"Have I shattered enough already, or am I shattering? (And when do I start to build?)"― Will Walton, I Felt a Funeral, In My Brain

Kathalina was in the seventh sky. The night was heavenly. There was no other but her, him and the moon.

Every place he touched still tingled, and every kiss ignited a fire inside her. Even the smallest memory of the night ran a shiver down her spine and brought a big smile to her face. She felt like she was floating.

If you can go to the seventh sky, you can go to the seventh hell as well.

"Lady Kathalina," Her lady's maid spoke as soon as she entered her home.

"Yes," Kathalina spoke, not making an effort to hide her smile.

"What is it?" She asked enthusiastically.

"They are waiting for you in the study, my lady," Her maid spoke solemnly.

Kathalina's smile turned into a frown when she realized who was waiting for her. She paled, fear gripping her heart for she knew nothing good awaits her.

She knocked twice on the door of the study and entered. As expected her father was sitting at his usual place, and her mother was standing near the shelves with a glass of red wine in her hand. She knew she had once more worried her mother for her to be drinking so early in the morning.

But the person she didn't like standing in her study like he owned it was her fiance, Lord Adams. Her fear turned into annoyance and she gritted her teeth.

"Kathy," Her father addressed her, making her stand straight.

"Yes, father," She spoke calmly.

Her father's looks were asking her to behave like a lady.

She was never the one to be afraid of anything but in the situation, she was in she couldn't help but feel her stomach sink.

"Lady Kathalina, my dear fiance" Lord Adam spoke, "You took the entire night, please tell me you found something worthwhile."

Kathalina would have placed herself in the place where she is afraid of her parents but she will be damned if she let him frighten her.

"My lord, please forgive me for my tardiness," She said with a mocking smile, "but Lord Warwick certainly can keep up with liquor, unlike someone we know."

"I must ask if you are better than Lord Warwick in keeping up with liquor or your father lied when he said you remain unaffected by alcohol," He said with a smirk.

Kathalina balled her fist. How dare he!

"It is convenient indeed. There is no place to say you made a mistake because you were inebriated," He continued.

Kat narrowed her eyes, she would have punched him in the face if it was not for her father interrupting her.

"Kathy," Her father said, "Did you find anything important in his estate?"

"How would she understand what is of importance and what is not my lord," Lord Adam said demeaning her.

"Kathy, please let us know all that you found we will decide if you really succeeded in finding something of use," He said disrespectfully.

"It is Lady Kathalina for you," She said her eyes reflecting the fire, "We are not married yet and till that day it is Lady Kathalina to you."

"Why does it matter if it is before the wedding day or after. We are getting married," He said, angered at her for speaking to him disrespectfully.

"We will see about that," Kat muttered under her breath.

A moment of silence passed in the study.

"My lord, what about your mission?" She asked vindictively.

He looked at her with contempt, tightening his fist on his side.

"We didn't find anything important in his office," He replied gritting his teeth.

"Well, then my daughter doesn't need to spy on him anymore. She needs to start with the wedding preparation," Kathlina's mother spoke.

"But," Kathalina and Lord Adam spoke at the same time, glaring at each other.

"If there was nothing in his office in parliament, it surely has to be in his estate. I cannot accept that Lord Warwick didn't have anything to break in the parliament now that he is not even made the president, he doesn't have anything to lose. He already lost at the hand of his own party," Lord Adam said.

Kathalina was infuriated by Lord Adam for speaking about William in such a manner. But her anger was unwarranted, William looked defeated and she didn't feel like leaving him alone in a time like this. She must find a way to stick to him.

"There is definitely something," She said thinking.

"Well, I doubt you brought something useful," Lord Adam said.

"What is it, Kathy?" Her father asked ignoring Lord Adam.

"Well, I do not know what exactly it is. But there was something big that he was going to introduce in the parliament after becoming president. I think he will take time to cope with the loss of Presidency before introducing his ace in the parliament," She said with a straight face.

"And what is this big thing?" Lord Adam asked curiously.

"I do not know, my lord," Kathalina said, "He is being tight-lipped over it."

"Then you ought to find out. This is crucial for us," He said obnoxiously.

"But the wedding preparation my lord," She said with fake worry.

"Our mothers can take care of that. You need to infiltrate Kentshire manor, he must have stored those documents in his home," Lord Adam said insistently.

"Very well, my lord," Kathalina said, "If father agrees with this then I will continue to spy on William Kentshire."

She looked at her father expectantly. Her father narrowed his eyes at her for she understood what she was playing at.

"Lord Liverpool, I would like to allow my fiance to continue her spying on William Kentshire. In the long run, this is going to benefit us all," Lord Adam said.

His tone hinted he had more authority over her as his future wife than her father over his daughter.

It angered Kathalina but this was the only way she could stay close to William for now.

"Very well, but the wedding preparation must go on," Lord Liverpool said, "I would like for the wedding to happen immediately after the Prince's ball."

"I agree, my lord," Lord Adam said, "I will take my leave now. I believe you have everything under your control."

"Kathy," Lord Adam said walking over to her, taking her gloved hand in his.

"Lady Kathalina," She reiterated.

"I will see you soon, my darling," He said kissing the back of her hand.

He left while Kathalina cursed at his retreating figure. She had to go too before her parents could question her.

"What are you hiding?" She heard her father as she made a move to walk out. She turned around to face her parents.

"What do you mean, father?" She asked trying to act innocent.

"Do not try to act smart with me young lady," Lord Liverpool said, "What is it that you are hiding?"

Kathalina knew it was useless to pretend against her father. She couldn't think of a convincing lie.

"Lord William Kentshire is set to marry Lady Caldwell," She said, deciding to go with the truth.

Her father waited for her to say more when she didn't speak anything.

"Everyone is aware of that Kathy," Lady Liverpool said, "There is something more, isn't it?"

"Lady Caldwell is having an affair with the new President of the Liberal party. Lord Warwick knows about it and I do not understand why but he is still set on marrying her."

Her expression turned to that of displeasure. Her parents looked at each other worried about their daughter.

Kathalina caught the look they gave each other. Maybe she ought to get out of this bloody mess. She didn't want William to be with some lying whore and she was certain her father will use this information to attack William making it impossible for him to marry Lady Caldwell.

Her parent's worried faces made the guilt rise in her. Her parents' disappointment was heavy on her heart. She could choose to make them happy or make herself happy.

Maybe it was time to let him go.

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