Her expression was like she thought I’d said something ridiculous! Naturally, I found myself laughing in response. “You... really are a strange one, you know that? Okay, I get it. I’ll bring you along next time.”
Katarina smiled happily at my words. “Okay! It’s a promise. Hm... let’s pinky promise.”
Pinky what now? What’s that? Some special cultural gesture in this kingdom I didn’t know about?
Realizing that I had been mystified by her words, Katarina got up, as if she’d realized something. She then walked towards a dresser tucked away in the corner of the room and promptly fished out her dress from a drawer.
“Here. A symbol of our promise — I am entrusting it to you.” With that, she placed something on my hand.
A symbol of promises... that much I knew. A person would give another a personal possession so that they may hold onto it and give it back the next time they met. There were similar customs in a lot of different countries, but... only children or women who worked in the sex trade still practiced it. In this case, Katarina was definitely doing it the way children did.
I stared at the object in my hands, slightly exasperated. “This is a... brooch?” It looked like it had a stone of some kind embedded in it.
“It is a pretty color, right? It matches your eyes. The blue of the sky.” Katarina took the brooch from my hands. “And then... if you tilt it this way so that it catches the light... see? It’s azure now. Aqua-blue. Like how my eyes are, right?”
Just like she said, as the stone caught the light at a certain angle, the color became exactly like her eyes.
“The color of your eyes, and the color of mine... this brooch is both at the same time! Perfect as a symbol of our promise,” Katarina said, smiling faintly.
I had been born with a pretty face, so it was only natural that women came onto me. In fact, I’d never had any problems with women. All kinds of them would approach me, including hostesses and other “working girls.” They’d flirt with familiarity and sweet words, but... I couldn’t sense even the slightest hint of that kind of lie in Katarina’s words. There was passion in her eyes.
Handing someone a stone that had the colors of both my and her eyes... somehow, it was very convincing. I knew I lived in a different world than the one she lived in. I had steeled myself, knowing that it’d be pointless even if I did want her... and yet. I found my resolve immediately shattered by that one, singular line.
I swept Katarina off her feet, moving her to the bed.
“Being with you... warms up my chest, you know. Been a while since I felt anything like this.”
That warmth was the same feeling I’d lost as a kid. It was a mysterious sensation, and it filled my heart when I was together with this girl.
I took off the glasses I wore, and then pinned her down. Although many women had thrown themselves at me up until now... this was the first time I found myself actually wanting someone.
“Hey... would you like to be mine?”
Although Katarina was pinned down on the bed, for some reason, she was still looking straight up at me with those sparkling eyes of hers. This was the first time anyone had looked at me like that... from such a position. It was nothing like that sticky, needy look that I usually got. My heart was racing.
“If you keep looking at me with your eyes sparkling like that... don’t complain if I end up doing... something,” I said, nuzzling Katarina’s neck as I did so. A fragrant, sweet smell filled my senses. I could no longer resist.
“Um... wait— Rufus...?”
I placed my lips on her soft, white skin... and left my mark upon it. My heart was beating unbelievably fast. Even I couldn’t believe what I was feeling.
Up until now, no matter who I slept with, I had never felt anything like this feeling in my heart. If I could have this girl for myself, I...
Bang bang! A few solid knocks sounded through the door.
“Master Rufus, are you available?” a maid’s voice inquired loudly.
I clicked my tongue at the interruption. Just when things were going so well...
“I am currently... occupied,” I said, but whoever was on the other side of the door didn’t give in.
“It is quite an urgent matter.”
I gave in, partly because of how loud the voice was. There was unshakable resolve in that voice. In the end, I gave in and let Katarina go, then headed towards the door. “Ugh... right when it was getting good, too.”
Sighing, I opened the door, only to find the maid that was supposed to be by Selena’s side, smiling. “A letter of utmost importance has just arrived for you,” she said.
“Who is it from...?” I asked, without bothering to hide my irritation.
The maid smiled blatantly. “I have left it in your room. Perhaps it would be in your interest to read it as soon as possible,” she said, once again with that same smile.
My eyes opened wide. “...You. No... can’t be. Well. I guess that’s how it is...”
I’d thought that she was simply a maid with no living relatives, and hired her based just on that, but... no. She was more. This maid was probably an agent from some family who had infiltrated this plan from the start. I could tell by the way she was smiling.
After all, I had done nothing but dirty work all these years. My instincts were usually right when it came to things like this. In that case... this plan had already failed.
“...Well. Guess that’s that.” It was a plan with too many holes anyway.
With a heavy sigh, I left the room.
When I got to my room, the letter was there, as that maid said. It was a letter from Mason.
Apparently, his manor was under investigation. I guess the people at the top finally turned their eyes on him. This time, the small-time crook had gone a little too far. So that meant that everything about this plan must have been revealed already. Mason was never really good at covering his tracks. In that case, the authorities would probably be here soon with the evidence and all that.
There were two paths I could take now. The first option would be to escape from this place as soon as I could. They would surely send people after me, considering I now had the power of Dark Magic. No matter how I thought about it, running would be a pain in the ass.
The other option was to tell the authorities everything Mason did, his crimes and plots, all the while claiming that I was forced into it. Maybe shed a tear or two.
Circumstances are circumstances, and my life was what it was. Thanks to the hand I’d been dealt, I did have attractive features, and I figured I’d make it out somehow. I might still end up having my life restricted though, which would be frustrating.
Well then... which should I choose? Living my life on the run, or having my freedom restricted...?
“Katarina... psst. Katarina.”
“Wah!” Katarina shot away, probably surprised by her late-night guest.
“Haha. You really do sleep well, huh.”
“Wh-What do you want?”
“I guess I really put you on your guard, huh. But that’s fine. I won’t be doing anything anymore. It’s time to face the music, see.”
Guess the authorities will be here soon. I haven’t seen that maid Lana around either for a while.
“Face... music?”
“Yeah. To tell the truth, I wanted to escape with you, out of this kingdom... but I guess that would be too reckless. I’ll give up on that. It’s become all very complicated, see, because of this magic. Seems like I have to be good for a while... and be taken into custody.”
I decided that I wouldn’t be running after all. My instincts and the experience I’d gained throughout my life agreed with me. Even if I’m restricted with my capture, it would be easier than the alternative.
“?”
“Well... I guess I’ll never see you again if I go along with it, so I’m here. Hoping to see your face one last time.”
I had messed up plenty of times before now, and I was caught then too. So I felt like things w
ould work out all right. But still... I knew that if I went through with this, I wouldn’t be able to see any outsiders — regular, law-abiding people who lived apart from the underbelly of society — for a while. I’d never cared about that until now.
After all, I only made temporary, circumstantial connections with people like that while on a job. At most, there’d be a woman I got a little close to. Even in those cases, I never thought about wanting to see her one last time or anything like that.
I guess things have really changed since meeting this girl, huh... I placed my fingers on Katarina’s cheek, savoring the feeling of her soft skin.
“One last time? What do...”
I could hear some kind of commotion outside the room.
“Oh... they’re faster than I expected.” I withdrew my outstretched hand away from Katarina’s cheek and kept my distance from her bed. If that prince who loved and spoiled Katarina so much saw this scene, he’d probably gut me right then and there.
As soon as I’d stepped away, the door slammed open with a loud bang. There was quite the line-up at the door. At the front of it was none other than...
“...Lana?”
The maid merely smiled at Katarina’s surprised voice. “Yes. I introduced myself as such a while ago, but I suppose re-introductions are in order. I am Larna Smith, of the Magical Ministry. Raphael’s superior. I hope we’ll get along.”
Ah, I see. So this woman was from the ministry all along. Her presence and aura were completely different from before. She was still the same person from before who I’d dismissed as a plain maid, but now she had an elegant demeanor. Since she could change her presence this much at will, she was definitely no average woman.
And then that not-so-average woman turned towards me and said, “I see that you have chosen to remain... have you steeled yourself for what is to come, then?”
“Yes. I’ll tell you everything... in your custody.” I nodded, making sure to look as meek as possible. That would be important to my “pitiful youth” image.
“Well said. I see your head is in the right place. Without further ado... Rufus Brode. You are hereby under arrest as the culprit responsible for the kidnap of Lady Katarina Claes. In any case... take him away.”
With that, a few of the people who had been standing behind her all this time — more flunkies from the ministry, I guess — surrounded and restrained me.
Now it was time for me to be taken away... but before we left, that girl called out to me.
“U-Um!” Katarina said. Her eyes looked desperate.
“I’ll hold on to it. Until our promise is fulfilled,” I replied, showing her the brooch in my hands.
Katarina seemed reassured by that, and responded with a somewhat cheerful “Yes.”
Chapter 5: The End of Everything
With that, Rufus was taken away, and we were left alone in the room. But Lana, or I guess she was called Larna now, stayed behind.
“Um... Lady Larna? Thank you very much for helping me, and everything you’ve done for me all this time.”
I was amazed that the simple maid turned out to be someone from the ministry! And from what I just saw, she seemed like someone important too. I thanked her again.
Larna smiled mischievously. “Not at all. Actually, I’ve always wanted to talk to you. This was all really fun for me.”
“Eh? Always?”
Huh? Did she know about me this whole time? I thought in confusion.
Then Raphael spoke up. “Ah, she’s the superior I told you about at the school festival, remember?”
Oh, I see. So this is the one who was interested in me all this time? Then... have I met her somewhere before?
“Um, then does that mean we’ve met before?” I asked. Maybe I’d forgotten someone again?
“Why yes, we have. I didn’t look like this when you met me, though, so I wouldn’t expect you to recognize me,” Larna said with that same smile on her face.
“Look like this...?” What did she mean?
Raphael soon offered an explanation. “She is quite the professional at disguises, you see, so she has quite a few looks up her sleeve. She is also the one who had taught me how to disguise myself.”
What?! So this person before me was the master of disguises I’d heard about! Amazing! In that case, there was no way I’d remember meeting her before. In fact, I’d probably never recognize her no matter how many times we met! I wonder how she looked when we met before?
“If I may ask, how did you look when we met...?”
Larna smiled vaguely. “What you saw was... my exterior.”
“Exterior...?” My mind went blank at the word. What did it mean? But then, Larna suddenly hugged me and held me tight.
“Eh? Um..”
“Heheheh. You really are cute, aren’t you? I did say I’d hug you the next time we met,” Larna said, her blue eyes narrowing like a cat.
She said she’d would hug me the next time she met? Huh? And those eyes... have I seen them somewhere before...?
Just as I was about to remember, Jeord intervened. “That’s enough. Return Katarina to me this instant.” With that, Jeord pulled me away from Larna’s arms.
“Ah, what a short-tempered prince, hmm?” Larna said with a dry laugh.
Hmm... I almost had it, too...
“Katarina, are you all right?” Jeord asked, looking at me with a grave expression.
“Yes, I am totally fine— Ah! That’s right! What about Lady Selena? Magic was used on her and...”
I hadn’t seen Selena since last night. Rufus had claimed that she was sleeping, but I couldn’t help but feel worried.
“Others from the ministry are currently with Prince Ian, and they are headed to Lady Selena now. There’s nothing to worry about,” Larna replied.
“Prince Ian is here, too?”
“Yes. He went pale as soon as he heard about all this. This is the first time I’ve seen him like that, really. It seems like he was really worried about Lady Selena.”
“Is that so! That’s a relief...” As I thought, you couldn’t truly understand things like this without having a conversation about it. It didn’t seem like Prince Ian disliked Lady Selena at all, despite what she believed.
“But really, Katarina... it is such a relief that you are all right.” Jeord heaved a sigh of relief.
My other friends all said similar things, like, “We’re so glad you’re safe, Lady Katarina.”
“From now on, Big Sister... do be more careful...” Keith said.
“I understand,” I said meekly, not sure what else to say.
“Even so... You were kidnapped, Katarina, but for some reason, your skin looks more bright and soft than usual, does it not?” Jeord said, peering at me carefully.
I gulped. Everyone in this room had been so worried, so I couldn’t just tell them that my kidnap experience had actually been relaxing and enjoyable.
“I-Is that so...?”
“Yes. Even the sheen of your hair has improved... wait. What is this?” Jeord said, his gaze suddenly stopping on the region around my neck as he ran his fingers through my hair.
“Eh? What is it?”
“This mark on your neck. What exactly is this?”
“Mark? Neck?” What’s he talking about? A mark... Ah! That’s right! It’s from that time...
“Oh, this? I was just stung by a bug of some kind.”
“An... insect? Stung you?”
“Yes. When Rufus pushed me down onto the bed...”
“Pushed you down onto the bed!!”
Huh? For some reason, Jeord was making a terrifying face. What’s going on?
“What exactly do you mean, Katarina? So you were pinned down on this bed? Rufus is... the man who was just taken away, yes?”
“Ah, yes. Last night, he suddenly pushed me down. And it seems like a bug stung me then. I thought for sure that he was about to use his magic to put me to sleep, but...”
I had never seen Jeord’s expression be so dark an
d intimidating before. Someone, please help me...! With that thought in mind, I looked over to my friends who were standing around us — but for some reason, everyone had equally grave, severe, and intense expressions. Huh? What? Why? Everyone was full of smiles until just now!
“It would seem that your definition of ‘all right’ is quite lacking indeed. Then... other than you being stung by some insect after being pinned down, did anything... else, happen?”
“Ah, yes. In the midst of it, Lana— I mean... Lady Larna knocked on the door, and stopped him from casting his magic on me.”
Jeord, for some reason, heaved a large sigh. “I had thought that I could match your pace and wait, but it would seem that you could be snatched away at any moment. In that case... I will no longer wait.”
“?”
For some reason, Jeord’s face was now extremely close to mine. I didn’t understand what was going on at all, but... Ahh, good-looking people are attractive even all close up like this! That was all I could think.
Before I knew it, Jeord had come so close that I couldn’t even see his face anymore. Then I felt a soft, light sensation on my lips. Wh-What’s going on! D-Don’t tell me, this is...!
“I have decided. I shall wait no longer. I could hardly bear it... the thought of someone else taking you for themselves as I wait,” said the black-hearted prince who stole my first kiss, smiling.
These lips...! My lips...!
What was this? What’s going on? Aren’t I just a deterrent against other annoying female suitors? Isn’t Jeord actually interested in Maria? Wh-Why a k-kiss, then...?
Apparently the room had erupted into an explosion of noise, but I didn’t hear any of it. The thought of that kiss just now filled my mind.
Why? How? What? I couldn’t understand it at all...
So it came to be that I, Katarina Claes, who had never had any encounters of the romantic kind in my previous life, had her mind shorted out for the rest of the day. And with that, the curtains finally fell on the kidnapping incident.
★★★★★★★★★
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Volume 3 Page 19