Chapter 13

 

“Then, I should go see my mother now. See you later.”

Once Alex disappeared, Catherine finally felt a throbbing headache coming on. She pressed her forehead and secretly frowned.

Today, the selection of a personal knight wasn’t even part of the original story. In the novel, Mel becoming Eleanor’s knight is supposed to happen much later, but it isn’t done in such an open manner.

Of course, the Duke of Hereis never assigned a personal knight to her either.

The “4th Order of Knights” was only briefly mentioned in the novel. 

There was no detailed description of them, and no characters from the group ever appeared in the original story. 

All she knew was that they were a group of free-spirited individuals.

“Sometimes they would secretly carry out the Duke’s errands or orders, I suppose.”

“Are you okay? Do you feel unwell? Should I take you to the infirmary?”

Despite his concerned words, the gray eyes staring at her were completely devoid of warmth and even felt somewhat rude.

‘Who is this guy? Why is he looking at his master like that?’

Catherine examined August closely.

He seemed about the same age as David, was tall, and had tanned skin, and prominent veins that made him look like a strong and healthy man.

His gray eyes, slightly downturned eyes, thick and dark eyelashes, and the tear mole beneath them…

At a glance, he was an unusual person.

“Oh? Did the young lady just check me out? What a pervert.”

His voice was strangely high-pitched and irritating.

And yet, such a noticeable character wasn’t even mentioned in the original story?

“Excuse me? Are you ignoring me?”

She had momentarily forgotten his existence while lost in thought.

Thinking she was deliberately ignoring him, he had already discarded his previous playful smile.

“What? What is it?”

“Oh! Now you can hear me? I thought our noble lady was ignoring me just because I’m a commoner. Hahaha.”

His words fell off.

“When did I ever see you before to know whether you’re a commoner or not?”

She spoke irritably, and August dramatically widened his eyes in fake surprise.

It was so exaggerated that it almost made her laugh in frustration.

“There’s a rumor that you have a radar for detecting commoners, young lady! So you can distinguish people just by looking at them. 

Guess it was just nonsense.”

“…Huh?”

“Haha, don’t worry about it. It’s just a stupid rumor.”

What the heck is wrong with this guy?!

Catherine suddenly wondered if the Duke had intentionally assigned him just to mess with her.

‘Why? Why did he give me this guy?’

“I look forward to working with you, my lady.”

She had chosen the wrong knight.

“…Mother.”

“Come in, my lovely daughter, Catherine.”

Two days later, in the early afternoon, Rachel greeted Catherine with a smile in the garden.

A tea set, cups, and an assortment of snacks were elegantly arranged before them.

‘So she called me just for a tea time…?’

Dressed in luxurious jewels, a tiara, and an extravagant dress, Rachel looked excessively lavish.

Yet, her beauty suited the opulence so well that instead of being overwhelming, it enhanced her charm, making her even more dazzling.

“I heard the Duke assigned one of his knights to you. You must be quite favored by him.”

News of her new knight had reached Rachel’s ears.

“I told him I didn’t need one, but he insisted.”

Catherine gave a response that would please her mother.

“Fufu, never refuse gifts from the Duke. That way, people will see you as a beloved daughter.”

Satisfied with her answer, Rachel smiled.

To an outsider, she would have looked like a kind and affectionate mother.

Her gentle smile resembled that of a benevolent saint.

But to Catherine, it seemed artificial.

“Come closer, Catherine.”

“Yes, Mother.”

When Catherine approached, Rachel carefully lifted her platinum blonde hair.

Her touch was delicate as if handling something precious.

“You know how much I cherish my little kitten, don’t you? My cat, you won’t disappoint me, will you?”

Despite her affectionate gestures, her tone was chilling.

Catherine understood what she meant.

It was a warning about her recent behavior of protecting Eleanor.

But she couldn’t just tell Rachel, “Eleanor is the main character of this world, and if I mess with her, I’ll be the one who dies.”

So, she gave the answer Rachel wanted.

“Of course not, Mother.”

“Yes, that’s how it should be. Just do as I say, like you always have.”

‘No, that will get us all killed! We’ll all die! The villains get turned to dust!’

“…Yes.”

Catherine suppressed her internal screaming and obediently replied.

Rachel was the perfect example of a classic villain.

‘She’s like the evil stepmother in fairy tales. Like in Snow White or Cinderella.’

A villain who takes pleasure in tormenting the heroine and watching her suffer.

But another thought crossed her mind.

What if Rachel wasn’t acting this way by choice, but simply playing the role assigned to her in the novel?

‘Like a cliché villain who didn’t originally want to be bad but got forced into it…?’

Catherine wondered if she could act as a bridge between Rachel and Eleanor, helping them get along.

She didn’t want to destroy the original story, but that only applied to the romance.

If she slightly altered the family dynamics for the better, it might benefit Eleanor.

“…Catherine is always such a good daughter who listens to her mother.”

As Catherine was thinking about how to “fix” Rachel, her mother suddenly spoke again.

“Then, won’t you tell me?”

Her voice had turned low and eerie as if she already knew Catherine’s secret.

“Tell you what…?”

“Why are you protecting Eleanor? How long were you planning to hide it?”

Tug—

Rachel suddenly yanked her hair, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her scalp.

“Ah…!”

“Shh… you must be quiet.”

“Th-That’s…”

Catherine let out a small cry, but Rachel immediately whispered a warning.

She felt like a helpless prey standing before a giant snake.

Cold sweat formed on her forehead.

Rachel’s snake-like, chilling blue eyes were not the eyes of a mother looking at her child.

They were the eyes of a predator looking at its prey.

“This time, your little whim has lasted too long. It’s getting boring.”

“…Hic!”

At that moment, Catherine felt true fear.

It was the first time she had experienced terror since being reincarnated into this world.

How could a mother look at her child with such an unfeeling gaze?

Could she change someone like this?

Fear and hopelessness washed over her.

“I’ve told you before. It’s best if you don’t get close to that girl. 

Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“O-Of course. It was just a passing whim.”

Catherine quickly said what Rachel wanted to hear.

“That’s right. That’s how it should be. For your brother, for yourself, we can’t let that woman’s children take everything from us.”

Rachel smiled beautifully as she gently stroked Catherine’s platinum blonde hair.

Her touch was as soft as if she had never gripped her so harshly just moments ago.

Catherine shivered at her mother’s dual nature.

Rachel truly looked at her with affection, as if she deeply cherished her daughter.

“I hope my little girl’s whim ends soon. Don’t you agree?”

She wrapped her arms around Catherine.

Her touch was gentle as if handling something precious.

“…Yes, Mother.”

Catherine’s stiff face disappeared into Rachel’s shoulder.

Rachel’s hand patted her back gently.

To an outsider, they looked like a loving mother and daughter.

But someone nearby had witnessed everything.