"Keith, dear, I just happened to be around so I thought why not visit my children? Though you sound like you are not glad to see me at all. " Milidiana answered her son's inquiry and turned her attention to the third prince "Good afternoon, Prince Gerald, have I intruded on something?"

From a distance, Milidiana found her son hanging around in the backyard of their dormitory which appeared to be a vegetable field. One for which she sure knows who's responsible. Among him is the third prince, and another golden-haired kid she only recognizes from the little portraits she got from Anne this morning. Both Keith and the prince were holding each of the blonde lady's shoulders, stopping her from leaving.

Funny, it's like the scenery of those romance novels she used to read back in the day.

She was honestly surprised to see Keith in this situation. Growing up, he has never shown interest and barely interacted with anyone of the opposite gender with the exception of his sister. There was also Lady Mary and Lady Sofia, but she could clearly see that he only happened to be close to those two since those two were also close to Katarina. He does not interact with them out of personal interest.

But that was a while ago. Her son is a young man. Just like the old saying, children grow most when their parents are not looking. He is in that age now so it shouldn't be surprising if he is interested in searching for a future Duchess Claes for his own. She can only pray that he does not follow Luigi's habit back then.

The third prince, however, is a different question.

Once she thought it was a great honor for their family to have her daughter as princess consort but after learning more about her daughter and the prince alike, it couldn't be any more wrong. She can't imagine her Katarina being a royal princess, much less like a future queen. Not that she undermines her own daughter's opportunities, but Katarina is simply not built for that role, and not for the lack of trying.

They tried! She did what she could just so her daughter could fit in that shoe that she would probably wear in the future, but she decided against pursuing it in the end.

Why?

Because doing so seems to diminish the light of her daughter's eyes, she notices it, and she realizes it.
Katarina loathes not only the role, the responsibilities, and the power of being a noble, but much more of a royalty. Given a chance, she would set it all aside and run away if possible. Katarina herself admitted it. One afternoon before dusk...

"I hate this, I hate all of it, I hate even the very idea of me having to be in all of this!" Katarina interrupts as she is being scolded once again for her misdemeanor. A minor offense, something about Katarina not behaving or acting ladylike along with a few questionable activities such as somehow dragging Sofia on the top of an oak tree for whatever reasons. Radea almost fainted in shock upon seeing her own daughter atop the said tree in their backyard. While such activity was usually swept under the rug in their domain, she has crossed the line this time for she did it attending a party hosted in the Ascart Manor.

"Excuse me?"

"What? Have you gone deaf? Well, it won't be a surprise, after listening to your tirade for hours I think I'm becoming deaf too!" Katarina snaps back at her. She was surprised, shocked even. While that sharp tongue of her daughter is not foreign to her, it was widely known to everyone, especially Anne, and any other maids and household staff who happened to be the victim whenever Katarina has been in a foul mood. For some miracle, it is something they have never seen her do again since sometime after her eighth birthday, but even before then, Katarina has never used it against her parents.

Until now.

Her reflex made her raise her hand to slap her daughter in the cheek but she didn't get to do it.

Not because she managed to stop herself.

But because she feared to do so.

Katarina's narrowed eyes were looking straight at her own, glaring. The ray of sunset made her orbs flash but there were no lights in them. They were hollow, cold, and foreign. Katarina's stare freezes her in her tracks. The face that usually has a joyful smile was instead frowned, gritting in anger and her fists both clenched tightly.

For a moment, she thought that her daughter was possessed. She cannot comprehend how a ten-year-old girl could have made such an expression. In a snap, the tables were flipped and she is now the one facing her daughter's wrath. The feeling of dread suddenly filled the room.

It scared her. She made a single step back, albeit unknowingly, for some reason, her instincts told her to step away.

But that was her daughter.

"If there isn't anything else, then I'll be taking my leave." Katarina did not bow before turning around and leaving the room. Still, she walked away calmly. As the door shut and the sound of her daughter's footsteps faded away, only then did she allow herself to collapse on her knees and finally remember how to breathe.

Needless to say, they didn't meet each other again for the rest of the day and even at dinner.

She tried to tell the situation to her husband but Luigi did not take her seriously and even laughed.

"Of course I've seen it before, dear, Katarina got everything from you."

"I'm being serious Luigi! She terrifies me."

"Pot and kettle my dear, have you tried looking at the mirror when you're angry?"

"..."

"There! Just like that"

And from there, stuff starts flying

Anyway, Katarina has been avoiding her since then. A couple of days passed and they had not talked to each other with the exception of polite greetings and she would obviously make a turn whenever she got a sight of her. Knowing how stubborn her daughter could be and because she was an adult in the situation, she decided to be the bigger person and made the first approach. She asked Anne to bring Katarina into their room so that she could talk to her.

She should have known that it wouldn't be that easy.

An hour passed and neither Katarina nor her maid came so she personally went to look for them only to find most if not everyone in the household running around looking for her daughter.

"I'm so sorry, milady. After Lady Katarina heard that you wished to speak with her, she quickly ran away. I tried to chase her but she jumped out of the window and I lost sight of her in the garden." Anne bowed deeply to apologize and explained. Her maid uniform has traces of dirt on it along with some twigs and leaves sticking out, proving that she really did try to catch her charge but was ultimately bested.

She also joins the search but only after returning to her chambers to change into more appropriate clothing for the dress she usually wears would be inappropriate for the forthcoming activity. For that, she favored simple pants and a sleeveless blouse.

Using the skills she had never used in years since being married, she went out to find Katina's hideout. It took her a short while until she found a subtle trace of her daughter's prints in the garden, leading into a wide oak tree. From below, one would find not a soul hanging around its thick branches, not even a single critter or bird.

A dead giveaway.

She smiled.

Casually, she started to walk away from the tree about ten meters before dashing straight back at it. Using her momentum, she was able to make about 3 steps up on its trunk, launching her up. Then she grabbed a branch and swung herself upwards, propelling herself further. She then lands on one of the branches and jumps to another until she breaches the final layer of leaves. After making a twirl midair to discard her momentum, she landed safely on the top of the tree right in front of her daughter who was looking at her, astonished.

"Katarina, haven't I called you to come into my room, yet you decided to hide here instead?" She said as she approached.

"Mother?! How- why how.. ah?" Katarina took a step back but stayed because she had nowhere else to run. Seems like she really did not expect anyone to find her, much even get to her hiding place. As she gets close, her daughter closes her and braces, fully expecting that she will be hurt.

She could only sigh upon seeing Katarina's reaction. Her heart ached knowing fully well why she reacted like that.

But not this time. Instead of what Katarina was expecting, she sat beside her daughter and petted her head.

"This place has a nice view, doesn't it?"

"...huh?"

"It has a great view of the douchy, even better than the ones from the windows of the highest room we had."

"Yes, it...does." Katarina then gasped, finally getting over her astonishment. "How did you know that I'm here? Even gardener Tom cannot find me."

"This tree is too quiet, my dear Katarina, not a single bird or a squirrel is around and this tree is too big for it to not have a single critter on it. That means that there's something in the tree that is scaring them away. " She smiled "You still have much to learn about hiding."
 Then silence. She continued to watch the horizon while her daughter continued to stare at her, jaw slacked in disbelief.

"I merely climbed a tree dear, was it really that unbelievable?"

"YES!" Katarina yelled "And you did effortlessly! You ran then woosh woosh twirl and you landed perfectly! It's amazing!" Gone were the terrified expressions on her child's face, replaced by innocent wonder and amazement.

"Thank you, Kataria, but honestly, It wasn't that much." She smiled at her "Back in the day, I could have done it with just a couple of jumps and without the need to use my hands!"

"You're kidding! What, you'll tell me that you know how to farm and wield a sword too?"

"I have no experience in farming, but I know a thing or two about hunting and foraging, and yes, I know how to handle a sword. You know the rapier in the case displayed in our chambers?"

"The one in the glass case near the side of the bed?"

"Those ain't your father's."

"I don't buy it. "Katarina crossed her arms " I know what you're doing mother, you're trying to level with me so we can talk." She crossed her arms "You don't have to."

"Says the girl who tried to avoid my summons."

"I know... I'm sorry. I'm just not in the mood today for your sermons. Look, none of us got hurt and Sophia said that she loved the view. Can we just let it slide?"

"Katarina, it's not the act of climbing that tree that angers me so?"

"..." The only response she got was a raised eyebrow.

"Fine, I lied."

"Thank you!"

"Katarina, you're 10 now. Don't you think it's time to end this mischief?"

"No?, honestly Mother, I'm not really in the mood for sermons right now."

"No dear, we are not doing that now. I honestly want to talk with you. In fact, I wanted to be the one listening to you this time. "

Katarina just continued to look doubtful of her. Not that she can blame her though. She probably thinks that she is just tricking so she could have more reason to scold her. But after a while, her daughter stood up and walked past her. She readied herself to chase after her just in case she decided to run away but thankfully she stopped behind her and sat down with their backs facing each other.

"This kind of life, being noble and all. I don't think it's for me." Her daughter started "And it's not for lack of trying. Mother, believe me, I am trying! This, and that. Behaving properly and acting ladylike, focusing on studies, meeting people, and all

I am trying!

Sophia's more timid than me but she could do it. Mary does it wonderfully. So I thought I could too!

I tried! and I am still trying.

But it doesn't feel right.

The parties are dull and suffocating. Most people act odd, like dolls, filled with beauty and grace yet senseless and dull. Smiling bitterly towards each other and laughing without joy behind them.

Tell me, Mother, is that what I need to become? What must I be? Just so I can fit through the life of nobility that everyone wishes about?..."

There it is again but Katarina was calm on her rant, unlike the last time. She did not raise her voice in anger yet she speaks loud and clear to express her thoughts. She noticed not a single stutter from her words as if they had been planned and rehearsed for a long time. She did not cry. Not even a sniffle.

They said that children grow fast. You just take your eyes away from them for a moment and you'll hardly recognize them. She finally gets to listen to her daughter's heart yet it terrifies her. She cannot believe that the words she was hearing were from a 10-year-old.

"...I know you're embarrassed of me. I get it, really and I don't blame you but I can't promise that it will never happen again either. Maybe not like this, but I'm sure someday...soon... I'll do something stupid again.
Can you just send me somewhere? Perhaps in some province far away or overseas? Somewhere I won't disgrace this family further."

She sighed at her daughter's words "Remember when Keith first came? You're father and I, we are... let's say that we are a lot better now than we used to be before. We already tried that stunt before. We didn't even get to the front door and your father almost lost it."

"I'm talking about being an exiled mother. Me. Alone."

"Katarina, you foolish daughter of mine. You're such a headache."

"We already established that."

"True, but regardless, you are my fool and I love you. If somehow, while it's surely unlikely that your words are to happen, you are not leaving on your own. I will come with you."

"That would be against the point!"

"Maybe because your whole idea has no point? Running away will not solve anything. It's a pointless errand dear. I don't mean to make this sound threatening but we will never let you get away. Your father, absent as he may be mostly, will not hesitate to drop everything to come after us, and there's your brother, Keith too. "

"Us?"

"I already said that I'll be going, didn't I? Plus, you are engaged to a prince, remember? He'll surely do something as well in order to find you."

"Prince Gerald? He'll be fine. I'm sure he'll find someone else to ward off his potential engagements."

"Ward you say?" Hearing her daughter describe the third prince like that made her raise her eyebrows in suspicion. "You believe that the prince is only using you as a deterrent?"

"Yes! In several years, he'll find someone he truly loves, then he will have our engagement annulled so she can be with his beloved."

"He told this to you?"

"No? But it's obvious."

"Not particularly, no." From what she sees about the boy, it seems that he truly cares about her daughter. Now that she thinks of it, it has been a long while since she heard Katarina's perspective on the matter. "So you think that Prince Gerald does not love you?"

"C'mon, mother. We're barely a decade old. It's way too early for us to be dealing with that. At the very least, he is a good friend, that's why I agreed to keep the engagement."

That made sense. While it was not uncommon for royals and nobles alike to have their engagement set early on it was mostly for the purpose of connections. It's close to never that the topic of marriage is set in the purpose of love but more of a glorified obligatory social contract. She herself was not an exception but just happened to be lucky that she and Luigi do actually love each other. Still, it's way odd to hear all of this from a ten-year-old, and her daughter no less.

"...I doubt that I'll be a good duchess too, so thank God we have Keith to inherit the duchy."

"With that way of thinking, you will end up with nothing."

"You're wrong mother, I know how to farm, and if needed, I will study to learn more skills. I want to have my own small farm or at least a homestead somewhere in the quiet rural areas. If not, then I should at least have a livelihood on my own. It won't happen anytime soon, but, if your words have gone true and I end up with nothing, it only means I deserve it."

"Katarina, don't you think that plan of yours is a little... strange for your standing?" She couldn't help but question her daughter's life plans. It's not impossible, in fact, it is something that Luigi could easily arrange though she kinda wonders what would his reaction be if he was with them right now listening to their daughter's dream. He has probably fallen off the tree right away after hearing that, and that is if he could climb the tree at all. But knowing him, he'll probably just be going to use his magic to elevate the ground.

"It's a peaceful life, mother, away from all of this ...nobility. If all went according to plan, I should have it in ten to fifteen years, unless..."

"Unless?"

"Unless I can have it sooner? My birthday is coming soon. Do you think my father would arrange it for me if I ask?"

"Please don't. His heart won't be able to take it."

"IS FATHER SICK?!" She felt her daughter suddenly stand up and turn to her.

"No, but he would be if he were to hear your plan. You're going to break his heart." She reassures, or perhaps scares her?

"Oh...Thank God" Katarina went back to her seat "Guess I really have to earn that dream, huh?"

She could only sigh once more. The worst of all of this is that she knows her daughter is serious. Even before, Katarina never relented when she truly wanted something. Despite her recent... development in the past few years, that is one of the few that has never changed. Only the thing she wanted now is a far cry if not the complete opposite of what she used to wish for before.

She remembers her daughter wanting to be close to the third prince and she did. However, her daughter as of now is no longer the same kid as she was years ago. Her interest in the prince, while they are still close, was more akin to friendship rather than the admiration that it used to be. Actually, if her hunches were correct, their relationship had even made a complete turn and now it was the third prince that was actively pursuing Katarina. This often causes tension between Keith and Prince Gerald.

It makes her wonder if Gerald did something to upset Katarina to the point that she loses her interest in him.

"Katarina, you are not allowed to climb trees anymore... or at least I want you to, but you made it clear that you're not willing to let go of those activities. Even so, I can't just let you off with what you did in the Ascart Manor..." She started, keeping a serious tone. She now knows that scolding her daughter further will only bring adverse effects and will even wedge the crack in their relationship further. "So instead, if you must keep this interest, I implore you to at least keep it only within the walls of our estate, and-"

"THANK YOU!" She was not yet with her words when she suddenly felt the little arms of her daughter wrapped around her shoulders from behind. "YOU SAID IT! NO TAKE BACKSIES!" She finally felt it. After what feels like so long, she can finally feel the joy emanating from Katarina once more.

"- I am not done yet! "

"But you said it! I'm holding you into it!"

"Let me finish first!" She heard Katarina hold her breath to stop talking, but did not let go of her embrace "And even here at home do not show it to the guest."

"How about my friends?"

"...Fine, it's too late to hide it from them anyways!" She wanted to let out a sigh but she felt her daughter's hug tighten. "But just them! Do not show this to anyone else!"

"Thank you!"

She turned around to face her daughter and returned the embrace. This talk has been the closest she ever has to her daughter, though she wonders if Radea also has these moments with Sophia. If they do, well it's probably not on the top of a tree. Still, perhaps this could be a good topic next time they meet for tea.

They remained like that for a moment. After some time, her daughter sits in front of her with her back leaning to her chest as they both face the horizon. They talked more about different topics. Only when the sun was about to set and they started hearing Keith and Luigi's voices looking for them that they decide that they had enough for today.

Just as she predicted, Luigi just straight away uses his magic to make a stairway to them. While it successfully impressed Katarina, she could only laugh at her husband knowing that he probably can't even climb a single branch and didn't want to look bad in front of his children. Not that she can blame him for that.

It was a nice day.

Fortunately enough, that wasn't the only time she got to spend an afternoon with her daughter and it's even more fortunate that the rest of those moments were spent normally in a parlor instead of trees. What's not fortunate is that she failed to get more details as for Katarina's sudden loss (or perhaps just diminished) interest in the third prince (Part of her back then still hoped that her daughter's behavior would still improve should she fully accept being a princess consort. She even set some things here and there to help to no avail.). Through and through, Katarina is just convinced that it's unlikely for her and the prince to end up together.

The most she got from her was:

'He doesn't 'like' me like that' or 'He'll fall in love with someone in the academy soon!'

Regardless, she fully supports her daughter and the passing of time only proves that it was the right decision all along. The life of royalty, behind all of its shine and brightness, hides disgusting taints that will be too gruesome for her daughter. While the current regime is a lot better than the past, it is still something she wouldn't want for Katarina.

Katarina is not meant for that role.

No.

It is that role that does not deserve Katarina.

And despite Katarina's opinion of the prince, they have remained good friends, hence the regular royal visits.

Right now, seeing the closeness of Keith and Prince Gerald with this golden-haired lady, she can't help but ponder that perhaps Katarina's suspicions were right all along. Nevertheless, better not to jump to any conclusions.

"Mother, this is Maria..." Keith stepped aside and presented the blonde lady with them. "She's the current vice president of the student council and one of Katarina's lady friends."

"Go-good day Duchess Claes. I am Maria Campbell. It's an honor to finally meet you." Miss Campbell steps forward and bows as she presents herself.

To say that she's completely unfamiliar with the girl is incorrect. Given the rarity of light mages, new ones such as this lady would most likely ripple some tides and thus she has seen the name before from her papers but mostly Anne's reports and the latest portraits. Honestly, she was so thankful that Katarina befriended a light mage. From what she has read, Katarina has not left most of her odd habits back in their estate. The field they were standing right now is straight evidence of it. Being a lively child, Katarina got herself in different odds and ends of which being wounded or injured is rarely avoidable. Knowing her daughter, she would shrug off any injuries except only the incapacitating ones. Cuts and scratches would not deter her from anything; those would leave scars on the skin which are unacceptable for a lady. Katarina may not care about it so it was their (Mostly Anne's) duty to look after it. With Lady Campbell here, she read from Anne that the lady took it to the said duty to herself, and Katarina was surprisingly cooperative.

Well, being healed by light magic, after all, is way better than antiseptics and bandages.

"I'm glad to finally meet you as well." She put her hand on Miss Campbell on the shoulder "I have heard about you from Anne. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"No!, it's actually Lady Katarina that was looking after me. She saved me from trouble on multiple occasions." Miss Cambell raised her head and answered. Her voice was a little shaky yet filled with sincerity.

"Is that so? Nevertheless, you have my thanks." She insisted" Oh! And I hope I can I trust you to keep looking after my daughter. She is unruly and will surely get you in trouble sometimes but she always means well. "

"OF COURSE! " This blonde lady suddenly said in almost a yell, surprising her. Lady Campbell then grabs the hands that were previously on the shoulders as she intensely locks their gaze together as she continued "I PROMISE TO BE ALWAYS WITH LADY KATARINA, TO CARE AND CHERISH HER ALWAYS AND WITH YOUR BLESSING-"

"MOTHER YOU CAN'T BE SAYING THAT!" They were then interrupted by none other than Keith pulling Miss Campbell away and even clamping her mouth with his hands, which is odd. Keith was always polite and gentle with ladies. To see her son behaving like this lady may be something she has to look into.

"Lady Claes, I believe Miss Maria was a little tense on meeting you. Please don't mind her too much as she was just overwhelmed." Prince Gerald steps in to fill the conversation.

"Is that so, you're highness?" She looks into her supposed fiance of her daughter and uses her usual 'professional' tone.

"I meant it in a good way, Lady Claes. You see, Miss Maria there idolizes Katarina so much and she is so glad that she meets one of Katarina's relatives, which you, her mother no less. " He pointed at Keith and Miss Campbell in the distance. The lady was looking at Keith with a definitely annoyed expression which Keith returned equally. She can't hear them but they are definitely in an argument, making them look like an old couple.

"Well..." She then let out a wide smirk as an idea crossed her mind. "I would like to speak more with Lady Campbell. If you excuse me, you're Highness." She nods at the prince before starting to walk towards her son and the blonde lady's direction.

"Wait!" The prince stops her. He sounds...panicking "Were you not supposed to be looking for Katarina?"

"Yes, and I have a feeling that Miss Campbell over there would give me a better answer than what I could get from you and Keith." She smiled at the prince as she saw his eyes widen before turning away.

Her son and the third prince would surely try to cover for Katarina. Their new friend over there, however... She wants to see how she would fare against her interrogation.