Chapter 74
“She’s going to die…?”
Diana repeated in shock.
Yes, Catherine was clever and cruel. Diana did want revenge—and more than what Catherine had done to her.
But not like this. Letting a demon do the revenge for her felt wrong. She wanted to hold the blade herself.
“The magic the demon gave her is like a candle,” Lueri said.
“A candle…?”
Diana tilted her head, confused. Lueri’s face darkened as he continued.
“The more she uses it, the more it burns… until it’s gone.”
Now she understood. Her lips parted slowly.
“So that means…”
“Right. The demon has soaked the wick in oil. Once it’s all burned…”
“Catherine’s life will end.”
Diana’s expression twisted. Lueri looked at her with concern.
“What will you do?”
“She brought this on herself.”
Her cold gaze didn’t waver.
“It was her own greed that led to this.”
She wanted to be the one to punish Catherine—but she didn’t feel the need to save her.
“Why should I stop it?”
Her mana responded to her anger, freezing the air around them. Frost crept over the grass.
Lueri met her eyes silently for a while, then turned away.
“Do as you wish.”
After all, he was partly responsible for how Diana had turned out. So he wouldn’t question her further.
Diana looked down, conflicted. She hated pretending not to care.
“Diana.”
“…Yes?”
“If you’ve chosen revenge…”
Lueri’s sincere blue eyes reached her, and her wavering heart slowly steadied.
“Don’t waver.”
“Okay,” she answered.
“That’s what I plan to do.”
Later That Night
Diana couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned until she finally got up, walked to the table, and gulped down a glass of water.
She opened the curtains. Dawn was beginning to break outside.
“…Catherine.”
Lueri’s words echoed in her ears—Catherine would die soon.
Diana hadn’t given up on revenge. But something still pricked at her heart.
She clenched her fists.
No, she told herself. Don’t falter. Catherine mocked and betrayed her.
If she died by the demon’s hand, so be it.
Thinking of Catherine made her want to see Aicel. She stepped out into the hallway.
“Hmm?”
There was light under Aicel’s door.
She knew Aicel had been working hard to surpass Catherine, who had lived her whole life as a noble lady. Diana smiled softly and headed to the kitchen.
She came back with some snacks and knocked gently.
“Aicel.”
“Huh? Mother?”
Aicel’s surprised voice called back, and she quickly opened the door.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I just wanted to see you.”
“Really? That makes me so happy!”
Aicel hugged Diana tightly, shaking the milk bottle on the tray.
Diana set the tray down and patted her daughter’s head.
“What were you doing?”
“I was studying magic and social etiquette. The debutante ball comes after the Magic Festival.”
“Ah… right. The Magic Festival.”
She’d nearly forgotten. It was a big event where anyone with magical talent could show their skills and get recognized by the Tower Master.
Even someone could be certified as a high-level mage in one go—if their talent was strong enough.
But nobles rarely had enough mana to reach that level.
If Aicel got good results, she’d be the star of the debutante season.
“Yes, Mother.”
“Lueri says there’s no problem, so you should do well.”
Aicel shrugged modestly.
“Catherine was even more amazing.”
Diana poured her some milk and asked softly,
“Aicel, are you okay?”
“Huh?”
Aicel tilted her head, confused.
“Earlier, Catherine…”
Diana hadn’t told Aicel about the demon. But seeing Catherine’s sudden power surge, anyone might feel jealous.
“Oh, that?”
Aicel clapped her hands and smiled brightly.
“Not at all! Really, I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Diana looked closely. Aicel truly seemed unbothered.
“Why waste time on jealousy? I’d rather use that time to improve.”
“Oh, Aicel…”
“Just having the chance to learn and be with you again, Mother… I’m already so happy. I don’t want to ruin that with bad feelings.”
Aicel popped a cookie into her mouth.
How admirable, Diana thought. Even though they were planning revenge together, Aicel still had innocence and love for learning.
“But…”
“Hmm?”
“I am curious.”
“About what?”
Aicel wiped cookie crumbs off her lips and asked:
“How did Catherine get that kind of powerful magic?”
Diana’s face darkened immediately. She looked down, unable to answer.
“Mother?”
Aicel watched her with concern.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Diana smiled faintly. There was no need to burden Aicel with dark truths.
Seeing her mother’s face, Aicel changed the topic.
“The Magic Festival is in the imperial palace, right?”
“Yes. Since so many mages gather, most nobles attend too.”
Which meant it was the perfect chance to show off Aicel’s talent.
“Good. Mother, just wait. I’ll show them all how amazing I am…”
“Aicel.”
“Yes?”
“You already know…”
Diana pulled Aicel into a hug.
“You are you. And Catherine is Catherine. You don’t need to win by cheating or hurting others.”
Aicel looked up and grinned.
“Of course, Mother. I’ll compete with my own skill. No tricks.”
“I’m proud of you, Aicel.”
Diana smiled warmly at her daughter.
Meanwhile: Catherine’s Room
The day before, Alicia came to cheer up her daughter.
She brought Catherine’s favorite cookies and cocoa.
“Catherine?”
Catherine was reading magic books. She saw Alicia come in—but didn’t even look at her.
“…Still mad?”
Alicia gently placed the tray down and reached toward her.
“Cather—”
“Ugh, so annoying.”
Catherine’s face twisted in disgust. She looked at Alicia like she was filth.
“I don’t want this crap!”
She slapped the tray. It crashed to the floor—cookies and dishes scattered.
“Ah…”
Alicia stared at the mess.
She once believed blood ties couldn’t be broken. But Catherine seemed determined to sever even that.
“How could you…”
A tear slipped down Alicia’s cheek.
Maybe if she’d never revealed the truth, she wouldn’t be in this pain.
Being rejected by your own child was a soul-crushing wound.
Still, worried Catherine might hurt herself, Alicia began cleaning up the glass.
“Ow…”
She cut her finger on the shards.
But Catherine, seeing the blood, only said coldly:
“I’m busy. Leave.”
“Catherine, please!”
Alicia clutched her bleeding finger.
“I said leave! Tomorrow is important for me!”
“That’s why I—”
“Who says you’re my mom?!”
Catherine’s eyes flashed with fury—like she might kill.
“Didn’t I make myself clear last time?”
She glared as if Alicia were her mortal enemy.
“Diana is my mother.”
Alicia’s hands trembled.
She looked at Catherine’s tired face—dark circles, dry lips. She clearly wasn’t well.
Even after such cruel words, Alicia worried only about her daughter’s health.
She wished Catherine would at least let her check her condition.
“If you heard me, get out.”
Catherine pointed to the door.
Alicia turned slowly to leave.
But then—
“Cough—!”
“Catherine?!”
Blood—thick and black-red—poured from Catherine’s mouth.
“Catherine!”
Alicia ran to her. More blood spilled as Catherine collapsed, her eyes rolling back.
