2.2

(present time)

After donning her invisible imaginary detective hat Kathryn decided to sneak on Rose. Just as she left her room, the young maid whom she questioned a few days ago, was standing outside in the gallery. Just as she saw Kathryn she straightened herself and gave the usual courtesy. Ignoring her Kathryn went passed her, She needed to focus on her main quest here.

Then, once she reached the courtyard, She saw Rose talking to some maids. From afar she kept observing her, Rose was chattering with them while sometimes helping in their choirs. Some of the servants declined her help and thanked her for showing concern. It was apparently by their joyful tears how much they appreciated the gesture. In contrast to her, even if someone accidentally came on the path where Kathryn was standing, they would either do a 360 then faint or freeze on their spot as they cannot risk showing that they changed their path after seeing her.

'What am I to them, some feral lion? I have done nothing yet, why do they are like this? They are ruining my reputation. '

As Kathryn continued to follow Rose's graceful movements around the mansion, she couldn't help but marvel at the bright demeanour. 

{'How could anyone dislike her? And why did Kathryn not love her? Maybe she was allergic to cuteness..' Kathryn thought to herself.}

Her heart quickened with each encounter, the excitement of the chase mingling with an unexpected fascination. 

She was creeping behind Rose, distributing Kathryn's signature fear-inducing looks to every poor soul who had just been blessed by an angelic radiance moments ago. 

Then during her persuit, they both turned a corner in the hallway, almost colliding into each other Kathryn's shoulder brushed against Rose's delicate arm. She let out a soft gasp almost dropping the kettle she was carrying, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh, I'm sorry, Princess. I... I didn't mean to bump into you."

Kathryn's expression shifted momentarily, a mix of surprise and mischief crossing her features before she responded with a devilish smile. "It's quite all right, Rose. Accidents happen."

Kathryn took a step closer, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "You know, Rose, it's strange how different are we from each other. But sometimes I couldn't help myself. Almost as if there's something more that binds us."

Rose's eyes darted away briefly, a hint of unease flickering in her gaze before she looked back at Kathryn. "I... I'm not sure what you mean."

{....Ae.... cuteness is exploding. Oh dear me. Why does she look like a cute hamster? Save me I want to patt her. Kathryn cursed her fate of being the villainess.}

Kathryn tilted her head, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Oh, nothing specific, dear sister. Just that our lives might not be as clear-cut as they appear."

Rose's brows furrowed, confusion evident in her eyes. "I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"

Kathryn's fingers brushed against Rose's hand as if in an innocent gesture of comfort.

Kathryn: "Perhaps our destinies are more entwined than we realize."

{Kathryn  --- '' Ah... I touched her... Should I pat her? Ah.. }

Rose's gaze held a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, she didn't expect Kathryn to behave like that. 

As Rose stood there frozen in confusion, Kathryn's hand moved instinctively towards her head. Realising what Kathryn wanted to do Rose's demeanour change suddenly, her gaze locking onto Kathryn's with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine, which made Kathryn pause.

" What do you want? "

Kathryn recovered from the momentary hesitation and spoke with a smile. "Merely sharing my thought, with my dear sister. It seems you are busy doing... I meant helping servants."

Hearing this Rose, turned back to her usual self and spoke. " Yes, Sister. There is a lot of work around the house."

Kathryn taking it as I chance to excuse herself from the situation, moved ahead leaving Rose standing behind.

"Good. Then."

As Kathryn moved back to her room, the encounter lingered in her mind. The subtle hints she had dropped, the tantalizing dance of intrigue and provocation. She was truly acting as the noble villainess with a reverse harem from one of the novels she read. She was engaging in a dangerous game of manipulation while pursuing her dream.

Rose's hands were trembling as she stood there. Even after Kathryn was long gone, She kept standing there.

*Everything was Silent.* 

(Vibrant flowers beside the path where she was standing, swayed gently in the breeze, their petals caressed by the warm sunlight. Delicate butterflies dance through the air, their wings casting fleeting shadows on the courtyard's ground. )

*Clang!*

Then not able to control her rage, she threw the kettle on the wall with such force that no one could have expected it to burst out of her frail body, its intensity was as such that the kettle content spilt out far and the iron kettle's shape got utterly distorted with it ending up crumbled on the floor on another side of the long pathway.

(Later that day in Rose's room)

Elder Maid: *concerned tone* "My dear, what happened to your hand? It's bandaged."

Rose: *nervous smile* "Oh, it's nothing. Just a little mishap in the garden."

Elder Maid spoke while raising her eyebrows "A mishap? Your hand seems pretty bruised for a little mishap. It is bleeding."

Rose: *hesitates* "Well, you see, I tripped and... knocked into something. Clumsy, I know."

Younger Maid: "It's my fault. I should have warned you about Princess following you around."

Rose stood there looking down to avoid eye contact.

Elder said: "Oh.. my dear child... How could she.." spoke the elder maid while hugging Rose to console her as she kept looking down.