The large carriage crossed the imperial palace threshold with a thud. When the curtain was carefully drawn back, brilliant sunlight poured in. Her sharply upturned eyes squinted immediately. Still, greeting the midday sun was her favorite time of day.

‘My lord, really.’

Catherine, leaning her arm against the window, hummed a light tune. Next to her lay a neatly folded letter.

She uncrossed her legs and wiggled her feet up and down. The corners of her lips, previously composed, gradually curved upward.

She had wondered why he had summoned her.

‘Who would have thought he would get engaged.’

Though she hadn’t heard the details, Ludwig’s engagement was quite shocking. She had thought he would remain single for life. Moreover, who was his partner again?

Sezlin Brioden. With her extensive connections in social circles, Catherine was well aware of her notorious reputation. She might have seen her once at a party. Given how much gossip and rumors surrounded her, Sezlin felt strangely familiar.

If anything, Catherine felt a certain affinity toward her.

“Hehe.”

Catherine smirked.

Even without Ludwig’s orders, Catherine had been curious about Sezlin. In a way, she was quite famous in social circles. A woman whose reputation was marked by all sorts of misconduct and unimaginable evil deeds.

—Misconduct?

—Yes. So Catherine, be careful too. You never know when she might pounce like a violent hunting dog.

—Ah, how wonderful…

—…Pardon?

—Oh. Nothing. That was just an exclamation.

What would someone so thoroughly criticized be like in person? She might hurl insults at Catherine for being disrespectful. While other noblewomen might gossip behind one’s back, this woman seemed like she would throw a pumpkin directly at you.

What would it feel like to be hit by that…

“Ah, how exciting!”

Catherine shyly cupped her cheeks. Then a mischievous smile bloomed.

‘I wonder what kind of person she is.’

Her heart was already pounding.

* * *

Despite it being morning, Sezlin, who had just entered the palace, had nothing to do. She spent her time selecting a dress to wear in the afternoon and taking a light stroll through the rear garden.

Around midday, when the lazy sunlight settled in the middle of the sky, a man knocked on her door.

“I’m here to see Lady Brioden. I am Benjamin Lingston, First Prince’s assistant.”

The man, claiming to be sent by Ludwig, presented documents. The moment Sezlin saw the word “contract,” her gaze briefly shifted upward. Her eyes and mouth tensed visibly.

That’s when a smile appeared on Sezlin’s lips.

“Thank you. Should I sign and return it?”

“…Yes. A craftsman will be called later to create your seal. His Highness asked me to apologize for not being able to complete this together with you.”

“It’s fine. Can’t expect a busy person to come and go.”

Sezlin picked up the quill pen provided with the documents. Since she already knew the content, she quickly skimmed through the general terms and turned to the last page. Below where her name should go, Ludwig’s name and seal were already affixed.

Sezlin placed the pen tip next to her name. She signed with a flowing signature. After signing identical signatures on the other documents, she handed over one copy.

“Since it was created with His Highness’s magic, the document itself won’t be damaged.”

Benjamin received the document and bowed his head.

It was clear he intended to leave now.

“Wait.”

Benjamin, who was about to open the door, turned around. Sezlin lightly tossed the document she was holding onto the table.

“I understand your suspicion, as I would be suspicious too.”

“…”

“But at least fix your expression before you leave.”

She had already noticed how blatantly the assistant was wary of her when reviewing the documents earlier.

“Someone might think we’ve been fighting.”

Benjamin’s jaw hardened like stone. His downcast eyes shook violently. Sezlin’s crescent-shaped eyes gradually ate away at Benjamin’s intimidating presence.

Sezlin frowned irritably.

“What are you doing?”

Just standing there.

* * *

After sending Benjamin away and having a simple lunch, Sezlin leisurely gazed out the window.

“The sun is warm.”

Half-lying on the sofa, Sezlin stroked her hair. Her languid appearance seemed like a symbol of arrogance, yet her angelic features created a strange dissonance.

“If it weren’t for the fitting, meeting in the rear garden would have been nice.”

The maids nearby smiled awkwardly at Sezlin’s words. In truth, her attire was more suitable for a nap than for receiving guests.

Sezlin, still in the slip she had worn since morning, certainly looked more comfortable than anyone else.

The problem was that she only looked comfortable.

‘Will she be alright? Of all people, Madam Catherine…’

‘But even if we say something, she probably… won’t listen. Asha, you try telling her.’

‘N-no. She’s still too scary.’

Sezlin Brioden was a source of tension for the maids. Or rather, she was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment. Being mostly from noble families themselves, the maids inevitably had preconceptions about Sezlin. But as a day passed, and as this morning progressed, the maids gradually became confused.

The Sezlin they met in person was different from the rumors. Her behavior and speech weren’t particularly frivolous. Rather, her tone of voice and movements were calm and serene.

Apart from insisting on changing clothes or bathing alone, she hadn’t made any demands of them. In fact, she was so unexpectedly easy to serve that they weren’t sure how to react.

It might be too hasty to judge after just one day, but there was something peculiar about Sezlin as a person. She resembled Ludwig yet was somehow different.

Therefore, they were still very cautious about speaking freely around her.

She was indeed frightening.

“M-my lady.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really sure you don’t want to change your clothes?”

Though she tried to speak without showing her nervousness, her voice trembled involuntarily. Asha, surprised by her own words, opened and closed her mouth. Marilyn and Joanna beside her exchanged glances.

Sezlin, supporting herself on the sofa, straightened her posture.

“What’s wrong with this? Do you think Madam Catherine will run away at the sight of my attire?”

“N-no, my lady.”

Asha closed her mouth like a clam. Seeing her drooping shoulders, Sezlin felt a corner of her mind tighten. It felt somewhat like discomfort.

Perhaps it was because of what she had experienced before. Even though she had chosen trustworthy individuals, maids were still objects of caution to Sezlin. This remained true even in a new environment. Not appearing vulnerable was what Sezlin cared about most. It was her principle not to show even the slightest weakness.

“…You’re acting like I’m going to eat you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize for a simple question.”

Asha swallowed dryly at Sezlin’s words. Sezlin unconsciously clicked her tongue.

Seeing that expression, she was reflexively reminded of someone. It momentarily made Sezlin hesitate before giving a harsh response. But that was as far as it should go.

“If you’re so concerned… bring me something to put on top.”

Showing any more vulnerability would only lead to Sezlin’s regret.

“Yes!”

Light returned to Asha’s darkened complexion. She quickly bowed her head and hurried to the dressing room, returning with a thin cardigan. Sezlin glanced at Asha as she draped it over her shoulders.

Despite the sharp gaze, her clear face was irritatingly bright. Nearby, Joanna and Marilyn, who had been anxiously watching Asha’s actions, visibly relaxed.

Sezlin clenched her fist tightly under the cardigan.

‘How annoying.’

She felt that way for some reason she couldn’t explain.

“My lady, Madam Catherine has arrived.”

“…Tell her to come in.”

Sezlin suppressed this strange feeling and changed the subject.

The sound of the door opening was followed by the click of high heels on the floor. The heels striking the marble gradually approached Sezlin. Simultaneously, the maids welcoming the madam gasped. Her intellectual gaze narrowed gradually at the sound of their astonishment.

When the presence suddenly drew near, Sezlin tilted her head back.

“Hello, Lady Sezlin Brioden.”

And she was left speechless.

“I am Madam Catherine Sherbet. Please call me Catherine.”

For a moment, Sezlin seriously wondered if they were in the garden rather than a room. More importantly, what Catherine was holding was none other than a parasol.

Catherine, carrying a parasol adorned with elaborate frills and ribbons, held her chin high. Despite meeting the notorious lady, she showed no signs of intimidation. If anything, her appearance of abundant curiosity left Sezlin slightly perplexed.

Under lush eyelashes, violet eyes shone innocently.

“My goodness.”

They said she was eccentric.

“I love your attire.”

Somehow,

“How did you know my taste?”

There’s not a single normal person here either.