ROWAN WAS uncomfortable with the obvious curiosity of the Duke. He was sitting in front of Rowan while the latter was sitting beside Tori. Silence engulfed the carriage, but Rowan knew that there was turmoil inside Tori's blank eyes."Since when did you become a loyal knight of the Rozenreff Duchy?" The Duke finally broke the silence. Rowan snapped his attention to the Duke while Tori was still looking outside the carriage windows."I am not a loyal knight in the Rozenreff Duchy. I am a loyal subject of Lady Victoria Rozenreff, Your Grace."Cackling with the newly found respect of Rowan, the Duke's grin could not be wiped from his old face. His attention turned to Tori. "What did you do Lady Victoria to earn such a loyal knight?"Looking at him, Tori answered sweetly with a wintry smile that could quench any magma. "I offered him a new life as I picked him up from the slums, Duke Castaña. Isn't he the rawest of gems? Sadly, my father could not see this talent."Her eyes told the Duke
I NEED COREAN TO STAY on his line. I remembered his attitude during the day. I can't let him do that again. Not now. He needs to be the king."Prince Lauren and Prince Corean did not leave the premises of the academy, Lady Tori."Good."I will have to change, Lily. Please be with Rowan for the moment." Finishing the éclair, Tori served herself her favorite chamomile tea. Glancing at the folded commoner's dress, Tori did not mind using it. Finishing her splendid breakfast inside the cell, Tori took the dress and changed for herself with no handmaiden helping her at all. It was not that hard for Tori since the commoners' dresses did not have the added fancy designs like nobles' dresses.Tori's golden ringlets flowed freely with no jewel pins or ribbons. Her ears were bare from any pearls and jewels. They adorned her neck with the necklace that Lady M gave her. Tori felt light oddly enough.A knock stopped Tori from her train of thoughts. "Come in."Stepping inside the room, a dashing Ro
CROWN PRINCE YEI LIN butted in and handed her an elegant-looking box. "But it did not mean that you can just make us do some errands like your servants." Opening it for her, Tori glanced at the dress that she ordered.Setting the teacup down, Tori glanced slyly at the grumpy prince. "Aren't you, though? My servant, I mean."Tori's smiling face looked at the two princes challengingly. The latter could not answer so they only took the tea and sipped it quietly, which made Rowan and Prince Corean shook their heads.Exactly, now I need to get ready. After all, a dress is a woman's armor."Then I'll have to change my dress. Please call Lily on your way out. I need her to assist me with this."THE SHOCKED face of the royal chancellor was something that Tori would remember in her life.This man is the Marquess of the House of Florentia from the noble faction. His loyalty to the first prince is astounding and I want to destroy it. There's a no bigger prize than to destroy a loyal man's heart.
Marquess Zoliel immediately stood. His face held smug confidence as she walked towards the podium where Tori was standing like a statue. "At the night when Lady Sabina was poisoned with Arasthai, the knights found the locket where the poison was hidden in the room of Lady Victoria. Since we discovered immediately that Lady Sabina was poisoned, the entire Rozenreff estate became subject to a search warrant. Two hours later, the poison-covered locket was found in Lady Victoria's room. What gave Lady Victoria the motive to kill her sister is the fact that Duke Rozenreff summoned Lady Victoria on the afternoon of that day to tell her that Lady Sabina would inherit the Duchy. All the servants present at that time are the witnesses when Lady Victoria lashed out from the announcement." The cunning Marquess Zoliel was circling Tori. Every time his eyes met hers, Marquess Zoliel would give Tori a mocking smile. As if he's telling her that, she already lost the game. Aah, I want to cherish your
Smiling like what the Duchess said was stupid enough to listen. "Why would Lady Victoria be jealous when she is being taught by the Queen herself? You are talking nonsense. You are indeed the second most powerful woman in the empire, Duchess Castaña. But compared to Queen Aurina, your social standing differs like water and oil. Also, I have yet to present our last witness, Lady Elise Castaña!""Elise!""Lady Elise?"The Duchess and Sabina's shocked voices buried all other gasps when the meek daughter of the Duchess entered the courtroom.Aah, Lady Elise. I was right when I decided from the first time we met to use you. On this day, your life becomes meaningful, congratulations dear.Tori's red eyes scanned the courtroom. Their judging eyes now shifted to the teary-eyed Duchess. Sadness, pain, anger, and betrayal all swirled in the Duchess' eyes as she gazed at her daughter who was now standing beside Prince Yei Lin.Lady Elise's eyes never faltered as she looked at her mother."Lady E
King Elphaim understood the noble faction's sentiments, but it was understandable for Lady Victoria to seek the help of the aristocratic faction when her father would obviously abandon her. "Just like you said Lady Victoria Rozenreff, the law in this empire stated that the heir with the greater connection and power will take the seat of the inheritance. But we do not recognize the power of the crown princes from other kingdoms in the empire, you know that too, right Lady Victoria?" King Elphaim's eyes told Tori that she already lost. But for a split second, the king saw how Tori smiled slyly at him before it changed to its original sweet smiling face."I know, Your Majesty. That's why King Leon Monakre and Emperor Mei Lin came to this noble trial." They're my insurance should you use that law against me. I guess being two steps ahead is not a bad thing. I can already tell where Prince Corean got on his sly side.Laughing while stroking his beard, King Leon eyed Tori with utmost curios
"YOU TOLD THE LEADER of the aristocratic faction that he won't be king without you? Now that's what they called confidence." Crown Prince Allistair's laughter boomed inside the Order's room which Crown Prince Yei Lin used as his office. Though it became more of their hideout inside Trifecta Academy just like what they were doing today.Tori's plan to become their companion paid off. After a year, the two princes became more of her friend than mere colleagues. They also knew of her ambition to become Queen Regent. She told them almost anything except her past from another life and her being Benefactor T.Glancing at the laughing Allistair who's sprawled on the sofa unethically, Tori raised her brows as a challenge. "Why? Do you plan to test my words right away? I would love to let you become my beta tester for my new plan." The infamous sweet voice made Allistair pale like paper."I-I am kidding, Tori. You know that Monakre's loyalty lies only with you. You are the only reason why my f
When Crown Prince Yei went back to his seat, the two young men bumped fists with him which made Tori shake her head. Tori's focus turned to the information passed by the king to her.Tori asked it for herself. Even the three young men wondered why she needed that information. After all, what she's asking was the list of all recognized diseases in the world and their details although; the last part was the list of medicines and their uses."Why are you asking for those? You even included the newly recognized diseases." Crown Prince Yei Lin asked her with wonder, the same question that Rowan and Crown Prince Allistair were thinking."Someone important for our future will die this month and no it is not from assassination but a plague that the empire will not expect. Hundreds of thousands will die and that person will be one of the casualties. I need to stop that."The look of disbelief reflected on their faces after listening to what she said. Her once smiling face was now emotionless a