Before him stood a woman as gentle as flowing water. Her skin was pale as moonlight, her golden hair shimmered like threads of sunlight, and her clear eyes reflected the calm of an autumn lake.
She was breathtaking—not just beautiful, but gentle in a way that made every gesture feel warm and natural. When she looked at him with that much tenderness, Lathel actually shivered.
"Are you hurt?" Catrina's hand brushed his cheek, concern flickering in her eyes.
Lathel jolted upright, flustered. "I'm fine! You can—uh—let go now."
Catrina's expression dimmed slightly, a faint hint of sadness and disappointment appearing on her beautiful face.
"Mother!" A strong, feminine voice rang out.
Lathel turned his head and immediately recognized the newcomer—Arina.
Red hair like flames, a figure that turned heads even in an elegant dress. Even Lathel had to admit—she was stunning.
But where Catrina was gentle water, Arina was pure fire—wild, untamed, defiant.
"Mother, are you all right?" Arina rushed over, worry clear in her eyes.
Catrina smiled and shook her head. "I am an Awakened One, after all. How could something like this trouble me?"
She then gently held Lathel's hand, the other resting on his back as she helped him back to his feet. Once he regained his balance, she asked kindly, "Are you hurt anywhere?"
Lathel looked at her, his heart pounding violently, his face flushing red.
Seeing his reaction, Catrina chuckled softly. She tapped his forehead with her finger and said teasingly, "Silly boy, what kind of thoughts are running through that head of yours?"
"Ah! Aunt Catrina, I—I'm fine. Thank you." Lathel snapped out of his daze and quickly replied.
Arina, however, clenched her teeth and shouted, "Lathel! Stop looking at my mother like that, you creep!"
"Ack!" Lathel froze, feeling both frustrated and embarrassed. He was about to explain himself when Catrina immediately spoke up.
"Arina…" Catrina frowned, her tone firm and reprimanding. "What are you saying? Apologize to Young Master Lathel."
"Mother! He was looking at you like that—everyone here saw it!" Arina protested anxiously.
Catrina sighed. "Arina, you misunderstood. Young Master Lathel was simply startled and not yet fully calm."
"Mother! You—"
"That's enough! Apologize to him."
Arina bit her lip, her hands balling into fists. Finally, she huffed and said through gritted teeth, "I won't apologize. I'm not apologizing to that creep!"
Catrina shook her head helplessly, then turned to Lathel. Her gaze softened once again. "Lathel, I'm truly sorry. My daughter has a bit of a temper. Please don't hold it against her."
"Hahaha… Aunt Catrina, it's fine. I don't mind at all," Lathel said with a warm smile.
Catrina smiled as well. "You're truly kindhearted. If only my daughter could be even half as understanding as you."
Standing nearby, Arina made a dramatic gagging gesture, pretending to vomit.
Catrina ignored her and turned back to Lathel. "By the way, your mother didn't come today?"
"Ah!" Lathel feigned a sorrowful look. "There's an urgent issue in the Empire. My mother had to return to the Capital."
Catrina nodded gently, letting out a soft sigh. Her hand reached up to pat his head affectionately, like a caring mother. "Don't worry. You still have me here. Your mother and I are close friends. If you ever need anything, come to me—I'll surely help you."
"Besides, Arina's here as well. She'll help you too."
"Mother!" Arina protested loudly, glaring at them. "I'd rather die than help him!"
Catrina sighed again, her face showing clear disapproval.
Lathel gave a polite nod. "Thank you, Aunt Catrina. And if you ever find yourself in trouble, please let me know—I'll do whatever I can to help."
"Hahaha…" Catrina covered her mouth and laughed softly. "All right then. If I ever find myself in trouble, I'll be sure to come to you for help."
"Huh!" Arina sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "And what could you possibly do to help my mother? Don't make me laugh, useless fool."
"Arina!" Catrina frowned sharply. "Is that how I taught you to speak?"
"Mother!" Arina pouted, her voice filled with irritation. "I… I just—"
"Mother! My wife isn't wrong!"
A man's voice suddenly cut through the noise.
Among the well-dressed nobles at the grand banquet, a young man appeared—his clothes worn and wrinkled, his hair messy like a bird's nest. His expression was filled with arrogance as he walked through the hall and stopped beside Arina.
"Wow! Isn't that Alex, Arina's husband?"
"Hahaha! Even my stableboy looks better than that trash."
"God, he reeks. Did he bathe in shit or something?"
"Shh! Don't be too loud. Lady Catrina is still here—show her at least a bit of respect."
"Tsk! One's a useless pauper, the other's a useless noble. Seems Arina's life isn't as glamorous as it looks. Hahaha…"
The crowd's whispers spread quickly. Arina's face flushed red—part anger, part humiliation.
"What are you doing here?" Arina demanded sharply.
Alex gave an awkward, flattering grin. "Hahaha… My dear wife, I came to protect you."
His grin was greasy, his clothes reeked. "Can't have some rich boy bothering you, right?"
Arina scowled. "You? Protect me? Fine! Then do me a favor and go home. I don't need a useless man like you watching over me."
Lathel stood silently, watching the exchange between Arina and Alex, unsure what to do.
'Well, shit. That wasn't in the script,' he thought.
If he hadn't slipped earlier, Catrina wouldn't have caught him, and things wouldn't have turned into such a mess.
He sighed, feeling drained. He just wanted to finish the script quickly, then rest and enjoy the easy life of a noble.
Catrina noticed the fatigue and frustration in his eyes and assumed it was because Arina and Alex had ruined his birthday banquet.
"Are you two done arguing yet?" Catrina finally spoke. Her voice carried such authority that the entire hall instantly fell silent.
Alex looked at her, a trace of greed flashing in his eyes before he quickly looked away.
It was only for an instant, but Catrina caught it—and frowned slightly, choosing to ignore him.
Arina merely pouted, clearly irritated, but said nothing more.
"Tsk." Lathel clicked his tongue inwardly. 'Arina and Catrina… they're even more stunning than the girls I used to see online.'
Unlike those who buried themselves under layers of makeup and filters, Arina radiated a raw, natural beauty.
She stood like a blazing flame amid the crowd—her presence fierce and unyielding. Her sharp gaze swept across the nobles with thinly veiled disdain, chin slightly raised, shoulders squared.
Every movement exuded the pride of someone who refused to bow to anyone. That confidence drew people in, yet also kept them at a distance.
Catrina, on the other hand, exuded a mature, elegant grace.
Her curvaceous figure was accentuated by a flowing white gown, her long lashes framing a face of refined beauty.
Her gentle smile carried both kindness and authority; her eyes, calm yet profound, possessed a quiet nobility that commanded admiration without demanding it.
Yet, every so often, Catrina's gaze drifted toward Lathel—soft, affectionate, and filled with warmth.
Lathel's mind wandered. 'Bet you anything Catrina ends up in the harem too. That's how these stories work?'
He figured there was a 90% chance that Catrina would also end up as part of the protagonist's harem. After all, in this kind of novel, the main character's harem was always enormous—wherever he went, every beautiful woman he met inevitably became his.
As the crowd began offering birthday wishes to Lathel, only Arina stood apart, her brows furrowed and her gaze filled with unrestrained disgust and contempt.
Catrina handed him a small box with a warm smile. "Lathel, even though your mother couldn't be here today, I'm by your side. Happy birthday."
"Thank you, Aunt Catrina," Lathel replied with a polite nod. Deep inside, he couldn't help cursing the male lead's ridiculous luck. 'Damn. Catrina's got that whole 'gentle mommy' energy going on. No wonder she'll end up in Alex's harem..'
But in the end, that perfect woman would only become Alex's woman.
Lathel's attention shifted as a maid approached, pushing a cart carrying a massive bouquet bursting with colors—bright, extravagant, and eye-catching.
'All right, he thought, I just have to follow the script today—confess to Arina, get rejected, have the main character break my leg, and then they'll run off together.'
He smiled faintly and looked toward Arina.
The moment she caught his gaze, nausea twisted in her chest. She wanted to turn around and leave immediately.
But her mother, standing right beside her, frowned and whispered, "Stay still."
Arina gritted her teeth. Though every fiber of her wanted to walk away, she ultimately obeyed her mother's words.
Lathel signaled to the maid, who pushed the cart of flowers closer to Arina. Just as he was about to recite his meaningless lines, a familiar notification window suddenly appeared before his eyes.
…
[FATE CHOICE SYSTEM]
▸ CHOICE 1: Follow Script
Confess to Arina → Get rejected → Leg broken
Reward: 1,000 EXP | Wheelchair ×1
▸ CHOICE 2: Safe Route
Give flowers to everyone instead
Reward: 1,000 EXP | Rose Bouquet ×1
▸ CHOICE 3: ⚠️ BREAK THE SCRIPT
Give flowers + ring to Catrina (the mother!)
Reward: 1,000,000 Gold | Resurrection ×1 | Spring Garden S.VIP Card
….
Lathel stared at Choice 3.
"What kind of reward gap is this?!"