Chapter 60

“There’s a shortage of Catherine ingredients.”

It was a sudden topic thrown out one day, just a week before finals. I caught Lilian gazing at me while hugging her pillow, and I quickly glanced at her while finishing up the laundry.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“There’s a shortage of Catherine ingredients.”

“Did I hear you wrong? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”

“Haven’t you been cold to me lately?”

“I’ve always been like this.”

It’s true; I hadn’t been cold to Lilian recently, at least not particularly. Sure, I had been dedicating some personal training time to develop my mana and checking out more books about the Demon King at the library, but I hadn’t neglected caring for Lilian.

“Hmm… I just feel like there’s something off.”

“That’s impossible.”

In reality, the person I met most often lately was of course Lilian. I occasionally met Yulia and Chloe, but it was only now and then. Part of it was due to my increasing busyness, but Lilian’s sudden increase in clinginess was also to blame.

Every time I tried to go somewhere, she would cling to me, making it hard to leave her side. It weighed on my heart. It was the first time I’d seen Lilian show such a vulnerable side.

The usual Young Lady would show some vulnerability here and there but, after a few hugs and a bit of petting, she’d bounce back up in high spirits again. But, um, offering my butt to the current Lilian felt a bit off… Maybe it was because I was just doing the bare minimum and sitting quietly beside her.

“I want some skinship!”

“…You talk as if you have my permission.”

“Well, I guess?”

Lilian, grinning, patted the spot next to her. Sighing, I sat beside her, and she sprawled across my thighs. Then she handed me an ear cleaner.

“Clean my ears.”

“…I do that regularly, don’t I?”

“Isn’t it different when you’re using my lap as a pillow while doing it?”

Not that anything would come out anyway. I sighed softly and slowly inserted the ear cleaner into her ear. Lilian let out a series of strange sounds and made a bizarre expression. She even twitched her body… a bit pervy, to say the least.

“I wish Catherine had bigger boobs.”

Out of nowhere, she glanced at my chest, and I sighed again while replying.

“What nonsense is that all of a sudden?”

“I want to drink milk.”

“…I see. It seems finals are driving you mad. We should call a doctor…”

“I’m not crazy?! And it’s not just any milk I want! I want to drink Catherine’s milk!”

Now that’s downright insane. I thought for a moment and then, *smack*, I tapped Lilian on the forehead. Stunned by the unexpected hit, she let out a short scream.

“Ugh?!”

“Are you coming back to your senses?”

After blinking for a second, Lilian nodded, her face slightly flushed, silently realizing what she had just said.

“…But,”

“What kind of nonsense do you want to talk about?”

“You just labeled it as nonsense…”

Seeing her slightly hurt expression made me want to sigh again, but I held it in. In truth, Lilian had been under considerable stress lately. The reason was because of a letter that had arrived a few days ago.

[I understand your intention to break the engagement. However, it cannot be allowed, so please proceed. If I hear any more unsatisfactory news, I will cut off support.]

Though it was a short letter, it was enough to shatter Lilian’s mental state. I still vividly remembered how she had trembled and torn the letter to shreds after reading her father’s cold words.

“Catherine…”

“Yes?”

“Shall we run away? We can build a small house in the countryside and raise chickens, living happily.”

“And where would we get the funds to run away?”

“…Maybe we could sell some jewelry?”

Lilian glanced at her jewelry box and sighed. Neither of us really wanted to have a serious conversation, so we let the topic drift, but Lilian still wore a face full of worry.

…Hmm, I thought maybe it would be fine if Lilian had a flaw significant enough not to get engaged to Prince Bellus. I watched her, and it was clear that she looked incredibly exhausted lately. At least she was still showing up for class and studying regularly, but it was a bit disheartening to see her so drained in day-to-day life.

I brewed some tea for the completely wilted Lilian and headed outside. She preferred being alone when she felt like that. It seemed Lilian, who was much like the Young Lady, shared the same preference. As I walked aimlessly outside, contemplating what to do about Prince Bellus, a man approached me.

He had the fierce look of a lion. His icy gaze seemed to scrutinize the world, exuding the unique pressure of a nobleman. …Honestly, it felt like he had a case of middle school syndrome, but maybe it was just because he was incredibly handsome.

“Maid.”

“…Um, how can I help you?”

Seeing him suddenly speak as if he knew me made me groan softly and reply politely. He seemed dissatisfied with my answer, and his eyebrow twitched. No, why? Isn’t this an adequately polite greeting?

“You don’t remember me?”

“…No.”

Had we ever met? No way; a guy like that would be hard to forget. My memories from my past life might be faint, but my memories from this life are pretty clear. When I tilted my head in confusion, he chuckled lightly.

“Well, I guess it’s understandable. You’re a commoner.”

I felt a bit offended by his self-satisfactory assumption, but I couldn’t really show it, so I kept my mouth shut. He sighed softly and began introducing himself.

“I’m Karim Akin Elpeltain.”

“So you’re from the House of Duke Elpeltain.”

Ah, the rival of the Marquis of Portus. The Duke Elpeltain’s son turned out to be this guy. I thought to myself while slightly bowing my head to Karim. He seemed pleased by my acknowledgment.

“Hmm. Right.”

“…”

So, what’s the point of calling me? I looked at him with eyes asking that, and Karim coughed lightly before glancing around.

“This isn’t a conversation that should happen here. Would you follow me for a moment?”

His cautious words made me take stock of my surroundings immediately. There wasn’t anyone following us, nor did anything seem ominous. This young master didn’t look like he could pose a threat if he suddenly had bad intentions. I nodded agreeably, and a light gleam appeared on Karim’s face.

“Let’s go.”

I slowly followed him as he walked ahead and suddenly turned back, feeling a strange presence behind me. But there wasn’t anything suspicious. Was it just my imagination? I tilted my head curiously and continued to follow Karim.

#

“I almost got caught…!”

Contrary to Catherine’s expectations, Lilian had followed Catherine outside. Of course, while she preferred being alone, on a day like today, where she felt a shortage of “Catherine ingredients,” she wanted some company.

But as soon as she stepped outside, she saw Catherine moving with a very handsome man. Just a handsome guy would have made her furious, but it was Karim Elpeltain of all people. The heir of Elpeltain, who consistently interfered with Lilian, made her curious about what her beloved Catherine could be discussing with him, leading Lilian to silently follow behind.

Though Catherine did glance back at one point, Lilian quickly hid behind a tree and successfully trailed her without being caught, lips slightly biting down. Were they going to a secluded spot? Could it be that Catherine had been wandering outside to meet with Karim Elpeltain?

Lilian’s eyes began to dim slowly. It was reminiscent of the past when Catherine was still her “Young Lady.” After chewing on her lips, Lilian paused her steps when the two stopped walking. She couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but from the way Karim Elpeltain was laughing cheerily, it seemed they were having a rather pleasant talk.

It wouldn’t matter if it was another guy, but no, in fact, she loathed any other guy. Catherine was solely hers. But if it were anyone else, she could concede a hundred, no, a thousand times over to recognize them as her dear Catherine’s lover, but not this guy, not Karim Elpeltain.

It wasn’t that Karim Elpeltain had any serious issues with his character. He held a slight elitist view over commoners but seemed to have left that mindset behind after developing feelings for Yulia. Just a pompous nobleman; that was Lilian’s overall impression of him.

‘Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine, Catherine.’

Lilian, unable to suppress the darkness flooding her heart, kept chewing her lips. Blood began to trickle from her wounded lips, and crimson flowed down her chin, yet Lilian remained oblivious and continued to gaze at Catherine and Karim.

Catherine was solely hers…

‘Oh.’

Just then, the light returned to Lilian’s eyes. It felt as if a fuse had blown in her head. Luckily, her memory remained intact, but the sensation was chilling. Was this her true nature, or was it the personality of “Lilian”? For the current Lilian, it was a puzzle she couldn’t begin to solve.

Of course, Lilian loved Catherine and had a certain obsession over her. But she also knew it was impossible to monopolize Catherine. Taking a deep breath, Lilian slapped her cheeks gently. When she finally lifted her head,

“Young Lady?”

That familiarly comforting voice made Lilian gradually raise her head. There stood her beloved maid, looking at her expressionlessly.