BENEATH THE glamorous mansion of Lord Tofera laid a dungeon. The primary purpose of this place was to keep the merchants who made a fool out of Lord Tofera's trading company. But today, a day after their secret meeting, this well-kept dungeon would serve as their meeting place to deliver the cargo.

Lord Tofera bribed the noble judges to cancel the execution of Allistair. And since the latter was not a known gentleman from any Houses, he was treated as a slave for a trade. A commoner's execution was not as celebrated as a noble's execution. Hanging commoners or heads rolling from the common folk's populace was treated like a normal thing, unlike if the nobles were the ones standing to be judged, it would be treated as a festival.

This day being the last before classes start again for Tori's second week, she told the Rozenreff Duchy that she would visit the queen's palace as she was Tori's sponsor. Tori usually left Lily in the estate to act as her eyes and ears in her stead.

Tori's disruption of the noble faction's plan immediately resulted in a summon for a secret meeting that was held at Duke Castaña's estate. Sabina was equally busy as she was busy being tutored by the Duchess to be a proper lady, but Tori knew that it was only a pretext that was hiding the fact that Sabina was invited to the secret meeting. According to Lily, Sabina often visited the Duke's office when all the handmaidens returned to their quarters.

Perhaps the plot's turning point wherein the female lead Sabina met the male lead at the banquet by fate that happened in episode 1 of the Thorny Crown Series was all a farce that fooled the viewers. Judging that the events now followed the plot of the series, then Sabina and Lauren's supposedly fated meeting must be the strategy of the noble faction. To think that they also targeted Victoria to strengthen the support of the masses for Sabina made me recoil with disdain.

Just you wait, father. After all, we have to save the best for the last.

"How's my cargo, Brenan?" The sound of Tori's footsteps with Rowan in tow resounded in the narrow hallway of the dungeon. The Tofera House butler, Brenan, led them to the lowest part of the dungeon where Lord Tofera was waiting with her precious cargo.

"I delivered the cargo safe and sound just as you wished, my lady."The butler answered respectfully even when he did not look back at her as he was making sure that the steps they were taking were well-lighted from the lamp he was carrying.

Tori's steps were calculated to avoid falling over, though Rowan was on high alert every time she took a step down as if she would trip over soon.

Good. I need him clean if I'll own him. I don't like dirty pets. I just hate dirtying my hands when Lily spent hours trimming my nails quite gracefully.

When they arrived, an open cell where the House of Tofera's knights were loitered welcomed them three. At the center was Lord Tofera, holding the leash that connected to the collar of a kneeling Allistair before the old lord.

His cerulean eyes regarded her immediately as soon as she was visible to them. Her tattered coat seemed to make him recognize her. "I knew it. A psychotic chic will only pull this shit level like you. You're so desperate to have me, huh." His malicious tone made Rowan draw his sword.

Tori stopped Rowan by the wave of her right hand. "He's not disciplined yet, I see. I am looking forward to taming you, pet."Tori crouched down at his level.

His glaring eyes welcomed her together with his spit that marred her shoes. "You piece of shit!" Rowan aimed to strike Allistair down for the latter's behavior, but Tori's red eyes regarded her knight with a warning.

"I need him alive and well, Rowan."

Standing up to face the lord of the house, Tori showed them a scroll where Crown Prince Yei Lin's seal lay.

"Is his records clean?" Tori stared directly into Lord Tofera's eyes. 

If you dare pull a trick on me, I will destroy your trading company with my own bare hands.

Handing her a box where the scrolls of Allistair's records before he got in the prison cell, Rowan took it in for her. Her loyal knight checked its content and nodded at her as a sign of confirmation.

"Well then, it is a pleasure making business with you, Lord Tofera." Offering him the contract with a revised statement was signed by Crown Prince Yei Lin immediately.

The glow of a merchant's eyes was vivid even in the dimly lighted dungeon. "The Oolong tea is now mine. I don't know how you manipulated everything, Lady Victoria. But the House Tofera will be your ally something from now on."

Smiling sweetly at the old lord, Tori nodded and offered her hands. "I am looking forward to testing our newfound allegiance, Lord Tofera. Well then, it is time for us to leave."

Handing her the reigns of the leash, Tori grasped the end of Allistair's leash. The whole time of the exchange, Tori was staring at Allistair intently, as if telling him she owned him completely.

"We will leave you now for you to get acquainted with your new companion, Lady Victoria."

"I appreciate that, Lord Tofera."

Now alone with Rowan and Allistair, the tension was so thick that anyone with a knife could slice it. The warning glare from Rowan was directed to Allistair, who was also busily glaring at her. But Tori paid no mind as she took a knife from her breast pocket.

Startled by her knife, Allistair leaned away from her. That's the best he could do when his neck, hands, and feet were bounded. "What are you going to do with that?" Wariness reflected from his eyes since he regarded her as a psychotic bitch.

"Stay still, bastard." Rowan immediately secured Allistair for Tori.

"Oh, shut up and stop being a pussy." In a swift motion, Tori cut the leather collar around Allistair's neck.

"What are you doing?" Her action astounded him. "Wait! Are we going to do it here? Even with him around?"

His face was flushed with shock and wariness. "Just what are you thinking, pervert?"

Just what did you endure to think of me in such a way, Allistair? Have you also suffered because of this wretched plan? Did you also have to suffer just for someone else's happily ever after?

Allistair earned a whack to the head from Rowan. "Snap out of it or I will kill you myself."

"What do you want me to think when someone bought my freedom when there's nothing for me to give other than my body?" His bitter words snapped something inside Rowan. After all, he was from the slums and suffered a great deal too.

Fully understanding Allistair's situation, Rowan tapped Allistair's shoulder. "Be at ease. Lady Tori has freed me a few months ago. You can count yourself lucky."

All of Allistair's attention turned to Rowan, who shared the same fate with him. "In return for saving you, you became her dog. You fetch and run, huh? I don't know if I rather be executed than play a pet to some young noble lady." Allistair regarded Tori as if he did not care what would be the recuperation of his action.

I like that attitude. With this, even if you go back to the Kingdom of Monakre, you won't be a pushover.

Handing the key to his restraints to Rowan, Tori smiled slyly to Allistair. 

There's no point in hiding my intention. "Prince Yei Lin will be here soon. In exchange for the contract, he wants to have you."

The chains rattling as they fell to the floor echoed inside the dungeon. The relief that quickly vanished as it came was not unnoticed by Tori and Rowan.

"Listen and listen well, Allistair Damon Monakre. The moment that Crown Prince Yei Lin comes here to get you, remember that you are not a slave or a property, you are the only heir to the throne of Monakre Kingdom. Never forget that. Because the moment you forget that, you are good as dead." Tori's no-bullshit tone and serious red eyes gazed at the slumped, forgotten prince.

He did not answer and just stare at her as if she was a puzzle that needed to be solved. "Why are you doing this? I don't understand the whole thing but I understand much that Lord Tofera and the Yei are the benefactors of this situation." His forehead creased while looking at me as he tried to stand up only to stagger in front of her.

You do not know. "Am I, though?"

The sound of footsteps interrupted Allistair's reply, coming in their direction. Crown Prince Yei Lin arrived. "You're darling friend is here, Allistair."

The wary face of the crown prince accompanied by his three knights was the first thing that Tori noted. Rowan readied himself if things would turn out for the worst, but Tori knew she would be the winner of this day as the two princes danced right through her palm.

Let's just see what will happen. But judging from Allistair's grim face, I bet this won't be all rainbows and sunshine. So, the forgotten prince holds some animosity toward Kpop prince, huh?

"Alice," the crown prince stepped forward to Allistair but the latter just signaled him to stop coming closer by raising his hand. "I am sorry, mate. If only I knew what would happen I could have ridden with the other carriage."

Grabbing the crown prince's collar, Allistair cried hopelessly in front of him while his cerulean eyes were ablaze with frustrations and defeat. "Stop talking to me like you knew what I've been through!" It must be so hard enduring all of it alone.

The knights almost attacked Allistair, but they stopped when the crown prince shook his head. "You're right. I can't fathom what you've been through, but I know enough about what to expect. But I promise you this. I will find whoever is responsible for it." Clear conviction showed in his cobalt eyes as he stared directly at Allistair to convey his sincerity.

The moment Tori tried to say something; Crown Prince Yei Lin regarded her presence for the first time with an icy glance. "The deal has been made and sealed. You got my word that as long as I am alive, you will have all the authorities of Oolong Tea monopoly under the pretext of Lord Tofera's trading company. In return, never speak a word about this."

Allistair snapped his head towards Tori, who was just smiling sweetly at them. He finally realized what she meant earlier.

"Of course, your highnesses." Tori curtsied in front of the two. Her eyes were smiling sweetly. Nobody would believe that she was the one who destroyed the noble faction's strategy.

Before turning away, Tori turned around again. "Enjoy your reunion, your highnesses."While it lasts.

Midway to the stairs, Tori glanced at them sideways. "As a token for the deal well done, I would like to offer you a little information."

The two stopped in their tracks at her sudden intrusion. Allistair finally addressed her correctly. "What is it, Lady Rozenreff?"

"As a token, I can give you the information you seek about the culprit. After all, I am directly connected to the Information Guild."

Gone was Tori's sweet smile and what was left to be seen by the two future kings was the devil hiding behind the ruthless red eyes. Knowing what would it take to have that information, Crown Prince Yei Lin asked if she was waiting for the entire day. "What do you want in return from me?"

Shaking her head, Tori replied, "Wrong. What do I want from the two of you? That's the correct question to be asked, your highnesses."

Ah, I know I'm gone be victorious from this reunion.