Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Katrina's Perspective
"You're the one who egged Katrina on!"
"You were the one saying Katrina was the only one fit to be the Crown Prince's fiancée!"
"Regardless, now that things have come to this, I can no longer protect her!"
"How can you say that? One more time... that's it, go talk to His Majesty. Otherwise, what will become of Katrina!"
Shut up... shut up... shut up!
Every single day. Father and Mother are both so selfish. To lock me in my room and not let me take a single step outside.
What did I even do? I'm not wrong. I'm not wrong at all.
...Ah, Your Highness.
Your Highness, Your Highness. Why did it come to this? I was born to be your bride. That was the future that was meant to be.
From the moment I was born, my parents loved me more than my brother. I could have anything I wanted; it was only natural. There was nothing I desired that didn't come true. That was my normal since childhood. So when I told my parents I had fallen for His Highness, they were overjoyed. "That's wonderful! Katrina's future is to be the Queen," they said, stroking my head. From that day on, my future was set.
That's why I worked so hard at my studies, manners, and dancing. I was proactive in social circles, especially with other girls my age. I paid particular attention to that girl, the daughter of the Marquis, because she was also considered a candidate for His Highness's fiancée. I made sure to get close to her. Of course, I didn't lack the feeling that it was a pity for her, since I was the one who would be chosen.
And yet. Everything changed on that day, when I was fourteen.
The day that woman was chosen as His Highness's fiancée.
"Mother, why was Rachel-sama chosen! Wasn't it supposed to be me?"
"I know you are the suitable one... They say she was chosen solely for her mana. Apparently, her mana is quite strong. It's infuriating, when you are superior in every other way."
"I don't want to marry anyone else! I thought I was going to be His Highness's bride!"
"Yes, of course. I think so too. Once His Highness realizes that girl isn't fit to be his bride... he will surely choose you."
I see, His Highness only chose her for her mana. Then, if she becomes unsuitable, I will be chosen.
Yes, that's it. It's simple. I'll just stay friendly with her as I always have and wait for the right moment. She's a bit of a pushover, so if I don't miss my chance, the opportunity will come.
Yes, until then, I'll let her borrow that position of fiancée, which is far too much for her anyway.
That's what I thought.
...So. ...So why did it turn out like this?
Why does that woman get to see His Highness's gentle face? Why do I have to be looked at by him with those eyes?
I don't even know how long I've been locked in this room. After I last saw that woman, I was taken to the castle and put in a private room like a criminal to be interrogated.
I didn't say anything, but perhaps those twins did. Cyril Vassel, His Highness's milk brother, came later and accurately listed every rumor I had spread and everyone I had told. ...Those twins, even though they're from a count's house on the verge of ruin. I gave them special attention, and they betrayed me like that. I won't let them get away with it.
A few days later, my brother came to get me with a terrifying expression I'd never seen before and locked me in this room in the mansion. He even put me under surveillance...
Since then, all I've heard are my parents' arguments. The servants, who used to flatter me, now prepare my meals in silence and say nothing.
Why do I have to be treated like this?
In my frustration, I bit my nails. My beautiful, well-manicured nails were now a ragged mess.
—Click.
The sound of the door opening made me look up. Standing there was...
"Katrina."
"Brother."
This brother, much older than me, was different from my indulgent parents; he had been nagging me since I was little. Because I avoided him, he eventually stopped talking to me. He didn't get along with our parents either, and was always blunt with all of us. After graduating from the academy, he worked at the castle as a civil official and lived in the Annex, so we rarely crossed paths.
My brother entered the room, the furrow between his brows deeper than usual, his irritation plain to see.
"You've truly done it this time."
...He's angry that I failed to oust that woman.
"His Highness is just being deceived by her. I failed this time, but next time I will surely bring her down and I will—"
"Will you look at reality for once?"
"What?"
Reality?
"His Highness is quite infatuated with Miss Marcel. You see nothing. Beyond that, do you intend to destroy this entire house?"
"I would never..."
Destroy the house? If that happened, I couldn't become His Highness's bride.
"You were raised spoiled. Father and Mother are to blame for raising you without teaching you restraint... but I didn't realize you were this stupid."
My brother took off his glasses and pressed his fingers to his eyes, letting out a long sigh. Looking closely, I could see dark circles under his eyes, usually hidden by his glasses.
"Oh, that's right. You're going to Chantreuil Monastery for a while. If His Highness's anger ever subsides, I'll find some widower in the countryside to take you as a second wife, so don't worry."
Chantreuil Monastery! That's the place famous for its prison-like surveillance and severity, where noblewomen who have committed crimes are sent!
"No! What will Father and Mother say?"
I stood up and rushed toward him. But my brother ignored me, putting a hand on his hip, his sharp eyes growing even more severe.
"We've drawn the ire of the Royal Family. At this rate, the whole house could have been dismantled. Because of you! Father and Mother have nothing to say. They will retire to our territory and live out the rest of their days there."
"Father and Mother... retiring? Why?"
How could he... to his own parents.
I looked at my brother as if he were a monster. Noticing my gaze, he let out a weary sigh.
"Because they're in the way. I've received His Majesty's approval to succeed as Marquis in a few days. This whole mess has spread throughout high society. ...Because of you, I, my wife, and my son will be looked down upon from now on. We might even be under surveillance."
" I didn't mean for..."
At my brother's words, the strength left my body, and my legs felt unsteady. I slumped back onto the bed.
"Oh, one last thing. His Highness has officially announced that Miss Marcel has contracted with the Spirit of Darkness. He stated that she suffered from mana depletion due to a temporary illness, but the Spirit of Darkness saved her. It's an extremely rare condition, but because she overcame it, the nobility's reaction has been generally positive on the surface. The Church also supports Miss Marcel for contracting with such a rare spirit."
"No... mana depletion... how could that be accepted..."
"If it weren't for your actions, the nobility might not have accepted it so easily. But through this incident, His Highness succeeded in planting the idea that spreading malicious rumors about Miss Marcel is equivalent to making an enemy of the Royal Family. Furthermore, since the royal physicians have stated there are no health issues following the contract, it's difficult for anyone to criticize her, given her status as a Marquis's daughter."
How could this be... Then, what I did was... What is my miserable situation for?
Why is it always me who ends up like this!
Because of her...
That woman who stole everything, who stole His Highness from me.
It's frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating.
My vision seemed to turn blood-red.
Without noticing that my brother had already left, I burst into tears. No matter how much I cried or screamed... no one came to comfort me.
I was all alone, my voice echoing in the empty room.
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