8.

Catherine had a faint impression.

Until now, she had only thought about leaving this place, and with a strong sense that everything was borrowed, she had maintained only minimal dignity.

Now, after a long time, life returned to her. Nancy finished the preparations busily and smiled with satisfaction. Catherine was also somewhat surprised by her vibrant vitality.

“How does it look?”

“I like it.”

Today she chose a dress in a deep red color. It was adorned with elaborate lace that exposed the shoulders and was boldly cut down to the waist. Silver embroidery thread illuminated along the shoulder line, spreading like lotus flowers.

“My goodness, how beautiful you are. My lady suits any color well.”

“Just the other day you said a snow-white dress like Helen’s white snowfield suited me well; Nancy, your words change often depending on the occasion.”

Her long blonde hair flowed down, and her makeup was complete. Her rye makeup was applied with subtle pearl, and her lips were given a fresh vitality.

“Has everyone arrived?”

“Lady Sosoro Leroux, Lady Angela Amelia, Lady Sophie Blewitt…… and everyone else has arrived. The Leroux family runs a trading company distributing grain and tea, the Amelia family oversees Helen’s iron mining industry as His Grace’s proxy. And the Blewitt family is the family of the former head’s chief advisor.”

Today was the first day guests were invited to the inner castle, and also the day she would erase past grudges from her life.

‘Emily Milden.’

Since my stepsister has come from afar, it’s proper for me as her sister to entertain her. Even if that means cutting off that relationship.

Catherine planned to sever ties with her remaining family members today. She felt no regret. Rather, she felt relieved.

“Emily Milden, my sister?”

“Yes. She’s among the guests. Since you personally sent an invitation, she naturally had to attend. I just confirmed she was chatting with the other guests.”

“The tea and refreshments?”

“Prepared as instructed. You mentioned flower tea with red petals, right? It was difficult to find, so we used Count Leroux’s trading company. And, my lady…… since the tables are outside, it’s cold. Would you like to wear a fur over your shoulders?”

She agreed to Nancy’s suggestion. When she draped a white fox fur over her shoulders, Nancy unconsciously swallowed a moan.

That appearance was too magnificent to simply call a flower. It was a poisonous plant. Not that it contained thorns, but despite its splendor, it harbored dangerous poison inside.

Helen, who looked more dangerous because of her splendor, entered the banquet hall with elegance.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Catherine Helen.”

Catherine’s red dress dramatically changed her impression, like red paint splashed on a white canvas. The white fur dragged on the floor with each step, evoking the image of a solitary empress.

“It’s my first time meeting you. Circumstances have made it difficult to meet until now, but I’m glad to see you like this.”

* * *

“So you’ve been confined to Helen Castle because you were ill?”

When Catherine revealed why Helen had kept its gates closed, the guests were moved.

And for good reason—while Catherine, with her red lip gloss, exuded dignity, she showed no signs of illness.

“Thank you for inviting us. We heard you were ill, but are you better now?”

“I’m fine now. My husband has returned, and I’m living more comfortably than before. Perhaps I overdid it with the burden of protecting Helen alone.”

“I’m glad you’ve regained your health now. Next time, I should send medicinal herbs good for your body as a gift through our trading company.”

Lady Leroux expressed sadness as if concerned.

‘It’s a lie, but I don’t even feel much guilt anymore about adding more lies here.’

Some wondered if that was the reason for her confinement in the inner castle, guessing at the reason for Helen’s strict information security.

She was openly showing her weakness by saying she had been weak, and there was no reason to interpret it sarcastically.

“I pondered what tea to serve my guests. With someone from the Leroux family present, I thought ordinary tea might not satisfy your palate.”

“We’ll all be delighted to taste it.”

“I prepared flower tea. I used to enjoy drinking it in the past.”

Only Catherine noticed Emily’s expression subtly wavering at those words.

“The red tea color is beautiful, and the fragrance is truly wonderful.”

“F-flower, flower tea…… Why drink flower tea when there’s black tea? Ca-Catherine, for entertaining guests……”

“Sister, please mind your manners. Before I was Catherine Milden, I am Lady Helen. I’ve invited guests, and you’re scolding me, which puts me in an awkward position.”

Nancy came and served teacups and refreshments. Soft biscuits were decorated with dried flower petals, and the teacups were white porcelain with elaborate gold craftsmanship, meant for entertaining guests.

“Everyone, please taste the tea.”

“My, how fragrant it is. Sweet yet slightly bitter. The fragrance fills my mouth as if eating honey.”

“When you pick the flower, honey comes from its stem. I added that honey.”

The bitter yet sweet aroma brought out the unique floral scent of flower tea. While all the guests tasted the flower tea and added comments, only Emily glared at her teacup with a frown. And she trembled at the sight of the tea the guests were drinking.

“So is this the flower tea you used to drink at your family home?”

“Isn’t the fragrance nice? I often drink flower tea because black tea keeps me awake at night, and I really like this scent.”

I harbor no ill feelings toward you, sister. What would I do with such negative emotions?

Emotional release is only possible when there’s affection. We, who lack even that small affection, simply treat each other like strangers.

“Oh my, Miss Emily!”

Emily dropped her teacup.

“My sister seems nervous.”

“Your dress is soaked. That must feel unpleasant. Use my handkerchief to wipe it, Miss Emily.”

Lady Amelia offered her handkerchief. Emily bit her nails while looking at the refreshments and tea on the table in confusion.

“Sister Emily, it’s unbecoming for a lady to bite her nails.”

“I apologize. My ha-hands are trembling a bit. I’m sorry. I showed an embarrassing side in front of the guests.”

She hid her hands under the tea table, crumpling them, and lowered her head. It was as if she desperately believed this would hide her embarrassing bare face. It was pitiful. Catherine chuckled softly, appreciating her effort.

‘My fragile sister seems worried that I might have done something wrong.’

Emily wiped her dress with the handkerchief she received from Lady Amelia and fumbled with her nape. Then she pointed at the flower tea and asked.

“What kind of flower is this?”

“It’s similar to the flowers we used to see at home, isn’t it? I like how the fragrance becomes stronger when the red petals are dried.”

Emily firmly grasped Catherine’s wrist. The gaze touching her from the adjacent seat felt piercing. Catherine had deliberately taken the seat next to Emily, which might be why Emily carelessly whispered in Catherine’s ear.

“Catherine Milden! How could you serve something only eaten in rural homes in the viscounty to your guests!”

Catherine’s expression remained calm despite Emily’s small outburst.

I thought I’d feel some satisfaction if my sister became flustered, but I feel indifferent. I feel no emotion or impact. You must suspect this is a poisonous herb. If you suspect it’s poisonous, you should stop these people from enjoying the flower tea. Slipping away alone is just like you, Emily Milden.

“I went through some trouble to get this flower tea, so I’m disappointed. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the exact flower tea we used to drink at our family home. This is a similar tea.”

“……I… see?”

“But sister, there’s no need for you to get so angry. To criticize the tea our mother personally procured as inadequate would make her sad.”

Emily knows everything. Her expression explains it all.

You know everything and are anxious and afraid all by yourself. Catherine smiled broadly. As her smile deepened, the guests’ expressions clouded with questions.

“Your mother from your family home provided the flower tea?”

“Yes. She used to enjoy it. The red petals were especially beautiful. Isn’t the tea we’re drinking now beautiful too?”

Catherine wrapped her shoulders with fur and extended her hand to Emily. The red dress flowed down, enveloping her body. As the lace wrapped around her body and the fur slipped down, her shoulder line became prominent, exuding both languid and stern presence.

“I’ll provide you with a change of clothes, sister.”

Today Emily will stay in Helen.

In Catherine’s domain with Catherine’s people, tightening the noose around her neck, it might be good to send a letter to her stepmother.

* * *

The Duke of Helen visited the emperor’s reception room.

“Every time you come, you look at people as if they’re earthworms.”

“That’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty.”

I feel like I’ve heard something similar somewhere before, but where was it? Lorendis pondered for a moment, then gave up and knelt.

Since he had come to receive an imperial medal, he intended to get straight to the point. Tessler couldn’t help but laugh at his arrogant nephew’s audacious attitude. He showed not a shred of respect to the imperial family, yet he always took what he could get.

“Expressing gratitude to Duke Helen who serves the empire, we bestow this medal of honor……”

After all the formal procedures were completed, Tessler got straight to the main point.

“So when are you going to break off that engagement?”