The banquet's previous peaceful and harmonious atmosphere disappeared in an Instant. How could anyone feel calm at this situation? It was obvious what was gonna happen next, wouldn't be so joyful.

"Your majesty! This is a big misunderstanding! It was her that..." Rulias was about to say that Angelina was the one who started it, but when he thought about his upcoming words, he knew no one would believe him.

"Are you saying lady Angelina purposely choked and injured herself...?" The Empress spoke. She was annoyed at the sudden trouble. She was looking forward to the banquet, now it's completely ruined!

"No that's not what I'm saying!" He clenched his hand and pleaded with the Empress.

"Hm...I never knew he was such a person..."

"Truly disgraceful..."

"The Aurabella family is ruined just because of him"

"He's not worthy of lady Evelina's kindness! Lady Evelina should never get near him ever again!" One of the ladies close to Evelina advised her.

"....." Evelina did nothing but stay silent. But she did spare some effort to seem shocked and concerned.

"How could he do such a thing to lady Angelina!? How despicable!"

Rulias's forehead was covered with a thing layer of cold sweat. He kneeled as he heard the nobles surrounding him, curse him, humiliate him, and shame him.

He couldn't help but turn to the protected Angelina and glare at her.

He was the one who was almost drowned! How did she turn into the victim!?

"So? What do you have to say?" The Emperor questioned.

"Your majesty! Just look at me! I'm completely soaked! It's all because of her! She pushed me into the lake!"

"Then how did lady Angelina's injuries appear?" The Emperor furrowed his brows.

"I....I'm not sure...it just appeared...and-"

"Nonsense! How could a choking mark appear out of nowhere!? Are you trying to slander my daughter!?" The duke, seeing where things were going, decided to finally speak.

Angelina was currently being held in the arms of the duchess. When she heard the duke angrily shout at Rulias, she casted him a glance and sneered in her heart.

This was a show of fatherly love and protectiveness. But she knew it was all an act.

He wasn't doing this because he cared for her. He was doing this to build up his reputation as a caring father.

'what a heartless and greedy man you are, duke. It seems the only thing that you value is money, power, and reputation...'

Rulias was truly afraid now. It was clear no one was taking his side. Even the few family members of his, who were in the crowd, didn't speak for him.

He turned to a certain direction and called, "Lady Evelina!"

"....!" Evelina didn't expect Rulias to come to her. She stared in shock as Rulias was kneeling in front her, pulling her gown. As if clinging to his last chance.

"M'lady! You believe me right?"

"......" Evelina contemplated on what to do. She couldn't defend him. But she also couldn't outright blame him either. She refused on offending both sides.

"Forgive me, sir Rulias. But...I can't help you. I hold my sister very close to my heart, and for you to hurt her...I" Evelina's eyes began to tear up.

"But lady Evelina, I really didn't do it!"

Evelina avoided his desperate gaze and turned her head away.

"Enough! This banquet has been ruined because of you! Guards! Take away this man! He has greatly disturbed us and our guests!" The empress ordered.

Rulias was swiftly dragged away by the guards as he screamed and begged, "Your majesty! Please have mercy!"

"How shameful..."

"This banquet became quite the show..."

"How humiliating for the Aurabella family.."

The nobles whispered and ridiculed.

The few people among the crowd, who were from the Aurabella family, felt extremely embarrassed and shameful.

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

As Angelina sat on her bed, her backed leaning against her pillows. The moonlight shined through the window and created a certain peaceful feeling.

"......"

"Marie?" Angelina asked Marie, who was gently treating a small bruise on her arm, which Angelina didn't notice back at the banquet.

"......"

"Ow it hurts!" Angelina exclaimed. As she closed her eyes and acted hurt.

"...!" Marie flinched and immediately asked Angelina worriedly. "Miss are you alright!? Did I hurt you?"

"Haha. I'm fine. I was just tricking you" Angelina said while she chuckled.

"Miss..." Marie mumbled and pouted.

"It really doesn't hurt." Angelina reassured her.

"But miss's nose was said to be bleeding. Miss was almost choked as well!" Marie said as she continued to treat Angelina's wounds.

Angelina sighed.

After Marie was down treating her wounds, she left to sleep, since it was already late at night.

"What a mess...the coming day would definitely be troubling.." Angelina mumbled to herself. She covered her body with the blanket and embraced a pillow.

After Rulias was dragged out of the banquet, Angelina was escorted away. The emperor and empress apologized to the duke and duchess. But of course, the duke and duchess didn't accept their apology, and didn't blame them.

As Angelina was escorted to her carriage, many of her friends and acquaintances asked about her condition.

Of course there were some who asked about her merely out of politeness, didn't truly care about her. But Angelina didn't care.

She was alredy satisfied with the outcome.

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

The Skyler family demanded compensation from the Aurabellas. To which the Aurabella family couldn't say no.

The Aurabella family was merely a viscount family. How could they compete with a duke?

Not to mention, it was clear 'Rulias was the perpetrator'. Every noble was there. Even the emperor and empress was at the scene.

The Viscountess had to personally come to the mansion and apologize on her son's behalf. The Aurabella family even had to pay a huge sum for compensation.

And for Angelina? All she needed to do was rest inside her room, while everything was being taken care of for her.

Now that she had 'convised' the head maid to switch to her side, most of the servants in the mansion were under her orders.

As for the shop, Angelina would receive daily reports from sir Robert of how things were going. Luckily, no more Uninvited guests came to cause trouble.

Marie was very attentive while taking care of Angelina. Her skills have certainly developed after taking care of her late sister, and Angelina for years.

The duchess, due to being busy with the duchy affairs, couldn't keep Angelina company all day. But she did make an effort to visit her room once every day.

The duchess even went to the kitchen and personally make Angelina's favorite soup. Unfortunately, it wasn't Angelina's favorite, but the original Angelina.

But Angelina still accepted the soup. She was deeply moved by the Duchess's sincere love towards her daughter.

It made her want to experience motherly love from her real mother. But unfortunately they were seperatted by life and death itself.

Lilith's mother...Lilith too didn't know how she died. Or more like she couldn't remember it.

However one memory of her mother survived. It was of her mother, weakly saying

"My sweet daughter...run and please don't come back."

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

"Miss?" Marie called out her name gently.

"Hm?" Awoken from her daze, Angelina turned to Marie and asked her, "what is the matter...?"

"The young matter from the Casspan family, the eldest miss's fiancee is here to see you. He is already waiting in the 2nd floor drawing room."