First prince?
What was her father talking about? What business would the first prince have in a public library when the royal library had all the books?
Besides, wasn't he sickly, with a weak body? Why would he go through the trouble of traveling to a library that was an hour and a half away from the palace?
That man was definitely not the prince. A noble, maybe—but the prince? No way.
Katherine didn't feel the need to explain anything to the marquis, so she remained silent.
Taking her silence as confirmation, the marquis felt relieved. At least the man his daughter was seen with was the first prince—not some baron's son, as Rose had suggested.
He didn't care much about Katherine, but he cared deeply about the family's reputation. Marrying his daughters into prominent families was the fastest way to elevate it.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't shocked when he received the edict. When the crown prince called off the engagement, he hadn't expected the king to immediately arrange Katherine's marriage to the first prince.
But he was pleased.
Having both daughters married into the royal family? That would make him the envy of everyone.
So what if the first prince was sick? Katherine should be grateful to marry someone with royal blood.
"The king said you should keep your engagement to the first prince a secret for now, so I advise you to keep your meetings discreet."
"Yes, of course, Father."
He then handed her an invitation. "Duke Stirling's daughter is hosting a tea party in two weeks. Both you and your sister are invited. Try your best to represent us well."
He was clearly referring to how she dressed.
The marquis had no idea that his eldest daughter's allowance had been cut. And Katherine had no intention of letting that continue.
The original Katherine might have accepted living like that—but Ciara was different. She grew up with the world revolving around her. She might not have that life anymore, but the least this world could do was make sure she lived well.
"I have a complaint, Father."
The marquis frowned in confusion. Since when did Katherine complain?
"Go on."
"My allowance isn't enough to buy a decent dress for the party. In fact, it hasn't been enough for the past few years."
The marquis was taken aback. He had always assumed his eldest daughter simply didn't care for luxury—or had poor taste.
He didn't believe his wife would stoop so low as to cut Katherine's allowance… but at the same time, Katherine had no reason to lie.
The most reasonable explanation was theft.
"How long has this been happening?"
"Ever since my mother died."
She had endured it in silence for years.
"I'll look into it," he said. "For the party, you may use the treasury."
He handed her his seal.
"Thank you, Father."
She accepted it and left.
"That went better than expected," Ker commented.
"Yeah… I thought he'd accuse us of lying or say we were ungrateful," Katherine replied. "I guess the original Katherine just didn't know how to speak up."
"Or, the marquis knows the woman he married." Ker added
Even if the marquis didn't like her, he was still a reasonable man.
---
Katherine began making arrangements for her dress and jewelry.
News of the marquis giving Katherine permission to use the household funds spread quickly. Within thirty minutes, the entire mansion knew.
"What?"
"Really?"
"Who would've thought Lady Katherine could pull something like that?"
"I wonder how Lady Victoria and Lady Rose will react…"
The servants buzzed with gossip. Katherine had been quiet for eight years, what changed?
"What the hell?! How did Katherine get Father to give her his seal?" Rose fumed.
She was furious. She had spent a large amount of money paying a journalist to capture that photo, and now not only was Katherine not punished, but she was also rewarded?
What was she supposed to do about her dress now? She had used up all her allowance.
"My lady, why not ask the crown prince? I'm sure he'd do anything to make you smile," her maid, Emmy, suggested.
Rose's expression brightened.
'Of course… the crown prince. How could I forget?'
She never loved him. She only wanted his power.
After all, marrying him meant becoming queen.
"Emmy, prepare ink and paper. I'm writing to the prince."
"Yes, my lady."
"And bring onions. I need tears on that letter."
---
In her room—
Katherine sat at her table, flipping through design catalogues until one caught her eye.
"This is perfect."
She smiled.
The designer she had summoned was the best in the kingdom—Madam Chanel Chantel.
When Madam Chantel first arrived, she had been disappointed to learn she would be serving Lady Katherine, not Lady Rose.
Everyone knew Lady Katherine chose cheap designs.
But today—
Katherine discarded every cheap catalogue without hesitation.
And her eye for fashion? Impeccable.
Whoever spread those rumors had lied.
The Katherine Madam Chantel saw now was nothing like the one described.
She wasn't timid.
She wasn't unsophisticated.
If anything… she carried herself like royalty.
"Very well, Lady Katherine. Your dress will be ready by next week," Madam Chantel said, clearly excited.
"Madam Chantel."
"Yes, Lady Katherine?"
"I don't want anyone knowing what kind of dress you're making for me. Everything you've seen here stays here. Understood?"
Her tone was calm, but commanding.
"Yes, Lady Katherine."
Katherine spent most of her time learning about this world. She read constantly, first visiting the public library before eventually gaining access to her father's private one, something that shocked everyone.
She also did light workouts daily, morning and night, strengthening her body for future shifts.
Before she knew it, two weeks had passed.
It was time for the tea party.
Katherine stood before the mirror as Madam Chantel and her team dressed her. Lilly had already done her hair and makeup.
"Oh my!" Madam Chantel gasped. "I knew this would suit you, but this… this is beyond expectations. You're going to shine at the tea party."
"Thank you. I love it."
Even Katherine was impressed.
"Now this is what I like," Ker purred.
Katherine stepped into her carriage. This one was far more luxurious than her usual one.
Duke Stirling's estate was five hours away, so they had to leave early.
Rose had already left—with the crown prince.
Katherine couldn't have been happier. Five hours in a carriage with Rose? Absolutely not.
Halfway through the trip—
"Do you think we'll see that man from the library at the tea party?" Ker asked.
She hadn't stopped thinking about him.
"Do you think we shouldn't have accepted the edict?"
"Come on, Ker. That was never an option. And even if it was, who's to say he'd even want us? We're not the Alpha Queen anymore. We can't just choose someone and expect them to accept."
( Clunk )
The carriage jerked violently.
Katherine steadied herself.
"What's going on?"
"My apologies, Lady Katherine. The wheel seems to have come off," the coachman said nervously.
"It came off? Didn't you check it before we left?"
"I did—thirty minutes before departure. It was secure."
"Rose."
Both Katherine and Ker said it at the same time.
This wasn't hard to figure out.
She left early.
She went with the crown prince.
And now this happens?
But why?
"How long will it take to fix?"
"About an hour."
Katherine sighed. "We'll be late."
At the Stirling estate—
The tea party was already in full swing.
"Lady Katherine was invited, wasn't she? I don't see her," Lady Maya commented.
"How could she come? She's probably somewhere sulking," another added.
"Hush, don't speak that way about my sister," Rose said sweetly.
They laughed.
"Maybe she's being fashionably late."
"Fashionably late? In rags?"
Laughter erupted.
"Oh my… it's so lively here. I wonder who exactly is arriving fashionably late in rags."
Silence.
Every head turned.
Katherine stood at the entrance.
And for a moment...
No one recognized her.