TWO SIDE-CHARACTERS were left alone together after they saw their results. The two were standing under the old Willow Tree as their knights gave them privacy to talk. It was Prince Corean who initiated the talk, which Tori respectfully obliged."It did not really surprise me that you got the top score," Prince Corean was facing Tori's back while Tori was facing the Willow Tree's trunk. She was touching and feeling its sturdy surface.Tori glanced at her back. "Hmm. Your Highness, have you ever thought of your future? The future?""That's a trick question, isn't it? The future, I didn't think that far ahead."Tori's ruby eyes hardened from his reply. That is the reason why you and the original Victoria didn't last long in this twisted plot called fate. You are just stupidly going with the flow."You talk as if you know you won't live long." Though Tori's words were light, they were heavy to those who heard her."Be careful with your words, Lady Tori. You are still talking in front of r
Tori shook her head, "I want to have a very meaningful conversation with this person."Rowan nodded with understanding dawning upon him, "Just call my name. I am just here at the door, my lady."Tori nodded and went inside the metal door. The creaking noise of the metals crashing disturbed every criminal in the cells. Each criminal has one cell allocated to them. Tori didn't flinch from the protruded smell, nor did she stop when some criminal's arms tried to reach her. She kept on walking until she reached the holding cell for the criminals who were sentenced to die.There were only two criminals inside this part of the prison cell. The one to her right where a kneeling and chained man was tied, and to her left where a haggard-looking Mia was curled up. The man heard Tori's arrival, unlike Mia. His bright blue-green eyes stared at her, and she didn't give a shit at all."What a sight. It seems that your beloved master abandoned you," Tori's mocking voice echoed in the prison cell.Mia
TWO DAYS after the execution of Mia, the Rozenreff Duchy came back to normal. A day after the execution, the Duke held a grand but quite private dinner for the three of them to celebrate her achievement in the entrance exam although Sabina declined the invitation saying she had a prior party to attend, the Castaña Duchy's banquet.Tori didn't mind since it was very clear that Sabina would use this opportunity to gather the Duchess into her team. But she still had Rowan at her disposal. Sabina may get the favor of the Duchess, but Tori would get the favor of the Duke once he learned about Rowan's situation under Tori. This was putting aside the fact that Rowan was the only son of a patriarchal family of the Castaña Duchy.Tori still had three more days before going back to Trifecta Academy. The admittance of every student would start three days from now. After the admittance, the new students would have classes after the Winter Solstice. That was also the time that she would celebrate
No one reacted so Tori continued, "The Marquess trusted her too much that he just let her manage it without his supervision."They seem to catch what she was saying. Lady M was the first one to comment. They were all looking at her funnily. Their eyes were telling her that they were insulting her right which made Tori mentally scoff."You do know that the Marquess and Marchioness of House Zoliel are beloved by the people both from high society and commoners because of their love story?"Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Tori asked Lady M back. "Are they? In love, I mean? If we hold the Marchioness by her neck, she will become a knife that will stab the Marquess from the back. With that, we can switch the power to the aristocratic faction without them knowing.""Your plan looks great only if the Marchioness will let us hold her neck," Lord Wolfgang countered Tori with doubtful eyes. The others were murmuring by themselves as if they were contemplating the very possibility of her plan.Tori
SERVANTS AND handmaidens were buzzing since the crack of dawn. The chilly breeze of winter did not deter the busy people in the Rozenreff estate. Sabina was in a foul mood since she woke up. Shena's sweet nothings could not quench her temper. Today was the blasted day that the bitch Victoria was born. It was the seventeenth birthday of that bitch and even her handmaidens were excited saved for Shena.How I wish she was never born by that pathetic Duchess. I should have been the only heir of the Rozernreff Dukedom, but the blasted fate made that bitch! Ugh! And that sore loser Mia had to get caught! Good thing that someone from the prison cell chopped her tongue off or else."Have some chamomile tea, Lady Sabina." Shena served her but everything around her was irritating Sabina so she flipped the teacups before her, spilling everything to the floor.Not feeling any remorse, Sabina just glared at Shena. "You are annoying me, Shena. Did I tell you to talk?""Forgive me, Lady Sabina!" She
WEARING A red-colored off-shoulder outdoor dress with black diamonds adorning it, Tori twirled one more time in front of Lily who was clapping her hands with pure delight."You look so beautiful, Lady Tori!" Lily was teary-eyed the whole time they were preparing, which caused Tori to laugh. "You must wear this now. It arrived this morning, the late Duchess' tiara, which you customized for today's event."Tori stared at the tiara. They now adorned it with rubies unlike before when they adorned it with clear white diamonds. Her father gave this tiara to the late Duchess. And the other night, the Duke summoned her just to give her this tiara.The late Duchess wore this when she got married and now Tori's wearing it on her seventeenth birthday, wherein she will be properly introduced to the high society. Tori hated the tiara the very first time she saw it. They adorned it with glistening diamonds that screamed purity, which was something that Tori was not. So she replaced it with rubies t
"Blessings to the Empire's moon, Queen Aurina Eckrett." Tori curtsied in front of the queen.Lady M excused herself and left Tori alone in front of the queen, who was comfortably sitting. Tori thought she would see Prince Corean. "Cory is not here. He told me to get to know you myself. Take a seat.""Thank you, Your Majesty."Tori was just suppressing her sly smile. Gone was the façade of the queen in front of everybody else. The queen sitting before Tori was the real deal."I don't know how you convinced my son, but your actions are ruining my plans." Queen Aurina told Tori in a no-nonsense tone. Her golden eyes were sharp and calculating. Now I know where Prince Corean gets that look."Your plans for what, Your Majesty? Your plan to keep Prince Corean alive?" Tori took the tea that was served readily in front of her and she sipped it calmly."And what's wrong with my plan to keep my son away from this Empire's bloody politics?"Red eyes met her golden ones, "Then, do you plan to sit
THE ENDLESS gifts of well-wishers were almost non-stop. So when Tori found a way to take a break, she immediately excused herself towards the powder room. Walking away from the crowd, she saw in her peripheral vision Sabina was with the Duchess and Elisa. The queen, on the other hand, had left already after the commotion with the Jewel Eyes of Rhea. But Tori saw a familiar pair of golden eyes behind the countryside nobles. And Tori intended to speak with him.The moment she opened the powder room that was exclusively for the birthday celebrant, Tori found herself face-to-face with Prince Corean. His golden eyes still amazed her."Blessings to Empire's star, Prince Corean." Tori curtsied even if she just wanted to stare at him. She felt guilty that the recipient of her horny thoughts was the shy second prince.His stare landed on her neck where the Jewel Eyes of Rhea was pinned. Of course, he's here for the jewel."You got it. You keep on surprising me, Lady Victoria." He strolled towa