I will never ever... drink again.

I swear it in the name of the medallion that I abused.

A fake smile appeared on my face as I welcomed uncle Henzel with an awkward smile. Uncle Henzel smiled at me after I poured the tea that I brewed for him.

"How are you uncle? I heard that you passed out yesterday?" I told him with a nervous smile on my face. "Are you feeling well?" I asked softly.

Butler Nico who was standing beside me cleared his throat when he heard what I said. I can't help but secretly bit my lips in guilt. I can still remember what happened yesterday in the garden.

I almost committed a serious crime... and I did it in front of my father.

It was a good thing that Gabriel is always ready. He made uncle Henzel drink a healing potion and forgetting potion that's why uncle Henzel doesn't have a recollection of what had happened earlier.

I wish brother Gabriel made me drink forgetting potion as well.

I am currently dying in shame and guilt.

"Don't worry, I am well," Uncle Henzel replied to me with a calm tone. "But somehow, it feels like I have forgotten something. Maybe it's because of my age."

My face became pale as I glanced in Nico's direction. The butler shrugged his shoulder as his gaze went away. I sigh as I immediately returned my gaze to my Uncle Henzel as I smiled fakely at him.

Actually, part of my actions was my uncle's fault too.

If he didn't insult my lovely mother... none of it will happen.

Even if I am not drunk at that moment, I will make sure to teach my uncle a lesson. Not only does he insult my mother, but he also insulted my little brother!

My blood boils when someone speaks bullsh*t about my family.

When I was a child, Uncle Henzel was the kindest uncle in my eyes. He'll always give me treats, pat my head, and spoil me. My uncle is even close to my mother. whenever he needs help, he will run and look for my mom instead of my father.

I don't know what changes him.

But I won't tolerate it again if he insults my mother and brother again.

"What are you saying, Uncle? You are still young and looking healthy. I guess you're stronger than an average man of your age," I flattered him with my fake bright smile. "By the way, I haven't seen you in a while, I wonder how's my cousin?"

"Oh, your cousin? Do you mean Riego? He's alright, he's currently studying at the Royalties University, he will visit at the end of the week. Do you want to meet him?" Uncle Henzel told me. "I can remember that you were his favorite playmate when he was a child."

"Yes, yes, Riego is such a sweet child, it was good to hear that he grows into a fine man," I told to my uncle.

Riego is my cousin from Uncle Henzel. That child is cute and lovely just like my brother Gabriel, the thing is, Riego is sweeter than my brother. As far as I could remember, Riego is one of the children who promised to marry me.

That was a cute memory.

But come to think of it, why do children love to propose to me?

Geez, thinking about it makes my head hurt, ugh.

"Indeed, Riego grew into a fine man," Uncle mumbled but I felt that his tone changed. "A man suitable to be called a Velasquez. My son worked hard to be acknowledged by the elders, they said that he could be a great head of our manor if he's your father's child."

My face became serious after hearing that statement.

Uncle Henzel wanted his son to become the heir of my father.

But that will be a problem I guess?

Because I won't let anyone else to take that position from my brother.

That position is not for me, nor for Riego. Gabriel is the only person who could succeed as the heir of Velasquez. If someone dared to stand in his way, I won't hesitate to show them the power that I have as Gabriella.

I'm sorry uncle.

"Is that so, Uncle?" I said with a smile on my face. "Unfortunately, my brother is the only son of my father. But no need to worry, I know that Riego will surely make a name for himself, however, If my uncle wants..."

"I could help Riego with that."

"What?" A deep frown suddenly appeared on his forehead when he heard that statement. That expression shouts that I offended my uncle. "What do you mean, Gabriella?"

My hands playfully touched the glass figurines that were designed on the center table. A mysterious smile appeared on my face as I glanced at my uncle with a cold gaze.

"What's with that expression Uncle? I really mean what I told you. Do you think I am kidding just because I grew up in the countryside?"

"Gabriella--- You!"

Nico, the red-haired butler observes us silently not daring to interrupt me. My smile became a smirk as I clenched my hand on the glass figurine. I noticed that my uncle gulped which made me chuckle coldly.

"I'm not lying," I told him as I dangled the figurine in front of my uncle's face. "You don't know what kind of person works under me, you wouldn't want to know," I told him before returning the figurine to its place.

Uncle Henzel was about to speak when the door suddenly opened.

A man with long silky blue hair suddenly entered the room. The man's eyes suddenly went to me with a large smile on his face.

"Lady Gabriella, I was looking for you, how you could ignore my meeting requests? Your hurting this Merchant's feelings," Leonardo told me as he walked in my direction. "Oh, you have a guest, is he your uncle, Lady Gabriella?"

"He is, why don't you greet him, Leonardo?"

The shock was written on uncle Henzel's face when saw he how friendly Leonardo was to me. Although born with commoner blood, no one would dare to offend the master of merchants who successfully earned the respect even of the royals.

Did you know that 'Master Of Merchants' is also known as the Pandora's Box?

There is a rumor that he has every dark information in his hands and whoever dares to offend him will be destroyed with those information. He knows even the secrets of the royal family.

This is why Leonardo is on the list of 'People you would never want to offend'.

But they didn't know that Selena is Leonardo's secret for having such top-grade information. Selene is the real Pandora's Box, but no one would deny how terrifying it is to be crushed by Leonardo's wrath.

Leonardo's wealth, along with Selena's help is unstoppable.

But they both work under me.

Leonardo let out a smile in front of my Uncle before greeting him in such a happy manner. "It was a pleasure to know you, Count Henzel. It was very nice to know that you have a close relationship with the lady that I work for"

"Good job, Leonardo," I told him with a smile on my face. Leonardo shook his head as a smirk appeared on his face.

That's right.

This is my newest version of f*ck off and don't mess with my brother.

•••••••••••

"Men, I am veryyy bored!" I shouted while hugging the big black teddy bear that was given by my brother to me. "I wanted to do something," I told to myself.

My eyes went to Maria Eleonor who was staring at Lulu's face with confusion. Her gaze went back to Gabriel who was sitting beside Lulu and there was a frown on his face. Maria suddenly glanced in my direction.

"Gabriella, this child looks like Gabriel's younger self, but I think he resembles you more. I am convinced that he's your secret love child," She told me with amusement on her face. Her palm suddenly went to her lips before returning her gaze to my child. "How cute, this is my dream appearance for my child."

"You mean a child who looks like Gabriel since he's the father of your child," I told her. "Well, I guess our genes are gifted. just hope that your child will get your personality instead of my brother's, that would be a disaster."

"I wish my child will get Gabriella's appearance tho..." Maria replied to me while poking Lulu's cheeks. "Gabriella is prettier than Gabriel."

"Maria!" Gabriel suddenly shouted. "How could you-- with my sister-- Tsk, never mind."

"I am telling the truth tho...?" Maria Eleonor smirked at him. "Don't be jealous, you're still the father of the baby and that won't change even if the baby comes out with Gabriella's looks or personality."

"That's even worse..." Gabriel frowned.

Hmm...

Prettier than Gabriel...

"Maria, the statement that you just said right now..." I unconsciously mumbled.

"What statement?"

"That I look prettier than Gabriel..."

"What's with it?"

That's what your father told me when I rode the black carriage with him...

I wanted to say that to her but I stopped myself because I know that I will ruin her mood if I did it. But it kinda sucks because lately, I often think of Evan whenever I glance at Maria Eleonor. Maybe it's because I like his appearance so much?

I am a simp...

Phew, I kinda wish that I bid him goodbye when Duke Evan went away that night. I wonder how is he? I should've given him some cookies before he went away as my 'Goodluck'.

It's been months since the day that he left for his mission. Maria's belly became rounder and bigger, four months to go and her baby will come out now, but in these past months, we've never received any news from the duke.

I kinda feel worried, I tried writing to him, but I never received a reply. For some reason, I wanted to follow him and go to the boundary of the Mystical forest.

I feel uneasy.

"That was freaking true! HAHAHAHA damn, I can't wait to rob Gabriel's child, can you imagine it?" I laughed playfully while clapping my hand. "Instead of running to Gabriel, the baby will run to me, and instead of saying 'Dada' as the child's first word, it will be 'Auntie'."

"Sister, stop it, your not funny anymore."

"Pfft, I'm sorry, but imagining your priceless face feels good," I told him while trying to stop my laughter. My eyes suddenly went to Lulu who was glancing at me innocently. "Baby Lulu, come with mama."

Lulu followed my words obediently after taking four cookies from the table. I couldn't help but feel some heart attack while staring at his plumpy cheeks.

I was about to pat his head...

However, I suddenly felt a shiver in my spine when I heard someone called my mother's name.

'My Dear Riella.'

At that moment, I knew that something terrible would happen.

"Mama?" I suddenly heard Lulu. My eyes went to him when I felt his little hands tugging my clothes. I don't know why, but for some reason, I feel like Lulu also felt that something horrible would happen.

His expression told me.

Days later, we welcomed a terrible news.

The previous ruler of the Ibanez kingdom escaped from his prison.