~Bam!

The doors opened wide, and in came a beautiful middle-aged woman with a warm smile on her face.

"Daughter, how are you today?"

Countess Avery majestically walked in alone, keeping her maids and guards outside the room.

Of course, she had also ensured that the door was shut tight before advancing in.

Ezenia smiled at her mother and couldn't help appreciate the woman.

It was not for nothing that she had this face.

The woman who birthed her was a show-stopper as well.

For them as nobles, they had never worked a day in their lives, just maintaining themselves and looking good.

That's why almost all noblewomen were seen as extraordinarily beautiful compared to the peasant or slave women who worked and began haggard with so many wrinkles and veins showing on their skin.

The only exercise they get as noblewomen is to walk around their massive estates regularly.

It was a must to do so after every meal.

And, they also had to watch what they eat.

That's why they had specific meals and meal times too.

Everything was strictly monitored by the kitchen staff, ensuring that their meals and everything else was brought over on time.

The things they were allergic to would also be noted down as well.

Men were allowed to be fat, but women weren't.

So as the standard rules for noblewomen, if they are beef, geese, duck or any other meats, they would pair it with something very light or a meal only made with vegetables, apples, or raisins.

And if they ate fish, clam or any other seafood, they could go heavy like yeast-made products, rice, and oats.

Milk was taken 4 times a week, eggs were taken daily, and desserts were taken once a week.

Of course, cheese and beans could only be eaten just twice a month because they didn't want to feel too gassy.

It was a taboo for a noble lady to fart accidentally or even in the midst of their maids.

Many philosophers concluded that Noblewomen couldn't fart... Except during childbirth.

They claimed that noblewomen evolved, growing some hidden body parts that didn't make them fart.

So those who slipped a fart and got caught were associated with frauds.

A true noble lady wouldn't be able to fart.

That was what a bunch of men sat together and theorized.

If it did happen, it would be better to go into the woods and live there as savages till they die.

How uncultured.

If anyone asked Ezenia if she had ever farted in her life, the answer was obviously no.

How can a noble lady fart?

Please. They didn't have it in their system, alright?

.

The stunning Avery calmly sat by her daughter and smiled broadly when she saw Henry's portrait.

"Daughter. I see you can't wait to meet your future husband. Don't worry. Everything is going according to plan."

Ezenia smiled cheerfully for a bit before suddenly turning stiff: "Mother, then... What about Ulrich?"

"What about him?!!"

Avery twisted her face in disdain when she thought of the former crown Prince Ulrich.

If she had known that he would be so useless, she would never have pushed for her daughter to get betrothed to him from birth.

She and Ulrich's mother were 'friends.'

It was more accurate to say that she was the woman's lackey.

This, through her scheming, she found a way to engage both children.

At that time, she felt like there was no way that she would regret it.

After all, Ulrich's mother was the most ambitious woman she had ever seen in her life and the most cunning.

For decades, she kept all women in check and ensured that her son was the crown prince.

So who would've known that the person she thought was the most probable to succeed would end up failing?

No one saw this coming.

Not even the late Julius Tudor could've seen it coming.

If he knew that his throne was taken by the son he hated the most, he might never rest in peace.

The most annoying thing is that the woman dared to ask for her help to rescue her son from Heaven knows where.

Heh. Why should she waste her resources on those losers?

Right now, her main focus was to catch the next big Fish, A.K.A Henry.

Of course, she only did things in secret so as not to incur the wrath of Ulrich's maternal clan.

Only when she had succeeded would she come out and mock them.

For now, she was keeping things on the low and still smiling with their supposed 'In-laws.'

.

Ezenia thinned her lips somewhat unwillingly: "Mother... What if I've already fallen in love with Ulrich?"

"Never!!!

I forbid you to love someone who is now no different from a slave!

Daughter... I don't want you to bring someone who is like your father.

You see that Ulrich fellow... He's exactly like your father, who has repeatedly failed to firmly control the Clan.

Instead, he allowed his bastard little brother to keep beating him over and over again.

What a disgrace!

Do you know that all these years, he kept telling me that things would get better?

And I, as an idiot, fully believed him, only for me to wait all these years and get no results.

Now, the 3rd son's family is the one running the clan.

While he, the eldest son, can only bow his head like a fool.

Daughter, don't you see how they snob and look down on us?

Our monthly budgets get cut every time the butler sends it over.

Not only that... but even when talking, our opinions don't matter.

I loved that man called your father, and what did I get in the end?

Years and years of bullying!!!" 

The more Avery spoke, the more her blood boiled in rage!!

Even 6/10th of the Clan businesses and stores were all controlled by the 3rd son's family, while they only controlled 2/10th

To peasants, it might seem like they were living rich.

But here, even their food, clothing, carriages and horses weren't as lavish as that of the 3rd son's family.

F***! She had been enduring this for decades now.

What was funny was that the 3rd son's family had engaged their daughter to the former 2nd Prince, Winston Tudor.

They wanted a person they could easily manipulate and were ready to help him all the way.

Now, with all princes down, everyone wanted Henry!

She would be damned if she allowed the 3rd son's family to get him.

Not on her life!

.

Avery looked at her daughter coldly.

"Stupid girl! 

You better give up your thoughts about love.

CAN IT BE EATEN?

DO THEY EAT LOVE?

Who has love ever helped?

You listen well, and listen good.

You will get married to him, and that's that!

So you better keep looking at his portrait day and night

Because that man right there, will be the 'Love' of Your Life!!!!"