SWMD 92

~Chapter 92~

“How rude. Who would ever believe you’re a proper young lady acting like this?”

Aisel’s voice was sweet and soft, almost like she was complimenting Catherine, but her words were sharp with mockery.

“You!”

Catherine snapped out of her shock and stomped toward her. Their faces were so close their noses were nearly touching.

“Why didn’t you tell me—or Mother—that Young Lord Sawyer was coming?”

“Ha.”

Aisel couldn’t help but let out a scoff. Of course, Mother already knew, and Aisel had intentionally kept it from Catherine. But Catherine’s attitude was crossing a line.

Her meeting with Sawyer was purely personal. There was no reason she needed to report it to Catherine.

“What am I, your secretary?”

“What?”

Aisel was still smiling brightly, which only made Catherine grit her teeth.

“Why should I have to tell you every little thing about my private life? You can’t understand that?”

She even tapped her temple mockingly, and Catherine’s hands trembled with the urge to slap her.

“You filthy wretch who used to live on moldy bread and spoiled milk…!”

Catherine spat her venom without restraint, her eyes blazing with malice.

But this time, Aisel couldn’t just let it go. Catherine constantly called her “filthy” and “low-born,” yet in truth, the truly base person here was Catherine.

Status and nobility came from one’s actions and words, not blood.

“Catherine.”

Aisel’s vibrant emerald eyes darkened.

“I wouldn’t push me if I were you.”

“You dare—!”

“I’m still a minor, so sometimes I can’t hold back my anger… just like you.”

The floor beneath them began to freeze. Catherine’s facial muscles twitched, but she released her own magic in return. Thanks to Eclipse, she had more than enough magical power to spare.

Their clashing magic sent wind whipping through the room even though the windows were closed.

Catherine’s gaze drifted to the badge hanging from Aisel’s neck—a token marking her as a certified junior mage.

Her teeth ground together. If not for Alicia, that badge would be around her neck.

She glared furiously.

“Do you think you’re the only one who can use magic? If I’d been able to compete in the Mage Festival, I’d have a hundred of those trinkets!”

“If you could compete, that is.”

Aisel arched a brow, her tone mocking.

The Mage Festival only happened once a year. That meant Catherine would have to wait an entire year to even attempt to earn that badge—if she survived long enough.

Aisel withdrew her magic with a wave of her hand, and Catherine, seething, followed suit.

“If I were you, I’d start getting ready before Young Lord Sawyer arrives.”

“I—!”

Catherine’s eyes flicked up and down Aisel’s dress—a brand-new gown from the latest season.

How had Aisel managed to get a new dress when she herself couldn’t? Catherine pressed her lips together and asked in a feigned disinterested tone:

“That dress… where did you get it?”

“This?”

Aisel twirled gracefully in front of her. The full lace petticoats of her skirt fluttered out like flower petals.

It was undeniably the latest seasonal gown.

Catherine’s lips twitched.

“Answer me!”

“Father bought it for me.”

“…What?”

The shock was immense. Her father had refused to buy her new clothes, claiming he was saving money for business preparations.

But he’d bought a new dress for Aisel?

“Of course he did. I gave him the diamond mine rights.”

Catherine’s mouth dropped open.

She couldn’t believe Aisel had handed over the diamond mine she’d inherited from her grandfather to a man who wasn’t even her blood father.

Catherine would never have done such a thing.

Aisel twisted the knife further.

“No wonder he loves me more.”

“Father loves you more?”

Calypso didn’t even know Aisel wasn’t his biological child. How could he love a stranger more than his own daughter?

“That’s impossible—”

“He and I are connected by heart, you see.”

Catherine tried to protest, but Aisel’s words cut her off like a blade.

She’d never truly cherished her father; she’d always assumed his love was a given. She’d never felt grateful, never expressed any affection.

But Aisel was different. She whispered sweet words to him constantly.

Her father had simply fallen to the angel-faced demon’s temptations.

“…Just you wait.”

Catherine glared daggers at Aisel before storming out of the room.

Aisel smirked faintly at her retreating back, then headed for the terrace to meet Sawyer.

* * *

“How… how am I supposed to beat that girl!”

Nothing ever worked because of Aisel.

She had even summoned a demon to defeat her, and yet she only felt smaller and weaker.

Catherine swept her arm across the table, sending glass bottles and cups crashing to the floor.

The shards scattered everywhere, glinting like her shattered pride.

She wanted to order someone to clean it up, like she used to with the pitiful old Aisel.

“My, my, Catherine.”

Black flames flared before her, and from them emerged Eclipse, smiling lazily.

“What’s gotten you so upset?”

His smile resembled Aisel’s, and it made Catherine’s blood boil.

“Nothing’s changed since you came!” she screamed at him, lashing out in frustration.

But Eclipse didn’t seem offended in the slightest. His smile never wavered.

“Then you need to try something new.”

“Like what?”

Catherine’s anger faltered as a glimmer of hope lit her eyes. Eclipse stroked his chin as he looked down at her.

“Poison.”

“…What? Are you insane? I’m going to be Young Lord Sawyer’s wife. You want me to poison my future husband?”

“Think about it.”

He leaned close, whispering sweetly into her ear.

“If something were to happen to Sawyer here… who do you think would take the blame?”

Catherine’s head, which had been turned away, slowly swiveled back toward him.

If Sawyer were to drink poison during tea with Aisel…

Aisel would be held responsible.

“…You’re right, aren’t you?”

A cruel smile curled Catherine’s lips.

“No time to waste dressing up now.”

All thoughts of romance for Sawyer were gone. Her eyes were hollow, like a beast’s, filled only with hatred for Aisel.

She grabbed her clutch and a hooded robe, then stormed out, catching a maid in the hallway.

“Prepare a carriage. Now.”

“Y-yes, Your Ladyship!”

This time, she would strike back.

Catherine’s heart raced with excitement as she climbed into the carriage the maid had hastily readied.

Behind her, Eclipse only smiled silently.

* * *

“Welcome, Sawyer.”

“It’s been a while, Aisel.”

“This way.”

It was the first time they’d met since the Mage Festival. Sawyer’s cheeks were flushed pink as he followed Aisel to the terrace.

The maids had already set the table with all sorts of sweets and tea leaves.

“A lovely terrace you have.”

Compared to the sprawling gardens of House Aiberg, this terrace was tiny, but Sawyer was just making small talk.

Today, Aisel looked even more beautiful than she had at the festival.

No—her beauty was different.

Back then, in her white uniform casting magic, she’d been awe-inspiring, like a goddess.

Today, in her elegant gown, she was like a delicate flower fairy.

Sawyer chuckled softly at himself. He was hopelessly smitten.

“It can’t compare to Aiberg.”

“There’s a certain charm in being quaint, you know.”

Sawyer smiled warmly at her, and Aisel couldn’t help but smile back.

Though she had originally approached him because of Catherine, Sawyer was genuinely a good person—charming enough to draw her in.

At the terrace, Sawyer hurried ahead to pull out Aisel’s chair.

“Please, sit.”

“Thank you, Sawyer.”

They looked like a young couple just beginning to date as they smiled at each other and sat down.

“I hope the food suits your taste.”

“It all looks delicious.”

It was clear the table had been set with great care. Sawyer smiled softly, touched by the effort.

“I prepared a rare tea for an esteemed guest like you.”

Aisel poured hot water into the teacups, which already held tea leaves. A white flower unfurled inside, releasing a sweet fragrance.

“How beautiful!”

Sawyer couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Please, enjoy.”

She handed him the cup. He accepted it, then reached for the jar of sugar cubes.

At the party before, Aisel had noticed he had a sweet tooth.

“You like sweet things, don’t you?”

“Yes. I suppose I’m still not fully grown up.”

Sawyer laughed sheepishly, dropping two cubes of sugar into his cup and stirring.

“Let’s see how your special tea tastes.”

He raised the cup with a teasing smile. Aisel watched him with a pleased expression.

But the moment the fragrant tea touched his lips—

CRASH!

The teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

Aisel’s face turned pale as she saw blood trickle from his mouth.

“Ugh…”

“Sawyer!”

Her panicked scream rang out as Sawyer collapsed, unconscious.