Catherine looked at herself in the mirror.
Her platinum blonde hair shone like light, framing her sharp, cat-like face.
Her blue eyes, as clear as the May sky, resembled glass shards. The reflection showed a young girl with soft, youthful cheeks.
“Oh my! Lady Catherine, you look stunning today!”
The maid who was fixing her hair spoke up. Catherine found her flattery amusing, but compliments always felt nice.
‘Maybe it’s because I got reincarnated, but having such a beautiful face is rarer than winning the lottery.’
Now living a second life, Catherine was quite pleased with her appearance. In her past life, she hadn’t cared much about her face, but now, she fully understood its value.
“I’ve never seen such bright platinum blonde hair before. It’s an honor to be the one in charge of your hair!”
They say compliments can make even a whale dance. Catherine felt her lips curl up slightly.
But as a noble lady of the duke’s family, she couldn’t just openly show her happiness. She held back her smile and spoke in a nonchalant tone.
“Ahem. Hmph! Of course. I’m always beautiful!”
The maid’s shoulders trembled slightly.
‘Huh? Was that the wrong reaction? No way, that can’t be it.’
Catherine quickly thought back on how she had acted before. She didn’t think she was behaving any differently.
‘Oh, maybe she’s just nervous? Well, I do have quite an intimidating presence.’
Ever since Eleanor became an outcast, the clever servants had started siding with Catherine.
In the duke’s household, the most powerful person besides the duke himself was, of course, the eldest son, Killian. But the Duchess, Rachel, also held considerable influence.
For the servants who worked under Rachel’s management, following Catherine was the wise choice.
Catherine, now almost done getting dressed, glanced at her reflection before asking,
“Where’s my sister?”
She turned to the maid, asking about Eleanor’s whereabouts.
“H-Huh? Do you mean… Lady Eleanor?”
The maid looked startled and repeated the question as if she had misheard.
Catherine’s eyes narrowed.
“Well, do I have another sister besides Eleanor?”
She was getting frustrated. Instead of answering, the maid kept hesitating.
‘Ugh, I really can’t change this temper of mine.’
Even though she had memories of her past life, she had still lived with this fiery personality for 15 years. Changing overnight would be impossible.
“A-Ah, no! She’s probably in the library. She usually reads there around this time.”
Noticing Catherine’s irritation, the maid quickly provided the answer she wanted.
‘The library, huh.’
Eleanor was likely looking for information on how to gain power—power she needed to escape this house.
Catherine recalled what she had read in the novel.
Eleanor’s power was none other than “divine power,” something even the emperor desired.
Originally, it was supposed to awaken when she turned 20, but if she found the right information in the library, she might awaken it sooner.
The sooner her divine power awakened, the faster the story would progress.
And that meant Catherine’s death would come even sooner.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
Looking back at the mirror, she saw herself adorned with expensive jewels and delicate flower-shaped ornaments.
Her grand appearance matched her beauty perfectly.
She looked like a child who was deeply loved.
But she couldn’t meet Eleanor looking like this.
“Make me look like I’ve been crying. I need to look weak and pitiful.”
“Huh? But you already look so beautiful…”
“I know. But looking fragile makes it easier to gain sympathy and favor.”
Though confused, the maid started adjusting Catherine’s appearance.
The extravagant decorations were removed one by one. A soft brush dusted a bit of red powder around her eyes.
Right now, she didn’t need the protagonist’s “love.”
She only needed Eleanor to see her as “harmless.”
Catherine clenched her fists, repeating this to herself over and over.
When she arrived at the library, she saw Eleanor reading in the distance.
Sitting by the window, Eleanor looked intelligent and graceful.
The morning sunlight streamed through the glass, making her ash-gray hair shine with a mysterious glow.
Catherine hesitated, took a deep breath, and then walked toward her.
Once she was close enough, she carefully spoke.
“Ahem, u-uh, sister.”
“…Catherine? What are you doing here?”
Eleanor’s gaze instantly turned cold with suspicion.
Her reaction was understandable.
Just a few days ago, Catherine had treated Eleanor like filth, denying her existence at every turn.
But Catherine couldn’t give up now. She stepped closer and asked,
“What are you reading?”
Thud.
Eleanor shut her book.
“What are you plotting this time?”
Her icy words sent chills down Catherine’s spine.
“P-Plotting? No! I just wanted to have tea with you. We’re sisters, aren’t we?”
“Hah. How ridiculous. You’ve never once considered me your sister. Weren’t I nothing more than a filthy animal to you?”
Her calm but piercing words struck Catherine’s heart.
And she wasn’t wrong.
Everything she said was true.
This was Catherine’s karma.
She had done horrible things and said cruel words, and now, they were coming back to her.
“Besides, have we ever had tea together? The noble Lady Catherine always said she wouldn’t waste her time with a lowly rat like me.”
‘Ugh, that memory…’
Catherine flinched as she recalled her past self.
“I know I was awful to you. I just wanted to say—”
“Stop.”
“H-Huh?”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but an apology?”
Before Catherine could respond, Eleanor continued.
“You always used to say this.”
“…?”
“Apologies are for the weak and foolish.”
‘Apologies are for weak and pathetic people. Only idiots think they can be forgiven just by saying sorry.’
“For once, I agree with you.”
Eleanor smirked.
“I don’t know what you want from me, but…”
“….”
“You’re not going to get it. So, give up.”
Catherine knew her apology would seem sudden and meaningless to Eleanor.
Still, she had come, hoping that maybe—just maybe—Eleanor’s heart would soften.
After all, the Eleanor she knew from the novel had a kind, gentle side.
But that was a mistake.
Eleanor didn’t seem to feel anything for Catherine anymore.
No anger. No resentment. No sadness.
To her, Catherine simply didn’t matter.
Catherine’s blue eyes wavered with unease.
Noticing this, Eleanor smiled—truly smiled—for the first time.
It was the same lovely, elegant smile she had once given Catherine many times before.
‘Catherine, right? From now on, I’ll be your big sister! Welcome to Valentine’s Dukedom!’
‘…’
‘Let’s get along well!’
Catherine was the one who had destroyed that bright, hopeful smile.
Eleanor would never forgive her.
They would never be close.
Catherine had hurt her too much.
She had wounded Eleanor over and over, never giving her the chance to heal.
Unlike in fairy tales, villains in real life don’t get forgiven so easily.
In the end, Catherine couldn’t say anything.
Eleanor stood up and walked past her.
Catherine didn’t stop her.
The heavy door shut behind her, leaving Catherine alone in the library.
Only the faint scent of violets remained.
