Chapter 7 :Cléia

Katrina stood on the second floor of the ballroom overlooking the scene.

Lively dance music echoed in the hall below, and the laughing nobles surrounded the room, leaving the centre to the young girls and boys absorbed in the dancing.

She found her target in the corner of the crowd. The silver-white, soft, long hair of the other person stood out. As the protagonist of this grand ceremony, she was somehow hiding alone at the edge of the room.

Inet Nijel, her future sister-in-law, the princess hesitated whether to go down and keep her company, but she saw another person approaching Inet. It was Cléa Nijel, the red-haired handmaiden of the Grand Duke's family. The crowd automatically made way for her, like fish avoiding a great white shark.

She walked straight past Inette, ignoring the bows and curtsies coming from the other direction, pushed open the door to the hall and walked straight out.

Downstairs, near Inette, there was a commotion in the crowd, and their discussions made her feel even more uncomfortable.

The noble lady next to the princess obviously saw this scene as well. She covered half of her face with her feather fan, but her voice remained unshaken.

'It seems the rumours are true, Lady Claire and the second prince...'

Katrina stopped listening. She walked down the stairs, the nobles surrounding her like sunflowers in the sun. But she did not stop until she was in front of Inette, who slowly looked up.

This is the second time we have met. Do you remember me?

- Chapter 1 of 'Katrina's Oblivion': The Engagement Ceremony -

* * *

Sharon, can't I go to the rose garden?

Sitting in the warm bath, I suddenly remembered Sharon's earlier words, and she was working hard to build up white foam on my head, and she stopped when she heard this question.

There is no explicit rule, but this garden was personally and carefully tended by the Duchess before she died. She had a deep attachment to it, and Miss Claire would always go there to appreciate the flowers...'

Sharon paused.

'Sister Claire, is it creepy?

I actually know the answer to that question. In the original work, Claire's madness was repeatedly described from different angles. Once she turned up at a tea party to which she was not invited and poured tea over several noble ladies. On another occasion, at a banquet, she slapped a noblewoman so hard that she fainted instantly. There are countless stories like this. She is a truly evil noblewoman.

Above all, she hates Inette very much.

Rumour has it that she fell in love with the second prince, but she never expected him to marry his commoner sister, whom she had never heard of. She then made life difficult for Inette at every turn, humiliating her in social situations.

My lady, you must not repeat what I say to anyone...'

Sharon finally spoke hesitantly, "Lady Claire was also very lively and sweet when she was a child, but after the Duchess died she became irritable and unable to control her temper. She even hurt the nurse who had cared for her since childhood. Her servants live in fear every day, always ready to protect her face. My lady must not provoke her!

I nodded repeatedly. No wonder Sharon was so reluctant when she first arrived, but now she likes me so much. Her psychological expectations have been reduced to a minimum by Claire.

Sharon's foam-covered hand gently tapped the tip of my nose: 'I'm so lucky to be assigned to Miss!

Sharon's daily duties include not only looking after me, but also many chores around the house. She is often ordered around by the head maid and works long hours every day. If I were a powerful and important master like Miss Claire, my maid would not be bullied by others like this, but she still serves me every day with a smile on her face, as if her energy has no limits.

When I think about it, I smile sincerely in return: 'I am the lucky one.

The next morning the butler came to my door. I expected to hear that he had finally found Grey, but instead I received unexpected and tragic news:

'Miss Claire invites you to visit the Rose Garden this afternoon. Please come.

I took the rose that had served as an invitation, beautiful but menacing, its thorns still on the stem.

Why was the flower shaking?

Oh, it's not a flower, it's Sharon shaking my hand.

Sharon stammers to comfort me, 'Don't be afraid, miss! I'll protect you!

Protect me with what? Your trembling hand?

It's all right, Sharon, we're just going for a cup of tea...'

I don't believe it myself.

Clara is not the type of person to defend any kind of sisterhood. Whenever she appears in a novel, there is bound to be a storm.

But perhaps because the novel's main point of view is Katrina's, every argument only tells us the end, not the cause, so I can't tell what's causing Claire's anger. It seems I can only grope my way through the afternoon.

***

I arrived back at the Rose Garden. This time a maid was waiting for me at the entrance. I could tell from her haggard face that today was not going to be an easy day.

Miss Claire has given orders that only Miss Inette can go.

Sharon looked so worried that she might faint, so I put on a brave face and waved goodbye to her as I walked on.

Goodbye, dear Sharon. I hope this isn't goodbye forever.

The roses in the garden were in full bloom. I followed the littered path to the centre of the garden. Claire was sitting in a gazebo surrounded by flowers, her arm propped on her elbow, staring into the distance in a daze. If I didn't know that her beautiful appearance hid a rough soul, I would have thought I was looking at a flower fairy.

To my surprise, the table was full of beautiful snacks and fragrant herbal tea, not at all the scene of a banquet I had imagined.

This was a tea party just for the two of us.

I took a deep breath, rubbed my stiff cheeks and tried to put on a bright smile. You shouldn't hit someone who's smiling at you. If she really wants to hit me, she will at least hesitate for a moment and I can use that moment to escape.

Miss Claire, I've kept you waiting!

I cheerfully ran up to her, held up my skirt with both hands and greeted her. My etiquette training is currently being handled by Sharon and the results are beginning to show.

Clara looked back at me. She didn't seem as angry today as she had been yesterday. She tapped her knuckles on the table nonchalantly.

Eat.

No introductory remarks? Just tell me to eat?

But I didn't dare disobey her, so I reached out and picked up the plate of muffins closest to me.

Thank you, Miss Claire!

I'd just finished lunch and my nervous stomach hadn't digested anything, but I popped the muffin into my mouth anyway, smiling happily. Claire stared at me with her cheek pressed up against mine the whole time, and her presence, which she couldn't ignore, made me want to chew gum.

I never thought there would be a day when I wouldn't want to eat cake.