I inhaled slowly and was a bit nervous as I squeezed my hand. A warm hand is placed over mine as I glance at Grandpa. "Relax," he says and reaches to touch my face. "You will ruin your makeup."I softly giggle. "It's normal for me to be nervous, Grandpa. After all, it's been a while since people have seen my face."His hand over mine clenched. "Alice, whoever tried to kill you five years ago, let me handle this case."I closed my eyes and then opened them. I know Cornelius was furious to learn about the assassination attempt. I'm glad he wants to track down the villain who killed me, but he doesn't know what the killer is, none other than his other granddaughter. If Grandpa knew his blood was the culprit, family punishment would be more severe than servants. The rule in this family is never to hurt any family members, including death. Rebecca knew the rules, yet she still killed this Alice. But now I've taken over this body. Once she sees her older half-sister alive and well, it wi
"Lady Rozen?" I glance up, looking to find a man who seems nervous, approaching me with an unknown motive. I glare at him as I try to read him. "Would you mind having a dance with me?" He extends his hand. I arch a brow. Every since Grandfather announced his missing eldest granddaughter had returned, the look on everyone's face was shocking. Francis had mentioned to me that there were rumors. Rumors about this body. Some say I broke up with the Crown Prince and eloped with a commoner. Others say because the Crown Prince and my sister are in love, I ran away in sadness. People sure love the gossip and never want the truth. No one wants a boring truth, but if everyone here knew what my sister did to me, what would they say about her? The look on Rebecca's face was indeed priceless. As I stepped next to Grandfather, the first thing I did was look for her. I found her immediately and could read her facial expression. She was pale and troubled that I was still alive. Daniel,
"Becky," using her nickname affectionately as I smile. I sense Zayn close by recording. "Y-You...You..." she's trembling not of fear but anger. I can catch on with her emotions, and it's overwhelming. I wanted to laugh. "Are you happy that I'm alive?" I asked her.I watched her fist unhooked as she inhaled deeply before showing off that fake innocent look. "I'm sorry, sister. I was just shocked to see you alive and well."Then Rebecca threw her arms around me. "I'm so happy," her body trembles again as she pulls away to watch fake tears forming in her eyes—such an award-winning actress. "I'm so happy you are alive. I've heard you were poisoned and taken away by the assassins. I tried to look for you, but I couldn't find you. I even asked Crown Prince Daniel to help with the search."My body flinched as my eyes twitched. Does she think I would be affected by the mention of Crown Prince Daniel like she expects me to be jealous and show off her love for the man this Alice was supposed
Distant away from Rebecca, I made a left and hid. Peeking at my sister, who seemed frustrated and panicked, I left the hall. I place my hand over my beating heart. "My Lady," Zayn appeared from the shadows. "Did you get it?""Captured the whole thing," he states, then hands me the A-Phone. "But she didn't reveal anything that you anticipated."I look down at the crystalized object in my hand. Touching the screen to unravel the video, I smirk once my sister's stupid face is on. I paused the video. "No, but it riled her up." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Nagini."I called my familiar as he slithered around my neck. I reach over to rub his tiny head. "Nagini, follow my innocent sister. Be my eyes and ears." The black snake slithered down from my neck to the ground and made his way in the direction where Rebecca had left. "Once Nagini implant himself on Rebecca, we can use this to hear the conversation on whoever she will be with.""You're brilliant, Lady Alice," Zayn gleamed as
I avoided my father until I entered the garden. It was the garden Francis showed me as a tribute to my grandmother, Sera. Francis said Grandfather built this garden because it was the day he fell in love with her. Her presence here is what made his heart skip a beat. He also says these are her favorite flowers.While I waited for Zayn to grab my coat, I insisted on using magic, but he warned me that I would be found out by anyone, maybe my father, Rebecca or Daniel. And it won't look pretty if the people from the Magic Tower find out. I don't want to deal with them and become the savior. I want a peaceful life in my castle and with the people around me.Speaking of Daniel, I noticed his presence when I stopped to sit at the fountain. I pretend not to know, dip my fingers in the water, and use magic to turn ice cold. "Alice."I looked at his reflection in the water and ignored him. Hopefully, my cold attitude would make him leave but appearing on his face tells me he had somethi
"My Lady?"I stared blankly at Zayn until Daniel called out, almost catching me off guard that I'd been staring at Zayn."Alice, please, I need to.""You mustn't get close to my Lady," Zayn growls, standing between the prince and me. He's bold to bare his teeth at Daniel but keeps his canines hidden. "You…how dare you to block a prince's path," Daniel says in his authoritative tone. I didn't want Zayn to meet the crown prince like this. He had heard of my broken heart because of Daniel and vowed to rip his head off even though he was a prince. But right now, Zayn is trying to stand his ground and not cause me trouble."You may be my Lady's betrothed, but if my Lady doesn't want to see you, then you should respect her wishes," Zayn says."Alice, would you mind telling your slave to mind his business? This is between you and me."I glare at Daniel. Everyone knew Zayn was a servant of mine besides being my escort. Grandfather made sure not to reveal his identity as a beastman. The g
I teleport Zayn and me to the hall of the mansion. It would have been better to appear in Grandfather's office, but he wouldn't be there. "Do you think it's alright to leave the prince there?" Zayn asked. "I don't want to deal with him unless we get to the bottom of this drug." I still can't believe the drug was made again and had reached the capital. The Suburb has the most significant rate of low-class commoners and homeless people. Many people there are unhappy with their life, so half of them take the life of crime. "Let's go, Zayn."I was walking down the hall to reach Grandfather's office when the door suddenly opened as Julian, my older brother, exited. He peered at me with a look, and I returned a glare. It seems he and Grandfather had a talk in private about something. It had me curious, but I wasn't going to ask Julian.I pull on an attitude and bypass him without saying a word. "Alice."I stop in my tracks. Zayn was lowly growling as I turned around. "Oh, brother, I
Today is the last day I stay in the Rozen estate. I need to spend breakfast with my immediate family, and then I'm off. Last night I talked with Grandfather about the Happy Dust and explained the symptoms and the dangers of anyone who takes them. He was enraged that something like that happened during his birthday and at the royal family. He will report to the king about this, which will start an epidemic. If this drug is spread outside of Whithold, thousands of people will get addicted and die. I had to hold him back from meeting with the king as it shouldn't panic the civilians. I assured him I'd take the case as I had encountered it before. But Grandfather was worried about the dangers I would be involved in if it came to dark cults, bandits, or dangerous people who weren't revealed to the world. I'm happy he's concerned for my safety, but it's part of my job to make the world a better place and to give peace. "So, you are leaving today, Alice," Lavender spoke up after takin