Chapter 173 –

Dolce was led to her room. Her room was big. It had much furniture and stuffed toys were around. But aside from that, there was also a rack with swords and muskets. Dolce also has dresses around this particular corner. Looking at it made Dolce helpless.

“Ah, looks like my room hasn’t changed. Well done, Catalina.”

“My pleasure,” Catalina bowed.

The room was not dusted. Every part of the room was neatly cleaned. There were no traces of dirt anywhere. Dolce liked the room’s appearance. She felt like she hasn’t left it at all.

“Well done, Senior,” Elesia commented. “You really are a professional.”

“Is that a compliment, Elesia?” she said. “Or could it be that you need this big sister to teach you how to become a professional?” she softly ambled towards Elesia. “I could see that you have long forgotten the etiquettes of a maid. And where is your dress? And what’s with that rifle?”

Catalina looked at the rifle poking behind Elesia’s shoulder. “I heard that the rifles of the demesne are strange. But to think it would look so heavy,” she took a step back. Her hands were on her wide hips. “And what’s with the web of pouches? Even that young man had the same pouches. Are you three facing a war?”

Dolce crossed her arms. She then told Catalina about what’s happening to the continent. Catalina had some vague knowledge but knowing that there was an Empire trying to cross the Gigantes Sea made Catalina’s expression turned into something devoid of expressions. The warmth and playfulness on her face were gone.

“I see, the master has told me that the situation will get worse. That the island needed to be conquered, and that the Bali and Cagan natives need to be subjugated as fast as possible. But to think it was worse than I expected. Hmm, looks like this big sister will be used again.”

“So is my father preparing to conquer Salevela Island?”

“He is,” Catalina acknowledged. “Thousands of soldiers drafted from villagers. Armed with those repeating rifles and accompanied by flying ships and griffons. They have steam-powered machines as well. Bipedal walking machines, and four-legged vehicles capable of carrying cannons, it seems like Salevela would be conquered.”

Dolce frowned. “That is if my father can reach the aisle. That Island has been a fortress. No forces have ever conquered that island.”

“And the master is willing to take that honor,” Catalina replied. “He has the backing of the Templars and the support of the demesne. The Master will be fine. But it will be a difficult battle.”

“Is that so?” Dolce said with annoyance.

“Indeed,” Catalina was used to Dolce. “And if the master perishes. Then Master Don would take the spot of the master of Alva. I doubt anyone would complain. Master Don has proven himself.”

“You could say that,” Dolce inclined her head. “Big Brother Don has been the kinder version of father. Thankfully, he supports my wanting.”

“True,” Catalina nodded in agreement. “But milady, to think that you own many fiefs and are on the good side of the Princess of the Demesne, I say that you have outdone yourself.”

“Good side?” she laughed. “I think the Princess wants to secretly murder me for reporting her back. But the Princess is a logical creature. Although her beloved died partly because of the Templars wanted to him. She doesn’t blame me. And that annoys me. I think she’s making use of me with that. That ‘guilt’ is making me work for her. I don’t mind working for her as long as she doesn’t suddenly decide to ask for my head.”

“Sounds troublesome,” Catalina said. She was now sitting on Dolce’s bed as if it was natural.

Dolce didn’t mind her behavior. She sat on a chair and said. “But it doesn’t matter. I did trouble her and caused her heartaches.” Dolce was sincere as she says that.

Catalina looked at Dolce with a warm and gentle expression. She said, “You really have change milady.” and then smirked. “Did that man who I heard so much changed you this much?”

Hearing her made Dolce looked at her. She looked from left to right. Seeing that no one was around and Henry was left to guard the hall. She could reveal her expression to Elesia and Catalina. She touched her hot cheeks as her eyes became spiral and there was this madness written on her face.

Catalina was surprised at this love-stricken face filled with obsession. She turned to Elesia but she only shook her head with a shrug. Elesia has seen Dolce make this kind of expression when they are alone. Dolce has great self-control but lately, the thought of the man who defied her made Dolce this strange.

Catalina was interested so she asked. She was then told by Dolce about the man she has taken a liking. From the day they met and to the recent events. Dolce did not hold back. With passion, she narrated the details and by the time she was done. Catalina was greatly astonished.

No wonder that Dolce was so enamored. Catalina could understand after being told with such details. A weak thin slave rose into someone that was able to take down a line of scheming officials who wanted to take control of a princess. And at the death of his friend the thin slave became a monster so he can take them down.

It was a tale of someone that was deprived of everything, trying to protect something that he had. Catalina admires that. Not to mention that this man defied the lady. And this defiance turned the lady into that of what she was seeing now. It was strange to Catalina seeing Dolce act like that.

But even though she seemed like she was love stricken. Catalina could sense that twisted desire inside Dolce. She knew that the moment the man stops defying Dolce. The obsession and love she was showing would disappear. To Catalina, Dolce was a twisted young woman. She was unpredictable.

Catalina also considered the young man. How could a person that would trample upon a group of people, to avenge a friend, would suddenly stop defying Dolce?

To Catalina, it was nothing but a chaotic relationship.