Catherine

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Catherine Kruger (卡瑟琳) 27
Alias(es)	Head Maid; “Cold-Faced Head Maid” 26 56
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Swinton Family; Duke Swinton’s castle staff 4 29
Occupation/Role	Anne Weisz Swinton’s personal head maid, attendant, etiquette instructor, and household coordinator 4 28 62
First Appearance	Chapter 4: Little Angel

Background / History

Catherine has served Anne since Anne’s childhood and is deeply invested in her mistress’s safety, reputation, and daily welfare. She oversees Anne’s dressing, jewelry, schedule, transport, etiquette, and personal maids. 4 28 125

When Lu Xing first occupies Anne’s body, Catherine immediately notices abnormalities: “Anne” fears class, cannot use magic, does not recognize familiar magical jewelry, and behaves improperly by noble standards. Believing Anne may have been invaded by an evil spirit, Catherine tests her with a Saintess-blessed purifying accessory and consults Philys Esselen for an examination through the Eye of the Magic Tower. 4

Anne later confirms that she exchanged souls with Lu Xing rather than being harmed by an evil spirit. Catherine keeps Anne’s secret, prepares her temple visit, and supports her decision to seek the Holy Light Goddess’s judgment. 5

When Lu Xing returns to Anne’s body, Catherine openly confronts him and demands to know Anne’s whereabouts. Though initially convinced he is a “demon,” she relents after Anne’s divine favor makes forced possession less plausible, then begins teaching him Anne’s clothing, manners, lessons, and social obligations. 26 28

Catherine’s hostility gradually becomes guarded cooperation. She refuses to let Lu Xing practice magic without supervision because she fears he could damage Anne’s body, but ultimately accompanies him to the practice grounds and explains safety precautions. 33 After Anne personally reassures her that Lu Xing is helping willingly, Catherine accepts his presence more fully. 56

By the time Lu Xing is accepted as Anne’s prospective fiancé, Catherine knows his identity and helps him navigate noble society. She briefs him before visits, corrects his etiquette, arranges his appointments, and advises him on gaining Duke Swinton’s approval. 57 61 122 123

Catherine can reliably distinguish Anne from Lu Xing through small habits, such as Anne’s tendency to act spoiled or request service differently. She also sees through Anne and Lu Xing’s role-swapping game but quietly cooperates rather than exposing them. 110 144

Appearance

Catherine is a tall, elegant maid with emerald-green eyes, a composed bearing, and an outwardly cold expression. 27 144

• Usually wears a formal maid dress with stockings and high heels. 27 62
• Has notably long legs, frequently emphasized by her maid uniform and stockings. 27 144
• Maintains meticulous posture when serving, bowing, kneeling, escorting Anne, or receiving orders. 109 171
• Her reserved expression contrasts with occasional smiles, teasing remarks, and visible embarrassment in private. 4 110 197

Personality

Catherine is fiercely loyal, observant, and protective of Anne. Her suspicion of Lu Xing begins not from hostility alone, but from her ability to recognize minute changes in Anne’s behavior and her fear that Anne has been possessed or endangered. 4 26

She is highly disciplined and exacting about noble conduct. Catherine corrects Lu Xing’s posture, speech, dining behavior, dress, prayers, and interactions with servants, while also ensuring he can imitate Anne convincingly in class and public appearances. 28 30 57 62

Despite her “cold-faced” reputation, Catherine is more affectionate toward Anne and is willing to indulge her mistress’s harmless mischief. She can identify Anne instantly from her voice and mannerisms, and she carries Anne to bathe when Anne becomes too absorbed in her train experiments. 110 128

Catherine’s private behavior toward Lu Xing is markedly more provocative and conflicted. She repeatedly challenges him with sarcastic remarks, while struggling to reconcile her loyalty to Anne, her faith in the Holy Light Goddess, and her growing acceptance of Lu Xing as her master through Anne’s engagement. 125 171 172

She admits that reading about the excesses of Southern nobles influenced her private fantasies and behavior, though she frames this as a moral failing for which she seeks the Goddess’s forgiveness. 172 197

Abilities & Skills

Household Management

Catherine manages Anne’s immediate household and ensures that her mistress is properly prepared for every social, religious, and educational obligation.

• Directs Anne’s personal maids during dressing, bathing, meals, and travel preparations. 4 28 62
• Coordinates carriages, appointments, riding lessons, visits to the Magic Tower, and church ceremonies. 5 61 105
• Handles practical matters while Anne or Lu Xing is occupied, including relaying warnings to Duke Swinton, the Holy Light Church, and Philys. 148

Noble Etiquette Instruction

Catherine is Anne’s principal guide to the behavior expected of a duke’s daughter.

• Teaches Lu Xing how to lift a skirt properly, descend stairs, greet nobles, and respond to maids. 28 29
• Corrects his classroom conduct, facial expressions, and expected enthusiasm for Anne’s subjects. 30 31
• Advises him on formal clothing, religious decorum, and the standards required when representing the Swinton Family in public. 57 62

Perception and Deduction

Catherine is difficult to deceive when Anne’s identity or well-being is involved.

• Detects Lu Xing’s possession of Anne through differences in language, magic knowledge, etiquette, and behavior. 4 26 27
• Identifies whether Anne or Lu Xing is present from subtle habits, including their differing treatment of servants. 110 122
• Sees through Anne and Lu Xing’s attempt to impersonate one another, but chooses to play along. 144

Equestrian Support

Catherine is an able rider and accompanies Anne during riding instruction.

• Rides beside Lu Xing while he uses Anne’s body to attend a Swinton Family knight training session. 66
• Advises him to attend the lesson for practice while avoiding participation beyond his ability. 61

Relationships

• Anne Weisz Swinton — Catherine’s mistress since childhood. She is intensely protective of Anne, indulges her playful side, and remains responsible for her care even when Anne is away on Earth. 4 110 122 197
• Lu Xing — Initially regarded as a possible evil spirit occupying Anne’s body. Catherine later accepts him as Anne’s fiancé and obeys him because of his relationship with Anne, though their interactions develop into sharp banter and a private, power-laden dynamic. 26 56 61 171 197
• Philys Esselen — Catherine seeks Philys’s help when she suspects Anne has been possessed and later accompanies Lu Xing or Anne during visits to the Magic Tower. 4 62 128
• Duke Swinton and Lady Bridget — Catherine serves the Swinton household and reports Anne’s condition to her parents when necessary. She also helps Lu Xing prepare to meet them and win their approval. 29 122 123
• Themis — Catherine gives Themis misleading advice that contributes to an awkward encounter with Anne and Lu Xing, later admitting her role when confronted. 154 155

Notable Quotes

“You rude fellow, you are not Miss Anne! Who are you?!” 26

“You are not my master. I am only following Miss Anne’s orders!” 33

“Because of your relationship with Miss Anne, I will obey all your commands!” 171

“Because you are my Master!” 189

Trivia

• Catherine refers to Anne’s blessed status with the phrase, “The Goddess is watching over you.” 28
• Anne describes Catherine as outwardly cold and rigid but inwardly warm. 56
• Catherine secretly reads stories involving knights and has an interest in tales of Southern nobles’ excesses. 56 172
• She is capable of recognizing Anne immediately even from behind, based solely on Anne’s energetic manner and flowing golden hair. 128