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Luigi was furious for how the Royals and the Magic Ministry are dealing with the dark magic conflict. I mean, they're leaving everything to two young girls.
Luigi is right, the Magic Ministry should have known for a while ago how to deal with black magic. The king and queen just wanted to hid everything the family did and failed to plan how to deal with it the next time something happend. Even if they're acting in the shadows now, they just waited until something happened again.
I doubt Geordo is aware Katarina is going to the border tho. He was sick the previous night so he will probably be informed late. Oh he's going to explode again LOL
I am currently reading Hamefura LN14 and will post summaries after each chapter.
On second thought, there will be 3 parts for Chapter 1 because I couldn't help going into details in some scenes.
Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1: The Encounter at the Party: Part 1
Chapter 1: The Encounter at the Party (Part 2)
Keith will make another round of greetings since the queue of people waiting to greet the royals has decreased. He asks Katarina what she will do.
Katarina would like to continue enjoying food, but she knows that greetings are important. While she is hesitating, Keith insists that she is forbidden from overeating even if she stays behind. Katarina is amazed that Keith can guess what she is thinking. Keith also adds that he can't have her go out alone in this big crowd. He leaves her with two choices: either she stays here, or she goes with him to greet people.
Mom Mary and Prince Mary
---
Mary: In that case, will you wait here and talk with us? (To Keith) I will watch her so she won't overeat.
She said the second part like she was telling Keith, "I will look after your child". It was like I would switch guardians. I was an adult woman, though.
Keith: In that case, I'm leaving her to you, Mary.
Mon Keith told Mom Mary this like he was telling her "I guess I'll leave her to you then".
Nicol: Mary, your child seems to be asking for help.
Nicol murmured this.
Huh? Mary's child? When I looked in the direction of Nicol's gaze, there was the youngest prince of Sorcier, Alan.
The royals had split up a bit after the greetings had calmed down. Alan was looking even more tired than earlier, and on top of this, he seemed to be surrounded by aggressive ladies approaching him. There was "Help me, Mary!" written on his face.
Mary looked in his direction. Being a lady, she made an extremely displeased face. So displeased that I could imagine her clicking her tongue if she hadn't been a lady.
Even so, Mary was good at taking care of people and she couldn't leave alone the underling… or rather the child… no, the fiancé she had been looking after for years, so she let out a big sigh.
She said, "I will leave for a while" and gallantly set out to rescue her child Alan.
When he saw Mary, Alan made an expression that said "I'm saved!". Mary stood to protect Alan from the noble ladies and started driving them off.
If it had been a romance novel, this would have been "a prince saving a princess" scene. Of course, the prince would have been Mary and Alan, the princess.
Based on looks alone, Alan was a charming prince and Mary was as pretty as a princess, but in this world, things didn't go like in novels.
-----------------
Towards the Other Princes
Katarina turns her gaze away from Alan and Mary and looks towards the other princes. They are also approached by ladies.
Jeffrey handles the ladies skillfully as he seems used to it.
Ian is distant and rejects the ladies' invitations with a stern face.
Geordo skillfully handles the ladies, like Jeffrey. But there seems to be something wrong with him today.
Katarina wonders why there are so many ladies approaching the princes today. Keith thinks it is because there are many foreigners at the party. Katarina doesn't understand how it is related. Keith explains that many foreigners ignore that the princes are engaged. And depending on the country, they may consider it fine to freely change fiancés. Keith's explanation makes sense to Katarina.
Keith Gets Angry at Katarina
---
Keith: Things are different and complicated in many ways since there are many foreigners, so please be extra careful. Anyway, will you go around greeting people with me or wait here with Lord Nicol and the others?
Keith asked me this again.
Katarina: Hmm~ In that case, I will…
T/N: It wasn't explicitly written but Katarina supposedly says here that she will go see Geordo.
Keith: Just when I thought he wouldn't come our way since he is busy, why are you saying you will go see him yourself…?
Keith inadvertently muttered this.
Katarina: What?
I asked him in response.
Keith: No, nothing… I just thought it would be fine if you didn't go since we were told we didn't need to greet the royals today.
Keith said this with a little dissatisfied face.
Katarina: I know that, but Prince Geordo's expression bothers me a little.
That's right. When I saw Geordo earlier, his expression bothered me.
It would be fine if it appeared he wasn't sick. It was just that Geordo was the type of person who endured things even if he was sick.
Keith: Wasn't he skillfully engaging with people with a smile not so different from usual?
Katarina: Huh? No, he was not. Keith, you're also his childhood friend, so you could tell, right?
After all, Keith had also been with Geordo for nearly 10 years. But Keith fell silent and fixedly stared at me.
Katarina: Eh, what?
When I stared back at him, Keith made for some reason a sulking face, extended his hand towards my cheek, and… pulled its side.
Katarina: Gné? What?!
When I let out a confused voice because of the sudden situation, Keith said…
Keith: It's because you pissed me off so much.
He said this and quickly removed his hand from my cheek.
It didn't hurt at all since he didn't put much strength into it, but I was just surprised
So he pinched me because he was pissed off? And he did with a tiny bit of strength? What was that?
After that, he indeed escorted me, but his eyes wouldn't look my way. I seemed to have completely wrecked his mood.
Keith was always eagerly looking after me and somewhat acted like my mom, so seeing him pouting like that was extremely unusual.
I remembered how adorable Keith was when he just arrived in the Claes family.
He was cute and small like a girl and his cheeks were also squishy. While his soft flaxen hair was now so high up, back then it was below my eyes and could I stroke it as much as I liked.
After thinking about it, now I incredibly wanted to touch his soft hair again. I extended my hand and touched them for the first time in a while.
When I did, his blue eyes opened wide and fixedly looked at me, so…
Katarina: Your pouting was so cute that I unconsciously stroked it like in the olden days.
When I said this while sticking my tongue out, his face became bright red at once.
This was bad, I made him even more furious! Or so I thought, but Keith…
Keith: This oblivious charming…little devil.
Because he just muttered something and didn't pinch my cheek again, I felt relieved.
Then, when we arrived near Geordo and the others,
Keith: Listen, don't do anything like what you did to me earlier to Prince Geordo, understood?
…he told me with a stern face.
Katarina: Huh? What, touching his head?
Keith: …Yes, this.
Katarina: Oh, right. It would indeed be improper to touch the head of a prince in front of many people.
Keith: ……That's right. So don't do it, okay?
Katarina: Okay!
After I gave him a firm reply, Keith sent me off.
----
Alan Can't Handle Mary's Lessons
Katarina heads towards the princes, but on the way, she encounters Alan and Mary.
---
Katarina: Prince Alan, isn't it great that she could safely save you?
Alan: Yes, she saved me with splendid skills.
…he replied.
If it had been the child Alan, he would have probably said, "She didn't save me!" but Alan was very honest now that he had been completely tamed by Mary.
But his savior "Prince Mary" looked a little angry.
Mary: Whenever you face these kinds of ladies, you always are so useless if I don't come in. Please endeavor yourself so you can somehow handle them by yourself.
Alan: …! I know that, but I won't be able to nail it right away!
Mary: In that case, shall we have a ladies' countermeasures lesson again?
Alan: Urgh! Please spare me from that already!
Alan's face twitched.
Katarina: A ladies' countermeasures lesson?
When I asked out of curiosity, Mary answered this.
Mary: Since Prince Alan can hardly dodge the noble ladies approaching him, it is a lesson I thought of to teach him how to do so. It would be great if he could at least apply what I taught him to dodge me when I play a noble lady approaching him, but he can't even do that well.
After Mary angrily said this, Alan shifted his eyes.
Katarina: This sounds like a very useful lesson! Shouldn't you make him take more of it?
When I said this, Alan whispered this to me so Mary wouldn't hear it.
Alan: Hey, don't underestimate Mary's acting skills. Seriously, she completely turns into an aggressive lady approaching me. The real deal.
Katarina: Well, that's Mary after all.
Mary, the perfect lady widely known as the Model Noble Lady and the Belle of High Society. She even had great acting skills.
Katarina: Is it so bad? If she's like the real thing, doesn't that make it a good countermeasure?
After I had said this, Alan opened his eyes wide, turned my face towards Mary, and whispered this to me again.
Alan: Look closely at Mary. With those looks of hers, she seriously approaches me as an aggressive noble lady would. It's not the same force as the noble ladies around here.
After he had said this, I looked at Mary again.
The unequaled beauty who was reputed even in high society. Her prominent parts were prominent and her slender parts were slender, she had such splendid proportions. When I imagined such a beauty seriously approaching me, even I, a woman, felt a little apprehensive about it.
Katarina: …I'm sorry, Prince Alan. It might be an ordeal for me too.
When I whispered this back to Alan, Alan's face lit up, and…
Alan: Right? Right? I knew you would understand.
…he said in a low voice, expressing his joy.
------------
Katarina Tries to Convince Mary to Reconsider her Lessons
Katarina figures she should talk to Mary for Alan's sake.
Katarina tells Mary her lessons might be too strict for Alan.
Mary gives it a little thought but still thinks Alan needs to stop relying on her or he will be troubled in the long run.
Katarina agrees with Mary but she must still convince her to stop her practical lessons for Alan's sake. She hopes she can convince her without telling her the truth.
Katarina suggests to Mary that she leaves practice aside for the time being and teaches Alan using books instead. But Mary doesn't agree: Alan needs to learn fast since ladies are currently approaching him, and it will be faster through practice.
Katarina feels like she won't be able to convince Mary without telling her the truth after all.
Katarina tells Mary that her overflowing charm makes Alan nervous when she seriously approaches him. Alan is flustered now that she went and said it, but she had no choice.
Mary is shocked. She didn't expect Alan to feel nervous with her now after they had been engaged as children.
Katarina feels like Mary never expected it because she probably considered Alan like a pet she had cared for ever since he was little.
But for Katrina and Alan, fellow members of the Zero Romantic Experience Team, being approached by an attractive person seriously was a lot to handle.
Katarina: It is true, but you are so attractive that it cancels that out. Your charm is so powerful that even I, a fellow woman, could get dizzy if you seriously approached me.
Mary blinks her eyes. She asks Katarina to confirm what she has just said. If she seriously approached her, she would make her dizzy?
Katarina confirms it. With her charm, Mary could make any girl dizzy.
Mary is processing what she has heard.
Katarina adds that for this reason, Mary can't be Alan's partner for his practical lesson. Katarina offers to replace her if needed. There shouldn't be any problem with her since she isn't as charming as Mary.
Alan and Mary both refuse in unison.
Alan flusteredly explains to Katarina that with her, it would be even harder for him.
Mary tells Katarina they won't take her time since she is so busy. She also adds that Katarina has plenty of charm herself.
Katarina feels like Alan and Mary teamed up to refuse her offer. It appears they won't ask her to help with the lessons.
Mary tells Katarina she will start by having her niece approach Alan. Alan says she really shouldn't.
Katarina leaves Mary and Alan.
On the Way to See Geordo
Katarina is on her way to see Geordo.
Katarina sees Ian with Selena. Ian tells the women approaching him that he is only interested in his fiancée Selena and that he has no intention to talk to them. Selena blushes after hearing Ian's words. Katarina is glad to see the two of them are still as lovey-dovey as ever.
Katarina sees Jeffrey. He is skillfully entertaining the women approaching him. Katarina wonders where Susanna is. When she looks around, she sees her talking with an old scholar person. Given her sparkling eyes, she is most likely talking about magic. She really appears to have no interest in her fiancé. But Jeffrey doesn't seem to have any intention of compelling her to do anything. The two of them are the same as always.
Katarina Sees Geordo
Katarina has arrived at Geordo's location.
Just like Jeffrey, Geordo is skillfully entertaining the women approaching him. Looking at him, Katarina realizes that Geordo and Jeffrey are similar inside, while Alan and Ian are similar inside (even if Alan is bad at dealing with women).
Katarina goes toward Geordo. Geordo immediately notices her, quickly dodges the ladies approaching him, and comes to her.
Geordo welcomes Katarina with a sweet smile. She feels a little nervous. His sweet smile reminds her of the adult kiss he gave her. It affected her so much she couldn't look at him for a while.
Geordo smoothly escorts her, then turns to the ladies and tells them that he will stop talking with them now that his fiancée has arrived. While smiling, he gives off an aura that won't allow any objection.
Most of the ladies silently accept it, but some strong-willed ones won't step back. One of them tells Geordo that he shouldn't care about his political fiancée. In her country, there is no political marriage and everyone marries their true love.
Katarina thinks to herself that the lady's country sounds like the setting of an otome game. She wonders if an otome game is unfolding there.
Geordo (large smile): Is that so? While there may be some political engagements, I sincerely love Katarina here from the bottom of my heart, so there is no problem.
Hearing this, all the ladies freeze in shock. Katarina can understand their reaction since a charming prince has just told them that he loves her, a villainous-faced woman who doesn't excel in anything.
After thinking about this, Katarina feels her face turning hot. She needs to think about something else. She decides to recall the time her mother saw her entering the manor covered in dirt after working the fields. It works, the heat on her face decreases.
Geordo says goodbye to the ladies and quickly escorts Katarina away before anyone chases them.
Geordo and Katarina Talk in the Resting Room
Geordo and Katarina arrive at the resting room.
Geordo turns towards Katarina and asks her with a serious face what she talked about with Cezar earlier.
Katarina is surprised that Geordo saw Cezar and her talk at the buffet since they were at some distance and Geordo was busy greeting people. Katarina realizes that it was not her imagination when she felt earlier that she made eye contact with Geordo.
Geordo gets impatient. His eyes look anxious.
Katarina tells Geordo that Cezar only asked her about her health, then left to call Keith for her.
Hearing this, Geordo feels relieved. He mutters to himself that he thought Cezar had approached her again. Katarina doesn't think Cezar would approach her but doesn't say anything since Geordo's expression has softened.
Katarina asks Geordo if it was because it felt bothered that he seemed different from usual. Geordo is surprised that Katarina found him different from usual. Katarina explains that he looked tired or sick. Geordo is very surprised: he thought he could act like usual. Katarina reassures him, most people didn't notice and she only could because she had known him for a long time. Their childhood friends probably also noticed.
Katarina has known Geordo for 10 years. Even if Geordo is harder to figure out and better at hiding his bad physical condition compared to when he was a child, she can at least naturally tell when he is pushing himself behind his smiling mask.
Geordo tells Katarina that he thinks she is the only one who can tell. Katarina is about to deny it, but Geordo puts his index finger in front of her lips.
Geordo: Yes, it is. When I am weakened, you always tell me the words I need and come to my side. It is because you are here that I can do my best. That's why I want you to stay by my side forever, Katarina.
Geordo smiles. Katarina is unconsciously fascinated by his face. She has known him for 10 years but she realizes again how handsome his face is.
Then Katarina sees the shape of his lips and it reminds her of the adult kiss. Her face turns hot. Geordo extends his hand to her cheek. His hand is firm, big, and warm…so warm…too warm…? Wait, it's hot!
Geordo Is Sick
Geordo is moving his face close but Katarina quickly puts her hand on his forehead. It is hot. She flusteredly tells Geordo he has a fever. Geordo moves a little away from Katarina and makes a pouting face.
Geordo: I am fine…
Katarina: No, this fever is not "fine" at all! You've been like this during the greetings, haven't you? You knew it and you still pushed yourself!
Geordo: I felt sick a little ago but I've been like this since I woke up in the morning. But if it's only this much, people won't notice and I can manage, so there's no problem.
Katarina is glad that Geordo has recognized that he isn't well, but he stubbornly insists that there's no problem.
Katarina: There's a problem.
Geordo: I won't cause trouble, so it's fine.
Katarina is annoyed by Geordo's stubbornness.
Katarina: No, it's not.
Geordo: I can properly do my work.
Katarina: Geez, it's not about work! You're pushing yourself while you're in such poor shape and that's why I can't help worrying about you!
Geordo: …
Geordo seems to finally understand. Katarina makes Geordo sit on the sofa. She asks him to wait here while she calls someone, and leaves the room.
Katarina Tells Jeffrey About Geordo
Katarina wonders who she should go to regarding Geordo's issue. At that moment, she sees Jeffrey coming from the opposite side of the corridor. Katarina thinks he is the perfect person in this situation and calls out to him.
Katarina explains to Jeffrey that Geordo is sick. Jeffrey is sad that he didn't notice it despite worrying about him working so hard lately. Katarina replies that it couldn't be helped since Geordo is good at hiding his bad physical condition. Hearing this, Jeffrey is first blank, then makes a wide smile. He agrees, but he thinks Geordo will be fine since he has someone who notices it when he isn't well.
Katarina decides she will scold Geordo more next time since he makes his family sad.
Katarina remembers that Jeffrey said that Geordo had been working hard lately. She asks him about it. Jeffrey explains that Geordo has been busy investigating the backgrounds and circumstances of the persons involved in Maria's incidents. Jeffrey has also been investigating them but since he had many other things to do, he had been relying on Geordo, probably too much. In retrospection, he will ask Geordo not to push himself so hard again.
From what Jeffrey said, Katarina realizes Geordo has been investigating Maria's incident all while taking care of his official business, and he even visited her the other day. It is no wonder Geordo collapsed.
Jeffrey tells Katarina he will make Geordo leave the party and rest. Katarina thinks this should be fine.
Jeffrey sends some directives to the servant waiting on him, then tells Katarina they only need to persuade Geordo to rest. He adds with a smile that he's leaving this job to her.
Katarina and Jeffrey Try to Persuade Geordo to Rest
Jeffrey and Katarina enter the resting room.
Seeing them, Geordo is surprised and stands from his chair. Jeffrey tells Geordo he has heard the situation from Katarina and asks him not to push himself so hard. He can rely on his dependable brothers at any time.
Geordo sulks and tells him he isn't so sick.
Katarina walks to Geordo and puts his hand on his forehead. It is still hot.
Katarina: It is still hot. It isn't "fine" at all. You will stop with this tough act.
Katarina puts her hand on Geordo's head.
Katarina: Prince Geordo, your job is now to rest. I won't accept any objection. You must stop being unreasonable and rest properly.
Katarina lightly taps Geordo's head. Since Geordo is putting on a tantrum, Katarina tries to scold him like an older sister.
Geordo: …"unreasonable", that's just…
Geordo is looking like a pouting child.
Jeffrey: That's right. You will stop being unreasonable. Be a good boy and rest.
Jeffrey grabs Geordo by the shoulders and starts dragging him to his room. Before leaving, he tells Katarina to return to the party with his servant. He will return once he has put Geordo to bed.
While Jeffrey is dragging him, Geordo lets out a faint "Thank you very much" towards Katarina. She couldn't see Geordo's face since he was facing downward, but she feels relieved that Geordo doesn't resent her for meddling too much. She tells him "Please rest well and return healthy!"
Katarina Tells Keith About Geordo
Katarina returns to the venue with the servant. As soon as she returns, Keith calls her out.
Keith has been worried since she didn't seem to return. He has been waiting for her near the entrance.
Keith asks her how Geordo is doing. Katarina tells him Geordo is sick and has returned to his room. Keith is surprised that Katarina was right. Katarina tells him that Geordo just keeps pushing himself hard, he's impossible. She has scolded him already but she will scold him some more next time.
Hearing this, Keith starts laughing. Katarina is surprised. Keith explains that Katarina is probably the only one who can be like this with Geordo. He adds that when he imagines Katarina scolding Geordo, it just looks so funny.
Keith starts laughing again.
Katarina tells him that Geordo wasn't dejected, he just listened with a pouting face.
Keith laughs even more. Katarina wonders if it is that funny.
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The only daughter of Duke Claes. She has a sharp appearance.
Recalling her memories of her past life, she realizes that she has been reincarnated as Katarina, the villainess of the game world.
She struggles to avoid the ruinous ending that the villainess will face. She graduates from magic school and goes to work at the Ministry of Magic.
She is a natural person who attracts people without even realizing it.
Her magical power is earth.
Jeord / Geordo Stuart
The third prince of Sorcier Kingdom and Catalina's fiancé. He is a orthodox prince with blond hair and blue eyes, but he has a dark and sadistic personality.
While he was spending his boring days with no interest in anything, he met Katarina.
He becomes interested in Katarina, who has changed as a person, and from then on, he frequently visits Duke Claes' house.
His magical power is fire.
Keith Claes
Katarina's adopted brother.
He was adopted by a branch of the Claes family because of his high magical power. A beautiful figure full of sex appeal.
He was supposed to lead a distorted life due to loneliness, but after meeting Katarina, he was enveloped in the love of the Claes family and is steadily growing into a good young man.
He is troubled by his sister Katarina's lack of awareness.
His magic power is earth.
Alan Stuart
Geordo's twin brother and the fourth prince of Sorcier Kingdom. Mary's fiance. A beautiful, wild-looking prince who is kind of like me.
He has such great musical talent that he is said to be the son of the god of music.
He had a complex about his twin brother, Geordo, but he overcame it as he came into contact with the honest Katarina.
His magical power is water.
Nicol Ascart
The son of Count Askart, the country's prime minister. He has a doll-like appearance.
He dotes on his younger sister Sophia.
He has a magical charm that attracts men and women of all ages, and there is a fan club for him.
He is expressionless except in front of his family, but after Katarina's words, he becomes attracted to her and begins to open up to her.
His magical power is wind.
Mary Hunt
The fourth daughter of a marquis and Alan's fiance. She is a cute beautiful girl.
She used to be timid, but after she met Katarina, she grew to the point where she became known in her social circles as the ``lady of ladies.''
She is good at growing plants, and she helps Katarina revive her field.
She loves Katarina and is plotting to take her away to a far away land and monopolize her (apparently).
Her magical power is water.
Sophia Ascart
The daughter of an earl and Nicole's younger sister.
Because she has white hair and red eyes, she was raised up with unkind words from those around her.
She has a quiet and gentle personality. She loves reading stories, and she befriends Katarina after they read the same romance novel, and the two deepen their friendship.
Her magical power is wind.
Maria Campbell
Although she is a commoner, she is a special girl who has the magic power of light.
She is the original main character of the otome game "FORTUNE LOVER".
She is a kind, humble, and hard-working person who works hard at everything she does, but Katarina saves her from being bullied due to her social status, and he comes to admire her.
Like Katarina, she ends up working at the Ministry of Magic.
She is good at making sweets, and the sweets Maria makes are Katarina's favorites.
Raphael Wolt
He is the son of Marquis Deke and a distant relative of Nicol and the others. He is good at making tea.
He is one year older than Katarina, and was appointed student council president because he was at the top of his class in academics and magic at magic school.
Due to the death of his mother when he was young, he acquired dark magical powers, but was freed when he met Katarina.
He currently works for the Ministry of Magic.
Anne Shelley
Maid to Katarina. She has been serving Katarina since she was eight years old.
On the surface, she treats Katarina as salt, as she is always being pushed around, but she cares for Katarina more than anyone else, and she intends to follow and serve Katarina no matter what.
Sora
He used to be a servant to the Duke of Berg's family, but now he works for the Ministry of Magic.
He is a soft-spoken, knowledgeable person, and a capable person who handles his work smoothly.
He is beautiful and full of sex appeal.
Ian Stuart
The second prince of Sorcier Kingdom. Along with the first prince Geoffrey, he is a strong candidate to become the next king. His calm and collected demeanor gives off a cold impression to those around him.
Pochi
A dark familiar that Katarina acquired after accidentally taking over a dark ritual. He looks like a black puppy and is loved like a pet. He usually lurks in Katarina's shadow.
Aaqil
A merchant boy from the Kingdom of Mutrak. He meets Katarina, who wanders into the caravan's tent. He has the ability to communicate with animals.
Qumiit
A member of a merchant caravan from the Kingdom of Mutrak, and a friend of Aaqil since childhood. He appears on shows dressed as a woman, making the most of his beautiful appearance.
Nashiit
A member of a merchant caravan from the Kingdom of Mutrak. He and Haarti are twins, and although they look exactly like each other, they have different personalities. He is a cheerful younger brother.
Haati
A member of a merchant caravan from the Kingdom of Mutrak. He and Nashiit are twins, and although they look exactly like each other, they have different personalities. He's a cool brother.
Alqus
A sword-wielding girl who is a member of a merchant caravan from the Mutrak Kingdom.
Piyo
A creature that looks like a baby bird (?) that Katarina found in a warehouse while chasing Pochi.
Which of the Princes will be the most susceptible to Dark Magic?
A thought as my brain goes through a plot I hope to write at one point. Here are my thoughts on the matter. This is less of who is more susceptible and moreso how they might be susceptible.
Geordo - I think Geordo, all things considered, can be more easily influenced by Dark Magic depending on how it's done. Geordo is less susceptible to subtle manipulation, but more susceptible to spur of the moment manipulation. He can handle and avoid sly and subtle acts, but if he's already upset or angry (or any intense emotion, such as his outburst in vol. 8), then the dark magic only needs to try and amplify those emotions. Fuel an already existing fire per say rather than start a new one.
Alan - for Alan, I think it would be more or less the opposite of Geordo. He's okay at controlling his emotions in intense moments (being able to control himself enough to not join Geordo in his outburst and rather be one of the first to snap him out of it), but perhaps not too skilled in avoiding subtle attempts. Alan's dislike also leads me to believe that he's getting better at avoiding subtle manipulation (cough, except when it comes to Geordo and Mary, cough).
Geoffrey - here's a fun one, because I do think Geoffrey might be fighting against dark magic somehow in the LN (pointedly Suzanna noting he's been developing dark circles under his eyes). Geoffrey is probably the one strongest against dark magic and least susceptible to its effects. Mostly because he's been likely researching dark magic incidents alongside Suzanna and that he's more aware of the dangers and effects. He probably needs to be whittled down somehow for dark magic to be effective against him..
Ian - and then we have Ian. Who, honestly, with what information we have on him, I think might be the weakest against dark magic. For one, he hasn't been in the sphere of dark magic like his brothers. Geoffrey had been researching it, Geordo had first hand experience during both Raphael's incident and Keith's kidnapping, and Alan had experience during Raphael's incident. Ian's the only one not directly affected or involved in dark magic. Selena was the only target and he only saw her after she recovered. He likely doesn't know the full effects beyond what it can be done through text. Two, how his personality is leads me to this idea as well. He's more reserved, and how he carries himself around Selena early on leads me to believe that there might be weak spots. He might be open to manipulation due how he tried to suppress his emotions during then. He might have some still lingering doubts as well afterwards (since his lack of care around Selena supposedly led to her manipulation by dark magic).
Summary: Selena Burke has a bad reaction to hearing about Prince Geordo’s new engagement, and Prince Ian is having none of that. Inspired by this post and the rumors of LN12 involving a new fiancée for Prince Geordo.
The engagement between the third prince and the daughter of Duke Claes has always been a topic of much discussion among the people of Sorciere. All four princes and their fiancées are much-discussed, of course - but unlike Mary Hunt and Susanna Randall, too competent to attack, or Selena Burke, weak but disgustingly proper, more boring than hateful - the eccentric and magically-weak Katarina Claes is always good for a sneer and a gossip session.
And, unlike Alan and Geoffrey, their blond brothers are subject to unceasing speculation as to whether their engagements are...open to negotiation. It has died down some since the incident with the kidnapping, at least for Ian and Selena - but now it is raging at full force for Geordo and Katarina.
(Quietly, with the secrecy of men aiming for a previously-unthinkable goal, there are those who gossip about the rumored break - but about Katarina Claes's availability, not Prince Geordo's)
"...what can you expect, with a prince that capable and the Claes girl being like..." sniggers one nobleman to another in the halls outside the public throne-room.
Prince Ian, with his fiancée on his arm, are nearby - close enough to catch the unkind remark, far enough for the nobles not to notice them. Selena, more resolute than people think she is, controls her reaction to a small flinch. But Ian notices it.
***
"...I won't!" Geordo is insisting to their father when Ian walks in. For a rarity, all the male members of the royal family are now gathered in one room at the same time - the king behind his desk, weary; Geoffrey leaning against the wall and watching, his face uncharacteristically somber; Alan standing near his twin, his expression complicated.
All conversation cuts off as Ian strides to their father's desk and upends a portmanteau, covering the teakwood surface with papers and envelopes.
"Ian!" King Owen says in surprise. "What are you..."
"This talk of new engagements for Geordo is stupid," Ian says bluntly. "So I went ahead and got the rescindments from everyone who sent in their application. There. That should fix it."
"...what?" comes the same reply from four different voices at once.
"Everyone who's sent in an application has now sent in a formal renouncement of their offer in writing," Ian explains, slowly, in a tone that indicates his opinion of his family's intelligence is dropping rapidly. "There they are."
King Owen picks up a particularly creamy-looking envelope and studies it. "This - this is from Duke Richaud of Quid. We don't even have an application from him."
"Oh, his application must not have gotten here yet." Ian shrugs. "Well, whatever. It doesn't matter. We can keep this on file for when it does show up."
Geordo is staring at him with the shocked look of a drowning man who has unexpectedly been hit in the head by a life-preserver dropping out of the sky. "Ian...Ian-nii..." He swallows hard and stands up straight, shoulders relaxing from a tension that has been stiffening them for days. "Th-thank you!"
Ian slants a cool blue gaze at his younger brother. "I didn't do it for you," he informs Geordo. "Next time - better let a few months pass first, a half-year if we can - just let her be the one to break it. Don't let her name be dragged in the mud further than it has been already just because she's had the terrible luck to be engaged to you."
Geordo staggers backwards as if Ian has struck him in the face. "What?"
Ian ignores Geordo and turns to his staring father. "And then, adopt the girl as a ward of our family. We don't, legally speaking, need to have precedent, but Grandmother Calla's link to the Adeths and your own time as a ward of Duke Lucan Claes will serve as justification. That way it'll be clear that it was us seeking a tie with House Claes, and not the other way around, and people will stop running their mouths about a girl who deserves better at our hands."
"Duke Claes is still alive, though," Geoffrey points out. "As her legal guardian and actual father..."
"But she's not his heir, and as a ward of House Stuart we can make her one," Ian replies. "The estate I was given from mother's side, Atholl..."
"What are you talking about?" Geordo demands, grabbing Ian's shoulder.
"She doesn't need to marry you to be my younger sister," Ian states baldly. "And at Atholl she'll be closer to me and Selena..."
"She's not yours!" Geordo screams.
"And she's certainly not yours, nor do you deserve her," Ian says coolly. Alan flinches, but Geordo just stares with eyes aflame. Ian stares back, water-magic as potent as Geordo's fire-magic backing the coldness of his gaze. If Geordo's eyes flare with inferno, Ian's has all the dark, hidden depths of a northern sea.
(Ian thinks back to his visit with Selena to Katarina at her Claes household; the staff staring with anger at the royal sigil on Ian's clothes. They are well-trained and the pick of the wealthy and expansive Claes holdings; still they cannot help but show it. They, too, have heard the unflattering rumours about the prince casting off their young mistress.
But Katarina Claes herself does not look the slightest bit unhappy or flustered as she welcomes them to tea with the grace only actual happiness at a guest's arrival can give.
"Oh no," she laughs, waving her hand airily, when Selena - anxious, sad, seeing herself all too easily in the younger girl's place - brings the topic up with much fear. "I always knew Geordo would end up with someone better than me."
There is a moment of silence.
"But…Katarina…you're crying," Selena says, her voice very soft.
Katarina puts a hand up to her face, feels tears on her fingertips. "Oh.”
She swallows hard. “Oh, you're right."
And Ian remembers the feeling of watching Katarina Claes, who had given Selena the confidence she needed, had given Ian the chance he didn’t deserve, who had forgiven her own kidnapping and imprisonment and become the best friend her kidnapper could have, who had been the reason he and Selena had finally realized their love - watching the girl who had been so bright and joyous in the face of so much darkness - watching her smile waver and tremble but stick on her pale face as the tears streamed down - remembers the sick twisting in his belly, remembers the answering and too-empathetic tears on Selena's face as she had taken a finally-sobbing Katarina into her arms.)
And, remembering, he finds the strength to tell his younger brother, "She deserves better than this."
"How dare you," Geordo begins to snarl.
"And I don't deserve Selena. I hurt her, for longer. I was pathetic. You - you've been braver than me, but just as pathetic. You're braver, but not brave enough to actually open your heart enough to convince her. Not when she knows the real reason you pushed for the engagement to begin with," Ian tells Geordo, remembering what Katarina had gasped out to Selena as she sobbed in the older girl's arms.
Geordo goes pale. "She - she knows?"
Alan is pale as well. "Knows - knows what? Geordo, what real reason? Ian!"
Geoffrey exhales sharply, in conjunction with his father.
