Chapter 20
Ariana accused Eleanor as if she were being extravagant.
“Lady Ariana…?”
Abigail, flustered, called her name to stop her, but it was no use.
Eleanor’s golden eyes, filled with sadness, looked so kind that it made others uncomfortable.
“Well, I don’t see how that’s related to my dress. Sponsorship… The temple can’t force me to donate.”
Eleanor retorted to Ariana’s words.
“Besides, the Valentine family donates to commoners through the temple every year.”
Catherine was well aware of this.
The Valentine family had been donating annually. It was a long-standing tradition of the family to support commoners, nurture talents, and bring them in to improve the livelihoods of the northern people.
‘Besides, what’s wrong with her making and wearing her clothes with her own money…? It’s not like she didn’t donate.’
Of course, Eleanor would have paid the full price fairly.
So, to Catherine, Ariana’s criticism seemed off-target.
“…!”
When Eleanor murmured, “That’s strange,” Ariana’s face stiffened slightly.
Not knowing this fact, she soon lowered her head.
It was a complete defeat for Ariana.
To Catherine, Ariana seemed hasty, and even her villainous acts appeared somewhat crude.
For someone who was supposed to be the final villain in the novel, she lacked charisma and intimidation.
‘Something… feels lacking.’
That was Catherine’s ‘first’ impression of Ariana.
After a moment, Ariana raised her head again and apologized with a calm face.
“I’m sorry, Lady. I grew up only in the temple, so I’m not familiar with the ways of the world. I apologize. Please forgive me.”
Ariana’s sorrowful expression as she bowed to Eleanor gave the impression of a powerless but righteous person forced to kneel before authority and evil.
In other words, it was like playing the victim.
‘…Huh?’
She was the one who picked the fight and was rude, yet she created an atmosphere where it seemed like Eleanor was being sensitive and forcing her to apologize.
“Sniff, Catherine was right…”
And then she added such words!
As if Catherine had spoken ill of Eleanor before she arrived.
For a moment, Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she looked between Ariana and Catherine.
‘No! I never said that!’
Catherine wore an aggrieved expression, but Eleanor ignored it.
“Oh my, what’s going on? Isn’t that the saintess over there? Why is she doing that?”
“I couldn’t hear the conversation well… But why is she apologizing to the lady?”
“It looks like the lady is forcing her to apologize…”
Before they knew it, the surrounding gazes began to focus on them.
“Enough, let’s end this conversation here. Since we’ve met, shall we have a toast?”
Catherine, thinking she needed to wrap this up quickly, grabbed a passing waiter’s attention and lifted a glass of champagne.
“Yes, let’s toast as Catherine suggested. Haha.”
Abigail chimed in, trying to lighten the increasingly awkward atmosphere.
At that moment, Catherine noticed Ariana’s hand holding a wine glass aimed at Eleanor.
It was obvious she was attempting the classic ‘Oops, my hand slipped!’ scene from romance novels.
Right. I wondered when this scene would come. The typical wine spilling in romance novels!
Commonly known as the ‘wine slap!’
Unfortunately, the champagne they were holding was a red color with cranberry added.
If it accidentally spilled on Eleanor’s light pink dress, it would undoubtedly leave a noticeable stain.
Finally, an opportunity comes to me!
One, two…
Splash-
“Kyaa, Catherine!”
Catherine intercepted the champagne intended for Eleanor.
Her beautiful sky-blue dress was stained with unsightly red blotches.
“Gasp! Oh my! I’m sorry, Lady!”
“….”
“Are you okay, Catherine?!”
More surprised than herself, Abigail was unexpected, followed by a flustered Ariana and a silent Eleanor staring at her.
Eleanor’s indigo eyes seemed to ask why she did that.
Somehow, her expression seemed to briefly show a hint of apology.
Unlike the surprised trio, Catherine nonchalantly scratched her head and spoke to Ariana.
“It was an accident, right? Lady Ariana.”
“…Yes? Y-Yes. I’m sorry.”
Ariana looked somewhat distressed.
The intended target wasn’t hit, and someone else took the blow instead; such a blunder was rare.
“An accident is unavoidable. Haha. I’m fine.”
“But your dress…”
Indeed, the red drink on the blue dress didn’t look good.
“It’s quite a lot. I should change. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Fortunately, as a noble lady, she would carry at least three spare dresses.
Catherine thought she should use this excuse to leave.
There was no need to wait any longer for the tardy Alex.
Though unintentional, she had scored points with Eleanor.
Saying she needed to change, she left without hesitation.
After leaving the party hall, fatigue quickly set in, and she dragged her heavy legs outside.
She wanted to feel the cool night air, even just a little.
I thought it would be fun to see Ariana and Eleanor meet. But it was more draining than I expected.
‘In the novel, it was just refreshing, but seeing it in person, I wonder why they’re like that… Anyway, Ariana wasn’t as mature and seasoned as I thought.’
Catherine figured it was because they were all still young.
Walking aimlessly, she found herself in the garden.
‘Perfect. I’ll rest here and go back when the party ends.’
She saw a bench and sat down.
Since the party was in full swing inside, it seemed unlikely anyone would come.
While Catherine was enjoying the silence of the deserted garden,
Rustle, rustle.
“W-What?!”
Suddenly, a black figure swiftly emerged from the bushes.
“…!”
Startled, Catherine was about to scream, but the figure moved faster.
It covered her mouth, pulled her into a tight embrace, and laid her down on the bench.
Moreover, it didn’t stop there; it climbed on top of her as if to overpower her.
‘W-What the…!’
Catherine was so shocked that her mind went blank, and she recalled the unfortunate incidents of knights and noble ladies being attacked by perverts.
< Lady XX, attacked on the streets at night?! >
<SS woman testifies about being kidnapped in the dark…!>
< MM > Young women, do not go out alone!
She was well aware that the security here wasn’t good, but she didn’t expect to be a victim herself.
She thought she was doomed to be attacked by this assailant.
However, the fear gradually subsided as a cool, heavy scent, reminiscent of a tranquil early morning, filled her senses.
‘…Huh?’
As Catherine wondered why this person smelled so good,
“Sniff, sniff.”
“…Why are you sniffing me?”
Noticing she wasn’t about to scream, the man quickly released her, looking somewhat displeased.
Fortunately, he removed his hand from her mouth but still hovered over her.
His legs pinned her lower body.
Unable to move, Catherine slowly observed the man’s face illuminated by the moonlight.
Up close, the man resembled a ‘black panther.’
That was the most fitting description.
With seductive, upturned eyes, long eyelashes that shimmered, and a perfectly high nose.
If the most handsome and alluring male deity existed, he would probably look like the man before her.
However
Thank you very much