THE RIDE back to the estate was quiet and uncomfortable. Lily was still adjusting to this newest hobby of hers, which involved coats and back alleys. Rowan, on the other hand, was skeptical of the reason why she had to change carriage just to visit the Turvy. He didn't entirely doubt her, but he was more on the worried side that this thing may endanger Tori.

Tori was grateful that the two weren't asking anything. These two were her trusted aides, so they needed to know this. They also needed to know where the Turvy was located and who was in charge of that place in case Tori wanted to send a confidential message.

When they safely arrived at the estate, Tori saw the familiar crest of the Castaña Dukedom on a carriage.

No way! It is too early for the Duke to arrive!

She unknowingly snapped her attention from the window to Rowan. "Lady Tori?"

No! It's too early! His loyalty to me is not yet that strong to forsake his family for me!

Tori, with no help, descended from the carriage and went straight inside the manor. Lily and Rowan were hot in her heels and were both wondering what was wrong.

"Is something wrong, Lady Tori?" Lily asked her, but she didn't reply, not until Teresa confirmed the facts.

Tori dashed towards the head maid, Teresa. "Is the Duke of Castaña Duchy here, Teresa?"

"Lady Victoria, you've arrived. And no, Duke Castaña is not here but Lady Elisa."

So that wench is targeting the Duchess instead of the Marchioness, huh? What a smart move.

"Are they in the drawing-room having some tea, Teresa?"

"Yes, Lady Victoria."

Tori smiled sweetly at Teresa, though her eyes hid the wickedness she felt. "I must greet Lady Elisa then."

Tori turned to Rowan and charmingly smiled at him. "You can rest now, Rowan. And thank you for guarding me."

"Lily, bring the ribbons to my room. I'll have to visit my dear sister whom I missed so much and greet our guest."

"Yes, Lady Tori."

This should be fun. You've been building this friendship for a month as a contingency plan since I wrecked your plan with the Marchioness. I'm curious sister dearest, what will be your next move when I wreck again this so-called friendship of yours?

Tori's friendly smile greeted the two ladies who were chatting while having tea in the playroom. Lady Elisa stood up to greet Tori while Sabina was not happy before she masked her actual feelings with fake enthusiasm.

"A pleasant afternoon, Lady Victoria."

Tori replied to Elisa's charming courtesy with an equally perfect one. "Please have a seat, Sister Victoria."

Instead of replying, Tori hugged the wench. Tori and Sabina were picture-perfect loving siblings, but if anyone would hear their inner thoughts. They would surely crack up.

"Please enjoy your stay here, Lady Elisa." Tori took her seat, which was adjacent to Elisa and directly in front of Sabina. The kitchen maids served her tea. Tori hated teas, but she had to pretend that she loved them, but if only she could choose, she'd rather have caffeine.

"Yes, I am enjoying my stay, Lady Victoria."

"How's the Duke and Duchess, Lady Elisa? It's been a while since I visited your estate."

A dim expression passed by Elisa's face before smiling like nothing. Tori glanced at Sabina and she didn't say it, but she couldn't let her guard down with her 'saintly' half-sister.

"They are doing fine like they always do. How about you and Lady Sabina?"

You immediately shifted the topic, huh? This might be the time that the duke learned of his illegitimate son's existence, and he must be searching for him like crazy. After all, your father did not consider you as the heir apparent.

"Oh. My father always gazed at my mother's portraits. It pained me to see him suffering, but it touched me that he loves my mother so much."

Tori wanted to emphasize the words "so much" in front of Sabina, but they had guests, so she only made herself content by glancing at the wench to convey her message.

Sabina's uncomfortable form was like an aphrodisiac to Tori. It brought her joy to continuously humiliate her.

"Lady Elisa, I heard they invited you to the queen's tea party. That is so nice!" Sabina changed the topic before Elisa could reply.

So that's how you play your game, huh? Bring it on, sister.

Elisa smiled shyly at them. Must be with the fact that Duke Rozenreff's daughters got no invitation at all. Oh, do not fret about it, dear Elisa. I don't have the slightest inkling to enjoy tea in the same place where my killer lives.

"My mother brought the invitation with her after she talked about my future coming-of-age ceremony with the queen."

"You will meet the prince. That's so lovely!"

Careful, dearest sister. You're showing your horns.

"Which prince? Do you mean Prince Cory? I don't know, but I think I won't."

Elisa was trying to be polite in consideration of Sabina's upbringing. They gifted a royalty their castle to reside. The first prince's castle was right next to the late queen's castle, while the second prince's castle was in the northernmost part since he loved to isolate himself.

But I thought I am supposed to be the stupid one in the original plot? Why is there a talking baboon in front of me, anyway?

"Oh."

Oh, I remember. In the original plot, Lady Elisa silently loved the male lead. She was so in love with him to the point that she will become hostile to any Crown Princess candidate. But Sabina tricked her by making her believed she will give the Crown Prince to Elisa when she becomes queen. Sabina even promised to help her be a concubine in the future. What a load of bullshit.

"Wait. Does my dearest sister like a certain someone? Which one of the princes?"

Sabina was immediately flustered and was unbelievably blushing. Elisa was smiling, though it was a bit forced. She must be feeling threatened. After all, Sabina still had the Rozenreff blood.

It will be boring if I won't create a crack in your friendship. Let's see how you handle this, dearest sister.

"Oh my. I'm so excited about this kind of topic."

"It's the second prince, right? That's why you want to attend too," Elisa was holding on to that one piece of hope.

What a delightful friend.

Before Sabina could reply, Tori interjected. "Oh, it wasn't the second prince. I saw how my sister smiled with the first prince during the banquet. Oh my, my sister is growing up already. It makes me feel so lonely."

As expected, with someone who has loved the first prince since she was young, Lady Elisa dropped her teacup. Though her dress got drenched with a partially hot chamomile tea, she barely reacted.

"Lady Elisa, what happened?" Sabina, together with her maid, Shena, immediately assisted Elisa while Tori took her sweet time observing the scene unfold in front of her.

Tori saw how Elisa flinched with Sabina's touch.

"I- I am fine, Lady Sabina. I think I have to cut short my visit. I am so sorry." Elisa's maid guided her to stand up.

"I am so sorry, Lady Elisa. Did I say something wrong?" Tori also stood up with a wary stance, as if she was at fault. Shena openly glared at her while Sabina sent her a distant gaze for a second.

Elisa chuckled awkwardly, "No, Lady Victoria. Never. It was just my clumsiness."

Let's see if you can still glare at me Shena after I say this.

"I apologize again, Lady Elisa. Should I have known that Lady Elisa also shared the same feelings with my dearest sister towards the first prince, I could have changed the topic."

The glaring Shena and the cold Sabina turned pale upon hearing what Tori said, especially when Elisa just smiled timidly at them and abruptly left the drawing-room.

Oops. I think I heard a rope breaking when their friendship snapped.

"Don't worry, dear sister. Lady Elisa will come back since you two are the best of friends." Tori assured Sabina, who was busy glaring at her as Tori left the drawing-room.

Ciao!

THE DINNER after the afternoon incident was quite enjoyable for Tori. It didn't seem like what she usually felt which was suffocating for her.

Maybe because I could watch a good comedy show earlier. Well, whatever, as long as the Duke dearest wouldn't open his mouth. Tori didn't like the Duke, nor did she hate him. She just disliked the fact that they easily manipulated the duke.

Ah, disappointment is the right term when describing what I feel for him.

"Victoria. Your birthday is coming. Do you have any requests?" He nonchalantly asked Tori which stopped Sabina too.

And there he goes, opening his mouth and ruining my tranquility. So much for hoping he'll shut up, huh? And what? He's asking me for my birthday? Is he sniffing Cannabis?

Since Sabina came to the Rozenreff Household, the duke always forgot Victoria's birthday, but never Sabina's. Hence, every year the siblings always compete secretly if who's the best party.

What a dumb thing to do, honestly.

It surprised Tori since he remembered the same way Sabina got surprised too.

Hmm. Come to think of it, the original Victoria always loses to Sabina. Ooh, my inner cheerleader is coming out from the word 'competition'.

"Thank you for your concern, father." Finally. "But I have thought little about it. I'll just go to your office when I decided something."

There's no way that I'm going to tell you now. Not when a wench is observing.

"The same goes with you, Sabina."

"I'll just come to you like Sister Victoria will do, father. You know how much I looked up to her."

You sly bitch!

"Don't you ever worry, dearest sister. I will always help you with careful consideration about your humble origins since two years aren't enough to memorize what every noble lady knows." Tori and Sabina were smiling, but deep down they were practically clawing at each other.

For the nth time today, Tori felt Shena and Mia's heated stare. Tori wanted to gauge their eyeballs out but these two still had roles to play.

Once the plot begins, you two will be the first ones I'll eliminate. Your sick loyalty to that wench will be your greatest regret. I will let you two witness the Sabina that will discard you at any given moment. I will show you that you sided with the wrong Rozenreff and I will make you regret your decisions as you take your last breath.

Aah, I have lots to do in these two years before the plot starts, so many works, and hypocrisy. And I have yet to steel myself when coming face to face with my killer, the first prince. I have to get used to him if I wanted everything to run smoothly.

I have to make sure that before the time when I'm supposed to die, I must control the entire Empire from the shadows.