Palesdon mansion
âWhat a good morning!â
Catalina rose vigorously.
She usually sleeps late in the morning, so the maids were surprised.
âMadam, youâre up early?â
âBecause waiting for today was hard! Every day, I prayed for this day to come quickly before I went to bed.â
Both her health and mood were at their best.
No wonder, because today was the day Catalina prepared gifts for Roselina and Argention.
âWhat about Argention?â
âHeâs in the Dukeâs room. Iâve prepared everything the godfather said.â
âGood. Good!â
Catalina put in a special order at the Hyers boutique.
It was a black dress and a black robe.
The jewelry to decorate the dress had to be red, and the cravat to be worn with the robes had to be light pink.
It was the perfect couple outfit she envisioned.
From the moment Catalina made her plan, she couldnât wait to see Roselina and Argention in couple outfits.
She made her way to the palace before the Argention was ready.
Entering the Grand Hall before anyone else, Catalina was able to preoccupy a place where the hall was clearly visible without being seen by people.
It was a mini balcony, so when she sat on a prepared chair and closed the curtains, people couldnât see her. However, she could see well from where she was.
Catalina was happy waiting for Roselina and Argention to enter.
But something was wrong.
As the nobles entered and a crowd formed, a strange noise was heard.
âDid you hear that? The Godfather of Palesdon collapsed under the curse of the rose!â
âOh, my God. Sheâs been fine. Why did that happen all of a sudden?â
âThere are no details yet. Theyâre a very closed family, and the godfather stopped socializing a long time ago.â
Catalina was at ease while listening to the conversation about her.
She wasnât interested in the rumors not related to Palesdon anyway.
âDo you know what? Itâs a rumor that started circulating recently that the former Crown Prince has disappeared.â
âShh! What are you talking about in a dangerous way? Baroness Janier.â
âItâs just us, so who cares. Countess Laura.â
But I was interested in these kinds of stories.
âBaroness Janier and Countess Laura.â
Catalina remembered the madams who were talking with their eyes shining.
If thereâs a weakness she could catch in advance, she could use it well if they had a conflict with Palesdon later.
âIâm glad I came today in many ways.â
Catalina glanced at her watch.
The press conference is coming up.
Soon, it was over.
âIt means that the fool is coming soon!â
Catalina was happy to think of Roselina.
Unlike when she first met her and when she just got married, she has taken a liking to Roselina a lot these days.
When she had something to say, she liked how she looked up and stared into her eyes.
As she was talking, she liked how she spoke clearly.
âWell, I canât even say sheâs stupid anymore.â
Isnât today a presentation about the rose harmony that Roselina discovered?
âI thought you were stupid, but you must have been pretty smart. Thatâs not even funny.â
Catalinaâs lips twitched.
She wanted to grab someone at once and share her compliments for Roselina disguised as gossip.
But before that, she wanted to see Roselina in the dress she prepared.
âIâll be the first one to follow you and scold you. But I wonât let anyone else touch that stupid snooty.â
Catalina burned with her will.
âThe Duchess of Palesdon is entering!â
The gatekeeper announced that Roselina had entered the Grand Hall.
Catalina jumped out of her soft chair and grabbed the curtain.
Just as she was about to close the curtain and run to spite Roselinaâ
âDuchess Palesdon is here. Why is she coming in shamelessly?â
âBut today is the presentation named after the Duchess of Palesdon. If she doesnât come out today, sheâs going to be a dog that rolled its tail and ran away.â
âBut did the Duchess of Palesdon really do any research? I heard she collaborated with Master Mage of the Tower, but didnât she just put her name on it?â
A grotesque voice penetrated Catalinaâs ears.
Catalinaâs hand, holding the curtain, trembled with anger.
âYouâre afraid youâll get hurt, so do you bother my kind idiot whom I canât even scold?â
In the meantime, gossip about Roselina continued.
âBy the way, did you hear the news? The Duchess of Palesdon is the one who caused the curse of roses.â
âWell, thatâs not true. The Duchess of Palesdon herself is known for her severe symptoms of the curse of roses.â
âNo, listen. Itâs pretty plausible.â
Catalina, who was extremely angry, was rather calm.
She listened to the story that followed without any expression.
âItâs a secret, but the Duchess of Palesdon visited the mansion on the day the Godfather of Palesdon collapsed the other day!â
âSo after the Duchess of Palesdon went, the Godfather of Palesdon was cursed by the rose?â
âThatâs exactly what I wanted to say! Isnât it suspicious?â
âBut if the Duchess of Palesdon causes the curse of the rose, then I understand that she could make the cure.â
âI guess she didnât know the topic and wanted to act like a hero. Wasnât she famous for not knowing her place when she wanted to marry the Duke of Palesdon?â
Catalina heard a snap of her reason.
She tore up the curtain and went forward.
The ladies, who soon noticed Catalinaâs presence, avoided her eyes in surprise.
âWhat nonsense is that!â
Catalina shot a hideous look.
âHow dare you talk nonsense about Palesdon? Iâm going to take these right now.â¦!â
The old aristocrat, who was watching it from afar, murmured casually.
âPalesdonâs Mad Dogâ¦â
âWhat? Father. What do you mean?â
âWhen I was your age, it was the nickname of the Godfather of Falesdon.â
âIs that true?â
The aristocrat stroked his beard and nodded.
âSo this was what the Princess of Brighton was called when she became the Duchess of Palesdon. The rabid dog put another rabid dog under her.â
âI didnât know that happened.â
âYes, itâs all in the pastâ¦â¦â¦. I never thought Iâd ever see the Palesdon rabid dog shake heads in both hands.â
The aristocrat was lost in memories as he watched Catalina stirring the Grand Hall.
It was a scene that he often saw when he was young and enthusiastic about social activities.
âMadam, you donât knowâ¦â¦â¦â¦ You always come to my mind.â
While the aristocrat looked at Catalina and recalled his youth.
Catalinaâs surroundings were no joke.
âAh! I, Iâm sorry!â
âIâll never make fun of her again!â
âF, forgive me! Heutâ¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â
Those who cursed Roselina to their heartâs content were paying for their sins.
Catalina ran wild because her anger barely subsided.
Then someone came near Catalina.
âLady Catalina. Calm down.â
âWho are you! â¦â¦Ugh.â
Catalina, who turned her head, breathed in.
Roselina, who was dressed beautifully in the dress she sent, stood.
âThatâs enough. Thank you for coming forward for me.â
âHm, yes.â
In an unknown spirit Catalina let go of the ladiesâ hair.
Roselina, who came next to Catalina, smiled at the ladies.
âYou dare to insult Palesdon, so I will send your family to the abyss from now on.â
âA hundred pointsâ¦!â
Catalina gave a standing ovation when she saw Roselina speaking proudly.