Different Fate [SEASON 1]
9. Message

A few hours ago, after Catherine and Leonard...

The figure of the brownish-blonde unraveling girl was seen standing pensively staring at the calm stream from above the bridge not far from the capital.

The falling snow did not make the girl move from where she was standing. The wind gushed violently against Charlotte's brownish-blonde mane.

Charlotte's thoughts drifted to a few hours ago, where she first met Catherine's father who turned out to be a Duke.

At first Charlotte did not expect that her best friend was the daughter of Duke Orzsebet, the most respected and famous noble. She thought Catherine was the daughter of a count.

But, if you think back, there is no way in the capital there is a residence of the Count except Count lazzer, even if the location is not in the capital just close.

Charlotte was also shocked because all she knew about the noble family was not applicable with Duke Orzsebet.

Duke Orzsebet loved Catherine very much.

"Well.. " Charlotte breathed a heavy sigh.

What if he is no longer allowed to befriend Catherine who has already regarded him as her savior and best friend?

A savior? Yep. Charlotte is a poor kid who lives in an orphanage. He worked as a waiter at a nearby inn.

It just so happened that there was one of the sleepy sleepers who was heavily drunk and almost harassed Charlotte.

Charlotte ran to the market. It was there that he first met Catherine for accidentally bumping into Catherine. That's where their friendship started.

Charlotte still did not move from her place until the sound of the tower clock chimed.

Charlotte immediately went from the bridge to the orphanage.

•••

Four months has been a shame. Now the Arabella Empire is coming in spring.

Warm air melts snow. Butterflies welcome spring. Flowers in bloom welcome the arrival of warm sunlight.

Now after a debate that is quite long and takes weeks at last, finally,

Charlotte is officially recognized by Leonard as Catherine Orzsebet's best friend.

Charlotte was also allowed to enter the residence of Duke Orzsebet and was allowed to visit Catherine.

Unfortunately, on this sunny morning, the residence of Duke Orzsebet was blown away by a letter from the emperor and the invitation was official with a purple envelope attached to the imperial emblem.

"Father, Rin look!!" the bluish-silver girly girl leapt up like a child before Leonard who was standing in front of the door of her study.

Leonard is seen focusing on reading the contents of the letter without caring for his daughter who is trying to join the reading.

"FUCKOO! "Catherine who was upset half to death shouted at her papa.

"Hm? " a pretty annoying response for Catherine.

'That's so flat! Huh, even though I was curious too '

"stana... ?" Leonard muttered which made Catherine even more curious.

'what palace is sighh?'

"Pa"

Uncompleted Catherine said, Leonard held Catherine into his study.

'uh, I've been eight years papa. ' Catherine grumbled inwardly.

Catherine was on the couch. Leonard gave the letter to Catherine.

"Sit there and read it understand?"

Catherine nodded without saying much and began to read the contents of the letter seriously.

To, Duke Orzsebet who had protected the empire with all his heart. I'm writing this letter to you.

Tomorrow can you take your daughter with you? I want to introduce my daughter to him. Because it looks like my daughter wants to have a friend of her age.

Oh. Don't forget to bring the documents I requested. So,

(Empire stamp)

"... " Catherine's face was extremely unconditioned after reading the contents of the letter.

"W-what... "

"WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?! "

•••

Whuss...

The wind blew against my bluish silver mane that was tied low.

This afternoon, after Charlotte came home after playing with me I went for a walk through the garden of the maze of rose gifts from papa on my 7th birthday.

Sruk.

I sat in the gazebo near the river after going through the labyrinth.

My mind drifted to the contents of the letter I read that morning. I can't believe the emperor sent a banquet invitation to my father and me.

If I recall, in the past Valentina also got an invitation also from the emperor. Valentina was 15 years old when she accepted the invitation... It's only been 8 years.

But.. That's just good. My revenge plan will be easier.

L'm...

... Will take what should be mine!

Valentina Gretta's... Just hang. I'll avenge all the things you've done to me in the past.

I stared at the clear sky with my sly smile.

But, I should not be too obsessed with my revenge and use people who are sincere to me just for revenge. I don't want to make them hurt, especially Ahnna.

Ahnna, he was even willing to sacrifice his life for my sake even though it was in vain.

I'm sorry it's Ahnna.. I used to be weak and easily seduced. But now it has changed.

I will be strong to protect my loved ones and will not make them an instrument of revenge.

But.. Still is. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect them.

I looked down at the ground and the rocks. I clenched my hands tightly.

The memories of the past re-spin on my head like a movie playing over and over again.

•••

AUTHOR POV

The flashback

The figure of a blond unraveling girl with stunning pink rose netra walks side by side with the figure of a girl unraveling bluish silver with a blackish ash² iris.

They are Valentina and Catherine. The daughter of Duke Orzsebet. They look familiar even if they were born with a different mother.

When Valentina laughed she looked lovely. Unlike Catherine who looks ordinary.

The servants who passed by them only greeted Valentina without caring for Catherine as if the bluish-silver-covered girl was just a last breeze.

Catherine's been used to it since childhood. Only Ahnna was always watching him.

In silence Catherine smiled. To be honest, Catherine was envious of her sister who was loved by many.

Ever since his debut, his world has been shattered into pieces.

Her father, taking for granted the blond unraveling girl for no reason. As for her, for 5 noisy years her father never turned his head and even spoke a word with her.

His heart was increasingly crowded because it saw the harmony of Valentina and her father. They always drank tea together, chat even his father did not hesitate to show his affection to Valentina in public.

Slowly, Catherine was forgotten. Slowly, Catherine began to sink into the abyss of authenticity.

Slowly... But definitely.

Catherine felt as if she was drowning in endless darkness.

And, Valentina used this to frame Catherine.

Valentina felt that Catherine was just a trash, a filthy, disgusting insect that was blocking her from shining.

Valentina hates Catherine so much that what she says is different from her heart.

That girl, Valentina, is a complete hypocrite. He's two-faced.

Flashback off

- TBC