Silence engulfed the courtroom as everyone awaited the king's decision. His eyes glazed over to Duke Rozenreff, who was busy gazing at his eldest daughter. King Elphaim then looked at Duke Castaña, whose shoulders slumped when the latter realized the gravity of the situation.

He knew from the very start that it would end in the favor of Lady Victoria, but King Elphaim did not expect that the accused would prepare this very detailed plan to shift the tides. The king knew that prosecuting the Duchess would weaken the Castaña Duchy. But if he prosecuted Lady Victoria, the ironclad countries Ming and Monakre would turn their back on their support for him and the Eckrett Empire.

Last, King Elphaim looked at his second son, who was talking quietly with Crown Prince Allistair. He did not know why, but his second son showing interest in Lady Victoria was something that he would like to see as a young attachment. He dared not named the emotions flickering in Prince Corean's eyes every time he looked at the accused lady.

"From the evidence and testimonies presented, I hereby declare Lady Victoria Rozenreff as innocent in this incident. For the accusations against Duchess Castaña, I hereby declare for a further investigation to be led by Crown Prince Yei Lin. In the meantime, Duchess Castaña will lose all her authority as the Duchess of Castaña Duchy. May this action be enough for Lady Sabina, and for Lady Victoria for being subjected to the humiliation and treatment, is there anything you wish for?"

Aah, those are the words that I longed to hear from King Elphaim. After all, this is the point why I poisoned that wench. Too bad though, it did not kill her. That could have made the punishment of the Duchess more severe compared to her actual judgment.

Taking off her black veil, Tori's golden ringlets flowed freely. Her red eyes, now cleared than ever, focused only on the King before she slyly glanced at her father and sister, then to the crying Duchess who was being seized by the royal knights. Her eyes turned to the two witnesses.

This plan only worked because I succeeded in securing my four pieces. Elisa's love is the last nail in the coffin. Her love for Prince Lauren which was trampled to the ground by Sabina and her mother, making her the star witness of this noble trial. Well, let's not forget the alleged knight who found the evidence against me. Actually, he is a knight who secretly loves Elisa. But seeing her going insane because of her jealousy of Sabina made him agree to my offer. His anger wanted the head of Prince Lauren, which I will happily give him in exchange for his help. Me being caught and detained in the prison cell was my plan to push Rowan to the corner if he ever wanted to save me. Plus, requesting Duke Castaña as the one who would interrogate me made their fateful meeting more perfect than ever. With Rowan now the new heir of Castaña Duchy, it was enough for the high society to convince the motive of the Duchess to antagonize me. But Elisa's contribution is the biggest part. After all, she was the one who stole her mother's prized necklace. And what she wanted from me was to destroy Sabina, which I will do today.

Smiling sweetly, he answered the king. "According to the laws of the Empire, the title to be inherited can be won fair and square between heirs when each one of them will be supported by a faction. Thus, in the situation of princes and princesses, the factions do not really mind supporting heirs unless it is from the royal family. Now, my father, Duke Luwen Rozenreff, announced that Lady Sabina is currently being supported by the noble faction. What I ask is to make you, Your Majesty, a royal call now. After all, I, Victoria Rozenreff, am being supported by the entire aristocratic faction."

Taking her signal, the Lords and Ladies of the aristocratic faction stood from their seats together with Prince Corean. As the leader of the aristocratic faction, the second prince walked to her side and faced the king, who went rigid in his seat. "I, the leader of the aristocratic faction, Prince Corean Shuia Rozenreff confirmed that Lady Victoria is already a member of my faction."

"I will not allow you to join them, Victoria!" Duke Rozenreff stood from his seat with his eyes filled with betrayal from her eldest daughter.

And what father? Let me die like what you did to your actual daughter one lifetime ago? Hell will freeze over before I will let you rule my life like what you did to your daughter.!

"Sister Victoria!" Sabina's worried face was free from any façade. She was truly worried about her current position since the Duchess was already gone.

Are you worried because the 'everything that you took from me' will be taken back? Now, your only way is to fight me. Then fight me, dear. Give me more reason to crush you to death.

"I should evaluate carefully a royal call, Lady Victoria. The power and connection from the two factions almost weighed the same." The King did not like the fact that Tori was changing the norms of the high society.

Wickedly smiling, Tori did not need to answer when the two crown princes together with Rowan stood by their side. For the first, Crown Prince Allistair Damon Monakre spoke at the center of the Eckrett Empire's high society. "Your Majesty, who said about equal weights in power? On behalf of the Kingdom of Monakre with the blessing of my father, I support Lady Victoria with her endeavors."

"The Ming Country's emperor also expressed his desire to aide the lady who found my friend. On behalf of my father, I support Lady Victoria as the rightful heir to the Rozenreff Duchy."

They're right. Who says that I am alone? We may follow the same plot but I am changing the character's roles one by one.

The high society was in chaos, especially those who belonged to the noble faction.

"Support from the foreign countries is invalid!"

"The heir of Rozenreff has been announced to the public already!"

"How can a daughter of Duke Rozenreff be supported by the opposing faction!"

Raising her hand, Tori silenced the chaotic noble faction. "Am I right to conclude that you're questioning the laws of the Empire, my lords? My ladies?"Her overly sweet smile was a complete contrast to her mocking red eyes as she looked at them one by one as if they were all beneath them.

King Elphaim understood the noble faction's sentiments, but it was understandable for Lady Victoria to seek the help of the aristocratic faction when her father would obviously abandon her. "Just like you said Lady Victoria Rozenreff, the law in this empire stated that the heir with the greater connection and power will take the seat of the inheritance. But we do not recognize the power of the crown princes from other kingdoms in the empire, you know that too, right Lady Victoria?" King Elphaim's eyes told Tori that she already lost. But for a split second, the king saw how Tori smiled slyly at him before it changed to its original sweet smiling face.

"I know, Your Majesty. That's why King Leon Monakre and Emperor Mei Lin came to this noble trial."

They're my insurance should you use that law against me. I guess being two steps ahead is not a bad thing. I can already tell where Prince Corean got on his sly side.

Laughing while stroking his beard, King Leon eyed Tori with utmost curiosity. He was astonished that she bravely confronted Crown Prince Yei Lin just to bring back his lost son. No matter what her reason would be. King Leon decided to help her as he owed her a great deal.

Emperor Rei Lin, on the other hand, liked Tori's cunning strategies in bringing down Marquess Zoliel. Even her proposals about the grains and sugar astounded him that such a common item could destroy nobles and aristocrats when played wickedly. For Emperor Rei Lin, Tori was a rare gem that he intended to polish for the Ming country's benefit.

Nodding their heads as confirmation of her claim, King Elphaim was once again pushed back to the corner. To stabilize the growing empire, he needed the partnership of these two countries. With nothing to argue, the king made the obvious royal call. "I, King Elphaim, Blessed Sun of Gaia, hereby recognized the claim of Lady Victoria Rozenreff, first of her name and the eldest daughter of Duke Luwen Rozenreff. With the laws upon us, the weight of high society tilts its favor to Lady Victoria Rozenreff, making her the effective official heir of the Duchy."

"No!" Sabina shrieked like a banshee as she tried to stand up and aim for the smiling Victoria. The sullen Duke stopped her second daughter immediately. "Sabina, no."

The Duke nodded at the flustered Shena who was standing at their back the whole time. "Take her back to the estate. I will have to talk to Victoria." He knew that a royal call was something that could not be changed. He looked at his eldest daughter, who was happily smiling at the center of the aristocratic faction who went down to greet her. Walking towards Victoria, Duke Luwen interrupted the ongoing pre-celebration. "Victoria."

All eyes shifted to the newly arrived Duke. Tori snapped her attention to her father. "Father," Tori greeted the Duke sweetly.

"Let's talk for a moment, Victoria." The Duke addressed his daughter but his eyes were looking at the second prince who was standing close to Victoria.

"Of course, Father." Tori led the Duke out of the courtroom, leaving her companions. She led him to the room she occupied earlier to talk privately. The entire journey towards the room was silent as they could not deny the tension. Just before they could enter the room, Tori regarded Lily, who was just waiting outside the room.

Lily's face was full of worry and fear. When she realized who she was with, her anxiety grew evident for Tori to see. "Lady Tori. Duke Rozenreff."

The Duke did not even acknowledge the handmaiden as he only looked forward. "It's alright, Lily. Just prepare us some tea and don't let anyone enter the room."

You did well, Lily.

"I understand, Lady Tori." Lily hurriedly went on her way after she showed them respect.

Without even glancing at her father, Tori opened the door for him. The Duke's emotionless face welcomed Tori as she sat in front of him.

Not wasting his precious time, the Duke started. "Why? There are so many questions in me, but my pressing concern is why are you opposing me, your father?" His eyes held betrayal from what she did and anger for her disobedience.

Ha! The nerve of this man!

"Let me answer you with my question, why did you abandon me? Why make me believe that you have my back only to stab me when you destroyed my future for that half-blood's feelings? Sometimes, I wonder. Did you even see me as a daughter?"

I saw how you love Sabina. The original Victoria saw that wretched love until the moment that she died. You did not even blink when the original Victoria's head rolled to the ground. So don't you dare talk as if I disappointed you.

"You know why I did that," he argued back as his voice raised.

Crossing her legs calmly, Tori laughed for a moment. Her ruthless red eyes met her father's cold ones. "Screw your reasons, Father. You can shove it in your ass. You spoke of my mother's love, but what you showed to me was the exact opposite. Yes, you changed a bit, but your unyielding love for that wench never faltered. You know what, I am done. I will hold the Rozenreff Duchy with an iron grip with the help of those who you loathed the most. And at the end of today, you will be left wondering what made me like this. Well then, I will answer it for you... You did. You shaped the monster in me. You and that half-blood!"

Standing up, the Duke could not contain his anger with the situation. "I never knew this side of you. You are nothing like your mother."

Scoffing loudly, Tori crossed her arms as she looked up at his standing form. "I never claim to be my mother, I never did. I will not die easily, no. And I will not die and go down in this wretched place, father. And for the record, erase your illusion of me being an obedient spawn of yours. I am Victoria Rozenreff and I bow to no one. I never did and I never will."

Tori stood up without even looking back at her astounded father.

Wow, walking out in front of the Duke is becoming my new hobby, huh?

Without no place to go, Tori aimlessly wandered around the hallways of the courthouse. The nobles that she saw would give her a curious look or a wary look. After all, she was the accused who became the innocent and later on became the heir of the Rozenreff Duchy just in one go. Bow down to me bitches.

Not even sparing them a glance, Tori walked like she owned the courtroom herself.

Is this how Victoria's Secret models feel? Damn, I'm so fucking high.

A sudden arm interrupted Tori's graceful strides, turning her world upside down for a minute before she felt the icy walls at her back. Golden eyes met hers when she looked up at the tall figure who pinned her to the wall. "What now, your highness?"

With the thick drapes of the curtains covering them, he leaned down to whisper his reply. "You think I did not remember your attempt at erasing my memory?"

Tori's eyes widened.

Why did he remember? Wait, is he baiting me?

"Memory? What memory?"Tori gave the second prince the best innocent look she got.

Smiling down at her antics, Prince Corean leaned more toward her. His lips almost touching her, "My memory of my teeth marking your pretty little neck. You seem to forget it. Should I make your body remember, Tori?"

Holy sweet momma of Gaia! Goddess, deliver me from evil.

"S-stop this, Cory." Tori did not know why her words were whispered. She sounded breathless and wanton.

I am such a slut.

"How can I stop? When my future queen is such a temptress."

END