"So… you're saying you picked up Miss Monvoisin."
"Say protected. She's not a stray dog or cat."
In front of the mustached man clutching his head—Alain Victor, Arcus's father and the viscount who ruled Victor Territory—Arcus snorted in irritation. Still, given the circumstances, he couldn't exactly deny that description, and he averted his gaze.
"It was force majeure."
Pouting slightly, Arcus spoke back. Alain answered with a deep sigh, though the sharpness in his eyes softened.
"If Clarice heard this, she'd be over the moon."
"Good thing she's visiting Grandpa's place."
Clarice was Arcus's younger sister. Normally, the household included their mother and other siblings, but they were currently staying with their maternal relatives. Clarice, who constantly complained that she wanted an older sister, would be thrilled by Catherine's presence.
"Still, it's not like we're letting her live here permanently."
Arcus frowned. Alain rubbed his chin, thinking.
"First, let's meet the young lady."
Seeing his father's gentle smile, Arcus felt a twinge of guilt for causing trouble—and gratitude as well. Back then, he hadn't had the option not to help.
"She should be done bathing about now."
As if hiding his embarrassment, Arcus glanced toward the office door.
"About that—Miss Monvoisin says she has something she wishes to tell both you and the young master…"
Keith, waiting nearby, flicked his eyes toward the door.
"Huh? Seriously?"
Arcus blurted it out before Keith cleared his throat pointedly. Apparently, Catherine was already waiting outside.
Caught off guard, Alain stood at once and straightened his jacket collar. Arcus followed suit. Even if she was formerly a marquis's daughter, greeting her while seated and turned away would be improper.
After confirming both had stood, Keith slowly opened the office door.
Escorted by Rita, Catherine entered—and Arcus involuntarily held his breath.
He knew she was beautiful enough to be called the Ice Beauty. Still, her freshly bathed skin and the unfamiliar sight of her in a nightdress made the existence of Catherine Monvoisin suddenly, vividly real.
"My name is Catherine. It is a pleasure to meet you."
At her graceful curtsey, Arcus returned a formal bow alongside his father.
"Welcome, Miss Catherine. I am Alain Victor… as for my foolish son—"
"I am already acquainted."
Catherine smiled, and Alain smiled back.
"Please, have a seat."
Gesturing toward the sofa, Alain noticed Catherine hesitate. Having omitted her family name, it was clear she no longer considered herself a noble. For someone effectively a commoner, a viscount offering a sofa was unusual.
"I understand your circumstances to a degree. Still, only we are present here."
Alain shrugged lightly. "I can hardly make a woman stand while we talk."
At last, Catherine sat. Arcus and Alain took the seats opposite her.
"As I mentioned earlier, we understand your situation to a certain extent."
"To a certain extent?" Catherine asked.
"Yes. To a certain extent."
Alain smiled calmly. Catherine's expression tightened.
"Then let us begin with your story."
She had come all this way saying she had something to tell them. At Alain's invitation, Catherine glanced anxiously at Arcus.
Not knowing why he was being looked at, Arcus simply gave a reassuring smile.
"It's fine."
Seemingly relieved, Catherine exhaled—and at the same moment, her platinum-blonde hair turned jet black.
The sudden transformation left Alain and Keith staring in stunned silence.
"We meet again, brat."
With crimson eyes and a wicked grin, Catherine—or something wearing her body—looked at Arcus. He immediately remembered knocking her unconscious in the forest.
"You are…?"
Arcus narrowed his eyes. The woman laughed loudly.
"I am the ancient great archmage, Eleonora."
"Never heard of you."
Eleonora frowned. "How uncultured."
Judging by the silence, neither Alain nor Keith recognized the name either.
"So," Arcus said lazily, "why is this great archmage inside Miss Monvoisin?"
The moment she ceased to be a marquis's daughter, Arcus leaned back in his chair. Alain nudged his side in protest, but Arcus ignored it.
"Why? Because of you, fool!"
Eleonora explained that the black mist from earlier had been her soul. Long ago, she had been sealed, but when part of the barrier—the shrine—was broken, her soul escaped and latched onto Catherine.
"A soul steeped in despair and fear… vast magic worthy of my vessel… If you hadn't knocked her unconscious—"
Eleonora glared at Arcus, resentment plain in her eyes. Originally, she was meant to fully merge with Catherine's soul. Because Arcus intervened, two souls now coexisted in one body.
"Then get out," Arcus snapped. "Don't act high and mighty while squatting in someone else's body."
"Oh? Are you sure that attitude is wise?"
Eleonora grinned.
"Did you forget? That girl shares my vision. She's watching you right now."
"You should've said that earlier, please."
Arcus's mangled politeness and strained smile made Eleonora burst out laughing.
"No need to hide it anymore, hm?"
"Noble society has… complications."
Still grinning, Eleonora wiped a tear from her eye.
"I like you."
"I'll make you my second servant."
"I refuse."
"Why?!"
"Because."
Puffing her cheeks, Eleonora muttered, "I'll make you agree," and her hair shifted back to platinum silver. Her eyes returned to a clear blue.
"Lord Arcus…"
"Yes?"
He answered with a bright smile. Catherine froze.
Remembering how completely different his attitude had been just moments ago, her shoulders began to shake—until laughter escaped her lips.
"Fufu—"
Realizing what she'd done, Catherine flushed and bowed her head.
"My apologies."
"No, no. Don't worry."
Hearing Arcus's formal tone again only made her shoulders tremble once more.
"I'm sorry. The change was just too sudden."
Trying to regain her composure, Catherine avoided eye contact, clearly finding Arcus's smile unbearable. Alain and Keith shot him accusatory looks. Arcus scrunched his nose.
"So, then. What is it you wish of me, Miss Catherine?"
Though his tone was polite, his attitude was casual. Still, Catherine bowed deeply.
"Please… would you consider employing us here?"
Her seriousness made Arcus straighten.
"May I ask why?"
"I intend to search for her true body. But I lack the means…"
"Why are you searching for it?"
"Because she is the same as me. She, too, was abandoned by the world—"
Catherine's voice faltered. Arcus clicked his tongue quietly.
Having protected her, abandoning her now wasn't an option. Even if she didn't live here, he intended to help decide her path.
But if she left now, she'd wander off alone.
(Once you board the ship…)
Letting out a deep sigh, Arcus noticed Catherine trembling, likely thinking he was angry. Instead of denying it outright, he turned to his father.
"Father. Didn't you say you wanted a civil servant?"
"At least call me Father in a situation like—hm?"
Alain frowned, then looked between Arcus and Catherine.
"Don't tell me…"
"That's exactly it. Miss Catherine is a top student, highly talented—and she helped manage her family's Monvoisin territory. Correct?"
Catherine nodded softly.
"I see. That is impressive."
As Alain smiled broadly, Catherine looked between them in disbelief.
"Is… that really acceptable?"
"It's a win-win," Arcus said with a shrug. "You get work. We get a capable official."
Then he added with a grin—
"Fair warning: we're dirt poor. Half-baked reforms won't save this territory."
For the first time, Catherine smiled with confidence.
"Please leave it to me. I will do my utmost."
An exiled marquis's daughter.A poor viscount's heir.An ancient archmage.
At that moment, the destinies of the three quietly derailed from their intended tracks.