The duke's younger sister, countess Belphilia was always causing trouble for Lilith.

Although the she was married, she was childless.

She was married to count Belphilia. A man ten years her senior. She clearly only married him for money, and she didn't even bother to hide it.

Everyone loathed her. Even the emperor was disgusted.

The duke almost lost the favor of the emperor because of her. He told her to stay low profiled, but she ignored his advice.

She would always use the duke's name when she encountered trouble.

The duke tried to stop her but eventually he gave up. He ended up sending her away to somewhere far from the capital to lessen the attention.

Today she got on a carriage and made her way to the capital. She hadn't seen her brother in three months, so she missed him dearly.

The duke and his younger sister's parents have already passed away.

So they only had each other now.

Aside from missing her brother, the countess also wished to see her niece who came back recently.

She had received letter from Evelina, complaining about Angelina. So naturally she needed to go there and teach that young lady a lesson.

But she unexpectedly got into a carriage accidents and died.

Evelina who was dazed from seeing Angelina's cold eyes, finally was able to push her away.

"Sister...?" Angelina made herself put on a shocked and confused expression.

"......" Evelina immediately figured out her mistake.

She had fallen into her trap! Damn it!

"Sorry sister....I'm still emotional right now...I...I want to be alone..." Evelina said as she turned around and walked back to her bedroom frantically.

*******

"......." It was another awkward moment of silence.

Since they didn't have a big age gap, the empress and emperor decided to give his children the responsibility to entertain Charles.

Charles and the crown prince, Alistair were both 16 years old.

The second prince, Leo was 11 years old.

And the youngest princess was 9 years old.

Today, the emperor had the brilliant idea to arrange a picnic for these four.

But they just ended up staying silent and doing their own things.

Charles remained expressionless. Alistair read a book. Leo ate most of the food and the young princess, Elizabeth was playing with her doll.

......

It was quite awkward.

Although the princess was ill, she wasn't bedridden.

She felt a little weak sometimes but she still had energy to do activities like running around, playing with her dolls, having a meal with her family, and more.

Elizabeth, the youngest princess who was combing her doll's hair caught a glimpse of the emperor smiling!

Smiling!

The young who always had a stone expression was smiling!

Elizabeth took this chance to start a conversation. She couldn't stand this awkwardness any longer!

"You seem to be in a good mood, your majesty. Did something happen?"

"En"

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's nothing.... it's just that I have finally plucked out a thorn in my eyes." Saying this, Charles grinned.

For some reason, Elizabeth felt shivers down her spine.

"Oh well... congratulations..?" Elizabeth forced a smiled.

"Thank you, princess" Charles continued to smile.

......

Elizabeth immediately thought: this Emperor is even scarier smiling! I'd rather have you keep your stone face!

Just as she was thinking this, Charles spoke again.

This time.....she felt his words were even more terrifying.

He asked, "say, princess....do you know what a young lady around the age of fourteen would like?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She was so caught of guard that she even dropped the comp she was holding.

Leo who was eating a cookie almost choked.

Alistair didn't change expression, but he did flinch hearing Charles's words.

"Uhmm...this princess is not sure...."

"Oh...then nevermind" Charles looked calm but he also looked a bit disappointed.

Seeing Charles look a bit disappointed, Elizabeth felt bad.

"Bu- but...uhh...this Princess heard from the other noble ladies...that ladies around that age liked.... jewelery... dresses....uh.. perfumes and...." Elizabeth ran out of ideas.

"Hmmmm" Charles looked deep it thought. "Do you think she'd really like that...?"

"What?"

"Oh nothing. This Emperor is talking nonsense..." Charles coughed.

Elizabeth started at Charles blankly before smirking and saying, "is the emperor planning to give a gift to a lady his highness is interested in?"

"Nonsense" although Charles denied it, Elizabeth still believed her theory was correct.

Why?

That's because Charles's ears turned red after she said that!

This Emperor who was known to have a dislike towards women was actually intrested in someone!?

Elizabeth almost couldn't believe it.

"............" The crown prince stared at Charles for a while before continuing to read.

**********

"Angelina" the Duchess called Angelina over to her study.

"Yes, mother?"

"As you know, your debut party is approaching and we need to get your dress ready."

"Oh of course, mother"

"Well what color do you want your dress to be? Tell me what you want for your dress."

"Anything is fine, mother"

"It's fortunate your not too picky. I'll discuss it with the dress designer" the duchess sighed.

"Thank you mother" Angelina smiled.

Angelina went back to her room, say down, and started embroidering an unfinished handkerchief.

She felt bored and she had nothing else to do.

"Miss, I have returned!"

After Angelina left for the Casspan mansion, Marie brought all the paintings Angelina completed and gave them to sir Robert.

"How is the renovations?"

"It seems to be going well! The decorating is very nice! It's totally different from how it used to be!"

"Good." Angelina smiled at her now finished handkerchief.

"Miss?" Marie walked over to Angelina's side. "That's very nice miss! I never knew miss was so talented in embroidering".

"Thank you, Marie." Angelina got up and walked towards the door.

"Where are you going miss?" Marie followed behind Angelina.

Angelina let out mocking grin and said, "you'll see."

" ? "

As Marie was following Angelina, she realized that they were actually heading towards Evelina's room's direction!

"Why is miss going to eldest miss's room?" Marie was confused. Angelina usually tries to avoid Evelina, so why are they going to her now?

Angelina said nothing. She merely continued smiling.

"Knock, knock, knock!" Angelina knocked on Evelina's bedroom door.

Evelina who was crying inside her room was startled.

"Get the door!" She ordered Carol.

"Yes miss!" Carol opened the door.

".....youngest miss....? What are you doing here..." Carol was suprised.

Hearing 'youngest miss' Evelina jumped up and wiped away her tears. She couldn't let Angelina see her in such a state!

However her efforts to hide her sadness was all in vain, as she couldn't hide her swollen and red eyes.

"What brings you here, sister..." Evelina said politely but her expression was cold and filled with hate.

"I know elder sister is quite upset after hearing about auntie's death. So I made this for your to cheer you up!" Angelina smiled while handing out the handkerchief.

"......" Evelina reluctantly and silently accepted the handkerchief.

She stared at the handkerchief with a blank expression. She was also stunned.

Seeing Evelina's hands trembling while holding the handkerchief, Angelina sneered.

"Have a nice day sister!" After she said that, Angelina turned around and left.

".....miss? Are you alright?" Carol said with concern.

"This...th-this ....h-how...dare she...!"

Angelina was obviously slapping her in the face!

She was clearly showing off!

Angelina was humiliating her for her sucky embroidery skills!

Was....she mad about the time where Evelina gave Chase a handkerchief?

She....was she showing Evelina that she was better than her in many fields?

_____________________

A/N: hmmmm...was Angelina's actions a payback for when Evelina gave Chase the messy handkerchief?