Oh she thinks she's better than me" Penelope scoffed as she sipped her jasmine tea.

Rosalia sat across her expressed her worry. "Seem like Lady Cordillera is getting ahead of herself. But we shouldn't underestimate her. Her position as Daughter of Count gives her advantage over us."

"Of course sister. I'm deligient in my steps. Her position would benefit us if we want to reach the higher heiarchy of the social ladder. I'll endure her nonsensical blabbering and use her as a stepping stone for my dreams." Penelope said as she gazed at garden through the windows.

Rosalia would've smirked if it weren't unladylike. Her sister continues to surprise her. As years passed she had been growing into bewitching beauty. A temptress who could charm anyone with her words and beauty.

Her ambitious self just make her all the more alluring.

"I see." Rosalie hummed sipping her own tea.

"Have you heard about (Y/n)?" Penelope asked.

"What about her?" Rosalia peered at her sister curiously.

"Her dream to travel the world?" Penelope looked at Rosalia. "She doesn't want a proper house or ladies in waiting for herself. To be adorned in fine jewellery or have people bidding on your wishes. Her dream is so opposite to mine. So tiny it's almost laughable. Whereas I desire the fame and luxury, she desires to leave it all behind and travel the outside like a commer. She wants to go back to her old life."

"She is but a child, Penelope. She doesn't understand the world like we do. Once she grows up she will come to know the appeal of noble life."

"I hope so. I've taken a liking to that girl. Even though she is most of the time brazen and troublesome, she intrigues me." Penelope took another sip. "And losing such a excellent healer would be a lose to us."

Rosalia put down her teacup and let out a sound of agreement. "I admit she is a disgrace as a lady but her skills in pharmacy is quite extraordinary. It had proved to be extremely helpful."

Recalling the assassin attempt on them, they both shudder. Penelope grimaced, her complexion paling a bit.

"I remembered the horrid pain. If it weren't for her we'd be death right now."

Passed few months there had been numerous assassin attempts on them. Most of them being poisoning. You skill in herbs and antidote had proved more than helpful. Something they both are extremely grateful for.

"I don't know why Father wouldn't bring the issue to the king. We all know whose behind this threats and yet.. The House of Wilton disgust me using such underhanded means." Penelope bit her lips, looking upset. The rivalry between both the houses had reached toxic levels that they didn't mind killing innocent children for their gains.

"You must understand, dear sister it's not that easy. The king is an opportunistic person. He wouldn't lift an finger until we've something to provide to him. Something he could gain benefits from."

Penelope nodded. Though she was still a 12 year old, she was smart enough to grasp the concept. Her older sister was right. Nothing in this world was free. You've to forcefully claims your rights. And that's what she would do, even if it means to crush other.

"Where do you think she'd be?" Penelope changed the subject, and almost rolled her eyes. "Nevermind. I've good guess. She must be tending her plants plants or sitting on the roof gazing at the sky. She quite strange like that."

Thinking back to you, Rosalia looked thoughtfully at her tea. It's been three years since you became a member of their family. Three year since Father made the decision to take you under their wings.

Rosalia had a pretty good understanding of what kind of person you were. Though most of the time it's quite disappointment that she couldn't mould you into a proper lady like herself.

Her sister was a prideful thing for their family. She excelled in everything. Dancing, sewing, etiquettes, manners, even in knowledge. Penelope was a all-rounder graceful lady. An ambitious girl who stops at nothing to achieve her goals to climb the social ladder and leave behind her peers in dust. A beautiful girl who knew how to charm people and bid them to do her doing. A temptress who words would put anyone in trance.

More than often, Rosalia is left in the shadows of her sister. But she didn't mind it. If her sister could bring fame to the family then Rosalia was more than happy to be second. She admits she wasn't as ambitious as her sister but she had her own goal to reach.

You on the other hand were exactly opposite of her. Clumsy, ungraceful. Doing whatever pleased you.

You lacked in every manner to be a lady but when it came to handling herbs you excelled it. It was only the positive thing you had.

Even the family physicians were impressed by your skill.

After the almost dead experiences where you had saved them more than few times the idea of you being a family member became more acceptable. Even Penelope who didn't like you had complete changeover towards you, treating you more kindly.

She must admit that she always regarded you as lost cause but the incident changed her perceptive about you. She had a newfound respect for you. Even if most time she wished to smack you for your unladylike manner.

Your talent would bring the Judith family more attention and put them into good light. At least they had good use of you. Considering they just adopted you from the street. As long as you didn't tarnish their reputation, she'll treat you kindly.

A maid came and bowed down. "Milady, My lord has summoned you in his study room."

Penelope and Rosalia exchanged curious look. Father never summoned them in the study room. A room he considered for private purposes. The matter must be serious. And important.

"Alright." Penelope nodded, getting up from her chair gracefully.

"He has asked for Lady (Y/n) too." The maid said still bowing.

Rosalia was the one to answer. "It's fine, sister. You go ahead I shall search for her and bring her with me." Rosalia turned to the maid. "You're dismiss."

The maid bowed. Penelope followed her, curtsied to her sister before leaving.

Rosalia heaved a sigh. She had a good guess as to where you were. Like her sister said you must be tending the plants. A thing you love doing and more than often be obsessed over then the etiquette class.

Her foot steps echoed in the hallway as she made her way towards the garden. The maids bowed before going back to their respective work.

Rosalia admired the flowers that blossom beautifully as she entered the garden. A colourful dance that brought peace to the soul.

She spotted you on the corner. Crouched down near the flower bed, concentrating on something. There was a shovel in your hand and a bucket beside you.

What were you doing? Rosalia hummed in confusion.

But something else caught her attention.

One thing that stood out most, making her upset. She walks towards you, stopping behind you frowning when you didn't taken notice of her.

How many times had she told you to pay attention to surrounding. A lady should never leave herself vulnerable and open.

She opened her fan and peered down at you in disapproval. Her hands itched to smack the outrageous girl. She was barefooted. Barefooted!

But she resisted since you weren't a little kid anymore.

It was hard though. With all the time she had tried to educate you, you still are oblivious to most basic manners.

A lady should never show her foot to anyone and this girl had the audacity to wander around barefoot. Such indecency!!

She let out a cough. You jumped startled.

"F***!"

You whipped around looking at Rosalia wide eyed. "You scared me! Please stop with your ninja sneaking!!"

Rosalia gasped in horror. She froze, her eyes widened in horror. The words ringing in her mind with bitter taste. She wished to cover her ears and dipped herself in holy water. Or better yet drown you in holy water.

Smack!

"Ow!!"

Her hand shook as she brought her fan to cover her scowling face.

"Such crude words?! How dare you utter such terribly distasteful words in my presence. A lady should never cuss!" Rosalia scolded you. How many times she had made you memorize the etiquettes but still each time you disappointed her.

"I'm sorry." You sulked rubbing your head.

"No apology. Promise me you won't cuss!"

"..I promise..." You averted your eyes as you promised. You hands behind you and muttered under your breath. "...not."

Rosalia nodded satisfied not hearing the last bit. "Just like a lady should."

Meow.

She took a step back when she saw the dreadful cat peering at her. The damned cat has caused so many troubles that it was miracle it was still curled up on your lap so cozily.

Rosalia had tired so many times to get rid of the troublesome cat than was more troublesome than you. She had thrown him away, sent him far away so he couldn't find his way back. But the damned cat always miraculously appeared beside you. And her favourite teaset would always be shattered.

Rosalia had came to notice that the cat was overprotective of you. He'd hiss at anyone who even dard to look at you the wrong way. Mess around with the maids who gossiped about you to the point the maids would ask for resignation. It was quite troublesome.

But the positive results no one bothered you for your lowly status.

Looking away from the glaring cat, she cleared her throat. "What are you doing?"

You beamed at her. Rosalia must admit you were quite cute but not as beautiful as her sister.

"I was catching the worms that were damaging the herbs!" You brought your hand up and opened your fist. "There are quite fat too! It was difficult to catch them but I'm almost finished. This is the last one!"

She step back when she a long worm wiggling in your hand. A shiver snaked down ber spine. What are you doing with the worm?

Her stomach churned unpleasantly. She covered her mouth as she gagged.

"Put that away!! Don't come near me with that thing!?" She shrieked forgetting all about how a lady shouldn't raise her voice.

"Aww, you hurt the poor worm's feeling. See it's sad."

"No!!" Rosalia smacked your hand away and the worm flew away from the impact.

"No, my cute litte worm-chan!?" You cried out.

Rosalia breathed heavily as she tired to regain her composure. She grimaced glaring at you who was tearing up from getting separated from worm-chan.

Why would you name such foul thing?!

Rosalia scoffed, peering at you in disgust. "A lady playing with such filthy thing, you'd be disgrace to the family!"

Rosalia reprimanded you as you gazed down in guilt but not looking guilty at all. You continued to mutter apologizes under your breathe as she berated you.

"Such a lady as yourself, you go do something so disdainful. How many times I've told you to ask the gardener help!! He's hired for this filthy job. Don't go touching such thing!!"

"But I wore gloves.."

"It's still not enough. You shou---"

Rosalia absolutely stilled, a chill going down her spine. She felt something wiggling in her hair, her gloved hand shot up to catch it. When she brought it infront of her eyes to see....

Her face drained in colour, her green eyes trembled. She looked back in utter perturb. Shivering she opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.

......a wiggling, squirming worm.

"Ether!!!"

.....She fainted

~~~~~~