Peculiar.

That was Sezlin’s impression of Catherine. Well, to be generous, “peculiar” was the word. “Chaotic” would be more accurate.

“My lady, your skin is so fair. Any color would suit you well.”

“I’ve only seen you sitting, but your proportions are excellent. Long dresses would look wonderful on you.”

“I’ve only seen you with heavy makeup before, but lighter makeup suits you much better!”

What was her intention?

Sezlin silently observed the woman who chattered without pause. She didn’t respond. Since Catherine was asking and answering questions on her own, Sezlin saw no need to add anything.

But she was curious.

Those compliments didn’t seem sarcastic, yet they felt deliberately excessive. As if trying to draw something out. They even seemed exaggerated.

Sezlin found this puzzling.

What exactly was she trying to do?

“Madam.”

“Oh my, I told you to call me Catherine. How cold.”

“Very well, Madam.”

“…”

Her bright face fell as if caught in the rain. But Sezlin’s attitude remained unchanged.

“He told me about you.”

“You mean my lord, His Highness?”

Sezlin answered with silence. As one side lost words, quietness settled between them. After a brief moment, Catherine responded with a smile to the woman who was regarding her with suspicion.

“That makes things easier. Let’s get straight to the point.”

‘As expected.’

So there was something.

Blue eyes fixed on one spot. Her gaze toward Catherine gradually sharpened. Sezlin quietly waited for the next words.

After a pause, Catherine spoke shyly.

“I feel excited whenever I see you, my lady.”

Her composed face collapsed miserably.

* * *

“…Are you insane?”

There was no filter.

But she didn’t regret it. It was the best question she could ask right now. Sezlin didn’t know how to respond to this bizarre answer.

Though she asked if Catherine was insane, she already knew.

That Catherine was far from normal.

“Yes, I am insane.”

‘For you, my lady.’

“What nonsense…”

People should know their limits. This went beyond wariness—it was closer to disgust.

When Sezlin reacted so bluntly, Catherine burst into laughter. Her amused expression naturally made Sezlin’s nerves sharpen. A cold gaze was directed at her. Before Sezlin could truly turn away, Catherine hurriedly waved her hands.

“I’m sorry if I startled you. I meant I’m attracted to you as one person to another, not romantically. After all, you have my lord.”

“…”

Sezlin looked at her with interlaced fingers. Her apologetic posture seemed quite sincere. The way she bowed her head was certainly that of someone apologizing.

However, Sezlin was not generous enough to accept her previous banter. Therefore, she showed no reaction to Catherine’s apology. As a result, the silence that had barely ended returned once more.

One minute became ten. Ten minutes became fifteen.

It was enough time for the other party to understand the gravity of the situation.

‘Was I too harsh?’

In the stark atmosphere, Catherine closed her chattering mouth. In truth, Catherine knew she had gone too far. But she wanted to test her. What type of woman was this notorious lady? What kind of person had her lord chosen? After all, a person’s true nature emerges when they’re angry.

But with her just sitting there quietly, Catherine began to feel anxious. If only she would say something. Then Catherine could respond somehow, but Sezlin truly said nothing.

As if waiting for her answer.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, Catherine broke it.

“I’m sorry, my lady. Are you angry?”

“…Angry.”

Sezlin naturally repeated the word Catherine had uttered. It was at that moment that Catherine, who had been watching carefully, flinched.

‘Is she smiling?’

Catherine desperately resisted the urge to rub her eyes. She was smiling. If Catherine wasn’t mistaken, Sezlin was smiling with her lips stretched wide. Her folded eyes were as beautiful as an angel’s.

But Catherine couldn’t feel that those eyes were purely beautiful.

When that gaze of indecipherable meaning reached her, a chill ran down her spine. Her hands grew cold.

“I’m not angry, Madam. Just a little surprised.”

Sezlin gently wrapped her fingers around the teacup handle. Turning a deep smile into a cold sneer was easier than flipping a palm. Moving her gaze to the table, Sezlin shifted the cup she was holding.

Crash—

“!”

Catherine’s hand trembled. Thoroughly startled, her round eyes opened to their limit.

Sezlin stared at the shattered cup. All that remained in her hand was the pitiful broken handle. Sezlin’s eyes folded gently.

“Oh dear.”

“…”

“I’m sorry if I startled you.”

‘It’s because I have no strength in my hands.’

“Are you angry?”

At those words, Catherine bit her lips tightly. Her eyes squeezed shut.

Testing her? No way.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Test her twice and her head might fly off.

* * *

Catherine thoroughly experienced what it felt like for hands and feet to grow cold.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I’m truly sorry.”

“…”

“It won’t happen again.”

Having felt Sezlin’s anger with her entire body, Catherine apologized while rubbing her hands together. She had seen people feed others elegantly, but this was the first time she’d seen someone threaten to kill elegantly.

It would be better if she threw tantrums as the rumors suggested. This was on another level.

“I’m not angry.”

It was too frightening.

“Just annoyed.”

…Isn’t that the same thing?

Catherine swallowed her timid objection. No, wasn’t this too different from the rumors? They said she couldn’t control her emotions and acted out. But the Sezlin she met was elegant, elegant, and terrifying.

It was only because she was Ludwig’s person that she was spared. If it had been someone else, who knows where that teacup might have been thrown? A chill ran through her. Catherine unconsciously touched her bare neck and cleared her throat.

“But my fondness for you is genuine. I’d like you to know that much.”

“You must have heard the rumors. That I’m a crazy woman who doesn’t know her place and acts out.”

“…Mother of God.”

Catherine gasped at the blunt choice of words. When it came to rumors, people usually hushed up or changed the subject. In social circles, rumors were weaknesses. And this was a place that loved to exploit others’ weaknesses. So once caught in scandal, one was essentially expelled from society.

Especially for nobles. They were accustomed to dealing flexibly with aspects of their reputation that could become weaknesses.

Except for Sezlin.

“Why are you so surprised? You came knowing all this.”

“It’s just that hearing it so directly is a first.”

“Do you find it vulgar?”

“N-no, not at all.”

She didn’t think it was vulgar, but she didn’t want to agree with that question even out of curiosity.

“I don’t understand why you like me, Madam.”

“My taste is in that direction…”

A cold gaze was directed at her.

“I just love your personality, my lady!”

Catherine immediately changed her stance.

“My personality is good?”

“Yes!”

Though she felt something was off even as she said it, she couldn’t take back her words. At the questioning look, Catherine hastily added:

“Perhaps because I grew up as a commoner, I don’t particularly like the pretense and formalities of nobles. That’s contradictory for someone who makes a living from it, but…”

“…And?”

“I was very curious about you, my lady. You’re quite famous. Ah, I don’t mean it in a bad way! Just pure curiosity.”

Fearing Sezlin might misunderstand, Catherine composed herself and continued.

“As you know, I really dislike the ordinary.”

“It seemed that way.”

From her manner of speaking to her actions. Catherine displayed a unique freedom not found in nobles. Other nobles might feel differently, but at least that’s how Sezlin perceived it.

“But I’d appreciate if you maintained some boundaries. Since you were sent by him, cutting out your tongue would be… well, it would be awkward to discipline you.”

“I think I just heard you say something about cutting out tongues.”

“You misheard.”

Sezlin, immediately denying Catherine’s hearing, picked up a new cup. Warm tea gently filled her mouth.

“He saved your life, Madam.”

“Yes, I was a war orphan.”

The movement to drink the tea momentarily stopped. Long eyelashes fluttered lightly. Meeting Sezlin’s eyes, Catherine continued.

“Oh, this is the first time I’m talking about this. I was a war orphan when I was young. Though I am originally from here.”

“Is that so?”

The teacup that had touched her lips tilted again. Seeing this, Catherine said with a slightly surprised face:

“You’re not surprised.”

“Did you want me to be?”

“…No. I don’t like pity.”

Sezlin, who had held the tea in her mouth, put down the cup.

“I’ll do my best to make your clothes, my lady. I’ll create a masterpiece like no other. And I’ll be your ears when it comes to social circles.”

“Thank you.”

Sezlin conveyed a cool gratitude.

That was exactly Ludwig’s intention.

“B-but!”

At this point, Catherine urgently continued.

“Please maintain our acquaintance. Either by meeting like this or publicly.”

“Why?”

“I told you. I really like you, my lady.”

Fondness colored her violet eyes. Where that fondness came from, Sezlin naturally had no way of knowing.

Well, regardless, it didn’t matter since they needed to stay close anyway. She had no intention of getting too close. Just sharing information and using each other would be fine…

“Feel free to push me around!”

Tsk.

Sezlin clicked her tongue.

In response, Catherine smiled brightly and pulled out the catalog she had brought.