In the end, Angelina merely greeted the duke, but she didn't act all intimately and spoiled like a Evelina did

They went back inside and went to the drawing room.

The maids already have prepared the snacks and tea on the table.

The air smelled sweet and gave off a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

They all found a place to sit and began chatting happily. Only Angelina felt awkward.

Evelina chatted with the duke for quite a while. Angelina didn't pay much attention, she merely sipped her tea quietly and observed.

The topic eventually came to Evelina and Angelina's classes and progress.

"My studies have been very well, father! I was praised extremely for my flower arranging skills!"

"Good job, Eve!"

"I expected nothing less from my sister" Alex said proudly.

Angelina wasn't surprised. In her past life, Evelina was known for her flower arrangement skills.

"How about you, lina? I've never actually asked about your studies..." Surprisingly, it was the duke who asked.

"Hm? Oh. It's been very well. I've also been praised a lot from my teachers." Angelina responded calmly while sipping her tea.

"Oh...really?"

"I heard from Lina's teachers that, Lina is a very good and intelligent student" the duchess sipped her tea "I also heard Lina was particularly best at politics, economics, and embroidery"

Evelina was still smiling but Angelina noticed her smile slightly stiffened.

"Oh?..... very good, Angelina." The duke coughed "you have only returned for a few months, yet your able to catch up to your studies. I'll make sure to reward you one day."

"Thank you, father. I will continue to work hard" Angelina smiled gently.

"......"

"......"

Alex and Evelina's expression darkened. To Evelina, it was like her heart was being pricked by countless needles.

When she heard words of praise from the duke and duchess, she flinched.

No, she can't let Angelina overshadow her like this!

"My...I'm quite impressed, sister. But don't overwork yourself. What if you fall I'll again?" Evelina was portraying herself as a caring and worried sister.

But her seemingly innocent words carried a different meaning. One that Angelina knew very well.

"But don't overwork yourself. What if you fall I'll again?" [So what if you work hard? Your nothing but a weak, delicate, and frail lady]

"......" Angelina's eyes darkened. She truly did underestimate Evelina in the past.

If she was still how she was before, she would've never read to much of Evelina's words. But now she would no longer underestimate or overlook Evelina.

After all, Evelina did win in the past.

"You need not worry about me, elder sister. I have felt extremely better since I've recovered. I feel much more energetic and refreshed than ever before." Angelina flashed a smile towards Evelina.

Evelina smiled back.

To others, this scene would look like a moment of sisterly bond. Only Angelina and Evelina could feel the tension between themselves.

They spent another hour chatting and catching up before going their separate ways.

Angelina and Evelina's room are a little close, so they went the same way.

Marie and Carol followed behind their own masters quietly.

"........" Angelina didn't say a anything towards Evelina. She hoped she could arrive back to her room without speaking with Evelina.

'don't talk to me don't talk to me don't talk to me don't talk to me don't talk to me don't talk to me don't talk to me'

"Angelina" Evelina stopped in her tracks and spoke. Her voice held quite a different tone than her innocent voice.

"Hm...?" Angelina also stopped in her tracks and looked back at Evelina.

"You better stay out of my way. If you remain quiet and do as I say, i'll think about letting you go." Evelina smiled.

"You should be grateful. I never negotiate. If you do as I say, you'll live a peaceful life" Evelina said cockily. She thought it was Angelina's blessing that she was willing to negotiate.

"Ha.." there was a mocking smirk on Angelina face.

"You think I will actually believe you?" Angelina's tone was very cold and her expression wasn't any warmer.

She turned around and approached Evelina.

"Even if I do as you say, I doubt you'll actually let me go. Perhaps you will...but it will probably only last for a moment"

"You..." Evelina clenched her gown to suppress her annoyance.

"Pft... only a dumb person will believe that..." Angelina smiled coldly. Then she turned around and continued her way.

"......"

"My lady......" Carol trembled. She could feel the chill coming from Evelina.

"....... we're not going to my room"

"Huh?"

"Let's go find Eric!" Evelina's face no longer hid it's anger and hatred.

"Ye-yes miss!" Carol quicky followed Evelina to Eric's room.

********

Eric was sitting in a daze in his dark and almost empty room, when suddenly his door was slammed open.

"..!"

"Eric!"

"...yes, master?"

"Have you found a way?"

"....."

"You still haven't!? It's been weeks!"

"I'm sorry, master! It's like something is protecting her!"

"Like what!? That bitch should've been way more easier for you to handle!"

Since Angelina used to be very ill, Evelina thought it should've been easier from Eric to handle her.

What she didn't know was that the goddess's blessing was protecting Angelina from Eric's dark magic.

"You- you useless piece of trash!" Evelina raised her hand and slapped Eric.

"I-im sorry...."

"Ugh! What good are you!?"

***********

"Happy birthday Chase!"

A beautiful little girl with black hair and emerald green eyes held a small black box.

"Mm! Thank you, Lilith" Chase smiled charmingly and took the small box.

"What is it?" He asked the little girl with the bright smile.

"Well you gotta open it!"

"Pfft. Alright" Chase leaned in and patted the girl's head.

"Um!" The girl blushed.

Chase carefully opened the small box and revealed a sword shaped diamond charm.

"Huh..? Is this...."

"Yep! I-i....I asked someone to carve the diamond charm in the shape of your sword...." The girl said. Her cheeks still stained beautifully pink.

"I hope you'll use it! So....when you see it... you'll think of me!"

The little boy chuckled and stared at the beautiful little girl.

He raised his hand and patted her head once again.

"Thank you, Lilith"

"Mm...." The girl blushed even more. Then she asked

"I....uhm...do you like it?"

"Of course. I like anything you give me."

Those words made her heart flutter.

Such a kind and charming little boy.

He always knew how to make her happy.

All his words always found a way to make her heart pound incredibly fast.

But not anymore.

Those sweet and gentle voice turned cold in a matter of a few years.

"Haha. Lilith is so sweet."

"Your only making yourself look worse, Lilith!"

Angelina, who was reading a book sighed.

'why did I have to think about that now....' Angelina closed the book and sat it aside.

Just as she was enjoying this moment of peace, Marie came in.

"Miss"

"Hm?"

"The son of marquess Casspan has come to visit."

"What?"

"The duke, duchess, young master, and the elder miss is already downstairs."

Angelina's expression darkened. She reluctantly got up and made her way to the lobby.

Angelina didn't take Marie with her this time.

When she arrived at the lobby, she saw her 'family' welcoming Chase.

"Hahahah. Well you are free to visit us again anytime-" from the corner of his eyes, the duke saw the beautiful young lady with silver hair approaching.

"Angelina!" The duke called her.

Angelina started to approach them in a faster pace.

"My apologies for being a little late" Angelina curtsied.

"It's alright, dear" the Duchess said in her usual gentle tone.

"Mm. Don't be late again though. We must show respect to out guest." The duke said. The Skyler household was already extremely powerful. But the duke was ambitious.

The Casspan family was highly favored by the Emperor. So this engagement between families could be to the duke's advantage.

But still....this engagement hasn't been set in stone. So the duke had to be extra polite towards Chase.

"Sister must've been quite busy to make brother Chase wait." Evelina turned to Chase and said "do forgive my sister, brother Chase. I'm sure she didn't mean anything by her actions."

'tsk...! Evelina you can't wait to find a chance to bring me down can you?' Angelina clenched her fist.

'very well...I won't back down as well, Evelina'

Angelina put on an apologetic expression and said.

"My deepest apologies. I've been , so I was quite tired. I accidentally fell asleep and that's the reason i was late"