Eric was confused. Who left the food on his doorstep?

But he was hungry so he brought the food in carefully. He ate the soup and pieces of bread.

The soup was still warm. He had never ate something so flavorful and delicious.

He was so thankful to whoever had the compassion to have left the delicious food for him.

Inside his heart, he felt something warm. He prayed that whoever was responsible for this, would be blessed with fortune for their whole life.

After he finished the soup and bread, he drank the water that was also left.

It has been so long since he felt the satisfying feeling of a full stomach.

He placed the glass and bowl aside and took out a book from the corner of the room.

It was a notebook of spells.

His parents were both users of magic. They spent their whole life practicing magic.

Inside the book was several different types of spells. Some were just normal spells, some were related to light magic, and some were dark magic.

His parents were just regular magi users. But that was before Eric's father got interested in dark magic.

Eric's mother tried to stop her husband, but it was all in vain. It seemed Eric's father has been corrupted by the dark magic.

He became obsessed, so when Eric's mother tried to stop him...he murdered her.

Eric was horrified. But he was too afraid of his father to do anything.

His father even began to teach him. He could do nothing but listen and follow his father.

Unfortunately or fortunately, Eric's father was caught and arrested.

Using dark magic was illegal. In fact using dark magic was a very serious and big charge. So Eric's father was sentenced to death.

Eric's father was charged with murder and use of dark magic. He was burned at the stake.

And Eric? He was sold to a slave seller.

And that was how he ended up here.

*********

"So...that locked door turned out to be his room..." Angelina stared out her bedroom window.

"Hmm...was that door always locked...?" Angelina asked.

"It wasn't always. But after miss and I left for the Vancelia Empire, and lady Evelina took in that slave, It was kept locked most of the day."

"hm"

Angelina had earlier tasked Marie to find out where Eric stayed and has asked her to also give Eric food once a day.

"Miss why are you concerned about that slave?" Marie was a little confused. Angelina seemed to care only about things that might involve her. So why is she so concerned about a slave that has barely anything to do with her.

"......." Angelina too didn't know. When she was raised in the Bailey household, she was taught not to be too soft hearted. But not cruel.

So why does she suddenly feel concern and pity towards a slave?

Angelina felt weird when facing Eric. She didn't feel intimidated, but more uncomfortable.

But she also felt a strange sense of familiarity towards Eric. Like this wasn't the first time they met.

Aside from finding out his room and leaving food for him, Angelina also asked Marie to try to find out why Eric was brought by Evelina to the mansion.

Marie found out by the other maids that Eric was accepted by Evelina because he was able to use magic.

'magic...... it's rare for one to have such ability...let alone a mere slave...' then Angelina remembered something interesting.

Didn't Evelina have a slave that wielded magic by her side?

Angelina remembered that back in her previous life, Evelina often was spotted with a handsome slave.

Tons of rumors spread. They claimed Eric was Evelina's secret lover. But Evelina denied that possibility immediately.

She told them she was simply raising him. She said she found him at the streets of a town nearby the duchy. He was in the possession of a slave seller.

Evelina took pity on the boy and brought him to the mansion, where she took 'great care of him'.

After a few days of Eric being brought into the mansion, Evelina found out that Eric could whield magic and encouraged him to learn more.

The nobles praised Evelina for her kindness and generosity towards the slave boy. But little did they know that it was all lies.

Actually Evelina didn't 'just found out Eric could wield magic' , she found out immediately as she was about to purchase Eric from the slave seller.

And she didn't 'take good care of him'. She abused him, neglected him, used him, and manipulated him.

Angelina sighed. That poor boy didn't deserve such treatment.

Perhaps the reason Angelina felt pity for Eric was because she too was used and manipulated by Evelina.

In the end they were both just pawns for Evelina to use and play with in her cruel game.

Angelina's train of thought was suddenly stopped by the sounds of heavy footsteps.

"Knock knock"

"Come in"

"Second miss, the duchess wishes to see you"

"Hm, alright"

The maid closed the door and left.

Angelina sighed and got up.

"Let's go Marie"

"Yes, miss!"

When Angelina walked down the stairs, she saw the duchess, Evelina, and Alex waiting for her.

"Mother, elder brother, elder sister" Angelina greeted them politely.

Alex and Evelina looked away. They completely ignored her.

"Your father will be arriving soon." The duchess said, smiling.

"Yes, mother" Angelina was not surprised. She already expected that she was called because she had to welcome the duke.

They chatted for a while before a servant from outside came in and informed them that the duke's carriage is approaching.

They all went out and saw the duke getting off his carriage.

'he still looks as hideous as ever....' Angelina mocked the duke in her heart. But on the outside she smiled brightly.

"Father!" Evelina was to call and approach the duke.

She ran to him with big and sweet smile on her face. As soon as she was close enough to him, the duke opened his arms and took her in his embrace.

"Haha! How have you been, Eve?" He smiled as he hugged his beloved daughter tightly.

"Hehe... I've been well! How is father? Father must be tired from the trip!" Evelina buried her face in her doting father's chest.

"Haha! Eve is the one who cares about me the most!"

After moments of laughter, the duke and Evelina finally stopped hugging.

"Father" Alex approached the two.

"My beloved son! How have your studies been?" It has been a very long time since the duke saw his son, so he missed his son very much.

After all Alex was his only son and his heir.

"Lina? Aren't you going to greet your father?" The Duchess glanced at her youngest daughter lovingly.

"Hm? Oh...they just seem to be having too much fun together. I don't want to ruin the atmosphere." The truth is, Angelina just didn't want to get involved with their family moment.

She wasn't the duke and Duchess's actual daughter. So it was quite awkward for her to be acting with familial love.

"What are you talking about, Lina? You are your father's daughter too. I'm sure your father misses you too" the duchess rubbed Angelina's back and reassured her daughter.

"......" Angelina didn't know what to say.

______________________

A/N: AAAAA HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧

I had to rush this chap so if there r any typos I'm sorry (●'⌓'●)

Poor Angelina had to spend new years with the people she hated XD

Hope you guys had a happy new year♡

Thanks for reading! And thank you all for the support this year! (≧▽≦)