staff prepared.”
Diana chuckled at the extravagance.
“He said I’ll wear ready-made dresses for now, but once I debut, everything will be custom-made!”
Icel waved her hands excitedly. It was her first time having such treasures—she was overjoyed.
“I didn’t expect you to grow this much in just two weeks, Icel.”
Diana gently patted her back. Icel shrugged casually.
“It’s no big deal. Not when I think of Catherine and Alicia.”
Icel said it lightly, but Diana’s eyes dimmed.
It was all her fault—for failing to protect her daughter.
“Oh no, Mother, don’t look like that.”
Icel wrapped her arms around Diana’s waist. Her silky hair brushed against Diana’s arms, making her smile faintly.
Diana grasped Icel’s hands firmly.
“I’ll never let go of these hands again.”
“…Me neither.”
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
“Yes?”
“Your Grace, the mage has arrived.”
“Oh! I completely forgot.”
Today was Luery’s scheduled visit. Diana had been too focused on Icel.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, Mother. I’ll keep looking around the room.”
“Alright, Icel.”
Diana kissed Icel’s forehead and rushed out to the garden.
Luery was admiring the roses.
“Oh, Lady Diana!”
He waved excitedly as Diana ran over.
Just as she was about to return the gesture, her foot caught on her dress hem.
“Ah…!”
She pitched forward. Even with the grass, she was going to smash her face.
Diana squeezed her eyes shut.
But the pain never came.
Instead, she felt herself floating.
When she opened her eyes, she was cradled in Luery’s arms—literally hovering in the air.
“Whew, that was close. This lovely nose almost broke.”
He tapped her nose and gently set her down.
Diana’s face turned bright red.
“Are you okay? Your face is really flushed.”
Luery smiled, but asked in concern. Diana quickly pressed her cheeks and shook her head.
“I’m fine. Sorry for being late, Luery.”
“A little disappointed. Was something more important than me?”
“…I have a daughter now.”
She smiled softly, thinking of Icel.
“A daughter?”
“Yes.”
“What do you mean… ‘have’?”
Luery looked utterly confused.
“I adopted a girl. One who looks just like me.”
At that, Luery’s eyes sharpened with meaning.
“If she resembles you, she must be very charming. I’d love to meet her.”
“She’ll be learning magic soon. I’ll assign her a mid-level mage for now.”
“Then introduce us later. But for now—shall we begin our lesson?”
“Yes, Luery.”
A few days ago, Diana had asked him to teach her attack magic.
“Close your eyes. Imagine your mana as a sharp object.”
“A needle…?”
“What kind of attack can you do with a needle?”
Luery laughed. When Diana first asked to learn attack spells, he hadn’t questioned it—but she had some clumsy moments.
The Saint of Pereshte hadn’t changed much after all.
“Don’t tease me, Luery.”
As they laughed, Belinda came running.
“Your Grace, you’re training—huh?”
Her eyes darted to Luery. He looked oddly familiar.
Luery began sweating nervously.
“You… Luery?”
Belinda lit up like she was greeting a long-lost friend and ran up to him.
“…Belinda.”
Only Diana stood blinking, the only one clueless about what was going on.
