# 6
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Velius's eyes shook violently as he recognized Etheus.
Etheus whispered in a calm, cold voice to Philos:.
"What do you do?"
Although Etheus was just a puppet prince, his status was higher than that of Filius.
If Velius harmed him, he would be punished for harming the imperial family.
Filius shouted while grinding his teeth.
“It was just a passing problem with my fiancée!”
“So this...”
Etheus tightened his grip on Filius' wrist, making his eyebrows twitch in pain.
“Your way of solving problems?”
Among the nobles of the empire, using a fist instead of a sword was shameful.
In addition, a man hitting a woman was a cowardly and unforgivable act.
Velius' eyelashes trembled and he succeeded in freeing his wrist.
He stared at me with angry eyes and said while gritting his teeth.
“This is none of your business, Your Highness!”
It's my turn to intervene
“On the contrary, it is the business of any f-respecting person.”
She looked directly at Filius.
Since I incarnated into Katherine's body, my fear has disappeared.
Even from someone who was about to hit me.
“Catherine!”
“Especially from a just person who cannot tolerate injustice.”
I felt Etheus's gaze on me.
Oh, he's brilliant!
“Unlike someone who is ugly and stupid like others.”
Filius's face reddened until he nearly exploded with rage when she directly compared him to Etheus.
But with the huge Etheus beside me, all he could do was tremble his fist helplessly.
You coward!
In the end, he growled angrily and threatened me.
“You'll regret this, Katherine.”
Then he turned and left with angry steps.
Even the way he walks is ugly!
I shook my head, wondering what Catherine would think of choosing such a fiancé.
At that moment, I heard the sound of air escaping Etheus's lips.
I looked at him and saw the corner of his lips rise slightly.
Was he smiling?
In Catherine's memories... Did she ever see Etheus smile?
She stared at him in surprise, but he quickly regained his impassive expression.
'Did you imagine that?'
Oh, but his refreshing appearance is enough to wash away the ugliness from my eyes.
Cold blue eyes under thick eyebrows, straight nose, symmetrical jaw.
He is approximately 190 cm tall with broad shoulders.
To stand this close to my favorite character... It fills me with gratitude. …
“Catherine Elmore.”
His cold voice interrupted my musings.
“You haven't changed, it's amazing.”
Surely he means my mouth is still toxic as hell.
As a victim of Catherine's previous confession attack.
Under his frowning eyebrows, his blue eyes held complex thoughts.
There was a long silence between us.
A cold wind blew my silver hair.
“Don't get me wrong, I didn't intend to help you.”
Oh, how cute!
Well, with my past record, I can understand his desire to set boundaries.
“Of course, Your Highness has always been a champion of justice and steadfast in your principles.”
I spoke softly, while my heart chanted.
‘Ethios, you are the unchanging justice in my life!’
I wished I could throw myf into his arms and murmur words of love.
But this would terrify him.
My goal is to secretly support him and then leave quietly.
But while I try to contain my emotions. …
“A sarcasm this clever, that's impressive.”
My eyebrows rose in surprise.
Did he think I was making fun of him?
I didn't mean that!
But with my evil smile and sarcastic tone, everything I say sounds sarcastic.
'Ah, so that's how it is. …’
I bowed my head slightly and then turned around.
'I have nothing to add.'
I chose not to comment.
Etheus will never know. …
My heart beats for him alone.
That my brave heart becomes weak before him.
“I have work to do.”
But in Catherine's body, all I can express is hostility and sarcasm.
This is frustrating!
But I can't be honest.
“...but you.”
My heart shook when his voice broke my silence.
Breathing deeply, I tried to look cooler than usual as I turned to him. I saw his eyebrow twitch.
'He looks at me so inteny?'
After a moment, his cold lips moved.
* * *
On the way back in the carriage, I put my hand on my racing chest and mumbled.
“I talked to him today... really...”
Even Etheus turned and called me with a mysterious look, saying:
“Don't you have anything to say to me?”
I had so much to say!
'The most wonderful Ethios! My heart will explode! How cute! royal ! I'm almost mad at your beauty!'
But all I said was.
"nothing."
With the most arrogant and cold expression.
"my lady."
Hirose called out to me while I smiled stupidly.
"Yes?"
He seemed confused by my response.
Oh, that's not Catherine's expression!
“I mean, what do you want?!”
I corrected my tone and glared at him.
“Ah…”
But this was Catherine's natural response!
Why does his ears turn red and he looks surprised?
When I scratched my head, he collected himf.
“Ah... How was your conversation with Mr. Filius? Did he ask you for more support...”
“We broke up.”
I stretched carelessly.
Hirose opened his eyes in surprise until his shoulders almost rose.
"What?"
“Literally, I broke off the engagement.”
“But...how...why....”
He asked me while he was still in shock.
“Why did you do that, ma'am?”
I expected this question.
Marriage and engagement are family affairs that require careful calculations.
Of course my decision will seem childish.
Especially since I canceled an engagement agreed upon by my deceased father.
“Filius Rigalo is a man without talent and knowledge, who feigns art as an excuse for his misbehavior.”
This is a roundabout way of saying “we broke up because he was ugly.”
“He may seem convincing… No, not even convincing, but inside he is even more hideous. If he enters our family, he will devour our wealth like a fish in water.”
“Ah...”
Hirose's brown eyes twitched.
“I don't have to explain all these calculations to you.”
I turned to him.
“Do not interfere in my personal decisions.”
Hirose will soon become someone who has nothing to do with me or the Elmore family.
When I flee to the principality with my wealth and the revolution succeeds, Elmore's family will disappear and he will be free.
So it's only fitting that I set boundaries with him as the evil Mrs. Elmore.
“Excuse me, ma’am, I didn’t mean to interfere, but in fact...”
Hirose bowed his head until his features were hidden.
When he raised his face, my hands trembled.
His face was a little red.
“I'm... happy.”
His soft voice surprised me even more.
"What?"
“I thought...”
Hirose continued to blush as his eyes sparkled.
“He doesn't deserve you.”
“Ah...”
I nodded in confusion.
This is unexpected!
But upon reflection, perhaps it is not surprising.
As a servant, he would naturally hate seeing his mistress wasting money on an unsuitable man.
“For a strong personality like my lady... a gentler and gentler man....”
Hirose stammered, then smiled slightly.
“What would you like for dinner, ma'am?”