"Everyone, I've got great news!" Katarina announced happily to all her friends. "I've met someone! I think... I think they may be the one! They're really nice and even though we'e only known each other a short time... I think... no, I KNOW I'm in love!"
Mary slid off her chair, falling to her knees. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" she screamed.
"But... Katarina... what about our engagement?" the Third Prince said.
"Eh?" Katarina said, tilting her head, questions marks floating around her. "But that was just so I could act as a shield to protect you from other women. I mean, it wasn't a real engagement, after all."
"Yes, it was!" the Third Prince cried. "It's always been real! Katarina, I love you!"
"Oh..." Katarina said, sighing. "Well, I'm sorry you misunderstood, but I'm sure you can find someone else. You're a Prince after all, lots of women probably want to marry you, that's what I was shielding you from, after all."
"But... I love you!"
"Sorry, but I just see you as a friend," Katarina said with brutal honesty. "Really, I could never marry you. I mean, we practically grew up together. It would be like marrying Keith."
Keith twitched. "Big sister..." he groaned.
Alan looked up at the ceiling, glad he had such good practice at hiding his feelings for Katarina. "Well... I'm happy for you, Katarina," he said, face twitching slightly. "If you love them... then I suppose there's nothing to say but congratulations." He could FEEL his Dark Soul a hair away from going wild. "Your happiness is all that matters."
Nicol nodded in agreement. He was either completely fine with everything or not trusting himself to speak.
Sophia had gone still as a rock, eyes unfocused, even as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Maria coughed. "Yes, congratulations, Lady Katarina," she said diplomatically. What else could she say? "I hope to meet this person who has managed to be worthy of your love. What are they like?"
"Oh, they're really nice," Katarina said. "They travel a lot, but have been thinking of settling down. We met when we both reached for the same jam rolls in the bakery." She sighed happily. "It was definitely love at first sight! Ah, but don't worry, I wasn't shallow or anything and just like them for their looks. We've been spending time together, talking, eating, reading, cuddling... she's writing a book, and has been going around all over the country for material for it, you see." Another sigh. "And she has the nicest hair and such a cute smile and soft lips..."
Mary literally coughed up blood, clawing at her chest in despair, eyes starting to go red. Maria casually reached over, healing her with Light Magic, then suing Dark Magic to suppress her Dark Soul so they would find themselves in a new Abyss. "She sounds charming," Maria said. "I hope it works out for you. Love isn't enough, after all, else there wouldn't be so many mistresses, affairs, maids, bastards and such around."
"I know," Katarina nodded. "But I'm determined to make it work." She smiled at all her dear friends. "I wanted to you all to be the first to know, as my dearest friends."
Blood was now running down Sophia's cheeks instead of tears. Nicol reached over and gently wiped them away with a handkerchief.
There was a knock on the door.
"Ah, she's here!" Katarina cheered, rushing to answer it.
The door opened, and young woman with long dark hair stepped through, the smile on her face getting wider as she saw Katarina. "Kitty!" she greeted and—
Mary looked positively ill and Katarina and her beloved started kissing like... well, like love-struck schoolgirls.
Eventually, however, they had to come up for air, and Katarina turned with a grin, her hands on the other girl's shoulders. "Everyone, this is Sarah!"
Maria stood up and walked towards the two, still smiling. She turned towards Katarina. "I am sorry for your loss," she said.
"Huh?" Katarina said, blinking in confusion.
There was a silky hiss as Maria drew her sword, and Sara's head went flying.
As blood gushed from the neck of the now-headless body, painting the two women and the ceiling in sanguine shades, Katarina stared at Maria in horror. "But... why?"
Maria sheathed her sword. "There's no Dark Magic on you," the blonde said, "so I suppose you genuinely loved her. A pity. It would have been so much easier if you had been held in thrall. Thank you for this invitation, Lady Katarina. It was most gratifying."
Maria walked away as Katarina collapsed onto her knees next to the corpse of the woman she loved...
Her bad end, more terrible than any she could have ever imagined, had finally come at Maria Campbell's hands.