The very next day, Angelina went to downtown again. But she didn't get the chance to.

This time, Angelina didn't bring Marie with her. Marie has been working without day off for a long time, so she told Marie to just rest.

Marie was hesitant at first but she decided not to decline.

Angelina waved her goodbye and got in the carriage, and Marie helped her close the door.

Everything seemed normal. Angelina would never expect what would happen.

As Angelina leaned her head on her hand, she looked out the window of the carriage and the multiple things passing by.

She saw them pass the gate and she felt a little tired...

Was it because she spent the night studying and embroidering? Or was it because she had a tiring day yesterday?

But before she could think any further... She fell asleep.

•

•

•

•

Angelina felt a warm sensation near her...

It was very warm....

No... In fact it was scolding hot!

Angelina immediately opened her eyes and saw....a fire.

The carriage was on fire!

She looked around and she was able to conclude that the fire probably started outside. As the fire hasn't completely filled the carriage.

But it was certainly spreading!

The door beside her was almost completely covered by for. The door that was a little bit further away from her was still able to be used.

Angelina wanted to go over there and leave the burning carriage. But...she couldn't....

Her legs went soft and numb.

She couldn't help but feel terrified. She died this way in the past....was she going to die like that again?

By being burned to death?

Her mind went blank and the surroundings morphed into that scene she dreaded...

She was tide to the stake and was surrounded by bright red flames.

The people were shouting and cursing at her. Wishing for her to be sent to hell.

She trembled in fear.

She felt completely useless and helpless. All she could do was let the tears fall from her golden eyes that was currently filled with terror.

She bit her lip so hard, blood came out.

She wasn't able to think anymore.

It seemed the scene of her death has traumatized and scared her for life.

She noticed from a while back that she felt more fearful of fires than before.

She didn't dare sit anywhere close to a fire. Even if it was a candle, it had to be at least an arm's length far from her.

Slowly her eyesight starts to fade and everything faded to black. Although she couldn't see, she could stil feel.

Everything around was still extremely hot. Her face and back was covered in sweat. As well as fear.

Then, she felt someone hold her back and also under her knees.

Her body starts to feel more relaxed and slightly colder.

She wanted to open her eyes, but she didn't have the strength to. She could feel consciousness slowly disappear, and Angelina soon fell asleep.

******************

The sight they saw was.... extremely shocking. His highness was actually princess carrying a young lady!

They could feel their hearts drop. Was this actually happening? What happened to their Emperor who was known to despise women!?

"Let's head back"

"Ye-yes your highness!" His subordinates siad in unison.

Charles looked down on the sleeping lady in his arms, and could not stop his expression ashen.

Her fingers and some other parts were slightly burned, although it was not severe, it was enough to make his heart panic.

Looking at the beautiful and petite lady, who now looked withered and weak, Charles suddenly has the urge to kill.

He gritted his teeth in frustration. He should've gone here sooner!

He looked back at the carriage and furrowed his brows.

The carriage was burning and was now completely devoured by the bright red flames.

The coachmen was gone, the horses seem to have broke free and fled. The carriage was also in the middle of nowhere.

This was definitely not an accident.

This was a scheme.

Charles took Angelina, with his subordinates, back to a mansion the royal family owned in the capital.

It was owned by the emperor's deceased aunt, who preferred living there because it was less crowded and had fewer servants.

Charles was aware that his presences was causing a lot of people too feel pressured and uncomfortable, so he told the Emperor that he will be living somewhere else.

The emperor agreed and allowed him to stay in this mansion.

When everyone was informed of this, the royal family, and even the servants breathe a sigh of relief.

**************

Angelina woke up in the afternoon. She was unable to get up as it seemed her body was too weak.

She blinked a couple times, trying to comprehend what happened.

She sighed and tried to identify the room she was in. Angelina couldn't get up, but from what little she can see, this was definitely not a room located in the Skyler Mansion.

She should feel a sense of panic right now, but she felt too weak and exhausted to.

Her silver hair was spread out on the pillow and bed. Luckily her face was not disfigured.

But some parts of her body was covered in bandages. Fortunately, it was only minor burns, that could heal and disappear.

For around twenty five minutes, Angelina just laid there looking up at the bedroom ceiling in a daze.

Then she heard the door creak open and saw an unfamiliar maid peek her head in. But as soon as Angelina saw her, and as soon as the maid realized she was awake, the maid retreated and closed the door.

Then she heard the maid's loud footsteps slowly disappear into the hallway.

After two minutes, she heard more loud footsteps.

Then the door was opened again. She saw the maid again, but in front the maid was an extremely handsome man.

Unfortunately, Angelina didn't have the strength to appreciate the man's face. She could only stare back at them.

Relief seemed to have flashed inside the man's eyes and his breathing slowed down and relaxed.

The man with charcoal black hair and sapphire eyes walked up to her, then he sat down beside her.

"How do you feel?" Charles uttered. His expression was both filled with worry and relief.

"Better" Angelina couldn't find the strength to say a full sentence, she could only utter this simple word. Although she didn't reconize him, she felt that this man wouldn't hurt her.

After all, he seemed genuinely worried.

"Good. I'll tell the maids to bring you some food and call the doctor" the man gently caressed the top of her head.

"Mm" Angelina nodded her head in response.

**************

Meanwhile, the Skyler household was in the middle of an uproar.

Their youngest miss has gone missing!

The ones who expesially worried was the duchess and Marie who was already in tears.

They received a report that coachmen of Angelina's carriage has gone missing, part of the carriage was almost burned to ash, and their youngest lady was missing.

Some speculated that Angelina was burnt to ash. As some of the carriage parts were burned to ash, so there was indeed some ash present.

The duke felt slightly worried, but he felt more worried for another reason. Would this accident damage his reputation?

The young lady of the Skyler household went missing days before her debut.

They didn't have solid proof to prove her death, so they simply labled her missing.

Marie was drowned in guilt. She had personally closed the carriage door, and she even waved Angelina goodbye! Would that be the last thing she will remember of Angelina?

The duchess was furious and demanded more people to search.

Other than the rumor of Angelina's death, there were rumors that stated she was alive somehow...but was disfigured...