Chapter 59
“Hey, Katrina, did you know?”
“Know what?”
“There’s something the winner of the Hunting Festival is supposed to do for the lady they choose.”
“Oh, really?”
“And there’s something the lady is supposed to do for the winner, too.”
“…Is that so?”
Katrina had no idea what it was, but seeing the sly smile on Lucifer’s face made her uneasy.
“Isn’t it fun?”
“…Mm.”
It wasn’t fun at all, but she couldn’t show it—she didn’t want to disappoint him.
“Are you trying to win the Hunting Festival? You think you can do it, Lucifer?”
At Raymond’s words, Lucifer frowned.
“That guy is joining this time.”
That guy?
Katrina looked at Raymond with a puzzled expression, prompting him to explain with a gentle smile.
“Silas Rockfenheim.”
…A very familiar name.
How could she not know the name of the male lead from the game?
“That guy’s swordsmanship is amazing.”
Katrina already knew that.
The Rockfenheim Dukedom had a long legacy of producing renowned swordsmen. It was famous for birthing only swordsmanship prodigies.
Especially the current heir—he was said to far surpass the geniuses of past generations.
‘Well, he is the male lead, after all.’
He was practically born with every great trait.
“I hate that guy,” Lucifer grumbled the moment Silas’s name was mentioned.
“You shouldn’t get too close to him, Katrina.”
“Huh?”
“What kind of reaction is that?”
“What if I do get close? What are you going to do?”
“Katrina, that would be a betrayal!”
Betrayal, my foot.
Katrina flicked Lucifer’s forehead.
Though he looked like he was about to cry, Katrina found his expression amusing and chuckled.
“Anyway, don’t even talk to Silas. Promise me.”
Persistent little…
Annoyed, Katrina hooked her pinky around his.
Lucifer looked a bit confused, but it seemed he understood the unspoken promise.
Katrina had read the morning paper and was out walking around the estate.
‘That was a clean scapegoating.’
It looked like everything had been pinned perfectly on just the right person—as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
From the Temple’s perspective, it was a loss.
But for Lucifer, personally? He gained a lot.
He now had control over the diocese and cathedral that had been under Archbishop Heil.
The Cathedral—
That was the center of the Temple’s power.
Major ceremonies, events, and policy decisions were held there. Controlling it meant enormous influence.
‘So he’s trying to turn a crisis into an opportunity?’
Katrina had thought if she could expose Betty, she could bring Lucifer down with her—but that wasn’t going to be easy.
He gave her chills.
But Katrina wasn’t going to stand by and watch.
She vowed not to forget this.
‘Just wait, Lucifer.’
You were the one who started this.
Determined to take her revenge, she had endured everything.
But now, she couldn’t look the other way any longer.
The existence of Luivy felt like a tragedy born from her inaction.
‘Ugh.’
This wasn’t right.
Her heart ached again.
“Katrina Abiche.”
Someone called out to her.
It was Damian.
Katrina gave him a crooked look.
‘You plotted with Berta to kick me out, didn’t you?’
Everyone had banded together to drive her out. It was almost impressive.
“What do you want, Damian Abiche?”
Her voice came out sharp and sarcastic.
Damian simply raised a brow, not reacting much.
“Did you know?” he asked.
“Know what?”
“That the Duchess considered presenting you at the Elder Council.”
“As if it was just the Duchess? Didn’t you help with that plan too? Why are you acting like you weren’t involved?”
She had expected as much, knowing there was a spy in the household working to expel her.
Once she realized that spy was Selena’s maid, she was nearly certain.
So she had purposely used perfume to agitate the spy.
“I gave you a warning.”
“A warning?”
“If you want to blame someone, it’s your fault for making that perfume in the first place.”
Ah.
So they’re not at fault at all?
What a laughable conclusion.
“You’re acting awfully confident for someone who doesn’t even know what the perfume does.”
You always told me I didn’t know my place.
That I didn’t belong here in this mansion.
Katrina no longer held back.
“And look who’s talking. You were the one who embarrassed yourself at the Elder Council by barging in without a clue.”
She threw his sarcasm right back at him.
Damian wasn’t the only one allowed to mock her.
Katrina stepped up and jabbed her finger into his chest.
Even his ice-blue eyes glared at her coldly.
“Damian Abiche, don’t mess with me.”
Who do you think you are to treat me like that?
“Young Lady, a letter arrived.”
Betty was gone now, and a new temporary maid had taken her place.
The maid handed Katrina two letters.
‘Raymond and Silas?’
What did they want?
Katrina opened Raymond’s letter first.
[Quite the fun little stunt you pulled, Katrina.]
As expected, he was quick on the uptake.
Raymond must’ve heard about the incident.
He had eyes and ears everywhere.
And he realized that Katrina had used him to resolve it.
‘Not even worth replying to.’
Katrina tossed his letter straight into the trash.
Next, she opened Silas’s.
[Boarding Pass for the Edrige.]
Edrige? Was this a boat ticket?
[There’s a party. Come with me.]
…What?
Out of nowhere?
Silas attending a yacht party?
‘Wow. That’s so not his style.’
And she was sick of boats. She never wanted to see another one.
Katrina intended to ignore the invitation entirely.
‘But I do have to meet him.’
Silas knew her secret.
She had to ask him.
But before that, she needed to get her hands on the Wish Stone.
That was her priority.
‘I’ll decline.’
Meeting him would be ideal, but the Abiche family would soon reclaim negotiating priority with the Temple.
And Katrina’s goal was to attend that negotiation herself.
Accepting Silas’s invitation now would just complicate things.
But Silas was more persistent than she expected.
[Make sure you come.]
He sent another letter.
With another ticket.
‘What is with this guy?’
Katrina eventually replied with a vague excuse.
[I don’t have time. Maybe next time.]
She hoped he’d take the hint.
But—
[There won’t be a next time.]
…Was he joking?
This was getting ridiculous.
She didn’t reply after that.
No meant no.
‘I’m about to get the Wish Stone, for crying out loud.’
She couldn’t go.
Then, another letter arrived.
[I’ll come pick you up.]
