The news about Angelina's return spread like wildfire. Everyone was all shocked.

To congratulate the duke for his daughter's safe return, the emperor bestowed some gifts to the duke.

The duke was naturally happy. His behavior towards Angelina even got better. Well....only slightly better.

His biasness toward his older children were still obvious to the eye.

When the duke and duchess asked what happened, Angelina said she managed to escape the carriage was taken care of of by a kind travelling doctor.

The duke didn't sense her lie. Angelina's expression was very calm. She didn't look like she was lying at all.

When the Casspan family got the news of Angelina's return, they immediately felt regretful.

But all they could do now was sigh in their misfortune. If only Angelina came back sooner...

Alice who also heard the news, jumped with joy. She was ecstatic! She knew Angelina wouldn't die so easily!

These past few days Angelina was gone, Eric stayed locked up in his room everyday.

His new room was very comfortable. It had its own bathroom and when he would be hungry, Marie would come by and give him some food.

He was quite calm during Angelina's disappearance. He too didn't believe Angelina was dead. She was probably in hiding. He believed she would come back.

But of course he still felt slightly worried.

The reason he didn't leave his room was because Angelina, his only protector in the mansion was gone.

If someone saw him and reconized him as a slave Evelina didn't own anymore, they would definitely throw him out.

Meanwhile, Chase's life changed quite a bit. He used to receive letters from young noble ladies professing their 'love' to him. But now everyone finally stopped bothering him.

Evelina was respected in the circle of noble ladies. Everyone viewed her as 'little miss perfect'

Evelina, of course took pride in that title on the inside but acted humble and down to earth on the outside.

This was also one of the reasons why the duke was so fond of Evelina. She had an extremely good reputation, so naturally it gave him a good reputation as well.

Angelina's reputation however....were surrounded by rumors and speculations. But due to the gift the emperor has bestowed upon him, the duke no longer thought of Angelina as a nuisance as before.

The things most important to the duke were reputation, power, and wealth!

*************

Today is the day of the shop's opening. During the last few days, sir Robert has been in a panic.

If Angelina was dead, he was screwed too! Angelina had to send him a letter back when she was still in Charles's mansion, telling him she was alright.

Since Angelina's identity as the new shop's owner isn't publicized, she didn't need to attend the reopening.

Sir Robert did send her a letter, reporting what happened.

Angelina's prediction was right. Many nobles arrived and bought the paintings.

Aside from nobles, some commoners also showed up. Commoners like wealthy merchants, or commoners that are quite wealthy.

The decoration and the paintings that were on display made the people passing by curious and amazed.

Angelina was smirking as she read the letter.

Eric was present in the room. He was currently reading one of the books Angelina bought for him.

Eric's specialty was dark magic. But Angelina wanted him to learn other types of magic. Like light magic and combat magic.

Dark magic was banned from the empire, so if someone found out, they would definitely get in trouble.

Seeing her smirk, Eric got curious.

"What happened...?"

Angelina was slightly surprised. Even after Eric was let out of Evelina's grasps, he was still quiet. But Angelina didn't really mind.

So when Eric spoke suddenly, she was slightly caught of guard.

"It's nothing to worry about" Angelina quietly put away the letter and got up hee seat. Her steps were quiet as she walked up to him.

"...?"

"Follow me" she smiled, then walked away without saying anything else.

"......" Without much of a choice, Eric put down his book and followed after Angelina.

Outside, Eric saw the smiling silver haired lady waiting for him by a carriage.

"Uhmm...what...where are we going..?"

"I'll tell you on our way there" Angelina grabbed his hand and a male servant opened the carriage door for them.

"Hi miss!"

Angelina and Eric was shocked.

Inside...was Marie..

"Marie? What are you doing here..? I thought It was your lunch break?"

"Lunch is just lunch! I can get it later, and I've already eaten a little!"

"Then...why are you waiting for me..here..?"

"Miss promised that I could come along with you! Didn't miss promise that miss won't ever go out of the estate alone without me..?"

Angelina stared at her dumbfounded. In the end she sighed in defeat and stepped inside with Eric.

"So....where are we going miss?" Marie said blinking cluelessly.

"We're going to the temple."

"The temple?" Marie was surprised.

"Huh..but...why..?"

Angelina turned to the boy who was now more filled and less skinny, and stated, "although you have stopped using dark magic, your soul is still tainted by it. So we're going to the temple to cleanse your soul"

Eric was a little dumbfounded. But after a second of scanning her words, he understood.

"Mm" he nodded.

***************

Evelina was currently attending a small banquet held by viscountess Aurabella's son, Rulias.

Chase was also attending.

Since they were engaged, it was not unusual that Evelina is clinging to her fiancee's arm.

A couple people were surrounding them, including the one holding the banquet, Rulias.

Although it was not obvious, some still could see that Rulias is in love with Evelina.

"Lady Evelina you look absolutely beautiful in that dress!" A noble lady complemented Evelina.

"R-really...? I was sure i looked somewhat haggard today...." Evelina feigned humbleness.

Her bashful and beautiful appearence immediately tugged the heartstrings of the men surrounding her.

Even some of the young ladies could not help but adore her charming appearence.

However, some were envious. They just don't express it.

"How could lady Evelina ever look haggard? M'lady is the most beautiful lady in the empire!" Rulias stated with hearts in his eyes.

The women around smiled and nodded. But on the inside, they're envious self cursed her.

"Lady Evelina, we have all heard your younger sister, who is to debut soon, has returned." As a group of noble ladies approached, the leading lady spoke.

The lady who spoke was Rienne Shalia Balloria. Her father is the prime minister and duke Balloria. Her family was one of the five most powerful families.

She was known to dislike Evelina. Her personality was loud, prideful, arrogant, and impatient.

Even though she was from one of the most influential families, not many liked her. The ones who actually got along with her was the group of noble ladies that were following begin her.

Seeing Rienne, Evelina's smile stiffened and her arm tightened around Chase.

"I'm certainty looking forward to her debut party. I do hope she won't be as ignorant and dumb like you!" Rienne mocked Evelina loudly.

She always hated Evelina. She found it so hateable and annoying that all the men flock to Evelina just because of her appearence!

And Evelina even had the boldness to act clueless about those men's superficial feelings towards her!

'This woman was really hateable!' Rienne shouted in her heart.