#Poor Katarina

[sleepyxcocoa]

Katarina helping People in a Nutshell

Katarina: You have to learn to love yourself, which include your looks.

Sophia: Don't you hate your looks?

Katarina: Yeah, but I'm a villainess. Besides this is about you. Stay focused.

[zhorrot]

I love going to Aether resorts because it’s so random and really shouldn’t make sense in canon. But Alm, Roy, the Black Knight, at least two Azamas, Ephraim, and Jagen just decided to stare off a cliff for five minutes while Katarina and Myrrh were wondering what the fuck was wrong with them. Before Myrrh decided to join them, and Katarina figured she’s the only normal one here

[freedomforthewin]

Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (Part 3)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Content Warning: Betrayal by a best friend, sexual harassment, and implications of sexual coercion.

———————Four Years Later———————

“Guess what?” John asked excitedly as he came up to his mom, his hands holding both sides of a large sheet of paper.

“What?” she asked, smiling at him.

“I got an A+ on my amusement park design!” he said, showing her the design he drew, which also had the grade written on it.

“That’s great, honey!” She took the picture and held it with one hand and put her other arm around him, pulling him into a side hug as she looked at the drawing. “This is really good, John.”

“Thanks. I’m going to show it to Katarina,” he said happily. He took the picture and turned to head to his sister’s room.

“Wait, honey,” Mrs. Egan called out. John looked back at her.

“Katarina isn’t doing too well right now,” Mrs. Egan said, her voice quietening.

“Why? What happened?”

“She and Drake stopped being friends,” Mrs. Egan said solemnly.

“What?!?! But…why?”

“He wasn’t a real friend. He was just pretending to care about her.”

John stared at her, appalled. “Why would he do that?”

Mrs. Egan hesitated before carefully saying, “Some people are just like that.” She hoped he wouldn’t press for more. He was a bit young to know the details.

“That’s not a good enough reason,” John grumbled, angry at Drake.

“I know, sweetie. I know.

“Just leave her alone for now. I think she just needs some space to deal with this. You’ll see her at dinner. You can tell her about your amusement park project then.”

“Okay.” He calmed down and thought for a moment. “Can you help me make some sugar cookies to help her feel better? Those are her favorite.”

Mrs. Egan smiled warmly at her loving son and agreed. It was Friday after all; he didn’t have school the next day.

They went to the kitchen and set out the ingredients and supplies. Mrs. Egan preheated the stove as John greased the cookie tray. Then John poured and mixed the ingredients as his mom supervised. A few minutes later, Mrs. Egan stepped in to mix, knead, and roll out the dough. Then they took glass cups to use as round cookie cutters. After they put the tray of cookie dough in the oven, John wiped up the counter as his mom did the dishes. When he was finished, she had him go continue working on his homework, and she finished the rest of the dishes. When the cookies were ready, she took them out of the oven to let them cool, and then she left the kitchen.

John came back a little later to check on the cookies. When he saw they were ready, he put enough cookies for Katarina and himself on a plate, got another plate for himself, picked up some napkins, and headed to Katarina’s room.

———————————————————————

Katarina had her textbook for her Scene Design class open and was trying to focus on what she was reading, but her mind kept drifting back to Drake.

How could he do this to me? We were friends for so long. We had cared so much about each other. I did at least; I though he did, too.

Her breath hitched, and she placed her hand over her mouth. Her eyes narrowed in pain.

We had been there for each other. I thought surely there was no way he would do this to me. No way would he end up being one of those guys. No way would he do this to his best friend.

Her eyes filled with tears. She sniffled, and then she reread the text from her friend Louisa.

Oh my God! I hate him. Guys are just…ugh…Seriously, how pathetic is it that when guys get older they need to be taught to see girls as people instead of objects? It’s not a hard concept to understand! I’m so sorry Drake tricked you into believing he was different but then did this to you. It would have been bad enough for him to do this to any woman but to do that to his own best friend? That’s beyond messed up.

Her message brought a sad smile to Katarina’s face.

———————————————————————

John knocked on the door.

“Cassie?” he called, referring to Katarina by her nickname. “It’s Bucky.”

“Do you need something?” he heard Cassie ask. Her voice sounded a little shaky.

“Mom told me about Drake,” he said. “Can I come in?”

“This isn’t really a good time, Bucky.”

“I know you’re upset, Cassie,” Bucky said. “I’m here to help you feel better. Please let me in.”

She didn’t answer.

“Please?” Bucky pleaded.

That did it. He had abandonment problems from the Gale situation. She didn’t want to worsen them by refusing to let him in, too.

“Okay, you can come in.”

Bucky opened the door and saw his sister at her desk, turned away from him, her head bowed. He heard her take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Bucky closed the door and walked to her.

He set the plates and napkins he was holding onto the desk and placed his hand on Cassie’s shoulder. Cassie let out a hitched breath, and after a few moments, her sad eyes met his solemn ones. Bucky gently pulled her to the bed, and they sat down on it. He wrapped his arms around her, and she clutched him, a sob escaping her lips.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

She sniffled and took a few shaky breaths.

“What did, what did Mom tell you?” she asked, a slight tremble in her voice.

He told her, and she confirmed it.

“I don’t understand,” she said brokenly, a tear falling down her face. “He had always seemed like he cared. I don’t understand how he could do this to m-me.”

John pulled her closer to him, holding her tightly as she cried. He rubbed her back as she sobbed, his heart breaking from her pain.

How could Drake do this to her? John thought, upset. He was supposed to be her best friend. He was supposed to care about her.

He just comforted his devastated sister and didn’t let go of her until she eventually calmed down.

“I can’t believe it took him years to tell you he didn’t care about you,” John muttered.

“He didn’t actually tell me. I figured it out.”

“How did you figure it out?” John asked.

“He kept pressuring me to give him something he wanted. Something inappropriate. I said no, but he still kept asking. Over. And over. Again. I realized he wasn’t treating me with respect and wasn’t going to, so I ended the friendship.”

“I’m sorry,” John said morosely. She gave him a sad smile.

“What was it that he wanted so badly from you?” he asked quietly.

“He,” Katarina started before she let out a harrowing laugh and shook her head, realizing how this was going to sound to her little brother, “he wanted me to send him pictures of me without any clothes on.”

“What?!?!” John was horrified.

“Yeah.”

“He’s weird!” John muttered in contempt, his 10-year-old face in a pout, which made Katarina burst out laughing.

She decided to play into it.

“Yeah! He is weird.” She smiled at John.

“Why would he want that?”

“A lot of guys get like that when they get older,” she said, her smile fading. “These thoughts start to come into their heads, and they start wanting to see girls like that.”

John made a disgusted face. “I hope I don’t want to see that when I get older.”

Cassie smiled at him before looking down. She thought about telling him it’s normal for a lot of guys to like stuff like that and that that’s not wrong, but she decided against it. He was only 10; he was too young to understand that.

“Either way, forcing and guilting girls into showing you pictures of themselves naked is bad,” she said quietly.

“I’d never do that.”

Katarina smiled gratefully at her brother. “I know. And not all guys would do that.” She paused before sorrowfully saying, “There are, however, a lot who do pressure girls into doing inappropriate things and don’t take “no” for an answer. And treat girls like girls are objects instead of people. And mistreat girls.”

“But why?” he asked worriedly.

She shook her head. “They choose to become like that.”

“That many guys?”

“Yeah.”

“Am I doomed to become like that?” he asked, scared.

Katarina thought carefully before saying, “Only if you choose to.”

John was silent at first before he nodded firmly. “I won’t.”

She nodded back in acknowledgment.

“You always have a choice in deciding who you want to be. Sometimes there might be…obstacles…that make it harder to be who you want to be, but that’s all they do: make it harder. They don’t eliminate your ability to do better. They don’t eliminate your ability to be who you decide you want to be. You still have a choice. And if you need help to do better, you can choose to get help.”

“Okay.”

Katarina smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back.

The naked picture thing is enough, she thought. He doesn’t need to know about the other thing Drake kept pressuring me to do. John’s too young to know. Oh God, I probably shouldn’t have told him about the picture thing in the first place!

Alright. It’s okay. It’s okay. What’s done is done. He saw me upset; of course he’d want to know why. And I was too upset to keep it in. It’s okay. What’s done is done.

Now it’s about keeping things real but age appropriate. This obviously wasn’t enough of a puberty and sex talk, but I think this might be okay for now. He’s only 10.

She tightened her arms around Bucky, and he did the same to her. She rested her head against his shoulder.

All the tricks of the trade that Drake pulled to try to get me to do it with him…I hate him.

I wish all guys chose to do better. Too many choose to be slaves to their desires. That’s so weak of them! How could they choose to be so freaking weak?!?!

She stayed in her brother’s arms a little longer. After she pulled out of the hug, she looked at the cookies her brother brought. Her lips curled into a smile.

“Mom made sugar cookies?”

“Both of us. I know they’re your favorite, and I wanted to help you feel better, so I asked if we could make them.”

Katarina was touched.

“Thank you so much, Bucky. That was really nice of you.”

“You’re welcome. I brought some extra ones so that I could have some, too.”

“Okay.”

“And Katarina?”

“Yeah?”

“You didn’t deserve what he did. You deserve better than him.”

The older sister smiled appreciatively at him.

“Thank you, John,” she said softly.

He smiled back.

They started eating the sugar cookies as they talked about school. Katarina showed John a painting she had made for her Scene Design class, and John thought it was really good. John then told her about the A+ he got on his amusement park drawing. She congratulated him and asked to see the design. He went to go retrieve it and then happily showed it to her. She was impressed with it.

They continued to talk about school and funny moments that had happened in their classes, some of the little things in life that made it worth living.

When Katarina seemed like she was better, John got ready to go. He took their plates and napkins and then kissed his sister on the cheek before leaving.

———————————————————————

John was on his way back to his room when he saw Gale’s closed door. He paused, staring at it.

It had been a while since they had last spoken. Since he had even seen Gale. After that last day, John had just stopped trying with him.

Gale’s silence when John had asked him if he wanted to play anything with John had stung. They had been best friends. John hadn’t done anything to Gale; there was no reason why Gale should have wanted to avoid him like that.

John kind of wanted to just walk by the door, like he had done the past four years, and say nothing. Gale had made no effort to see him, so clearly Gale was fine without him.

Right?

But maybe…just maybe…ugh. John didn’t know.

Then he thought of something. John had wanted to play with Gale when they were younger, but playing with Gale meant Gale would have had to leave the room. Maybe, for some reason, Gale had just not wanted to leave the room.

Maybe John could try something else. Maybe he could try talking with Gale. Talking about anything. Maybe he shouldn’t ask Gale about leaving the room or ask what was going on though. That might get him to push John away again. But maybe, if John just talked to him like normal…

It was worth a try. As upset as he had been, he still had been missing Gale.

He went up to the door and knocked.

“Who is it?” he heard a voice call.

“It’s Bucky.”

“Bucky?” Gale went closer to the door, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to know how you are doing.”

“Oh…I’m…I’m doing fine…How are you?”

“I’m okay now,” Bucky said, settling himself on the carpeted floor, his back against the door. “It was hard earlier. Cassie was crying.”

“Why? What happened?” Both boys were fond of her.

“Her best friend kept pressuring her to do something inappropriate. He wouldn’t stop, so she ended the friendship.”

Gale groaned. “That’s horrible.”

“Yeah. She was really upset.”

“I’m sorry that happened to her.”

“I am, too.”

“What did he pressure her to do?”

“As crazy as this is going to sound, he wanted her to send him pictures of herself naked.”

“What?!?!”

“Yeah!”

“He’s weird,” Gale muttered.

“I know, right???”

They continued to talk, the tension between them slowly dissipating. Bucky was so glad to finally be able to interact with him without getting pushed away.

“I have to go,” Bucky said after some time, regretfully. “It was good to talk to you, Buck.”

“It was good to talk to you, too, Bucky.” A hint of longing crept into Buck’s voice, though he tried to keep it at bay. Bucky heard it though.

He wanted to ask Buck what was going on, why he wouldn’t come out. But Buck had just started interacting with him. He didn’t want to do something that might make Buck push him away again. So, as hard as it was, John held his tongue.

Meanwhile, Buck bit his lip, trying to keep himself composed.

He had missed Bucky so much. He badly wanted to tell his best friend what was going on. But he couldn’t.

God, this was so hard.

Bucky laid his palm against the door. Buck, feeling that, laid his palm in the same spot on the opposite side of the door. The two of them stayed like that for some time, separated by a door but together in heart.

“Bye, Buck,” John then said softly.

“Bye, Bucky,” Gale answered back, trying, but failing, to keep the pain out of his voice.

John closed his eyes sorrowfully and stayed in place for a few more seconds. Then he took his palm away, looked at the door for a few more moments, and then walked away.

Gale kept his palm there just a little longer before he lowered it.

[alwaysoc]

[puma49]

Riot personally came to my house to shoot me in the knee with this new chroma

Hoarding 40 mythic essence for how many months now, just for them to make the chroma that i wanted and give it a new obtaining system,probably bringing the gatcha mechanic considering that one of the icons is a milestone reward

This better not be whats happening

[arataka-reigen]

Katarina Claes is lactose intolerant for sure

[noxianwilled]

— which rage language are you?

step back

usually, you're able to bottle up your emotions and ignore the frustrations. but, after weeks of shoving everything down, your body needs a release, and i pity the poor person who managed to piss you off. it's screaming crying, shouting, kicking lockers, whatever you can do to get it out of your system. it's a whole jean grey moment, fire and fury blasting out of you.

TAGGED BY: @evelicious ty ♥️ TAGGING: @yunalai @axewhirl @rahorak @agonizedembrace @visionoxus hmmm idk who to tag if you wanna do it consider yourself tagged

[sandymybeloved]

they remembered Sara Kingdom and Katarina, but not Leela??!! the disrespect

[edgysemi]

Ha. Haha. Talon’s entire motivation had just been cancelled. Hahahaha. What the heck :’) I refuse to take this comic as canon, k thanks

[gallifreyanhotfive]

Katarina's story always makes me so sad. My poor baby was having visions of her death before she died. She thought she had to die because it was foretold. She was little more than Cassandra's slave in Troy. When she met Two, they determined that she HAD to die to prevent a Dalek invasion. Three whole months worth of her adventures with One and Steven were erased from the timeline. She expelled herself out of an airlock to stop the invasion. Her body was recovered floating in space by River Song only to be stolen by the Nine.

My poor babyyyy

[sleepyxcocoa]

People say that Geordo is a manipulator, though I low-key headcanon that he gets relentlessly bullied by his friend group.

Then again, it's hard to take Geordo seriously as a manipulator, schemer, and possible heir to a kingdom if you saw said prince screaming at the sight of a small garden snake or being left behind by his duchess fiancee to cook fish.

You cannot change my mind.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - A House Is Not A Home Part 3/8

This damn chapter 😭😭

Ruben's wife dies during childbirth along with their son. Ruben hasn't been in a relationship since. Y/N is a single mother to a four year old boy. She buys a house in the small town that Ruben lives in. The house needs alot of fixing which Ruben helps with, resulting in him slowly falling in love with Y/N. However, falling in love with Y/N makes Ruben feel like he is betraying his dead wife.

Enjoy!

You and Ruben found a good rhythm. He helped you clear the ruins of your house, loading the waste onto his truck in order to take it to the local junkyard. Despite spending three days clearing the house it still felt like you were only scratching the surface.

"Once we've cleared the last of the wood, you'll be able to move back in." Ruben assured.

"Yes, that or I might have to move into the barn." Your attention was drawn to to the old shed out by the fields. To both yours and Ruben's suprise, it had been able to sustain the harsh winds from the storm.

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Ruben said.

"Why not?" The barn looked perfectly inhabitable to you.

He didn't answer, as there was no reason why you couldn't have access to somthing on your property.

"I'm serious Y/N."

He tried to stop you as you started crossing the field, making your way towards the barn. Ruben claimed that it belonged to him and he intended to keep it that way.

"I thought you were a real-estate agent?" You said, still marching on towards the barn, Ruben at your heals.

"What, no." He frowned. "I own a hardware store in town. What made you believe that I was a real-estate agent?"

"You sold me this house didn't you?" Including the barn.

"Yes, because I used to own it."

You stopped walking. Ruben's chest heaved up and down with his heavy breathing.

"You used to live here? In this house. My house?"

Ruben nodded. "Yes."

"Well, what's wrong with it?"

"Huh?"

"The house, what's wrong with it?"

He frowned.  "Nothing?"

"Then why did you sell it to me, a perfectly fine house?"

Ruben looked taken back by the question, searching for a good answer without finding one. You were shocked and frustrated by this revelation, as you had always assumed that the barn was part of the property, your property.

"Well then,  if there's nothing else."

Determined to assert your rights as the new owner, you decided to enter the barn anyway. Ruben made one last attempt to try and stop you, but you pushed past him and walked inside. As soon as you did, you gasped in surprise. The barn was filled with all sorts of treasures - old furniture, toys, and even a baby's crib. It looked like someone had left everything behind without any intention of ever coming back.

"Ruben what is all...." You turned to look at him. He stood by the barn door, holding it open.

"Are we done here?" He asked, the expression on his face startling you.

"Um I....sure."

You left the barn, Ruben shutting the door behind you. The walk back to the house was quiet, awkward even.

"I have to get back to town, run some errands." Ruben stood by his truck, looking at you impatiently.

You nodded. "Okay."

"Do you need me to take you back to Kat and David's or...?"

They were letting you stay with them as long as you needed to

"No. I'll manage." You said.

Ruben nodded. "I'll see you later then."

He hopped into his truck and drove away. Leaving you stranded with your many questions. Back at Katarina and David's you told them what happened over dinner.

"Poor Ruben." Katarina sighed.

David wiped his mouth with a napkin. "We've tried to get Ruben to sell that house for years now. It's been very difficult for him."

"Why?" You asked.

Katarina reached for her husband's hand as the two of them bowed their heads in sorrow. David then rose from the table to retrieve something out of a cabinet. It was a picture of two young girls not older than ten years old.

"These are our daughters, Emily and Gina." David said, pointing to the image of the two girls. You never knew that the two of them had children. Where were they?

"Emily is our oldest."

"And brightest." Katarina smiled.

"But Gina, she had a spirit like no other, always running around, dreaming of being a firefighter..."

"Or an astronaut."

Katarina and David seemed to complement each other as the two of them spoke joyfully about their two daughters.

"But Gina she was special in many ways. You see she was born with a heart condition, genetically passed onto her. We knew her life would be different from her sisters, shorter that is. That's why Gina always lived her life to the fullest, always in a rush against time. She married young..."

"To the most handsome man she had ever seen." Katarina qouted her daughter, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"That man was Ruben." David confirmed. "They met as Emily and Gina were getting their degrees at the University of Manchester. Gina and Ruben were so in love, head over heels. And as Gina confirmed her pregnancy she told us about her and Ruben's plans to by a house, to move back home and raise their family here, where we could be with our grandchild all the time. But as her pregnancy enveloped there were a few complications..."

"Caused by her heart." Katarina took the turn to speak as David was unable to, struggling to hold back the tears. "She died giving birth to our grandson. The doctors says her heart simply couldn't take it."

Silence fell around the dinner table. You wanted to say something, anything, but there were no words to mend the pain that Katarina and David had to endure following their daughters death.

"And your grandson?" You dared ask, but by then Katarina and David seemed to have collected themselves.

"He passed away along side his mother." David said.

How tragic. You felt so sorry for them, for Ruben.

"As you can imagine it really took a toll on Ruben. Gina had been very upfront about her condition, but as stubborn as Ruben is his feelings for her never changed. A real good man he is."

"But..." Katarina said. "None of us expected her death to come when it did, let alone Ruben. The house he and Gina had built....he has never been able step foot in it again, let alone sell it. Well...until he sold it to you, of course."

Why was that? You wanted to ask. Why were you the exception? Just then your phone vibrated in your pocket. You looked to the display and excused yourself to take the call, slipping out onto the back proch for some privacy.

"Yes?"

"Mommy?"

"Hello baby, how are you?" Your heart swelled at the sound of your son's voice.

"Mommy, when are you coming home?"

"Did grandma tell you to ask me that?"

A chuckle. "Yes."

You smiled. "Well tell grandma that this is my home now, exactly where I'm at. It's your home too, you know?"

"When are you coming to get me?"

"Do you still mark the days on the calendar I bought you?"

"Yes!" Your son cheered. "Grandma helps me."

"She does, that's good. Ask grandma how many days are left until the train comes to pick you and grandma up to come and see me."

There was a muffled sounds on the other end of the line. Your son running with your mother's cell phone in his hands. You left the porch and puttered around in Katarina and David's backyard, careful not to step on any of the planted flowers.

"Mommy."

Your son returned to the line.

"Yes Johnny?"

"Grandma says there's ten days left until the train leave."

"Ten days. Well then, I'll see you in ten days baby."

"I'll see you Mommy."

"Love you, bye."

"Bye."

You hung up the phone, a large smile on your lips. That smile faltered however, seeing Ruben standing on the porch, arms crossed, fingers drumming his biceps.

"Ruben." You exhaled. You didn't think you'd see him for a while after your little disagreement at the house this morning.

"Aren't you cold?" He asked, somthing very distant in the way he adressed you.

"I was on the phone, I was just about to head inside." You said.

"With your husband?"

You frowned.

"On the phone." Ruben uncrossed his arms,  stepping down from the proch. "Was that your husband, Johnny?"

"Right, yeah." Ruben must have overhead your conversation. "I was on the phone with my husband...Johnny. "

"How is he doing...in the military?" He asked.

"Oh, you know..."

Ruben raised a brow. "I do?"

"He's doing military stuff, taking his time to check in on me." You said, trying not to shiver as the nights cold hit you. "What about you, what are you doing here?"

"Oh." Ruben perked up, fixing his posture. "I...I actually came here to apologize...to you."

"Me?"

He nodded. "This morning. In the barn. I overreacted. You're right, it's your property and you should be allowed to whatever you want with it."

You shook your head. "No Ruben, I understand. The stuff, if you want to keep them there you could. It's alot, and if you're just gonna leave hem there to rot...." You shook your. "Never mind. The barn is yours if you want it."

Ruben stood quiet, his eyes regarding you with slight suspicion. "They told you didn't,  didn't they?"

"What?" Heat rose to your frozen cheeks. "Kate and David...they told you about their daughter, Gina, didn't they."

You held your tounge but nodded.

Ruben sighed, his legs folding as he took a seat on the steps of the porch. You joined him, scooting close as his body generated more heat than yours.

"I should have told you about the house, who it belonged to before I sold it to you." Ruben ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Nothing required you to, unless..."

"Unless?" He turned to you, a wrinkle dented in his forhead.

"You know." You shrugged. "Unless the house is haunted or somthing."

Somthing changed in his face, laughter followed his newfound expression. Ruben laughed, to your suprise. It was lovely as you never heard it before. Ruben really didn't look like a person to laughed but it was lovely, as well as his smile.

"It's not funny." You said, playfully nudging his side.

"Haunted." He chuckled. "You truly believe that I could sell you a haunted house?"

"Well did you?"

Ruben's expression changed again, a look of terror."

"Did you?" You asked, scared as to why he hesitated to answer your question.

"No, Y/N. I didn't sell you a haunted house, although I admit that that house has been haunting me for years."

"I'm sorry about your wife." You said after a time spent in silence.

Ruben looked to you, tilting his head down to meet your eyes as your height difference was ridiculous. "Thank you, but it's been a few years."

"How old would he be, your son?"

You realized that the question had startled him as you felt Ruben's muscles tense beside you. Perhaps he hadn't thought of his son, nor his wife in years.

"Four." He said, nothing more, nothing less.

Four, that's how old , Johnny, your son was. You kept that to yourself though, as it was not the time to tell Ruben about your own family, especially since you had been lying to him about a part of it.

"Your cold." He said.

Ruben must have felt your body leaning closer to him, stealing his heat. Or he had just heard the sound of your teeth, rattling like bones.

Let's get you inside."

"I actually want to stay for a bit longer. They don't look like that in the city." You said.

Ruben frowned, but followed your gaze as your head tilted upwards, admiring the ray of stars in the sky.

He sat back down, but not without removing his jacket, draping it over your shoulders.

"It's a beautiful view, no?" He said. "Moving out here, Gina and I used to spend hours in the fields just watching them, the stars."

"How was she, Gina?"

You looked to Ruben, his eyes mesmerized by the stars. His profile was captivating, rough but sculptured, he was handsome.

"She was like no one I've ever met." Evaporating smoke left Ruben's mouth as his eyes shifted to look at you. "I miss her so much." He said.

It was implusive, yet not terrifying. Although you were practically strangers you felt comfortable with Ruben, connected somehow. And so you grabbed his hand, leaning your head to rest on his shoulder. You felt his palm twitch beneath yours, nevertheless he did not pull away. And so you stayed like that, sitting close, holding hands, with the stars watching over your heads.

[freedomforthewin]

Do You Want to Build a Snowman? (Part 2)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Knock knock knock.

“Gale!” John said, a hopeful smile on his face as he called from outside Gale’s room. “It’s snowing outside. Do you want to build a snowman?”

“No, thank you,” he heard Gale answer.

“Oh,” John’s smile faltered. “Okay...um…maybe later?”

No answer.

“Is everything okay? I haven’t seen you in forever.”

No answer.

Just then, Katarina Egan came into the hallway and saw John at Gale’s door.

She had been asleep when John had gotten injured from Gale’s ice magic, and no one had woken her up because they had needed to prioritize getting John medical help as soon as possible. But in the morning, her and John’s parents had caught her up on what had happened and what the new situation between John and Gale was.

She had understood that her parents were trying to keep everyone safe, but she hadn’t been thrilled about how they were deciding to go about it (“They’re best friends. How could you separate them???” she had asked incredulously.). But the Egan parents had refused to budge on their decisions.

———The Morning After John’s Injury———

“What about the witch you had gone to for help with John? You could ask her to help Gale,” Katarina suggested.

“The witch is no where near as powerful as Gale,” Mrs. Egan said. “Her magic isn’t even similar to his; her powers are healing and making potions. She can’t help Gale.”

“And even with milder magic like that, she had to go and live away from society to stay safe,” Mr. Egan added. “If other people find out about Gale’s powers, he won’t be safe either.”

That was true. Magic wasn’t common, and people feared what wasn’t common. And that fear could lead to dangerous consequences.

The witch in the forest kept to herself, and most people didn’t know about her magic. The only reason the Egans knew about her secret was because she was a distant relative on Mr. Egan’s father’s side. They didn’t really know her; they had just been briefly told of her.

Katarina was quiet for a few moments.

“John’s going to have to know about Gale’s powers at some point,” she said.

“No, he isn’t. And you are not allowed to tell him. No matter what,” Mr. Egan stated.

“It’s for his own safety, Katarina,” Mrs. Egan said. “If he knows about Gale’s powers, of course he’s going to want to involve them in their play. Then he could get hurt again.”

Katarina hesitated but then reluctantly agreed.

She asked one last thing:

“How are you going to explain to John why his best friend is going to stay away from him for good?”

They didn’t have an answer.

————————Present Day————————

Katarina looked sadly at the sight in front of her.

“Buck,” John tried again, using the nickname he had given Gale, “what’s going on?”

Silence.

“Come on, John,” Katarina said solemnly, coming up to him.

“I don’t understand,” John said, looking at his older sister. The expression on his face was similar to one of a kicked puppy.

“Let’s go. Just leave him be,” she said quietly, offering her hand to the little boy. He took her hand, and she gently led him away.

———————————————————————

“Vroom, vroom.”

John played with his toy cars, sitting on the floor next to Gale’s room.

Gale heard John play and sighed to himself. There was no need to wonder why John was sitting outside Gale’s room of all places, playing, when John could have been playing somewhere else: John missed him and wanted to play with him. Gale closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face.

John then tried to play that there was a car chase. He tried to make it exciting, with booms and crashes, but it just wasn’t as much fun playing that by himself.

John got up and knocked on Gale’s door.

“Buck, do you want to play cars with me?”

“No, Bucky,” Buck’s voice answered, calling John by John’s nickname. “Please go away.”

John was quiet for a few moments.

“Do you want to play anything with me?” he then asked.

No response.

John’s breath hitched, and his lip began to tremble. Tears started welling in his eyes.

Katarina came into the hallway and stopped at what she saw: her little brother was in front of Gale’s room, looking like he was starting to cry. Katarina sighed.

“Come on, John,” she said quietly, walking up to him and reaching for John’s hand. “He needs to be alone right now.”

“But why?” he asked in a small voice. Katarina had never seen him look this sad.

“He just does,” Katarina said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“But he’s my best friend,” he said, his voice cracking on the last word as he threw his arms around his older sister and buried his face into her shirt.

The 16-year-old wrapped her arms around her six-year-old brother, holding him close to her.

“Come on,” she said after a few moments, her voice solemn. “Let’s go.”

John sniffled and then slowly let go of her. Katarina put her arm around him. They proceeded a few steps before John leaned his head harder into her side, his shoulders shaking and his mouth wobbling. They stopped walking, and she rubbed his side a few times, trying to comfort him. Then they walked away.

Meanwhile, Gale sat with his back to his door, his eyes glassy.

Yes, I want to play cars with you, John, he thought as the tears began to fall.

[maboroshi-no]

Hamefura LN13 Chapter 3 Summary

I am currently reading Hamefura LN13 and will post summaries after each chapter.

Previous Chapters:

Chapter 1: The Foreign Study

Chapter 2: The Prince Of Ethenell (Part 1)

Chapter 2: The Prince Of Ethenell (Part 2)

Chapter 3: The Sightseeing Outing With Cezar

Preparing for the Sightseeing Outing

Katarina is back home. She is working on the program for the sightseeing outing. Even though she has accepted to be Cezar and Jean's guide tomorrow, she is not confident that she is up to the task. Unlike Nathan, Cezar and Jean don't seem to have a poor sense of direction, so they will probably not get on the wrong path. She could actually get lost herself since she doesn't know the streets so well.

Katarina has recommended a lot of places, so they won't be able to cover it in one day. She should focus on the places they might like, but she doesn't know their tastes. In retrospect, today she should have talked about their likes instead of their siblings stories. In her past life, she could have used her smartphone to ask them, but in this life, she can only send letters, which is less convenient.

Katarina tries to select several places that Cezar might enjoy and be interested in. She also picks vacation-like spots to make him rest.

After deciding on a program, Katarina falls asleep right away. She is tired after her busy day.

Before the Sightseeing Outing

In the morning, Anne wakes Katarina up and helps her get ready.

While half-asleep, Katarina heads towards the carriage. On the way, she meets Keith, who asks her if she is going out in town. Katarina replies that she will act as a sightseeing guide today. Keith asks her who she will guide around. Katarina vaguely answers "Ethenell people" since Cezar and Jean want to go out incognito. Keith still guesses that she is referring to the Prince of Ethenell. He shockingly asks her how she became his guide. Katarina simply replies that it somehow happened. Keith is not satisfied with Katarina's explanation. Keith is protesting but she leaves him behind because she doesn't want to be late.

Meeting Cezar

Katarina will meet Cezar and Jean on the outskirts of town. They don't want to openly go out through the castle gate because they would be assigned lots of guards if they did.

Katarina arrives at the meeting place. Cezar calls her out. He is dressed the same way as on their first meeting.

Katarina notices that Jean is not there. Cezar awkwardly explains that Jean had a sudden business coming up and couldn't come. Katarina thinks it is a shame, but they can buy lots of souvenirs for him. Cezar is surprised that Katarina is okay with them being alone together. Katarina doesn't understand why. After all, they were alone together when they met.

Katarina wonders if Cezar is feeling uneasy because Jean is not here to protect him. Katarina tries to reassure him by telling him that this area is safe and that she is also very strong despite how she looks. Katarina has a dark familiar, the magnifying magic tool created by Larna, and the antique magic tool that she keeps on her as a charm, she is all set. Cezar makes an awkward smile while listening to her. After all, he is also strong himself. So strong that some people run away upon seeing him. Katarina remembers that Cezar is a former mercenary. There should be no problem in that case.

Cezar mutters to himself that he can understand why the people around Katarina worry so much. Even so, he won't hold back and have Katarina be his guide today.

Cezar asks Katarina not to speak so formally with him since he is dressed as a servant.

Visiting the Bookstore

They start sightseeing.

Katarina takes Cezar to the biggest bookstore in town. She thought it would be a good place to show him since Cezar wants to study all kinds of things. Cezar seems to enjoy the place, so she is glad.

Katarina explains to Cezar that this bookstore has a large selection of books, and they also receive new releases quickly. Herself, she purchases novels and agriculture books there. Cezar wonders why a noble lady like her would read agriculture books. Katarina explains that it is her hobby. On her days off, she changes into farming clothes and works the fields. Hearing this, Cezar bursts laughing. He laughs hard while holding his stomach. They attract the attention of passersby who are curious about a handsome young man laughing so hard. Katarina asks Cezar what is so funny with farming. After all, you get to work out, stay in good health, and eat vegetables. Cezar laughs even more. Katarina really wonders what makes him laugh.

After he has finished laughing, Cezar explains that there is nothing wrong with farming. What is funny is just the idea of a high-ranking noble lady in farming clothes working the fields. Especially since he can easily imagine her doing it happily. Katarina shrugs it off since she is used to people getting surprised by this.

Moving on, Katarina explains that she has taken him here because she thought this place would be useful for his studies. Cezar thanks her for her solicitude with a grinning smile. Katarina feels relieved that she made the right choice.

They enter the bookstore and look at the books. Katarina usually only checks romance novels and agriculture books, but she feels unusually captivated by the other genres of books that Cezar is interested in. She enjoys herself in a different way from browsing romance novels with her friends.

Katarina's stomach rumbles. Cezar proposes they go eat something.

Visiting the Restaurant

Katarina and Cezar head to a small restaurant that Katarina often visits incognito. It serves food that tastes nostalgic to her. It isn't the kind of place fit for royalty, but she has included it in the program since Cezar wouldn't mind it.

Katarina is nervous about whether Cezar will like the food. Cezar loves it, so she feels relieved. She excitedly tells him that it is one of her favorite restaurants. Cezar is happy she took him to her favorite place. He gives her a natural smile, different from his princely smile.

Despite Katarina being his guide, Cezar actually escorts her and acts like a big brother. He pays the restaurant bill and buys her some snacks at the street stands.

Katarina tells Cezar he is like a reliable big brother. Cezar is surprised since he is heavily taken care of by his older brother. It feels new and nice to him to be called a reliable older brother. Cezar is making a mischievous smile.

Visiting the Farm

Cezar would like to study farms and agriculture. It seems like today's outing will include an observation trip.

They head out of town to the closest farm. After getting permission, they look at the fields.

There is a large field with abundant golden crops. It looks like a sea of gold. Katarina excitedly tells Cezar the field is the same color as his eyes. Cezar has golden eyes but he usually hides their color with black lenses. Cezar doesn't think his eyes are so beautiful since people are terrified of them. Katarina assures him they are. Cezar smiles.

While looking at the fields, Cezar mutters to himself that Ethenell still can't produce crops well since the fields have been burned during the civil war. He would like Ethenell to have abundant fields like that soon.

Katarina remembers that her international affairs lesson mentioned that Ethenell had been plagued by a civil war up until the current king ascended the throne. Fields had been burned down during the civil war.

Katarina doesn't know what to say so she keeps watching the fields silently with Cezar. After a while, Cezar snaps out of it and goes to the farmers to ask them questions. The farmers kindly answer them. Katarina and Cezar thank them.

Cezar and Katarina go back to the carriage. Katarina regrets that she couldn't prevent Cezar from working during his holiday. But since Cezar seems to have enjoyed himself, she guesses it is fine.

Arriving at the Orphanage

Next, Cezar would like to visit an orphanage.

Katarina thinks it must be because they are building orphanages in Ethenell after many children lost their parents during the civil war. Incidentally, Sora's childhood friend, Arnaud, has started working in one of these orphanages. Katarina would have preferred their next destination wasn't related to work, but she still wants to fulfill Cezar's wish.

Katarina takes Cezar to the orphanage where Cyrus delivers his crops. Upon arriving, Katarina is warmly welcomed by the kids and the teachers. They all know her because she has come back several times after Cyrus took her there. The kids are curious about Cezar since they are not shy of strangers. The precocious girls even are sparkly-eyed looking at him since he is a wild type.

The small kids (the age of kindergartners) ask Katarina to play with them. Whenever she comes over, Katarina always takes on the job of playing with the small kids since she can't teach the other kids anything. As a result, she is popular with the small kids. Also, when she comes with her beautiful friends, the precocious boys get careful about their appearances and keep glancing at her friends, while with her, they just ask for treats and leave. Except for one boy.

Liam is shouting at the small kids to let Katarina rest since she has just arrived.

When she first came here, Liam was a foul-mouthed kid with a bad attitude. But now, he is a serious, diligent, and considerate boy who is proactive with his studies and work. Only Liam doesn't ask for treats and leaves.

Liam invites Katarina to rest in the dining hall. He will make her some tea. Katarina is impressed he can make tea. Liam says he can handle this much, though he can't make fine tea that would satisfy a noble lady.

Only the director and Liam know that Katarina is a noble. All the others think she and her friends are from merchants' families. Because of this, she has introduced Cezar as an acquaintance from a foreign merchant family.

Katarina tells Liam that it will be fine but if the tea is too bitter, she might spit it out on his face. Liam is surprised, then replies with a grin that in that case, he will run away before she spits it out.

Katarina calls Cezar over not to leave him alone. She also tells the small kids that she will play with them after having tea.

Tasting Liam's Tea and the Girl's Cookies

Katarina sits in the dining hall with Cezar. Cezar looks at the kids around them chatting away and thinks it is a good orphanage. Katarina tells him that the orphanage is well-equipped thanks to the donations of the nobles. Cezar is surprised that nobles in Sorcier make donations to orphanages. Katarina replies that they do that out of duty. They allocate a donation portion in their work budget. Cezar is impressed that there is this kind of system in Sorcier.

Liam and a girl arrive with the tea. Katarina is pleasantly surprised that they have brought cookies with the tea.

Liam explains that these cookies were made by the girl. She wants to have another person taste them and give them their opinion. The girl is about the age of a grade schooler. She shyly explains that she is learning baking from Maria. Everyone here says her sweets are good but she would like the opinion of another person. Liam adds that the girl was already baking sweets before but she has greatly improved after learning from Maria. In his opinion, her sweets are as good as the ones sold in shops. Hearing Liam's praise, the girl blushes. Katarina realizes that Liam has not only become considerate but also popular with girls.

Katarina thinks it is indeed a great advantage to have learned from Maria. After all, Maria is a pro baker whose delicious sweets rival those of the shops around.

Cezar discreetly asks Katarina if, by "Maria", she means Maria Campbell, the Wielder of Light. Katarina says yes and remembers that Cezar knows her. Cezar only knows her because she is famous, they are not acquainted.

Katarina realizes that Cezar and Maria haven't met yet. They were supposed to meet at the International Assembly, but she may have prevented their meeting. This sightseeing outing could also be a game event that she has unknowingly stolen. She may have already been acting as the villainess who gets in the way of the capture target. Still, she wonders if Cezar will really fall in love with Maria if he meets her.

Katarina tastes the tea made by Liam. She tells him it is good. Liam smiles. Katarina tastes the cookies made by the girl. She excitedly shouts that they are delicious and that they will definitely be popular. The girl's face lights up. Liam happily tells the girl that, since her cookies have gotten the stamp of approval of a noble lady, she should be able to work in a pastry shop. The girl blushes. Katarina can tell that the girl loves Liam.

Comparing Orphanages in Sorcier and Ethenell

The other kids in the dining hall approach them and tell them what they want to be in the future. A girl is learning sewing and wants to work in a clothes store later. A boy likes learning new things and wants to be a scholar. A boy is learning swordplay and wants to become a knight. Katarina feels like a grandma as she is looking fondly at the children expressing their dreams for the future.

Cezar is impressed that the orphanage not only gives an education to the children but also teaches them all kinds of things. Katarina explains that in addition to giving them an education, the orphanage also teaches the children practical skills like cooking and sewing so that they can live by themselves once they are adults. The occasional visitors also teach the kids, and the kids can further their studies with them. Cezar finds it amazing that orphans can further their studies and have dreams. Cezar is smiling fondly.

When Katarina asks why he is making that face, Cezar explains that the orphanages in Ethenell have their hands full looking after the kids so it is difficult for them to give them a proper education. Cezar feels frustrated over the difference between Ethenell and Sorcier. He mutters to himself with a pained face:

Cezar: What should I do for the people of Ethenell to be able to live more happily?

Katarina can tell Cezar is really concerned for his people and that's why he keeps working relentlessly. His concern is a wonderful thing, but she is worried he might overwork himself to death. Katarina doesn't know the answer to his question but she can tell him one thing. 

Katarina: I don't think this is something you should think about here alone. When you return to your country, please talk about it to your older brother, His Majesty the King of Ethenell, and to the people you rely on. If you talk about it and think about it together, it should be enough. It should not be an issue that you can take on by yourself.

Cezar is frozen in shock, then smiles. He thinks Katarina is indeed right and will follow her advice when he returns to Ethenell. Katarina encourages him to do so or else he will make lots of mistakes. Cezar thanks Katarina with a smile. Katarina is embarrassed that Cezar takes her opinion so seriously.

Cezar Discusses With Liam

Liam asks Cezar if he is from Ethenell. Cezar says yes. Liam says he is from Ethenell too. He asks Cezar if he lives there. Cezar answers he is in Sorcier for work but he will return to Ethenell later.

Liam asks if the war is over in Ethenell. Cezar says it is not completely, but mostly over. Liam is glad since it means that there will be fewer robbers. His dad said that it was because the war was going on that the number of robbers increased. Cezar agrees since the people who lost everything because of the war would become robbers to survive. However, there should be less damage now. Liam is glad that there won't be more people like him.

Katarina remembers that Liam's parents were killed by robbers.

Cezar awkwardly asks Liam if his parents were killed by robbers. Liam replies that his father, mother, older brother, older sister, and the people of the villages all died protecting him. He was the only one to survive. Then he lived like an animal in the slums, got caught, and after various things happened, he was taken to Sorcier.

Liam has said it in an unconcerned way unlike before, when he said it in a painful way. When Katarina asks him why, Liam tells her it is because he has decided to face forward and live. Liam is such a strong boy.

Cezar's eyes cloud and he apologizes to Liam. Liam doesn't understand why Cezar apologizes to him. Cezar probably wanted to apologize to him as a royal, but he is a foreign trader at the moment. He suddenly realizes he is supposed to hide his social status and tries to fix his mistake. He tells Liam he is apologizing to him as an adult who is supposed to protect children like him. Liam says he doesn't need excuses and would rather Cezar make Ethenell a better place so that there won't be more children like him. Cezar says he will work hard for it.

Cezar asks Liam if he plans to stay in Sorcier forever. Cezar looks like he expects Liam to say yes. But Liam says that he plans to return to Ethenell once he is an adult and has saved money. Cezar is surprised since Sorcier is a wealthy country with better life conditions. Liam explains that he hasn't returned to his village ever since it burned down. He would like to go back there and see with his own eyes what it has become. He has also heard that the new king is working hard on making Ethenell a good country, so the situation should be better once he goes back there. He also would like to use what he has learned in Sorcier to get a job where he can make Ethenell a way better country. It is his dream.

Liam has said it in a little bashful way. Katarina is impressed to see how much Liam has changed since the first time she met him. He told her before that it was his plan, but it is the first time she has heard him say that it was his "dream". Katarina is glad that Liam has a dream.

Cezar has been oddly silent. Looking at him, Katarina realizes that he is trying hard not to cry. Cezar is probably trying to hold back tears of joy. Liam is confused by Cezar's reaction and asks him if there is something wrong. Cezar pulls himself together and tells Liam that he is just happy hearing his words. He thinks Ethenell will become a way better country with people like him. He will have Liam work hard for it. Liam shyly says yes.

Katarina Gets Questioned by the Girls

Cezar and Liam are now talking about Ethenell. Katarina wants to listen too, but she is discreetly called by a girl.

When she comes over to her, she gets surrounded by girls. Katarina has often been surrounded by small kids, but this is the first time she is surrounded by girls of this age. 

-----------

Katarina: Umm~ Is there something wrong?

When I asked this to the girl who called me over,

Girl A: Big Sister Katarina, what is your relationship with that mister?

...she asked while leaning forward.

Katarina: Umm..... A friend?

I couldn't possibly tell them he was a foreign prince and that I was his guide showing him around, so I replied this.

Girl A: Oh, I see. Since you have come together today, I thought he was your real boyfriend.

She readily said this. I was so shocked that my mouth was wide open.

While I was frozen like that, the girls continued talking.

Girl B: As I said, Big Sister Katarina's boyfriend is Big Brother Geordo. Am I wrong?

Girl C: Whaaat~? Her boyfriend is Big Brother Keith, don't you think?

Girl B: But Big Brother Keith said they were brother and sister.

Girl C: No, when I asked him, he said she was his adoptive sister. So he can be her secret boyfriend.

Girl D: In that case, Big Brother Alan too!

Girl E: What about Big Brother Nicol?

The girls happily chatted while I felt so embarrassed I wished I could run away.

For these girls to look at my relationship with my brothers and my friends that way, girls these days really are precocious.

Girl B: But Big Brother Geordo definitely loves Big Sister Katarina!

Girl C: Big Brother Keith too!

After saying this, the girls looked at me.

Uuuh, I still hadn't tackled this topic yet, it was a delicate period for me.

To begin with, how come the girls here are so perceptive and notice things that I haven't noticed for a long time myself? How are girls these days?

Girl B: Hey, Big Sister Katarina, who do you like?

Girl C: Did someone confess to you?

After she had said this, a lot of girls turned their sparkly eyes towards me. I...

Girl B: Ah, wait!

Girl C: She ran away!

I ran away full speed.

----------------

Katarina ran away from the dining hall because she couldn't handle the girls. She feels relieved that they didn't chase her. 

Katarina Plays Tag With the Small Kids

Katarina sees the small kids playing tag in the garden. She feels like she is more suited to interacting with kids that age rather than more grown-up girls.

Katarina comes near the small kids. They surround her and all talk to her about playing tag. Katarina asks them if they can join them, which they happily accept.

Katarina starts playing tag with the small kids. They are unexpectedly nimble so Katarina must go at it seriously.

After a while, Katarina is out of breath while the small kids are not tired from running around. She takes a break while sitting on the grass. The small kids ask her if she wants to play hide-and-seek.

Cezar arrives and asks her if she is alright. Katarina says she will once she catches her breath.

Katarina asks Cezar if he has finished talking with Liam. Cezar smiles and says they have talked about lots of nice things. Katarina remembers that Cezar was about to cry of happiness earlier, and feels happy for him.

Katarina Holds a Baby

Katarina and Cezar hear a baby crying. Katarina is confused since there are not supposed to be babies in the orphanage. When she looks in the direction of the cries, she sees one of the female staff members holding a baby in her arms.

The staff member comes towards Katarina and thanks her for playing with the kids

Katarina asks the staff member about the baby. The staff member explains that the baby's mother hasn't recovered well after giving birth and thus can't look after the baby. As a result, they will temporarily look after the baby instead. Katarina didn't know that the orphanage could temporarily look after kids. Though, now that she thinks about it, there are some kids that she has never seen again. Cezar is impressed that the orphanage can also temporarily look after kids. Katarina feels the same.

Katarina looks at the baby. She can't believe how small they are. The staff member chuckles and says it's because the baby was just born this month. The baby was crying but now he is silently looking at Katarina with round eyes. Katarina finds them cute.

The staff member chuckles and asks Katarina if she wants to hold them. Katarina flusteredly refuses since she has never held a baby before. The staff member insists. After all, Katarina may be blessed with a child in just a little while. She will also thoroughly teach Katarina to hold them, so she should try. The staff member is a little pushy, but Katarina also wants to hold them, so she accepts.

The staff member gives her directions and Katarina holds the baby. Katarina is holding the baby well. The baby is so soft and warm, and he smells so good. Katarina is overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling while holding them.

Katarina excitedly calls Cezar over to see them. For some reason, Cezar is a little distant from her. He still comes over but he has an awkward face. 

The staff member tells Katarina that the baby has fallen asleep. Katarina looks down at the baby in her arms and can see they are sleeping peacefully. The staff member thinks it must be because Katarina is holding them well. Katarina thinks it is rather because the warmth and the nice scent of the baby have put her in a good mood.

The staff member will take the baby to a quiet place so that the small kids won't wake them up. Katarina softly gives back the baby to her. Now that the warmth and the softness of the baby is gone, Katarina feels somewhat lonely. The staff member leaves with the baby.

Cezar Thinks He Is Filthy

Katarina comes close to Cezar and asks him if he doesn't like babies. Cezar replies that it is not that he dislikes them, it is just that sometimes, he feels like he shouldn't get close to pure beings like that baby and the small kids. Katarina is surprised. Cezar explains that ever since he was 15, he has taken the lives of many people as a mercenary. It is not only his hands that are filthy with blood, his whole self is filthy. So he feels like he must not get near beautiful things so that he wouldn't soil them.

Cezar looks like a different person as he says this while looking at his hands. Katarina thought Cezar enjoyed his former mercenary life, but after hearing this, she realizes that it was actually hard for him. When she thinks about it, it must have been hard to suddenly become a mercenary after leaving the inner palace at 15. There must have been some circumstances behind it.

Just by spending some time with him, Katarina can tell Cezar is a gentle person. Since he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would keep hurting people, the mercenary life must have been hard for him. Cezar was feared because of his golden eyes, he had to fight painful memories. Behind his bright smile, there is actually a wounded heart.

In the game, maybe he fell for the heroine after she had healed his heart. In that case, she should maybe introduce Maria to Cezar. Katarina is afraid of her doom but she can't possibly leave Cezar like that. As a villainess, she can't heal his heart like the heroine would. She will introduce Maria to him and let her handle the healing. As for her, she will just express her own feelings on the matter.

----

After I had decided this, I held Cezar's hands tightly. Cezar had a very surprised face. I told him...

Katarina: Your hands supported me when I was about to fall. They are warm and gentle, I don't find them filthy. I am sure that Mister Jean, your older brother, and all the people who cherish you think the same thing. That's why I don't want you to say that your hands are filthy.

Cezar: ........

Cezar was silent while gazing at me with wide eyes.  I continued.

Katarina: I think the people who cherish you would be sad if they heard you denigrate yourself like this.

After saying this, I held Cezar's hands even more strongly.

Katarina: Your hands are warm and gentle. And you are too.

As I had talked one-sidedly, I thought I might have upset him, but when I looked up at him, he had an even more surprised face.

He didn't seem angry. His face gradually broke into a gentle smile. Then Cezar said...

Cezar: Thank you.

Thank goodness, I didn't upset him.

When I relieved my grip on his hands out of relief, this time, Cezar was the one to grasp my hand. Then for some reason, he approached it towards his mouth.

----

Maria and Cezar's Standoff

Katarina is confused about the situation when someone suddenly calls her out. When she turns around, she sees Maria.

Maria usually looks lovely, but for some reason, she has a sharp stare and a stern expression.

----

Maria: What are you doing?

She didn't say this in her usual gentle tone but in a stern resounding one.

What we were doing, huh? Well, I didn't know myself.

Until a while ago I was speaking my mind to Cezar, I was holding his hands and he is the one holding mine right now. I also would like to ask about this situation.

I was full of questions, but Cezar was the one who started speaking.

Cezar: We were just talking a little.

After saying this, he quickly released my hand and faced Maria. He had the smile I saw him making when he was standing up to people as a royal and noble.

Cezar: Could you be the famous Wielder of Light, Maria Campbell?

Maria: I don't know whether I am famous, but I indeed am Maria Campbell. You must be Prince Cezar Dahl from Ethenell?

Cezar: Yes, that's right.

Ah, it seemed like the two of them each knew about the other.

It felt like they knew about each other but were not acquainted with each other. And that it was their first meeting right now.

This handsome boy and pretty girl gazing at each other… It was such a beautiful sight. This must have been a game CG.

Now that they had met, these two would fall in love with each other, and...

Maria: And so, Prince Cezar Dahl, why might you be alone with Lady Katarina here?

Cezar: I have asked her to show me around the towns in Sorcier and following this, I had her take me here. Also, just "Cezar" is fine. 

Maria: Then I will take you up on your word, Prince Cezar. If you want to engage in sightseeing of the towns in Sorcier, you can find people who serve as guides. I shall advise you to ask these people next time.

Cezar: Well, with my position, I just won't hire people I can't trust. And since I show myself plain like this, it can't just be anyone.

Maria: Is that so? Still, Lady Katarina is someone you have just met.

Cezar: Well, actually, I met her at the International Assembly and we hit it off. 

---------

Katarina is confused since, despite their smiles, there isn't a sweet mood around Maria and Cezar. Rather than sweet, it actually feels electric. Katarina didn't expect a sweet mood right away since Maria was playing hard-to-get but she at least expected Cezar to take interest in her and gradually get charmed by her. But however she looks at them, Cezar doesn't look charmed at all. And Maria is colder than usual.

Cezar and Maria's conversation goes on. While listening, Katarina learns that Maria came here because she had a mission outside, and since the location was close to the orphanage, Cyrus asked her to deliver vegetables there for him. Then she saw Katarina and Cezar alone together without any servants and she thought that it was dangerous. Katarina also thinks it was dangerous for Cezar to go out without a servant but he insisted that it was fine. 

Since they had their encounter, Katarina wonders if Cezar and Maria will interact with each other from now on. Katarina thought earlier that she should have the two of them deepen their relationship for Cezar's sake, but their relationship doesn't seem to deepen at the moment. It bothers her but she won't cut in their conversation.

After a while, it is time for Cezar to go home. Maria wishes him a safe trip back. The encounter event seems to be over. Despite only watching, Katarina feels exhausted.

Cezar tells Maria he is going home with Katarina. Hearing this, Maria offers to take him back home since the ministry and the castle are in the same direction. It will also be convenient for Katarina that way since she can directly go home. Cezar accepts Maria's offer with a princely smile. 

Katarina goes back home alone. She is completely exhausted.

*** Cezar's POV ***

Maria's Hostility

Cezar is riding a carriage back with Maria.

Maria is so famous that rumors about her have reached Ethenell. Cezar has seen her at the International Assembly, so it doesn't feel like a first meeting for him.

He doesn't mind riding a carriage with someone he has just met, but her sharp stare makes him feel awkward. She has directed full hostility towards him ever since she has called out to him. He finally had some alone time with the girl who opened his eyes, and it turned out like this. This isn't funny.

Cezar tells Maria she doesn't need to show him so much hostility since he won't do anything to Katarina. Maria is surprised. She wasn't aware that she was making a hostile face. Cezar wonders how much Maria loves Katarina for her to unconsciously pour hostility on him. 

Maria Asks Cezar About His Bride Searching Plans

After pulling herself together, Maria asks Cezar if it is true that he has come to Sorcier to search for a bride. Cezar sharply asks where she has heard that. Maria chuckles and replies that her superior at the Ministry of Magic cautioned her about Cezar approaching her. Though, she hasn't told anyone since he asked her not to. Cezar guesses that her superior must have been worried about Cezar taking Maria as his fiancée.

Maria looks so lovely and beautiful that some men could fall in love with her at first sight. She looks like an honest girl and she must be pretty smart since she always scored high at the Academy of Magic. Even if she is a commoner, it wouldn't be strange for a foreign royal to propose to her.

If Cezar hadn't met Katarina, maybe he would have taken an interest in Maria and gotten fascinated by her. But this is just hypothetical and in this reality, he does not have such feelings for Maria, and Maria probably doesn't have any for him either.

-----

Maria: Prince Cezar, I have heard that if your desired partner responds favorably, you can take her back to Ethenell as your fiancée. However, Lady Katarina is the fiancée of one of the royals of this country. I don't think she would be a suitable partner for you.

Maria said this while firmly staring at me. I could feel a strong determination in her defiant eyes.

As expected. Maria was wary of me seducing Katarina and taking her away to Ethenell as my fiancée.

I could see this look too, earlier. I could tell that she would think that if she knew about me searching for a fiancée. However, I really shouldn't make an enemy of Maria right now.  

I put on a gentle smile on my face, then...

Cezar: Of course, I have no intention of making a pass at the fiancée of the third prince.

I decisively said this, like it was all but common sense.

All while shooting sparks from her eyes, 

Maria: Is it true?

She asked this while still suspicious of me.

Cezar: Yes, of course.

I asserted with a smile.

She must have been an honest girl. She relaxed her guard after I had said this without thinking any of it.

She didn't seem to notice that I add secretly added "For now" in my heart.

-----

Cezar Listens to Maria Talk About Katarina

Maria has relaxed her guard and is now looking gently at Cezar. Since Cezar has asked, she is happily talking about Katarina.

While listening, Cezar realizes that Maria loves Katarina from the bottom of her heart. If he made an enemy of her, she would be an opponent as troublesome as Geordo. He is all smiles while listening but he actually has cold shivers. 

Cezar Is Back at the Royal Palace

Cezar has arrived at the royal palace. He can finally relax.

Cezar returns to his room. Jean has been waiting for him and asks him with a grin how it went.

Jean has pretended to have something to do today so that Cezar and Katarina could be alone together.

At first, Cezar wanted to tell Jean "Mind your own business", but since he actually had a good time with Katarina, he considers telling him "Thank you. It is thanks to you that I could have a good time" but it was embarrassing, so he ends up saying "It was okay" before entering his room. He can faintly hear Jean giggling behind him.

Cezar Can't Ignore his Feelings for Katarina Anymore

Cezar dives onto his bed. He is thinking of Katarina.

He took an interest in Katarina back at the International Assembly when she was not scared of his golden eyes and said they were pretty. He could contain his feelings when he learned that she was the fiancée of a royal of Sorcier. However, when she told him with her gentle voice and warm hands "Your hands are warm and gentle. And you are too." he felt his heart getting healed.

When he was a mercenary, he had relationships with female nightlife workers. Despite this, when he thinks of Katarina, his cheeks turn hot as if he had just reached puberty. It is the first time he has felt like this.

He has fallen in love with the woman named Katarina Claes.

He can't contain his feelings with reason anymore. Katarina's fiancée is a prince of Sorcier who is infatuated with her. And the people around Katarina are all infatuated with her, including Maria Campbell. He won't be able to freely make a move on her.

Even so, these newborn feelings will be painful when he has to end his relationship with her at the end of the foreign study. He would hate not to see her ever again. He wishes to have some kind of connection with her. And to this end, he will need to make Sorcier indebted to him. This is what he intended in the first place for Ethenell's sake, but now he also has personal reasons.

Something Liam told him about the incident in Ocean Harbor Town bothers him, so he will investigate it. By doing so, he feels like he will uncover information that will make Sorcier indebted to him. 

Cezar shakes off the fluffy feelings in his head and switches to work mode.

[logo-comics]

Pairing: Katarina x Maria Title: Unleashing The Kissing Fiend

Sequel to "That's Not A Kiss… THIS Is A Kiss".

Alas, poor Maria. She had been so sure that the barrage off kisses would render Katarina senseless. It seemed that the villainess, while blushing after such a ruthless attack, had decided to let her devious streak to come to the fore once more, kissing Maria randomly through the day.

How was Maria supposed to get anything done when at any moment, she could be mercilessly kissed?

The fact that Larna and Raphael were clearly trying not to laugh at her made things just that much more mortifying... Clearly she would need help planning her revenge.

[danshive]

Some My Next Life as a Villainess ranting inspired by seeing that volume 12 is out (and not having read it yet, only the preview text for it).

My current issue with the My Next Life as a Villainess light novels is I’m genuinely interested in Katarina’s story entirely separate from suitors, and I honestly find Geordo and Keith pursuing her more annoying than fun.

I’m interested in her friendship with Maria, and a bunch of things in the story, but I’ve felt like the “romance” with the others has been secondary, if not a distraction, for a while now.

Which probably sounds weird to some people. One of the biggest selling points of the anime was Katarina’s harem.

For me, I was heavily invested in the series before I even realized that was what it was doing (I got embarrassingly far in the manga before realizing she was going to end up with a harem), and it was because of Katarina and her kindness.

She took an axe to my sadness on a very bad day, and I’ve been invested in the series for her, not because there are women interested in her.

I mean, yes, I absolutely want her to marry Maria, but that was something I decided after several volumes of the light novel, which I read after season one of the anime.

Also, I know Katarina has a massive shield up about attraction, effectively making it difficult to confess to her and have her actually get it, but ye gods, Katarina’s harem, just spell it out for the poor girl already. Like, full on intervention.

Maybe I’ll read volume 12 this weekend and be pleasantly surprised, but I’m worried it’s going to be a Geordo-Keith fest. Maybe those two could just elope? They’d have my blessing.