"Oh my... Have you heard? 'Angel' is opening a boutique! I'm quite looking forward to it." one lady exclaimed with excitement.

"Of course. 'Colored Beauty' is extremely popular among us aristocrats. Who hasn't heard of this news?" the other young lady was much calmer. The news of the upcoming boutique has stirred quite the discussion.

"Will 'Angel' be designing the gowns and dresses?" one asked.

"I don't think so. How could someone be so skilled and talented?" another shook her head.

**********

A slender and white hand stretched out and pushed open the boutique door. They young woman immediately spotted her friend, who was waiting for her.

"Lady Arianna." Angelina greeted with a pleasing smile.

"Lady Angelina." Arianna nodded.

"Have you prepared the design drafts?" Angelina walked over to her and asked.

"Mhm. Although some of these were made when I was younger. Hope you don't mind." Arianna took out a few of papers from inside the suitcase she was carrying, and handed them to Angelina for her to look over.

"...." Angelina focused on scanning the drafts before gasping with admiration. "I can't tell at all. These all seem very professional..."

"Oh." Arianna averted her gaze and hid her flushed face.

"Where did you learn how to do this, lady Arianna?" Angelina glanced at the embarrassed lady. and asked curiously.

"My late mother's first rank maid taught me. It was merely a hobby for her though. But she died a few years ago." Arianna explained. A trace of sadness flashed in her eyes. After her mother died, she was quite lonely and was only accompanied by her late mother's maid. And because of her, Arianna became quite fascinated with designing gowns.

She, since childhood, has been always passionate with beautiful things. Thus she could not help but be enchanted by embroidery, paintings, and gowns. Now that she had been given the chance to make her hobby a job, she will not give up on it.

Angelina took Arianna to meet the seamstresses and give them the design drafts. The group of seamstresses were shocked. They didn't expect Arianna to be below the age of 20, and yet was so talented.

After a busy afternoon, Angelina went home. There she saw the duchess, who was unexpectedly waiting for her.

"Mother?" Angelina called out, confused.

"Lina, will you join me for a chat?" the duchess asked. Reaching out her hand. Her gentle temperament caused Angelina to relax her shoulders.

"Of course, mother." Angelina curved her lips upward and held the duchess's hand.

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

As the two sat, facing each other, they enjoyed the silence and sipped their tea's.

With a quiet "clank..." the duchess sat down her teacup and looked up at her daughter.

"Lina, I know I haven't been involved in your life as much I should... I've been so busy that i haven't made much time for you, and I'm sorry for that. I just want you to make your own choices." the duchess said. She looked quite lonely and dejected.

"Why suddenly bring this up mother?" Angelina asked. She didn't feel like the duchess did anything wrong as a mother at all. Compared to Marchioness Bailey, the duchess showed more care and concern for her than the marchioness ever did throughout her past life!

"I just realized how little time I spent with you. Though it's a little embarrassing to say but... I quite envy Marie. I worry that you'll think of her as your mother and forget me..." the duchess smiled through her embarrassment.

"That won't happen mother. You both are important to me. But Marie is more of a big sister to me..." Angelina said. She found it interesting that a duchess would feel threatened by a maid. It is quite amusing...

"And another thing Lina... If you had to... Between me and your father, who would you choose?" The duchess asked. Her eyes clouded with anxiety and worry.

"...? Well...of course mother." Angelina answered with full confidence. As if she would rather choose that biased bastard!

The duchess stared at her youngest child with warmth and relief in her eyes. She lowered her head slightly and the corners of her lips were raised, creating a reassured expression.

"Thank you Lina." The duchess sighed before adding, "I'm not a fool. I know if they must, Lex and Eve would definitely choose the duke over me. But...I'm glad at least someone is on my side..."

"Mother... Why did you ask?" Angelina placed her teacup down.

"Because I'm afraid of what I will do... But now... Hearing your words, I feel slightly more assured." The duchess look into Angelina's eyes, facing her gaze. Now her eyes were freed from worry, filled with determination, and yet uncertainty.

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

"Ugh....I'm so bored...." The princess, Elizabeth whined. Although she was still able to walk around her palace and play, her mother refused to let her go outside.

"Cheer up Lizzie. If you rest and pay attention to your health, you'll definitely get better soon." Her brother, the second prince, said.

"That's easy for you to say... Your able to go out and play outside! While I'm stuck here... I've completely run out of things to do!" Elizabeth pouted.

"Well we'll be holding a ball soon right? Father and mother already permitted you to attend. Meanwhile don't cause trouble." the crown prince, Alistair told her. His eyes never left his book.

"...! That's true and I've just made a great idea!" the little princess's eyes lit up instantly. She stood up and ran towards the door, intending to find her royal parents.

".... Did she even listen to my words...?" the crown prince sighed.

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

"...." As Angelina stared at her hand holding the door handle of the duchess's study, she could not help but think back to the Duchess's past words.

What did she mean?

Angelina sighed before letting go of the handle and turning her head, only to see Evelina, standing right in front of her.

"Hello Lilith." Evelina greeted. Her smile was slightly cold.

"Well good evening Eve. How was your day?" Angelina smiled sweetly, but her eyes were hostile.

"....it was pleasant." Evelina chuckled.

"That's good." Angelina patted Evelina's shoulder before turning to leave. But she was quickly stopped by Evelina.

"Lilith Bailey... Would you mind having a chat with me? Alone." Evelina asked. Her expression grew twisted and terrifying.

"Oh? My...but I do mind." Angelina sneered.

"You..."Evelina frowned.

"Ahahaha I was just joking my 'dear sister'... How could I not want to chat with my 'favorite' person in the world...?" Angelina placed her hand on Evelina's shoulder once again, and gripped it with great strength. Her smile did not fade.

"......" Evelina curved her lips upward and smiled back. Her smile was obviously forced.

Evelina led her 'sister' to an empty parlor.

The fireplace was already lit up. A white box laid on the table. The faint scent of tea leaf's lingered in the air. The parlor possessed a very cozy and comfortable atmosphere. And yet non of the two ladies felt at ease or relaxed at all.

"Tea?" Evelina stated offered.

"No thank you." Angelina smiled.

Evelina immediately dropped her smiling expression and replaced it with a straight face.

She walked over to the fireplace and stared at the bright flames.

"Lilith. You've recently been getting quite close with that foreign Emperor, right?" Evelina glanced at Angelina through the corner of her eyes.

"I don't think It's any of your business." Angelina glared at Evelina's back, which was facing her.

"Hmph." Evelina turned around and met Angelina's cold gaze. But Evelina didn't back away. Instead, she stared at Angelina for a few more seconds before asking,

"Do you know?"

"Hm? What are you talking about?" Angelina raised one of her eyebrows.

"Oh. Pfft..." Evelina flashed a mocking sneer.

' This two-faced pig...' Angelina gritted her teeth.

"It seems Chase has been paying more attention you too..." Evelina walked forward and approached the table.

As she began opening the box, Evelina felt her anger rise.

There were times where she would be next to Chase, trying to gain his favor, and yet he would be looking elsewhere.

When she would follow the direction he was staring at, it would always lead to the back view of long silver hair and a slender waist.

"Hm?" Angelina didn't know what exactly Evelina meant. She and Chase haven't even had a conversation ever since he...

"Heh..." A grin crept to Evelina's face as she pulled out...a doll.

"...!" Angelina widened her eyes. That doll was her's!

"He gave you this?" Evelina asked. Her face was now completely expressionless.

"....you..how..." Angelina was shocked. How did she find it? And when...!?

"I'll take that as a yes." Evelina turned around and walked to the fireplace. As she stared at the burning red fire, she spoke once more.

"I don't think you'll be needing this. Isn't that right, Lilith?" As she said this, she stretched out her hand and dropped the doll... Into the flames.

Angelina had nothing to say. Her body froze and turned stiff as she watched the doll resembling her in the past...being devoured by the flames.