Episode 18
It was before she met Berta.
Selena had run into Damian in the hallway.
His cold blue eyes brushed past her. Though his face showed not a single trace of emotion, Selena felt as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.
A moment later, she frowned, overcome with a rising sense of discomfort.
His attitude, as if indifferent to everything around him, only fueled the resentment welling up inside her.
And then—
“Isn’t it strange?”
He could’ve walked past like they were strangers, as usual, but Damian deliberately addressed her.
“What are you talking about?”
Damian’s blue eyes turned to her. Those dark, ocean-like eyes carried something disturbing.
She hated how arrogantly he acted, as though he knew everything.
“The crown prince suddenly changed his mind.”
“…”
“You know it too, don’t you? Raymond hates Katrina.”
Yes. Everyone knew that.
Only Katrina liked Raymond unilaterally.
But what on earth was going on now?
“Isn’t it odd that she suddenly decided to make perfume? Does she really think that ridiculous excuse of ‘sincerity’ would work?”
Now that he mentioned it, something did feel off.
Why had Katrina suddenly decided to make perfume?
“She’s still making it even now, apparently.”
“…”
The more she listened to Damian, the more it felt like pieces of a mismatched puzzle were starting to fit together.
‘He’s right.’
Why was Katrina still making that perfume?
It was definitely suspicious.
And now.
Selena stared blankly at Raymond’s face.
Though his smile gave away none of his thoughts, just that alone was enough to shake Selena’s heart.
Did he ask if she wanted to be his partner?
Of course!
“Y-yes…!”
Selena responded urgently.
It was clear that Raymond had changed his mind.
There had to be something in that perfume.
“As Miss Selena said, I liked Katrina’s perfume.”
What in the world was that perfume?
“If you can give me something even better than that…”
Raymond gave a smile so beautiful it seemed enchanting.
“…then I’ll gladly become your partner, Miss Selena.”
Her heart raced at the sight of his handsome face. Selena’s face turned bright red.
“I-I’ll do it.”
“Really?”
Something better than Katrina’s?
That wasn’t just any ordinary perfume.
Selena didn’t have the confidence to prepare something that could surpass an unknown formula.
However—
“I’ll find out how Katrina made that perfume.”
His emerald eyes curved gently.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Miss Selena.”
***
<The former Grand Duke of Rockenheim is once again in the spotlight after causing a violent incident in prison.
During a brawl among inmates, Sylas intervened aggressively, reportedly knocking out all the prisoners in an instant.
According to witnesses, Sylas Rockenheim displayed overwhelming strength, ending the fight decisively. Those who witnessed the scene were left trembling in fear.>
…What the hell is this?
Katrina muttered a sigh as she read today’s paper.
‘What is he even doing with his life?’
She’d gotten up early to read the article just because it mentioned Sylas—only to find the contents utterly absurd.
<Cardinal Lucife denounced Sylas’ violent tendencies, stating, “It’s time to consider executing the Grand Duke.”
The cardinal warned that if Sylas remains alive, he could pose a greater threat, and he strongly insisted on enforcing the death penalty.
Grand Duke Sylas Rockenheim has previously attempted an escape from prison to steal a wish stone and has consistently acted dangerously. The final verdict on his punishment is still…>
The article was outrageous.
‘What on earth is he thinking…?’
She couldn’t begin to understand. Katrina folded the newspaper.
Then she picked up a different one.
Unlike the current reports, this one was from two years ago.
Katrina skimmed through the article.
<Mayhem in prison — Rockenheim Grand Duke’s madness>
<Sylas Rockenheim dominates prison after subduing inmates>
<Grand Duke’s violence, inciting rebellion within prison?>
It seemed Sylas had lived a rather tumultuous prison life.
She wanted to know what kind of wind blew that led him to attempt an escape, but not a single article revealed the details.
No one knew the reason.
Why Sylas suddenly went after the wish stone.
Fortunately, he’d been captured before making a wish and dragged back to prison.
For now, she was just watching because her own circumstances were urgent…
But once the monastery issue was resolved, she didn’t intend to let things slide.
—
“It’s for your sake.”
Lucife, that deranged bastard.
How could he say that was for her?
“You hate Sylas too, don’t you?”
Truly insane.
The way he said it, it made it seem like she’d be responsible if Sylas died.
Lucife definitely knew that too. That’s why he did this—because he wanted to see her hurt, even just a little.
Katrina hated Sylas.
But she had never, ever wished for him to die.
She lowered the newspaper.
“Still no letter from the palace?”
“No, not yet…”
So slow, as always.
Three days had passed since Raymond left. And yet, there was still no word.
Wasn’t the decision already clear?
‘You need me, Raymond.’
The Harmony Banquet was approaching.
She couldn’t wait for Raymond forever.
As she thought that and returned to her room—
She found Selena standing in front of her door.
…Suspicious.
“Selena, what are you doing in front of my room?”
Looking visibly flustered, Selena quickly hid something behind her back.
“Did you need something from me?”
“…Of course.”
Selena glared at Katrina coldly.
“Katrina, why don’t you just quietly go back to the monastery?”
“…Are you picking a fight with me right now?”
Who was the one acting suspicious in front of someone else’s door?
Katrina was dumbfounded.
“It’s advice. I just thought it’d be better for you to go back willingly before things get ugly.”
“…”
Katrina was speechless. Why was she picking a fight out of nowhere?
“You’re going to end up in the monastery anyway.”
“…”
“On the day of the Harmony Banquet, I’ll be the Crown Prince’s partner.”
Selena declared boldly, as if she had some solid evidence.
‘What the hell?’
Selena smiled smugly and walked past her.
‘Something’s off.’
Katrina went straight into her room.
Sure enough, her instincts were right.
The paper with the perfume formula was gone.
So it was you, Selena, who came into my room last time?
‘And you took that, of all things.’
Katrina almost laughed.
What a shame.
***
Got it!
Selena had successfully stolen the formula from Katrina’s room.
She’d been at a loss for how to find the recipe, and there it was—sitting right on Katrina’s desk.
Selena had taken it without hesitation.
Then she began writing a letter to the Crown Prince.
‘If I give this formula to His Highness…’
Katrina would be finished.
And Selena would finally secure her own place.
But then…
Katrina had used that perfume to capture Raymond’s heart.
Which meant Selena could do the same.
‘Yes.’
She’d have her attendants make it.
Then, on the day of the Harmony Banquet, she would present it to the Crown Prince.
Selena finished gathering her thoughts and sent the letter.
How much time had passed?
A reply came from Raymond.
[I’d be happy if you would be my partner, Miss Selena.]
