Episode 20
It wasn’t just because she was the notorious villainess—
After all, hadn’t she once been called the queen bee of high society?
Everything Katrina wore or ate, as the trendsetter of the social world, sold out in an instant.
Though she was merely a commoner by birth, her stunning beauty outshone any noblewoman.
It was no wonder Selena Abiche burned with jealousy whenever she saw Katrina.
She had always believed that if not for Katrina, she would have taken that coveted place.
“I’m looking forward to it,” someone murmured.
Everyone hoped to see Katrina carved away like a cliff battered by waves.
“What do you think, Lady France?”
Everyone turned their gaze toward one particular young woman.
“You used to be close with Katrina Abiche when you were younger, didn’t you?”
Niel France stared at the lady who had asked the question, silent for a moment.
Just as the silence was growing awkward, Niel smiled calmly.
“That was a long time ago.”
At that moment, her partner approached—and a wave of gasps swept through the young ladies.
The man, known in the social world as a noble gentleman, approached gracefully.
“It’s been a while, Damian.”
He was Niel’s partner.
Damian greeted her with a gentle smile.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course I have, Damian.”
Many young ladies looked at Niel with envy.
After all, wasn’t Damian the top bachelor of high society?
“I heard Katrina woke up, Damian.”
“She did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would you be mad if I said I didn’t think it was worth mentioning?”
Damian added in a quiet voice.
“She’ll be sent to a monastery soon, anyway.”
Niel silently looked at Damian before resting her head on his shoulder.
“Why would I be mad at you?”
Just then, the hall stirred with commotion.
The person everyone had been waiting for had arrived.
Crown Prince Raymond.
Everyone was curious—who would be his partner?
Until the day of the party, the question had buzzed endlessly.
Everyone turned to see who would enter at the prince’s side.
Selena Abiche.
She was smiling brightly.
She and Raymond exchanged glances.
“I knew it. There’s no way His Highness would have feelings for Katrina Abiche.”
“Guess the rumors were just rumors after all.”
Everyone laughed at Katrina’s absence.
At the same time, they watched Raymond and Selena with great interest.
Rumors began to form that Raymond’s visit to Katrina had really just been an excuse to see Selena.
Far off in the distance, Katrina was watching them.
She wondered how long those smiles would last.
Katrina stood by the window, watching the party slowly begin.
Memories from her childhood returned.
She had hated that place so much, she had tried to escape the parties many times.
Each time, her grandmother Hildegard would drag her back in.
Once caught in Hildegard’s grip, she had no choice but to stand at the center of it all.
Come to think of it, she had first met Raymond and Lucifer at a social harmony gathering.
After meeting them, Katrina never tried to run from those gatherings again.
“Where are you going, Katrina?”
Raymond would always catch her at the perfect moment, just as she was trying to sneak out.
It had been so absurd back then.
Why was he bothering her?
“It’s none of your business.”
“Got it.”
“…Wait, why are you following me?”
He wasn’t even close to her. So why was he always interested?
Such were the days. Now so distant in memory.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Lady Katrina.”
A voice beside her brought her back to the present.
It was Haile Evans.
“I’m ashamed to be late on such an important day. Something came up…”
“It’s alright, Mr. Evans. I didn’t wait that long.”
“…Thank you for saying so.”
“Not at all. You’re busy with important work—of course it’s understandable.”
At her words, Evans’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“Please give my regards to your grandmother.”
“Ah… so you knew?”
“Of course. Was it a secret? I thought anyone who paid attention could figure it out.”
Haile looked briefly flustered but then smiled at her.
“It’s not exactly a secret, but who would care about a mere aide? That’s why I was surprised.”
A mere aide?
Do you know how important you are to me?
Katrina knew a day would come when she’d need his help to obtain the wish stone.
“Please don’t say that, Mr. Evans.”
Hildegard might have stepped down for now, but if she ever returned, everything would change.
She might be retired—but she was someone who could reverse any decision at will.
She held the highest authority in House Abiche.
This was Katrina’s new contingency plan.
The party was in full swing.
Selena and Raymond were surrounded by people.
Selena was pleased with the attention.
Everyone was looking at her.
“It’s not Katrina—it’s me who’s the main character now.”
If Katrina hadn’t entered House Abiche, everything would have been hers from the start.
Now, she was finally reclaiming it.
“It’s been a while, Selena.”
It was Niel France.
Selena didn’t like her, so she replied indifferently.
“It has. Have you been well, Niel?”
“Yes. I heard Katrina woke up.”
Normally, Katrina wouldn’t have been an appropriate topic of conversation.
But at this moment, she was the perfect one.
“You’ll get to see her soon.”
“You mean… see her?”
“Yes. Katrina is coming to the party.”
This was something Selena hadn’t told anyone before.
Her father disapproved of Katrina coming to the party.
But Selena had been waiting for that moment.
She wanted Katrina to see her—to know her place.
“What do you mean by that?”
Damian, who had been quietly holding a wine glass, interrupted.
“Evans, was it? Some man with an unheard-of surname, she’s bringing him with her.”
Selena spoke gleefully.
“Evans?”
Damian’s face suddenly darkened as he repeated the name.
“What’s wrong, Damian?”
“…Ha.”
Damian let out a scoff, as if something had clicked.
“She really won’t give up, will she.”
“What are you talking about?”
Just as Damian’s blue eyes turned icy, the hall grew noisy once more.
“…It’s Katrina Abiche.”
“Didn’t they say she wasn’t coming? That she’d be sent to a monastery soon?”
“As if she cares.”
Her ebony-black hair swayed lightly.
Cornered as she was, the woman walked with her signature confident smile.
As though she couldn’t hear the whispers around her, she strolled proudly through the banquet hall.
Katrina Abiche had arrived.
