Just as the Cardinal told them, both Katerina and the Marquis went to see the Marchioness. However, now she would be a simple commoner. Her family hasn't even done anything to help her, since without her, they will have nothing. The Marquis lamented how that woman had ended up, that regardless of the fact theirs was an arranged marriage, he was faithful to her and tried to be a good husband. But the woman was only ambitious, trying to climb higher using her own children. She sent Thomas to a school far from home and prevented Katerina from going with her brother in order to have her at her mercy. But what the Marquis never imagined is that his wife's ambition would go so far as to want to deceive the temple and pass her daughter off as the Saint.
"Mother, he forgave you for everything. I want you to know that all this has been very hard for me. I hope this makes you reflect," Katerina mentions with a sad expression.
"Damn brat, I will never forgive you! You should thank me, your life was going to be perfect," she yells furiously.
"Your lie would have been discovered someday and it would be worse. Goodbye, mother, I love you."
And although to anyone who heard her, her words sound like those of a daughter who loves her mother, the reality is that the Marchioness can see Katerina's mocking smile and a look of superiority.
The Marquis says goodbye to his wife and hands her a letter, which arrived just a few days ago. Upon seeing it, the Marchioness notices that it is from her son Thomas. She reads it, but it was just a farewell letter, lamenting that her mother wanted to use her sister in such a vile way.
"I will never forgive the damage you have caused. By thinking selfishly, you did not measure the consequences of your actions and how they could affect your children. I am glad that my sister has opened her eyes and realized your lies. Goodbye, mother, I hope you can move on with your life after serving your sentence."
The Marchioness was upset and crying in frustration. Her son has shown the disappointment he feels for her; now, indeed, she has lost everything.
In the following days at the Marquis's mansion, everything was returning to normal. The divorce document arrived, and with it a letter from the Empress, stating that the engagement between Katerina and the Crown Prince was still standing, since the young woman is the best qualified and that nothing will be affected even though the Marchioness has been imprisoned. Katerina was a little upset, she thought that with that, the Empress would want to break off the engagement, but it was not like that.
"Father, I really don't want to marry the Prince...that was just my mother's wish," Katerina looks down.
"The Crown Prince is a good match. Has he been bad to you?" The Marquis knows that breaking that commitment is not easy.
"No, but I...the truth is that I like someone...and I would like to marry him...we both like each other," she expresses shyly.
"What? Who has dared to steal the sighs of my little girl?" asks the Marquis.
Katerina laughs at his reaction. "It's...the second prince...we met at a tea party, we talked and started seeing each other more often. He confessed his feelings, but he stays away because he knows about my engagement and doesn't want my reputation ruined if they see us go out together or if he visits me here, that's why we've only seen each other at meetings."
She has to convince her father so that he can give her more support, and the best way is to make him believe that they both like each other. She hears a long sigh from the Marquis and assumes why, since it is well known that Arek is despised by the Emperor.
"I think the situation will be difficult for both of you. Daughter, you know, I knew that His Highness could be sent to the border and that is dangerous." The Marquis softens his tone of voice as he holds his daughter's hands in his, to comfort her.
"I know, father, he told me. But I trust that he will return safely, he promised me and I trust him." She doesn't like acting like that, but she has to be real.
"My girl, let's pray to the Goddess to bring him back safely. In the meantime, I will do my best to break off that engagement, because even if he were in your life or not, the Second Prince would never let you marry someone you don't love."
"Thank you, father." Katerina hugs the Marquis.
Although she is not a loving person, the Marquis has proven to be a good father and she respects him for that. The real Katerina was lucky, but she preferred to be like the Marchioness and do everything wrong.
At the palace, Arek is informed that he will be sent to the border in three days, since, unfortunately, the Crown Prince has fallen ill and will not be able to lead the battle. But they need someone to represent the Imperial Family, and Arek is the one who must do it. After receiving the order, he leaves the throne room and Jack was furious as he walks beside him.
"What a coincidence that that idiot gets sick just before leaving for the border."
"It's obvious it was planned; surely the Empress insisted on rushing everything."
"Why? Has she discovered something?" Jack asks curiously.
"Yes, she saw me with Lady Rosesky and seemed very upset about it. Jack, send a letter to Lady Rosesky, I must inform her about this."
Jack nods at the order. He still can't believe that they are being forced to go to such a dangerous place, especially when Arek is only 15 years old. Even if he is a great warrior, it is still a danger, but they can only trust that they will manage to overcome everything and return glorious, thus gaining more merit before society.
The next day, Katerina arrived at Arek's mansion. As always, they met in a private room, to prevent anyone else from knowing about what is being said there.
"I'm leaving for the border in three days. If you still want my help, you'll have to wait for my return."
"I will. I know you will return a hero. That will give you an advantage; the people will want the prince who protected them and not the coward who, although he was cured, did not go to the battlefield," Katerina mentions.
"Is she a fortune teller by any chance? Nothing guarantees that I will return."
"Actually, I'm a witch. But I don't see the future. Still, I know you'll be back." She smiles.
"A witch? Are you kidding? Witches are extinct, or at least if there are any left, they remain hidden."
"I'm not kidding, I am. Just like you are a fairy, I am a witch."
"So you know. Not even the Emperor knows that...and I hope you didn't find out from him." Arek looked annoyed.
And it is not for less, since that boy before him is one of the few shadow fairies left in the world. Like witches, they are almost extinct because years ago they were hunted, as the temple claimed that they were evil beings. Of course, it is not like that now, but those that remain prefer to live in hiding.
"I wouldn't say anything. And before I go, if my father happens to come, make sure he believes we're a couple in love."
This said, Katerina retires, it was getting late and she doesn't want to run into criminals along the way. While Arek was just silent, not knowing what to answer to the last thing she said.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 58 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments