( …the hell is…this? )
Katherine couldn't understand why the King was so adamant about having her as a daughter-in-law. Was there something about the original Katherine that she didn't know? Who was this Prince Liam, and why hadn't the original Katherine left any memories of him? And what was Darian's reaction to her marrying Liam? She wondered.
"Either way, it must be better to marry him than the scum prince__ my former fiancé," Ker remarked dryly. Katherine agreed but kept silent.
'If he's not in the original Katherine's memories, he probably isn't some flashy prince. That means he's decent… right?' she thought.
"What do you think, Lady Katherine? You will marry my eldest son, right?" the King asked, smiling softly, as innocent as he could. Katherine almost rolled her eyes. Did she even have a choice when the King had already decided on the edict?
(What a sly fox…)
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'd be honored," she said with a slight bow. Something about her tone clearly didn't sit well with Darian. Did she really not love him anymore? Why did the thought irritate him so?
(So hateful…)
'It's probably because she's trying to catch my attention. Yeah, that's it,' Darian told himself, forcing a self-satisfied smile.
Once they were out of the King's presence, Darian abruptly stopped Katherine. "What are you scheming? Why agree to marry my elder brother? Are you trying to get back at me because I chose your sister over you?" he taunted.
Katherine turned calmly to face him. "There's nothing more between me and your highness. Whoever I decide to marry is none of your concern," she said, her voice composed and noble.
"It is my concern when the person you're marrying right after we broke off our engagement is my brother!" Darian's agitation grew.
"Remind me: did I make it my concern when you chose to marry my sister, even before breaking off our engagement?" Her remark left him speechless. No retort came to mind.
"If we're done here, I'll take my leave. I'm still recovering, after all," she added and walked away.
'Was Katherine always this bold?' Darian wondered.
( Step-step )
---
In a quiet, luxurious chamber, a young man reclined on a daybed, a book resting lazily in his hand.
His aide, Nicholas, entered, holding an edict.
"What's that?" the young man asked, lifting his gaze briefly.
"An edict from the King."
"I can see that," he replied mildly. "What does it say?"
Nicholas hesitated for a moment.
"His Majesty has arranged your marriage."
The young man paused.
"…A marriage?" He sat up slightly, interest flickering in his eyes. "With whom?"
"Lady Katherine Mooncrest."
A faint crease formed between his brows.
"Mooncrest…? Isn't she the crown prince's fiancée?"
He let out a soft breath, more amused than shocked.
"And now she's to marry me… the sickly first son with no power beyond his name?"
This man was Prince Liam.
"Nicholas," he said calmly, closing his book, "find out everything you can about my… fiancée."
"At once, Your Highness."
As the door closed behind his aide, Liam glanced at the book in his hand.
"…I suppose I'll need the next volume."
---
Back at the Marquis' mansion, Katherine sipped coffee at her table.
"What do you think the first prince is like?" Ker asked, curious.
(Sigh)
"I don't know, Ker. I've checked the original Katherine's memories, but there's nothing about him. All I know is his name, Liam, and that he's been sickly since birth. That's it," Katherine replied, exhaling deeply.
"Did you say something, Milady?" Lilly, standing nearby, asked, puzzled.
"No, pay me no heed" Katherine said dismissively.
"Not having a mind-link is really going to be a problem," Ker reminded her.
"I couldn't agree more," Katherine muttered. Her mind felt increasingly frustrated. The original Katherine had never cared about politics or the kingdom's history. Her memories were useless now.
"We need information," Katherine decided, standing to scan the bookshelf.
Her expression darkened as she rifled through the volumes. "What the…?!" she exclaimed. The shelves contained nothing but romance novels, from teen romance to dark romance. No history, no politics, no etiquette.
"No wonder Darian didn't like her," she muttered. "Even I wouldn't like her if all she read were these books."
"Lilly!" Katherine called.
"Yes, Milady?" Lilly asked, startled.
"Are these all the books I have?" Katherine inquired.
Confused, Lilly hesitated. "Yes, Milady… are you looking for a particular book?"
"One about the kingdom's history," Katherine said with a low nod. Lilly blinked, her mistress's interest in politics was unusual.
"All history books are in your father's library. But you're not allowed there," Lilly said.
"Then take me to a library in town," Katherine instructed.
A carriage was prepared. Not as flashy as Darian's, but certainly a show of Mooncrest wealth.
The ride to town took thirty minutes. Katherine wasted no time upon arrival, heading straight to the public library.
The moment she entered, the world seemed to quiet.
Towering shelves stretched upward, lined with aged books and ancient scrolls. The scent of paper and polished wood filled the air, softened by sunlight filtering through stained glass windows.
It was… peaceful.
Alive.
With the librarian's help, Katherine found a book on Celestia's history and flipped it open, letting her eyes skim the pages rather than truly read.
Kingdom of Celestia… founded by King Aurelius… united tribes… wars… some dark sorcerer…
She turned a page.
Great Mage War… Order of the Silver Star… victory, peace, progress…
Another page.
Modern era… magic, tradition, politics…
Katherine closed the book halfway, resting her chin lightly on her hand.
"So basically," she muttered under her breath, "a long history of people fighting, winning, rebuilding… and calling it prosperity."
Ker gave a soft hum in her mind. You forgot the part where humans complicate everything unnecessarily.
A faint huff of amusement left her. "That part seemed implied."
(Thud)
Books tumbled from a nearby shelf.
Katherine looked up, startled—then stilled.
A scent reached her.
Intoxicating. Commanding.
Wild berries, blooming jasmine, and something deeper… like the ocean just before a storm.
Her heart stuttered.
Her instincts sharpened.
From the fallen books, a man appeared.
Pale and delicate, yet strikingly beautiful, with silver hair, piercing grey eyes, and sculpted features. His aristocratic attire accentuated his fragile frame, yet he moved with elegance and quiet grace.
"Ker… what's happening? Why do we find him so… attractive?" Katherine whispered, her instincts confused.
"I don't know," Ker murmured. "But he's not our mate. I'm certain of that."
Katherine stepped closer. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine, thank you," the man said, standing, as if stunned by her sudden proximity.
"M'lady, it's almost past your curfew," Lilly reminded her, panting slightly.
"I… have a curfew?" Katherine murmured. As Alpha Queen, she had never followed such rules.
When she turned back to speak to the man, he was already gone.
Who was he?