Sonia stepped out from the shadow of a tree to block Severin’s path. For a moment, he forgot to breathe. He could clearly recognize Sonia’s pallid face even in the poor light of the torches. Not only was her face devoid of color, it was devoid of all expression as well.
“S-Sonia...! Perfect timing! I was just about to go get you. I’m sorry I had some business that I had to attend to first,” Severin said, pulling her hand in an attempt to lead her away from the arbor.
Is he buying time for the woman to get out of the arbor? That was how it looked. So Sonia turned on her heel and called out to the woman trying to hide in the darkness beyond.
“Not so fast! I heard everything! Don’t you realize the man you love is planning to marry a woman he doesn’t love?”
The woman kept running as quickly as her legs could carry her without so much as turning back in response to Sonia’s question. She wobbled awkwardly, having to hike up the floor-length dress with its long train. The heels she was wearing were ridiculously high. Not to mention narrow. There was no way she could run at full speed in those things. Actually, it was already dubious if a noblewoman would lower herself to the act of running at full speed. She would never live it down in court if any of the gossiping ladies caught sight of her.
On the other hand, Sonia had never worn anything but low heels during her many years at the Royal Abbey. Consequentially, she had attended the ball with heels of a lower height that she was more comfortable with. Not to mention, she was confident in her lower body strength.
All that arduous mopping at the abbey paid off! If I don’t put these muscles to the test now, when will I? Sonia thought, exerting all her strength running in the most inappropriate of places.
Her well-toned legs must have paid off, for she caught Catherine in a matter of moments. Sonia flung question upon question at the woman, demanding, “Why didn’t you try to stop Prince Severin if you love him? He was doing this for my money, but is there a reason you’re that hard off?”
The poorly illuminated woman whipped around to face Sonia with widened eyes framed by overdone makeup. She looked at Sonia as if Sonia were a freak. Fighting her urge to break out into tears, Sonia fixed her eyes upon Catherine.
“Come now!” Catherine exclaimed with a belittling laugh as she returned the glare. “Isn’t it obvious this is all in good fun?”
“...Huh?” Sonia croaked out.
“Would you unhand me? It would be a breach of social conduct for me to flick your hand away.”
Overpowered by her cold tone, Sonia let go of her arm. Hiking up her hem, Catherine halfheartedly curtsied to Sonia, making it clear by her attitude that she only did it as a matter of protocol.
“You’re Duchess Sonia, I presume? The last to inherit the de Clare title... My name is Catherine de Chalier. I’ll have you know, I’ve already tied the knot.”
She has a husband?
“You’re married...? But aren’t you and Prince Severin...?” The words spilled numbly out of Sonia’s mouth on their own. Her mind was about to short-circuit from an overload of shock.
“That is why I said it was all a game, didn’t I? I like enjoying faux romances with men beside my husband. Sometimes I pretend I’m single again, and we promise our future to one another. Other times we resign ourselves to a platonic romance. Then there are those times I enjoy giving myself over to a night of pleasure.”
“That’s obscene...! How dare you break the vows you swore before God...! It’s unforgivable!” Sonia berated her.
“Unforgivable or not, the sons and daughters of nobility don’t get a say in who we marry beforehand. We aren’t allowed to love whoever our heart desires. Don’t you find it far more ‘unforgivable’ for a loveless couple to swear their love before God?”
“Well...”
Catherine slowly closed in on Sonia as she fumbled for words. The older woman came across as patronizing, as if Sonia was an obtuse little girl.
“I’ve heard you spent a long time at the Royal Abbey, so you’re ignorant of the ways of the world. Duchess Sonia, did you realize that out in the real world, it takes money to do anything? Especially if you aren’t a married couple. Don’t we all want to indulge in some gambling, recreation, and romance?”
Her hand touched Sonia’s shoulders. It felt as if her sticky, grubby hand was clinging to Sonia’s skin, making her jump.
“Would you like me to educate you in the ways of the world, Duchess Sonia de Clare?” Catherine asked, her crimson red lips curling into an enchanting smile.
“Lady de Chalier!” a stern voice called. “If you wish to get acquainted with Her Grace, please consult the matter with your husband and King Patrice first.”
The voice made Catherine bolt straight up. Her shoulders jerked up, disgust radiating from her as she turned to face the owner of the voice.
“...Sir Chris.” The one who said his name was Sonia.
Chris strode past Catherine and the silently gawking Severin. Upon reaching Sonia, he planted himself in front of her as if shielding her from the other two.
“I see your husband’s warnings were insufficient. Would you prefer His Majesty to scold you personally? You and your husband will be severely punished if it comes to that!” Chris snapped.
“Wh-What have I done to deserve this...? I was simply offering to teach Duchess Sonia court etiquette and the current games that are all the—”
“She doesn’t need you to teach her anything. Moreover, as I recall, weren’t you temporarily prohibited from entering the palace...?” he hissed with a glare harsher than his biting voice, making Catherine grow stiff.
Severin answered his question instead. “...I invited her. The guards watch me like hawks outside the palace...but I figured we could slip away together during a big event here.”
“I see King Patrice didn’t make himself clear enough to you as well,” Chris growled.
“If he disapproves because Catherine is married, he can go to Hell! I love her. I want to be with her!” Severin appealed to Chris in earnest, then trailed off weakly, “However...she said it was all just a game...”
Severin’s eyes shifted to Catherine as he begged her, “You didn’t mean it, did you? It was a lie to pull out of this mess, right?”
With Chris before her, Catherine was apparently racking her brains to figure out how to respond. Unable to regather herself, her mouth popped open and shut.
Seeing her conflicted reaction, Chris sternly reproached, “If you truly love Prince Severin, return the money King Patrice gave you to repay the debt you and Prince Severin incurred by gambling. Then the two of you can pay the debt off together.
“But you can’t do that, can you? It’s the very reason why you and your husband came crying for help, remember? Hence, King Patrice provided that consolation money under the condition you never saw Prince Severin again, or did you forget?”
Chris turned to Severin. “I have some words for you as well, Prince Severin. You’re no longer allowed to spend your time freely due to the debt you’ve incurred by gambling. You’ve tried to drag Her Grace into a problem you brought upon yourself! Moreover, you went after her fortune! Have you fallen so low that you don’t have any remorse for taking advantage of your childhood friend?!”
“......”
Seeing the two fall into silence, Chris spat, “Lady de Chalier, please leave. I will send word of this to your husband later. Expect a thorough scolding. He might not let you out of the manor after this stunt.”
Then he quietly said, “Prince Severin, come with me...” He cast his glance at Sonia and beckoned, “You need to hear this as well.”
Sonia was standing in a motionless daze, her head hung low.
“...How much of Prince Severin and Lady de Chalier’s conversation did you overhear...? Chris asked.
Sonia paled at the memory of Severin boasting to Catherine like a love-struck puppy.
“Please tell me...everything...you know...” she said, while staring down at her clasped hands.