Chapter Text
In hindsight, maybe she did go a bit too far.
It's not like most people see a beautiful girl and then spend a month constructing and enacting upon a long-con to make that girl their friend.
Then again, Katarina Claes has never been most people. When she was younger, the maids used to call her: a spoiled brat, demon-child, evil, scheming and a bunch of other descriptors that made Mother punish them and gave Katarina new vocabulary.
See, it all began with the academy's opening ceremony. By all means it begins with a good amount of fanfare, the proper amount of fanfare. There are people murmuring and gossiping in the crowds, she's found her seat in the auditorium, and her posse sits behind her (Keith, unfortunately, sits to her left).
The lights dim. The student council president steps up to the podium with the spotlight on his rust red hair and everything appears fine. Katarina is in a new stage of her life, has already laid the seeds for this period, and will take high society by storm.
She sits through boring introductions and the like, picking apart the people on stage and then the people in the crowd when it gets boring. It's fun to analyze them, make out their flaws and wants just from the way they act. For all that nobles fight against vulnerability, they show their emotions openly when 'noone' is watching.
And then she catches sight of someone, a girl, in the corner of the room. Sitting near the stage, at the very end. She's tucked into a strange place, near a pillar, as if the architecture of the room is hiding her from sight.
The colour of her hair, it's hard to tell in the light. It's look almost greyish brown, or maybe golden(?) but that might just be the warm light falling on it.
And then the lights come on and the girl's hair comes alive.
Katarina sits there, several rows back, staring at the girl with white hair that looks soft as a rabbit. The girl's posture is perfect but she hunches in on herself, shoulders quivering. It is only when someone beside her, a boy, moves that she looks to him and Katarina catches a hint of eyes that are warm in colour. Perhaps they are brown, perhaps they are orange, but even from this distance: they are entrancing..
Katarina stares and thinks,
'That is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.'
And that is that.
—But not really.
The first week of her being at the academy goes as planned. Katarina Claes holds tea parties and attends parties, banquets and balls. Makes the rounds and introduces herself, she lets people know her, lets them follow her.
The academy is a small, contained, ecosystem for the world of nobility. A trial by fire and Katarina is controlling the flames, wielding them to her liking. It makes sense, everything in the world can be manipulated and changed. She's changed herself plenty, why not change the world itself to her tastes?
(The only thing she still hasn't been able to change, to manipulate, to deform, is Geordo. The blasted, perfect prince. Her lifeline.)
Point is, everything's going transcendantly. Superlatively, and what other large words Katarina uses in conversation to make the people around her flounder when she doesn't like them. It's not as if they can criticize her because*they can't be bothered to open up a dictionary.
Everything is going magnificently (except Geordo hasn't fallen in love with her yet but that's more of a life goal) and yet
Katarina can not forget that girl.
It's not as if the girl is hard to find, after the introduction ceremony every girl in her posse had come running to tell her of Sophia Ascart, the demoness, the witch, the monster, the curse. That hideous Ascart. with blushes on their faces.
Katarina had thought back to the beautiful girl and wondered if the entire noble society of Sorcier was under a mass hallucination.
'It must be the wine.' She had thought, listening to Lady Selwyn speak of the girl in hushed tones with Lady Mark (which was a very simple name but it was easy to remember. Katarina may have favoured the girl slightly for it. Slightly.)
'For all that we talk about self-control, we love getting drunk at parties. While socializing. A den of snakes and foxes that are all mildly drunk.'
The noble balls, banquets and balls suprisingly become less tense when everyone has two glasses worth of wine in their bellies, who knew?
(Katarina saw her mother down five glasses within a few minutes of Katarina's debut ball. She likes to think it was because her mother was emotional and not because Milldiana Claes is an alcoholic.)
So as Katarina lies awake in bed and keeps thinking about the pretty Ascart with the white hair, she decides that she'll just have to get the girl.
Maybe she'll keep her as armcandy, maybe she'll keep her as a follower, maybe they'll even be friends (and isn't that a prospect that leaves her genuinely breathless?).
Point is, Sophia Ascart is far too pretty to be thought of as ugly. For all that Katarina is a bad person, this is one injustice she can't ignore.
And maybe she wants the prettiest girl in high society on her side. Anyone who dislikes that can indulge themselves with salivating over her collection of jewels, jewelry, and the finer things in life.
So Katarina Claes wants to meet Sophia Ascart.
A simple statement. All she really needs to do is approach the girl, which is actually the hard part.
A week has passed, and Lady Sophia has gone missing. She's hiding, every eye in the academy is searching for the elusive, cursed Ascart and yet none can find her. And yet the lecturers count her in attendance even though she's never in the room and she's never seen roaming the halls.
The answer, Katarina decides, must be secret passages.
Because secret passages would explain her travelling unseen, they would explain the lecturers counting her because if she's on the other side of the wall and they knock, Lady Ascart can just knock back. That way they know she's not absent.
It's a ludicrous plan but it's the only one she has.
(She spends some time in the servant's hallways, incase she happens to run into a rumoured-to-be wraith. All she gets are servants eyeing her weirdly as they pass.)
What Katarina finds, from the way the lecturers move about, is that they call Lady Ascart's name last and then pause a beat too long. That's not anything definitive but it is something.
Another thing she finds is that Lecturer Samulind always knocks on his blackboard before beginning class while yelling. As if he's muffling sound, or covering something up.
"Go on without me." Was what Katarina had sent her now larger posse off with it and she waits against a pillar, reading her textbook in peace. The door clicks and she sees Lecturer Samulind leaving down the hall.
She tries the handle and the door opens easily, he didn't lock it. Her gain.
Knocking on the blackboard reveals her suspicions, it's hollow. Katarina grins, putting her textbook on the desk and goes to knock on it again.
This time someone knocks back. She freezes.
The only person that it could be is Lady Ascart.
'You're right there.' Katarina places her hand on the blackboard, tapping her thumb against it. 'Your'e right there. How do I get to you?'
Tap, tap, tap. It goes and there comes a hesitant, soft, tap, tap, tap back.
She grins something infernal. Now all she needs is an entrance.
The entrance, funnily enough, is easily found.
It's behind a painting because ofcourse it is. She finds it when the art teacher is adjusting the paintings displayed behind her, marvelling at the works of art that are original masterpieces.
She skips a painting. Katarina watches her.
Katarina waits against a pillar, reads the book filled with art history and techniques on painting. Lecturer Rosa eyes her as she closes the door and Katarina bows her head in greeting before ignoring her.
The door closes with a click and when Katarina goes to open it, it doesn't budge. She looks up, keeps her face calm, and lets out a long, frustrated exhale.
She breaks into the Art Classroom. Which is what someone who's trying to overexaggerate the current events would say but it simply not true. Katarina does not break into anything.
At worst, she trespasses. At worst.
While the academy is silent, Katarina wakes up in the early morning and kicks in the door to the art classroom. Then she scurries in and hopes to god that she's right.
It's a beautiful painting, it depicts a man in flight, he's almost dancing really, while some other smaller people dance at the bottom. The edges are crowded with detail, depicting people in various forms of pleasure, having fun, drinking, dancing, all that.
Katarina doesn't see the appeal. She would never let anyone see her like that, that open and free. Visible joy is a weapon others use against you, anyone sane would know that.
Her fingers prod at the frame and the right corners give a tad too much when she pulls at them. She finds a clasp at the top right edge and opens it, the painting swings open like a door.
There are footsteps coming down the hall, she climbs inside and shuts it behind her. Closes the clasp.
It is very dark. There is little light, only a few candles on the ground that are almost certainly a fire hazard. They lead a trail and Katarina follows.
The tunnels are dark, they are empty, and Katarina's footsteps echo which is a problem. So she takes her shoes off and walks around in her socks, it's not as if anyone would believe Lady Ascart if she got caught.
What kind of future Queen goes around walking in secret passages in socks? Of all things, even slippers would be better quite frankly.
'Ah, I should have brought my slippers.' Katarina muses quietly as she steps around a candle that is thankfully unlit.
And then she sees it, a flicker of light, the one that only comes from fire crystals. She follows it and finds a room, filled to the brim with books, and the person of her desire sitting at a table.
Lady Ascart is reading a book, seated a table inside secret passages, hiding like a snake. Her white hair cascades down her shoulders in waves, her hair has some green ribbons on it and the dress she wears is primarly green and gold. Her hair falls to her waist and her eyes are red and critical as they look down at the pages.
Katarina wonders if she should duck out of her view to put on her shoes and does just that. Lady Ascart only deserves at her best.
Then she noisily walks into the room and sits at the only other seat at the table, right across from the most beautiful girl in Sorcier.
"Hello." Katarina begins, "My name is Katarina Claes, may I know your's?"
Lady Sophia says nothing, stares at her with wide eyes that she now sees are red.
"I- What- How did you find me?" Lady Sophia's voice is breathless and she's practically quivering behind her book.
Katarina grins, resting her chin on her palm.
"Don't you think that's the wrong question?"
""I- *What?*""
She nods, tempering her smile. ""Ask me a better one.""
""A better- A better question?"" Lady Sophia balks with a slight smile. ""What? You found-?""
""Like it was hard."" Katarina scoffs before arching a perfect eyebrow to stare down the girl, amused smile and all.
""I..."" Lady Sophia pauses, her eyes flitting down to her book before they widen ever so slightly. When she looks up there is something electric in her eyes.
""Why did you find me?""
She leans back, keeping her eyes locked on the girl. ""Because I wanted to.""
""Why?""
""I want to be your friend.""
Lady Sophia pauses. Her expression twitches openly before it quickly falls back into placid calm. Too late.
""What?""
""You say that alot."" Katarina narrows her eyes. Lady Sophia cocks her head to the side, incredulous. She looks at Katarina like she's a really weird math problem, which is fair.
""You want to be my friend?""
She nods. ""Yes. So I uncovered the secret tunnels throughout the academy, trespassed into a classroom and snuck in here to get to you.""
Lady Sophia's mouth still hasn't closed. Katarina reaches out and taps her on the chin. It is promptly shut tight.
""What- Why in the world?"" She watches her place her palms on the table. Her hands aren't particularly dainty nor are they large, but her fingers are thin and wirey. Katarina follows her hands upto her elbows, arms, the slender arch of her shoulders and the too thin column of her throat. Watches it bob.
For a moment, she thinks of putting her hand around it just to feel the pulse thud calmly, it would be lovely she thinks, a divine experience, delectable. That kind of contact.
""I want to be your friend."" Katarina repeats before fixing the girl with a look. ""Is that alright?""
Lady Sophia blinks. ""I- uhm, I'm not sure?""
""Why not?""
""I- We don't know each other."" Lady Sophia flinches, shrinking in on herself for a moment before leaning forward.
""Nevermind, yes I would like to be your friend.""
She arches an eyebrow. ""Truly?""
Lady Sophia nods firmly before smiling weakly. ""Yes?""
""Yes?""
""Yes.""
Katarina grins. ""Great.""
Katarina would like to say that Lady Sophia is swiftly initiated into the group but that is not so.
No, instead Katarina spends an entire week scurrying through secret passages in her very little free time. All to spend time with a pretty friend who reads alot of books.
She even narrates them to Katarina sometimes. Lady Sophia had done it unthinkingly that first time and had stopped but by that point she was doing voices for that characters. Katarina had simply motioned for her to continue.
She doesn't tell her, but it reminds her of Anne reading to her at night. It's nice.
Point is, they talk and get to know each other all while Katarina preps the girl for her debut.
""I've already had my debut."" Sophia had said, frowning before looking away from her eyes. Katarina had nodded.
""Yes, your debut into high society but-"" She fixed the girl with a smile that made most people squirm. ""Have you debuted as one of my own?""
Sophia had paused, staring at her before quietly murmuring. ""I am not your's.""
""No, no you are not. But you will be a part of my group, my inner circle.""
""I will?""
""Ofcourse. We're friends.""
""Yes I just didn't expect... Why are you doing this?""
""Becuase I want to."" She smirks. ""And I get what I want.""
Lady Sophia raises an eyebrow, blushing. Katarina lets her take that how she will.
So it takes a week of staying up a few hours late to listen to Sophia read her books. To pretending to fall asleep because once she did actually doze off and woke up to Sophia singing softly under her breath. To giving Sophia a gift everytime she sees her.
It brings a not small amount of joy to walk into that hidden library and find her gifts lying around. A handheld fan on a book, a shawl draped over a chair, a new set of books in the to be read pile. A bracelet on a dainty wrist.
The first time Katairna sees Sophia wearing it she thinks, 'I think I'd let you kill me.' and then promptly shuts down that train of thought.
She has far too much to do in life to die so soon. But maybe, after she's gotten married and secured her mother's future, she can think about it.
Sophia Ascart makes her appearance as one of Katarina's near two weeks into the academys new semester.
It is not a showy debacle. There is a tea party held and the girl attends. The seat next to Lady Katarina is open, conspiciously so, the seat to her left is occupied by Lady Nelson.
Sophia sits in the open seat and a hush falls over the group. The two ignore it and Sophia just asks Katarina how the tea is to which the girl smirks and says it's lovely.
Katarina watches Sophia. Her red eyes are focused on her, locked on. She isn't sweating but the girl is stiff and pale, far paler than normal. Her eyes are shakey, her hands are quivering under the table. Her eyes droop momentarily, Katarina grasps her hand under the table and squeezes it. Gives a slow blink and raises her chin to fix the others a lazy, regal look.
Everyone else suddenly finds an interest in their teacups, Katarina interlaces their fingers under the table.
Sophia looks to the other girls, smiles with grit teeth, and pours Katarina a cup of tea. It is heartwarmingly domestic.
When Sophia offers it, Katarina takes it with a grin.
""Thank you, Lady Ascart.""
(""Put emphasis on the name, Sophia."" Katarina had murmured in the girl's ear one night. ""Your name means something, use that."")
Lady Ascart smiles, there is a hint of quiet mischief on the shaky edges of her lips. Katarina loves it.
""Ofcourse, Lady Katarina.""
There is a statement in that exchange. Katarina turns back to the table and smoothly restarts the conversation.
Katarina catalogues the people who don't look at Sophia. The ones who dare to say something are swiftly struck off from ever furthering their relations with her.
Her inner circle will have Sophia. Will be curated around her, for her. A true group of friends for her, like the ones in the books she reads.
A gift. One of many.
(""I'm doing this for you."" She murmurs into Sophia's knuckles one day, in the early afternoon as they eat lunch together. Sophia's hair is golden in the light of the sun and her eyes are warm but wary as they look back. Her smile is shaky, near sick.
""I do this for you. It's a gift."" Katarina repeats, nuzzling into her hand and graciously taking the other when Sophia offers it. Like a woman starved, she presses the other to cheek and leans into it like its warmth will sear her if she tries enough.
Sophia doesn't say anything but she seems calmer after that day. Katarina likes to think she was finally able to convey herself.)
With Lady Sophia's addition to her group, it makes sense there would be some people against it.
Katarina simply did not expect Nicol Ascart to be a part of that group.
Nicol Ascart finds her in a hallway with a quiet intensity to him.
""I would like for you to state your intentions with my sister.""
Katarina smiles. ""Why don't we have some tea, Sir Nicole?""
The tea is warm and delicious, as always, and she looks up to see Sir Ascart sitting across from her.
If Sophia is bright as the moon, Nicol Ascart is dark like the night. Barely readable eyes and a completely blank expression. He is gorgeous, the rumours were true.
Katarina only sees someone to win over. Sophia's brother can't hate her.
""Sophia is my friend."" She states simply, watching Nicol drink from his own cup. The action is delicate and Katarina tries to ignore the tenseness in her gut. Sophia would leave her, if Nicol asked her to. She knows it.
It doesn't affect her much. Katarina has a few people she would leave Sophia for too, that's just the way it works.
(One of those people is in this damn room.)
""I see."" Nicol says after enough time.
""Truly?""
""Yes."" Katarina smiles. ""She is, I care for her greatly.""
""...Take care of her, Lady Claes.""
She nods, downing the rest of her teacup the moment Sir Nicol leaves the room.
""Why was that so stressful?"" She murmurs, ignoring the slight laugh behind her. ""Oh, Haha, Anne.""
Katarina sends a sly smirk Anne's way, watching as her maid tries to temper her smile. Anne looks down at her, clear pride in her eyes and she looks away, suddenly far too weak and vulnerable.
""It is good to be nervous, Lady Katarina.""
Anne says and she hums, pressing her lips together. A hand comes to rest on her shoulder, she leans into it.
""It means you care for Lady Sophia. That you want to be liked by those in her life.""
She nods, ""Ofcourse I do.""
""And that is a good thing.""
Katarina stares down at the empty teacup in her hand.
She looks up at Anne, who's focused on the trolley she had brought the food in on. Anne catches her gaze and smiles warmly down at her. She smiles back.
Nicol Ascart approves of her. Now she simply needs to visit the rest of the Ascart household.
Namely, Dan and Radea Ascart.
Atfirst, she is ashamed to admit, she had thought to dull her sharp edges.
And then she had thrown that idea out the window.
Katarina Claes is going to be a permanent fixture in Sophia Ascart's life whether her parents want it or not. If Sophia wants her to leave, she can say so herself.
(She really hopes they like her.)
So she doesn't understand why she gave Sophia a dagger.
""It's beautiful."" Sophia grins and Katarina would smile, except her dear, dear friend is holding it up with a grin akin to a cheshire cat.
Lord Nicol is staring at his sister, she really hopes he doesn't turn that gaze to her. The sight of Sophia's infernal grin and the way she's looking at it— well, Katarina really wants to kiss her hands. And maybe swear her love, but that can wait.
""I thought you would like it."" Katarina manages to say after a moment, her voice is strangely steady considering her internal panic.
Sophia's eyes snap to her, they're like half moons with the way they're crinkled with joy.
'God: she's beautiful.' Katarina thinks and gives her as warm a smile as she can give. Sophia tempers her own wide grin to narrow her eyes meaningfully.
Then she promptly returns to fawning over her newly acquired weapon.
""I wonder how you use one?"" The girl wonders aloud. Katarina waves her hand aimlessly with a shrug.
""I carry one. The only advice I've ever gotten is to stab and twist.""
Sophia sends her a look. ""Eyeopening advice there, Lady Claes.""
""I know. What would you do without me?""
""Not have an amazing dagger?""
""Oh my!"" She gasps, reeling back. ""I'm starting to think you only like me for my gifts, darling."
Sophia rolls her eyes before giving her a shy, tempered, smile. Katarina wants to see her waving that knife around again.
She eyes Sophia and thinks of how cold she feels. She should have brought her shawl. Katarina thinks for a moment, Sophia watches her like she's waiting.
'Sophia would stop me if Lord Nicol was uncomfortable.' Katarina blinks and gestures for Sophia to come to her. Sophia sits beside her and leans into her, draping an arm over her shoulders. Her other hand goes to her lap and intertwines their hands. Katarina rests her cheek against Sophia's temple and lets out a long, slow, exhale.
Lord Nicol says nothing. When she chances a look at him, ready to glare, Sophia squeezes their hands.
Lord Nicol is simply watching them, the edges of his eyes are drooped slightly. He doesn't seem upset.
Katarina closes her eyes and breathes in Sophia's perfume.
The Ascart's capitol mansion is impressive to say the least. It's not on par with the Claes mansion but it is certainly up there when it comes to displays of wealth and power.
When she gets there, her stomach feels a bit like she's eaten molten gold and it has solidified.
(By that she means: Katarina is nervous. Anne said that was a good thing but she doesn't believe it. Not right now.)
She squeezes Sophia's hand before leaving and hopes the look she gives is enough to say everything.
Sophia smiles softly and steps out first, presenting her hand so she can take it. Katarina takes it and steps off with her near decade's worth of etiquette training ingrained in her. If it wasn't, she would be panicking.
Dan and Radea Ascart are there when they reach the entrance hall, waiting.
Count Ascart has black hair with bangs framing each side of his face, his eyes are black. She can see where Nicol gets it from. Countess Radea Ascart has neck-length straw blonde hair and reddish-brown eyes. She is beautiful.
Katarina glances at Sophia and bends down slightly to murmur,
""You look like your mother.""
Sophia gives her a wide eyed look before taking in a shaky breath.
""Sophia?"" Count Dan steps forward and Katarina panics when she realises tears are filling Sophia's eyes.
""Sophia,"" She calls, hands reaching for her dear friend. Sophia starts laughing.
""S-Sorry! That just hit me for some reason!""
Sophia keeps laughing, wiping tears from her eyes and Katarina softens her grip on her arm when her laughter turns from slightly hysteric to happy.
""I just-"" Sophia takes in a deep breath before giving her a bright if lazy grin.
'Beautiful.' Katarina cocks her head to the side.
""No one's ever told me that before."" Sophia's grin fades into a smile when she looks at her parents. ""She said I look like mother.""
Katarina doesn't bother to catch what the others are saying. Sophia would defend her and besides, her darling looks far too happy for her to ignore.
'Yes.' She narrows her eyes. 'I want you to be this happy, always.'
""Katarina?""
She blinks. Sophia is looking at her, quietly expectant.
""...Sure.""
The raised eyebrow and fond look she gets is worth it.
""Please do not simply agree to whatever I say.""
She cocks her head to the side. ""Why not?""
Sophia sputters and looks back to her parents as if to share her feelings. Katarina feels her hand prodding at hers and swiftly intertwines their fingers, pressing as close as possible to gaps between them.
Then she casually uses their joined hands to tug Sophia into her. Sophia comes with a smile.
""Lady Katarina."" Count Dan begins and she flushes because oh god she didn't even greet them.
""Welcome to our home.""
Dan and Radea Ascart are said to have a fairytale love.
They do, is what Katarina realises as she watches the two sit side by side. Nicol sits in an armchair to the side, he is pointedly on Katarina's side, facing his parents.
Sophia, with an easy smile, sits beside Katarina and leans into her side. Katarina tries to be subtle when she loops her arm around her to support her back so it doesn't hurt.
Radea Ascart's eyes follow her movement and then look down to where their intertwined hands are in Sophia's lap. Sophia squeezes her hand.
""You seem close.""
Sophia smiles. ""We are. Also-!""
Katarina watches Sophia reach out to Nicol who hands her the dagger without missing a beat.
Sophia presents it like she's holding a sword from the legends. With a bright grin and fascinated eyes.
""Look what she got me!""
Both of the Ascart's eyes go wide at the sight. Katarina doesn't say anything, indulging in the sight of Sophia's excitement.
""A dagger?"" Dan Ascart chokes out, Radea Ascart hides her smile behind her hand. It's easily seen though, peaking out in the gaps between her fingers.
Sophia nods, grinning as she unsheathes the blade. It shines in the light, gleaming and wicked sharp.
""Beautiful, right?"" She grins at her parents and Katarina nods along anyway.
Both of the Ascart parents pause before smiling softly at their daughter. The approving looks Katarina gets is enough for her to lose the tension in her gut.
Katarina wakes up to the sensation of a hand daintily drifting over her shoulder. The perfume is familiar, she leans into it with a sigh.
She takes in her position quietly. She's leaned back on her carriage seat, there's a warm body pressed into her side. Her hands are in her lap, clasped together, they're cupped by another set of hands.
'Sophia.' Katarina thinks and does not say.
There is a kiss placed to her temple.
""I love you."" Sophia mumbles into her ear. Katarina opens her eyes but doesn't say anything. They make eye contact. Sophia smiles, it's shaky. Katarina smiles.
""I love you."" She says like she doesn't know if its mutual. Sophia doesn't say anything back, just leans back into her and wraps her arms around her.
""...I have something to give you,"" She murmurs quietly into Sophia's ear.
""Hm?""
Katarina reaches into her pocket and takes out a small object. It's black in colour and cool to the touch.
Sophia stares at it. ""What is that?""
""It stops someone's magic, for a few seconds."" She lets Sophia take it. ""It's a self defense tool. The Adeth family developed it.""
""And you're giving it to me?""
Katarina shrugs. ""More can be developed, I was given one due to my weak magic.""
""Oh...""
There is silence for a moment, then a kiss is pressed to her neck.
""Thank you."" Sophia's smile is pressing into her skin. Katarina leans into it.
As Lady Ascart is now a part of her group, a part of her inner circle at that, there is some reshuffling to be done.
But not obviously, god no. Instead, Katarina brings Sophia along and watches the way everyoen reacts to her sudden introduction into the group. The ones who don't object? They can stay.
The one's who do speak up get a sharp grin and a reminder that this is the Prime Minister's daughter they're critizing so openly and are they proclaiming that Lady Ascart (emphasis on the name) is of too low a position?
Ofcourse, they can't say yes to that because at best, they're saying they don't respect the Ascart name, at worst they're saying they don't respect the entire heirarchal structure of noble society.
What a pity. For them, ofcourse, Katarina herself simply smiles and watches them flounder. No one helps them, because who would?
But none of the girls... are unafraid of Sophia. Lady Sienna Nelson is coming around but Katarina needs someone else who sees her beauty. She can't be the only one stating facts, there need to be more people.
Katarina watches the people in the halls and catalogues those who don't flinch minutely when Sophia passes (beside her becuase why would she wander alone? She has Katarina).
The list is far too small.
While Katarina sorts through potential care-for-Sophia candidates, she decides to begin her own aggressive public image campaign. The first thing she does is start bringing Sophia flowers. Well, it's the first thing she plans to do except the gardens of the academy won't let her pick them. And they don't have the flowers she's looking for anyways.
So Katarina Claes needs to find a proper, hidden, student-led garden. So she looks through the open registry that lists their locations and starts to search.
There are alot of student-owned gardens. All of them are horrible.
Most of them are small with only a few flowers and most of them grow roses and daisies which, she isn't particularly loathful towards them, Katarina simply does not want to tell Sophia that she is passionately in love with her and whatever daisies mean.
She is a noble and that means she will do flower meanings right lest her ancestors appear in the sky and start expressing their disappointment.
So Katarina drags her mentally exhausted self to the final garden, more than prepared to regret her jaunt around the grounds, only to step inside and stare.
The garden is beautiful.
It is magnificent. Well cared for, the flowers are vibrant and she can already see hyacinths and not red roses and other flowers that she doesn't know the name of- are those sunflowers? Why are they so tall?
'What in the world?' Katarina thinks, looking around at the hidden paradise she has stepped into. 'Who owns this?'
The garden drips of pride. Everything, even the grass looks healthy and proper. Everything says that this is someone who loves their craft, who genuinely enjoys it.
""Oh.""
The voice is familiar and Katarina turns. She is greeted by a fellow fiance of a prince, Lady Mary Hunt.
""Lady Katarina."" Lady Hunt says, face perfectly proper. It doesn't hide the way her fingers are pressed too tight over her hand, white-knuckled. ""It is a pleasure. I didn't expect to see you here.""
What are you doing here? Has never been so loudly said by a noble. Katarina smiles and Lady Hunt's jaw tenses.
""Lady Hunt."" She tilts her head to the side as if amused. ""It is a lovely day today. I must say,""
She pauses, enjoying the way Lady Hunt looks as if she wants to shove her out.
""This garden is lovely."" Katarina finishes as if she's a dog running out of breath from growling, faux sincerity dripping from her voice. ""Truly, I wonder who owns it?""
""I do."" Lady Hunt squares her shoulders and Katarina straightens. ""I own it Lady Claes and I take great pride in it, you of all people should know what beauty looks like.""
'The matter of finding flowers is solved, then.' Katarina decides, staring at Lady Hunt with the quiet intensity that she knows makes people sweat. It's something about her eyes, the sharp features of her face. If she grins, she bets Lady Hunt would flinch. The girl is already shaking, ever so slightly.
Katarina smiles sharply. ""I am so glad that you find me beautiful, Lady Hunt.""
Lady Hunt takes a moment to nod. Good. She knows her place.
Now she needs to know Sophia's.
""Lady Hunt, do you believe in rumours?"" Katarina asks and Lady Hunt eyes her warily. She tries not to huff, it's not as if she's dragging the girl into this. Lady Hunt can leave, at the expense of some of her social reputation, ofcourse.
""No."" Lady Mary says firmly, breaking eye contact. ""No, I believe in what I see.""
""I see."" She grins. ""Then I would like to ask, can I pick a flower?""
There is a pause.
""...One flower?"" Lady Hunt asks weakly. Katarina nods, the perfect picture of earnestness.
""One flower.""
It is apparently a difficult occasion to find a red flower with a not romantic meaning.
Lady Hunt herself seems more than perplexed by her request. Her eyes are fixed on the rows and rows of vibrant greenery, a small frown on her face. She points out flowers as she says their meanings and grows more and more focused as they go along.
She also loses more and more of her perfect composure. Katarina doesn't show any signs that anything's wrong, all they're doing is picking flowers.
Roses are immediately out of the question, as are 'Anemones' (which sounds like the name of a medicine).
""The red amaryllis stands for radiant beauty."" Lady Hunt says and Katarina hums.
""It is fitting but, perhaps not everything should be about beauty.""
Begonias are also up for consideration (they symbolize gratitude and individuality). Red Hibiscus is out of the picture, Sophia is not just the picture of only feminine beauty.
The ranunculus is beautifuly but romantic in meaning. The petunias wouldn't make sense. No to red tulips as well.
""Oh!"" Lady Hunt snaps her fingers. She's gotten more and more vibrant as they talk, it's actually kind of fun(?).
""The red dahlia!""
""The red dahlia?"" She watches Lady Hunt bustle down the pathway and moves to follow her. The girl leads her through the garden to a shed at the back and Katarina watches her head inside and rifle through something.
Eventually, Lady Hunt emerges with some strange tool that she thinks might be called shears. Or perhaps clippers? Whatever they are, Lady Hunt's grip around them is familiar.
""The red dahlia,"" Lady Hunt begins as she again leads Katarina through her personal Eden. ""symbolizes achievements. They make good gifts for anniversaries and congratulations.""
""Oh."" She blinks before deciding that yes, that seems right. Sophia is a gift to the world, it makes sense to give her something that says 'achievement.'
Katarina watches Lady Hunt stop infront of a row of flowers that are beautiful. They remind her of the flowers people draw with the same shape petals that loop around.
""I didn't know a flower could look fluffy."" Katarina muses quietly and pauses when Lady Hunt laughs, shooting her a mirthful glance over her shoulder.
A flower is carefully picked under Lady Hunt's gentle hands and handed to her, she takes it with care.
""Thank you, Lady Hunt. You've been so lovely."" She smiles, taking Lady Hunt's hand so she can't leave. Her grip isn't tight, but it does have a demand behind it.
""Lady Claes?"" The girl asks, wariness and fear creeping back into her eyes. That's alright, as long as the girl doesn't fear Sophia, she's perfect.
(If she fears Katarina that's even better. Lady Hunt can love Sophia enough to never want to hurt her and fear Katarina enough to never even think about it.)
Katarina smiles. ""You were such a great help, surely you would like to see your gift given?""
It is not a request, and Lady Hunt is smart enough to realise that. She has a flower now, she has evidence.
Lady Hunt presses her lips, her hand shaking in Katarina's grip. Katarina squeezes her hand softly before letting go and motioning for the girl to follow her.
Sophia is found, predictably, in her own room. Anne is with her.
When Katarina knocks there is no answer and she can feel Lady Hunt eyeing her. So Katarina knocks again, in a circle.
It is a code Sophia found from a book, one Katarina ahs adopted. Knocking in a 3-4-3 pattern. For them, it means 'I'm here, I bring someone with me.'
There is a pause and Katarina intertwines her fingers behind her back, letting the silence settle.
Lady Hunt doesn't speak. Her face is pale when Katarina looks.
The door opens and Sophia has a carefully blank face when her (beautiful) eyes land on her.
""Lady Katarina."" Sophia says in the way where she pronounces the ta in the name instead of just saying Catrina. ""Lady Hunt.""
And isn't that an interesting way to say Lady Hunt's name. Everyone else pronounces it like they say the word yet Sophia lingers on the 'hun' aspect, adding the t at the end as if it's a simple drop off a cliff, a full stop.
""Lady Sophia."" The girl beside her says and Katarina smiles, walking right past Sophia into the room.
Only to pivot on her heel the second she passes Sophia, presenting her the flower.
""For you."" Katarina smiles, lifting it up cradled in both hands so Sophia can see. Sophia blinks.
""Oh, thank you."" She says, subtley eyeing Lady Hunt from the corner of her eye.
""It was from Lady Hunt's garden."" Katarina informs her. ""She was a great help, she helped me pick it.""
Sophia smiles, still too taught at the edges, and glances at the fresh meat in the room over her shoulder. ""Thank you, Lady Hunt.""
Lady Hunt nods. ""Ofcourse.""
There is no judgement in her eyes, only plain wariness and open hesitation. But there is no fear, atleast none that is directed towards Sophia.
There is even some sympathy, Katarina can guess why considering her research on Lady Hunt's past.
Good. They can bond over that. Shared traumas and all that.
God knows the girl is wary and anxious enough for it, Katarina wonders who she'll turn into under her and Sophia's joint care.
'That sounds like we're parenting her.' She muses quietly as Sophia tentatively asks Lady Mary what the flower means.
""Achievement."" Lady Mary nods jerkily to her. ""Lady Katarina picked it for its meaning and colour.""
Sophia sends her a quiet glance over her shoulder. Katarina narrows her eyes at her, raising an eyebrow and looking at the too stiff noble girl with them.
Sophia just sighs. ""My apologies, I forgot as I have never done this before but,"" Katarina watches her hesitate and wonders if maybe she was too quick about this. Sophia's face is pale, not as pale as the girl she's talking to but still.
""I wished to invite you to a tea party."" Sophia nods regally, raising her chin. ""With Lady Katarina and I.""
Lady Mary is quiet, she watches the two quietly. Her hands are fidgeting with each other, perhaps she believes it to be aubstle movement. Katarina notices it.
""Please?"" Sophia smiles gently, taking the girl's hands in her own and cocking her head to the side. ""I have wanted to meet you for quite some time.""
Sophia has never shown interest in any other Princess-to-bes, Katarina does not mention this.
Lady Mary gulps, her eyes flitting to her momentarily. Katarina takes that for what it is and bows her head with a smile.
""I best be going, I have work to be done."" She hands Sophia the flower and leans down to murmur in her ear.
""You are the world's greatest achievement. It's greatest gift."" Exchanging a meaningful glance with a flustered Sophia, she nods to Lady Mary.
(She gives a discreet wave to Anne, who nods with a smile.)
Then Katarina turns and leaves, closing the door behind her.
'They'll figure it out. Probably.'
The door closes and Mary lets out a shaky breath.
Lady Katarina is a girl that is her age, must be, but her presence is far larger. Her cold icy blue eyes, her cool, mildy disdainful, gaze, her light grip on her hands, it all lingers in her mind.
It is only when Lady Sophia smiles that Mary straightens, turning back to the girl she has been dragged to meet.
'Why would Lady Katarina introduce us?' She wonders as she watches Lady Sophia pet the flower softly with a poker face that is almost unnerving in its unreadable nature.
""Lady Mary."" Lady Sophia smiles at her, soft and a tad hesitant.
Her eyes are bright, her hands are still holding the flower. It matches the colour of her eyes remarkably well.
""My apologies for Lady Katarina,"" Sophia smiles apologetically. ""she knew of my wish to meet you and I suppose she took matter into her own hands.""
She nods, clasping her hands together. Etiquette is always easy to fall back on.
Mary has dealt with her sisters, she can deal with Lady Ascart.
'And I can handle Lady Claes.' She assures herself, keeping her posture straight.
""It is good to meet you, Lady Ascart."" She says, meeting the girl's red eyes.
Lady Sophia blinks, holds eye contact for longer than necessary, and then grins brightly.
""Why don't we have tea, Lady Hunt?""
The maid standing to the side moves to a trolley laden with food and a kettle.
Mary gets the sense that she's been dragged into something.
""Lady Katarina.""
Lady Mary's eyes are guarded when she looks at her. Katarina supposes that's fair.
The lady's hair shines golden in the light of the setting sun. It is evening and the sun is falling, they stand in the garden of the Hunt mansion. Katarina can't get it out of her head, the way Mary's family had looked when she had appeared at their doorstep with a sharp smile and beckoning Mary to follow her.
Truth of the selfish matter is, Katarina didn't just pick Lady Mary for Sophia.
When she was younger, Katarina was a joyful, hyperactive child. This led to her mother having her trained in both country and city noble etiquettes. So yes, she can bow, curtsy, and all that but she can also ride a horse, wield a sword, and track animals.
All traits that city nobles look down on.
And Lady Mary gardens which means she gets down on her hands and knees to dig into the earth. Lady Mary is also clever enough to know she could never blackmail her.
""Lady Mary.""
She nods, turning on her heel and waiting. ""Walk with me, friend.""
It is a moment before she sees Lady Mary enter the corner of her eye, they stand in silence for a moment before Katarina begins to walk.
""You garden."" Katarina remarks idlely. The garden here is well cared for, but it does not shine the way Lady Mary's did.
'Where is your garden?' She wonders.
""...I do.""
""Hm. That means you do labour, gardening is not a dainty task."" She looks to Lady Mary, the girl is silent. Composed.
Too composed.
""Most in the city would label you with... unkind words."" Katarina muses, running her hands along the hedge walls. Mary is leading them now, walking slightly ahead. She can hear running water.
""...They may believe what they do.""
Katarina stops walking and pivots on her heel to go the opposite direction.
""I- Lady Katarina!""
There was a turn back when they first began.
""Lady- Lady Kat- Stop!""
'She turned left at that point.' Katarina muses and turns the opposite way, the sound of running water is getting closer.
""KATARINA!""
She stops. Turns around and waits.
Lady Mary's hands grasp around her arms, squeezing tightly. The girl is gasping and frowning deeply, she's angry.
""Don't you dare."" Lady Mary snarls and Katarina smiles.
'There.'
""You do not want me to enter-""
""No!"" Lady Mary yells. ""No I don't!""
She nods. ""Okay.""
The girl still holding onto her pauses, eyes wide and jaw hanging open.
""What?""
""I won't enter it if you don't want me to.""
""I- but-""
Katarina taps Lady Mary's chin in soft rebuke, her jaw snaps shut immediately.
""I too am trained in manners nobles of the city would find..."" She narrows her eyes. ""displeasing. I indulge in horseback riding, I hunt, I gather resources, we are quite alike in that.""
Lady Mary stares at her.
""I would like for you to be a companion during my time in the academy.""
Mary's eyes dart around. She lets go of her, wary.
""You're...""
'Giving you power. Yes.' Sophia has made her too soft. Though, if Lady Mary was to try anything, Katarina would ensure she would regret it.
""Yes."" She turns to look at the girl to her right. ""Do you know why?""
Mary's eyes are dark in the dying light. ""Because no one will believe me. Your reputation of being noble-like is too well-established, your backing is too powerful. I have little power over you.""
""You are right and yet wrong."" She grimaces. That was far too poetic, Sophia's rubbing off on her. Darn her and her far too pretty prose. ""By that I mean, you have power over me through your friendship with Lady Ascart.""
""What do you mean?""
""Sophia likes you. If you hurt her, you hurt me.""
Mary's eyes droop. ""If I hurt her, you'll hurt me.""
""Ofcourse.""
A beat.
""And if I care for her?""
Katarina smiles coldly. ""Then I'll ensure you never leave us.""
It's a boon. A good and strong olive branch. There are worse deals than staying by the Prime Minister's daughter, the only cost of it is forever.
Be her friend until you die.
Lady Mary licks her lips.
""And if Lady Sophia wrongs me?""
Katarina cocks her head. ""If that happens, she will have no need for you any longer.""
She grins. ""Do not fret. I will ensure you will not be harmed too viciously.""
Lady Mary takes a deep breath and holds out her hand. ""I will be her friend, but not forever.""
'That's fair.' Katarina thinks and makes sure to wait before she takes her hand. Lady Mary's grip is sure and strong, her eyes are bright as they meet Katarina's.
She knows her place. Good.
When the Hunt family bids her goodbye, Katarina makes sure she's seen patting Lady Mary on the shoulder, smiling. She gives Lady Mary a bracelet then and there.
Mary stares at it for a moment before meeting her eyes and putting it on. Katarina smiles.
""Truly, you are quite intriguing, Lady Hunt.""
""I am glad to be your friend, My lady.""
She smirks and gets back on the carriage, keeping the expression of Mary's family embedded in her mind. Perhaps she should introduce the girl to the Ascarts? They would like her.
Her public image campaign continues.
Sophia 'gains' a secret admirer. Several, actually.
It's Katarina. They're all Katarina.
All of a sudden there are numerous couriers appearing several times a day to give Lady Sophia intricate flower bouqeuts. Several poets and messengers read beautiful pieces of prose praising the girl's beauty.
By the end of the week, the name Sophia Ascart is once more on every person's lips. Except now, the only thing they speak is praise.
Girls approach Sophia before she even leaves the classroom, all hanging off her every word. Sophia speaks little to them, the moment Katarina sees discomfort she spirits the girl away with a smile.
Sophia watches her like she knows full well what Katarina is doing.
(""I will stop it all, if you want me to."" She murmurs quietly. There is a long wait as Sophia thinks on the proposition.
She shakes her head. ""No. It's fine. But warn me next time."")
A book of poetry is published, all detailing the beauty and grace of an unidentified noble woman. Just by the features described, it's obvious who the poet is talking about.
The book is hefty and Katarina gets her hands on it before it's even published, reads it in its entirety. It's exactly as she commissioned.
It's filled with pretty prose, romanticity and meandering words. Katarina writes annotations in the columns: filled with memories of Sophia, comments about Sophia.
She gives it to Sophia the same day it's first released, too quickly for her to have bought it. Sophia takes it with a soft smile and shows up at her door in the evening with red rimmed eyes.
By the end of the second week, every girl and boy is scrambling to be caught in the eyes of Lady Sophia Ascart. And by extension, her keeper: Lady Katarina Claes.
Which leads to:
'I should have seen this coming.' Katarina thinks as she watches Lady Mary from across the courtyard.
Katarina has always thought it strange, how Lady Hunt's sisters treat her. How they get away with it.
They shouldn't be able to. Mary is a fiance of a Prince, more than that actually. She's a well-known noble who has her fair share of people vying to be her followers.
At most she is a future Princess, at the least: she is a composed and well trained noble who spends time with the two other powerful nobles. One who is admired by the people her generation and has a great reputation.
Mary has potential. So Katarina has no idea how her sisters think they can get away with this treatment.
Lady Mary holds her own, though.
""I will see if that can be done."" The girl says when her sister demands she introduce her to Katarina's inner circle. The audacity.
""No."" A girl steps up, older than the others.
They all have similar looks with honey coloured hair and eyes. Mary is in stark comparision to them, with her auburn brown hair and light brown eyes.
""Don't forget who you are, Mary."" The girl sneers and the other two snicker behind her. Words like dirty, lowclass and redhead all burrow into Katarina's ears.
Mary twitches, eyes dropping to the ground momentarily.
'Really?' Katarina bends her knees so she can meet Mary's eyes over her sisters' shoulders. She raises an eyebrow. 'You deal with me daily and then let them threaten you?'
Mary blinks.
Then she raises her gaze and straightens her posture.
""No. I will never forget who I am."" Lady Mary Hunt remarks firmly. ""And you should be careful to do the same, Sister.""
""Excuse me?"" Lady Hunt snaps, (whatever her name is, Katarina didn't bother to remember)
""You are excused."" Mary remarks coldly before walking right past them.
To where Katarina stands.
'Clever.' She thinks as Mary smiles at her.
""Lady Katarina, it is a pleasure. Why don't we go have tea?""
""Ofcourse, Lady Mary."" She glances at the girls behind her. ""Are you sure I am not keeping you from your family?""
Mary shakes her head with a regal smile, glancing coldly at the girls over her shoulder.
""No. No, I was quite bored by their conversation."" Lady Mary turns to her. ""So I was quite glad when you arrived.""
""Well, I am pleased you find me good company, Lady Hunt.""
""And I am glad to be your companion, Lady Claes.""
Mary offers her arm and Katarina takes it, leading the girl away.
It as they're making their way to her group's gazebo that Katarina finally speaks her thoughts,
""You're better than that.""
She feels Mary look at her.
""Better than what they think of you.""
Katarina glances at the girl beside her. ""And you know it.""
Mary is silent for the rest of the trip, but she gives her a smile when Katarina glances at her again.