Chapter 16
“What are you doing here?”
“…Killian, brother?”
When she turned around, as expected, Killian was standing there.
Killian was the most similar to Duke Hereis in both appearance and personality among the Valentine family.
Catherine found Killian much more difficult to deal with than David.
David, like Alex, had a temper, so she could somewhat understand him.
But Killian, who spoke little and silently did his work, was impossible to read, making him intimidating.
Even so, there was a time when Catherine wanted to impress Killian and followed him around.
It was shortly after she started living at the duke’s estate.
An older, mature, and handsome brother, even more so than her actual blood-related brother, Alex.
‘I have to get close to Killian!’
At that age, it was natural for Catherine to have such fantasies.
She admired and respected Killian, and maybe, just maybe, she even had a small crush on him.
“Brother, today, can we—”
“……”
But Killian never once acknowledged her.
It was as if “Catherine” did not exist in this household.
She knew that since Duke Hereis was often absent, Killian had to take on his duties, making him a busy man.
‘Brother is busy. That’s why he doesn’t have time for me. That must be it.’
She convinced herself that he wasn’t ignoring her—he was just too occupied.
But she soon realized that was just her wishful thinking.
Even when he was busy, Killian cared about Eleanor. He silently watched over her.
“Eleanor, give this to her.”
“Yes, young master.”
Eleanor thought Killian had forgotten about her, but he secretly looked after her, making sure Rachel and Catherine didn’t bully her.
From his actions, Catherine realized that there was no place for her in this house.
There was only one Valentine’s princess.
She knew that Killian disliked Rachel, Catherine, and Alex and wanted them gone as soon as possible.
But since he never openly expressed it, Catherine had fooled herself into thinking that maybe, one day, he would accept her as his sister.
Once, when Catherine felt particularly hurt, she lashed out at him in anger.
“…Do you hate me that much? Me being your sister? Me wanting what Eleanor has?”
She didn’t even remember why she had been so upset back then.
It was just a childish outburst.
“Why? Why can’t I have what she has? I’m also the Valentine princess now!”
Killian responded indifferently.
“Valentine princess… You’re mistaken.”
“What…?”
“If you want that title so badly, I’ll give it to you. But it would be best if you didn’t touch Eleanor.”
“……”
“You and Eleanor are different from birth.”
“What’s so different? What’s so special about her?!”
Because she was a noble by birth? Because Catherine’s origins were unknown?
To her, his words sounded like excuses.
Killian never even gave her a chance.
“Why should I care about you?”
“…Mother married the Duke. That makes me your sister now.”
“You believe that your family will stay in this house forever, don’t you?”
His words were calm yet sharp, like a hidden blade.
At that moment, Catherine realized that Killian expected her and her family to leave one day.
“That… That won’t happen.”
“Impurities always disappear eventually. Whether sooner or later, they are bound to be removed.”
“…Impurities.”
That was how Killian saw Catherine and her family.
To him, she was nothing more than a cuckoo that had invaded their nest.
After that day, Catherine stopped trying to impress anyone in the household.
As expected, no one cared.
Killian stepped closer and asked,
“Why are you standing in the hallway messing with your hair?”
“None of your business.”
“…Still rude, as always.”
Lately, Catherine had been speaking more informally, which made Killian frown slightly.
“Why were you coming out of Eleanor’s room?”
He already knew Eleanor was in that room.
That meant he had business with her as well.
“Are you bothering her again?”
“I’m not!”
“You’ve been quiet for months. I thought you had finally matured… I guess not.”
“…Ha!”
Killian sighed and shook his head, clearly not believing her.
Just as Catherine was about to argue back—
“Take this.”
He suddenly handed her an envelope.
It was a blue invitation sealed with a deer insignia.
A party invitation.
“This is…”
“A party invitation from the Prongs family.”
The Prongs family owned one of the most popular trading companies in the empire.
Catherine had been close to a lady from that family.
In the original story, Catherine and that lady teamed up to badmouth and torment Eleanor.
‘Now that I think about it, I haven’t contacted her in a while.’
“The Valentine family invested in one of their businesses, and it was a success. To celebrate, they’re hosting a party. Since you’re close with their daughter, they sent you an invitation as well.”
His words sounded like, “You don’t belong there, but they sent you an invitation, so I have no choice but to give it to you.”
“…Did Eleanor get invited too?”
“Of course. She was the one who proposed the investment in the first place.”
Catherine recognized this as part of the original story.
Eleanor’s first successful business venture began with this investment.
“But why are you giving this to me yourself?”
A servant could have delivered it.
When Catherine looked at him questioningly, Killian cleared his throat and avoided eye contact.
His usually composed eyes flickered slightly.
‘Ah! Don’t tell me—’
“…I just had time. That’s all.”
“Oh. Sure. Of course.”
Catherine immediately realized he was just looking for an excuse to see Eleanor.
‘…He’s starting to show signs of being a siscon.’
“Don’t bother Eleanor and just go to your room.”
With that, Killian walked past her and entered the library.
Left alone, Catherine stared at the invitation in her hands.
“A party, huh…? That means I’ll finally get to see the male leads.”
In the original story, Eleanor “coincidentally” met the two male leads at this event.
They were immediately drawn to her and became curious about who she was.
But that wasn’t all.
At the party, Eleanor would also meet her greatest enemy—the other saintess candidate, Ariana.
Ariana was Eleanor’s biggest rival.
Catherine’s eyes sparkled.
‘Wait! That means I’ll get to see both the male leads and the intense showdown between Eleanor and Ariana!’
This was going to be exciting!
She rushed to her room, calling out,
“Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen! Helen!”
“Oh my, what’s all this commotion—”
She ignored the voice of August, who was teasing her from the side.
“What is it, my lady?”
“Prepare a dress immediately!”
“A party, my lady?”
Helen asked, and Catherine beamed.
“Yes! A super fun party! Call the designer and bring the dress catalog!”
“Oh dear, what kind of party could be that exciting?”
August sighed, looking tired.
He didn’t seem to understand Catherine’s enthusiasm.
“Have you been to many parties, August?”
“…A few, when accompanying the Duke.”
“A mere guard knight attending parties with the Duke…?”
“Ahem. Anyway, where is this party you’re so excited about?”
He seemed reluctant to answer any more questions.
Catherine decided not to push him.
He was, after all, the Duke’s knight. He probably didn’t want to say anything that might cause trouble.
“Helen, call the usual designer!”
“Yes, my lady!”
“You both are so energetic.”
At that moment, Catherine was in high spirits.
Clatter, clatter—
‘…I can’t breathe.’
Catherine looked around the uncomfortable carriage interior.
Sitting beside her was Eleanor.
Across from her sat the Duke.
And next to him was Rachel.
The atmosphere inside the carriage was cold and heavy, like the calm before a storm.
‘Haha… How did it come to this…?’
