"Lady Angelina." Eric bowed.

Angelina's gaze fell to the stack of books Eric was holding tightly.

She smiled and praised him, "you have worked hard."

"Of course. I didn't want to disappoint you..." His face remained expressionless, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"I was thinking about sending you to the academy. It would very advantageous if you managed to do well there. If you are acknowledged, your path to entering the magic tower won't take too long." Angelina offered.

The academy. It's filled with extremely potential magic users and also talented physicians and doctors. Those who wish to enter the magic tower must go there to further improve their skills and widen their knowledge.

If one is deemed worthy and useful, they would be sent to the magic tower to serve.

"Um..." Eric hesitated.

"It would very beneficial for you. Having someone from the Skyler family as your backer will also make it much more easier. There's no reason to refuse. Or are not confident in your abilities?" Angelina could not understand why Eric seemed so reluctant to go.

She was sure he knew this was her plan for him for the beginning.

"It's not that I don't believe in my skills but it's that... I won't get to see m'lady often..." Eric's ears flushed red when he admitted.

"....oh" Angelina was stupefied.

His words were not wrong. When you enter the academy, you also live there. It will be indeed difficult to see each other.

"I could send you letters. It will also depend on how long it will take you to graduate from the academy. The faster you graduate, the faster we could meet face to face." Angelina said.

"T-then I shall work hard!" Eric seemed motivated.

"Don't push yourself though... I would not want you to die from overworking..." Angelina sighed.

"I shall do my best." Eric nodded obediently. He resembled a loyal puppy...

'Ah. Eric, I can see your tail wagging...'

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

In a dark room, the curtains were closed. Not a candle was lit. The only source of light was the sunlight that managed to slip in through the curtains.

A distressed maid looked over the crumbled up papers and slashed plushies. Finally her gaze landed on the figure kneeling on the bed. It was clear to the eyes that the young lady was frustrated.

"Miss... Don't be too upset. Everything will be alright." Carol tried to console her lady while picking up the crumbled papers on the floor.

No response was heard. But she did hear mumbling that she failed to discern.

"I finally escaped... And yet I still came back in the end... How ridiculous..." Evelina clenched the sheets tightly and quietly muttered to herself. Those deep blue eyes of hers were covered with anger.

"Miss-" Carol tried to approach but Evelina raised her arm and slapped Carol away roughly.

"Get out!" Evelina commanded loudly.

"S-sorry miss..." Carol quickly retreated and left cowardly.

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

"Angelina, my dear daughter, I've brought you a gift, which I'm sure you'd be very pleased with." the duke clapped and laughed.

"Really?" Angelina raised one of her brows. Causing her to look amused, but now interested.

"Of course, of course! It's for you to wear on the day of the imperial princess's birthday!" the duke cursed his daughter in the inside. He sincerely wished to teach this ungrateful and unfilial daughter of his a lesson! She actually dared treat him as if he was below her!

But he didn't want to anger her at this moment. His goal was please her, not to put more distant in their relationship. How could he not know his youngest daughter disliked him? It was clear to anyone that their relationship was cold.

"Father has bought me a gown?" Angelina smiled at the duke, who sat in front of her.

"Yes, yes. Here it is..." a servant brought over a the dazzling gown. It was a dark purple gown, which surprised Angelina. She expected the duke to buy her a gown that was more of Evelina's taste. At least he paid attention to what she wore in previous events...

"Do you like it? Your mother suggested this type to me. She said you were fond of darker colored dresses. Though I don't find this style agreeable... Let me tell you Angelina, men prefer kind and delicate girls. Wearing dark colors would make you seem unapproachable." the duke advised her.

Never mind.

Why did she even think of such a thing...

And since when did she say she was trying to attract men!?

"Thank you for your generous gift, father. And... I'll put your advise to mind." Angelina received the gown and thanked the duke.

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

For a reason Angelina was not aware of, Evelina wore a plain light pink dress. It appeared to be her usual style. Humble. But it looked too humble. It actually made her look more like a viscount's daughter than an honored duke's.

Angelina couldn't figure out if it was Evelina's decision or something else.

For the princess's birthday, each member of a noble must bring a gift. It can't only be the head of the family that brings a gift. That is why the duke was enraged when he discovered that Angelina decided to bring a painting as a gift.

But Angelina reassured him that it was alright.

Seeing the duchess out of her room, Angelina was relieved. It was after all the birthday event of the princess, aside from illness or accidents, every aristocrat must attend.

The duchess dazzled in a light blue gown. While Angelina wore the dark purple gown the duke bought her. She actually received another gown, which was from Charles but she ended up not choosing to wear it.

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

When they arrived, all eyes were on them.

This event was held for the princess. But it was also just a chance for the nobles to show off their wealth with their gifts. If one dare present something too lowly, they would be mocked and ridiculed, whether holding a high status or a low one.

It was fierce competition for the royal family's favor.

Of course, the duke knew what all the attention directed at his family meant. Everyone was waiting to see if the Skyler family would make a fool of themselves.

Angelina wasn't surprised. The Bailey family received the same treatment, and so does any other powerful and influential families.

"Lina, what did you bring as your gift?" Alice asked.

"It's a secret." Angelina covered her mouth with her index finger and smiled.

"My curiosity is peaked." Rienne stopped eating her pastry and raised her brows.

Rienne stepped closer to Angelina and whispered into her ear, "Lina... What is wrong with lady Arianna? Earlier, she smiled at me. She actually smiled and praised me..." Rienne paused then added, "Am I dreaming?"

"No, your not. Lady Arianna must just be in a good state." Angelina chuckled.

"Mm... Ok..." Rienne squinted her eyes before retreating.

"Is lady Rienne speaking ill about me?" Arianna asked with a smile that was slightly chilling.

"Um- No..." Rienne averted her eyes and quickly fled.

Arianna sighed and walked over to Angelina.

Angelina smiled when she heard what Arianna told him..

After reporting what Arianna experienced to her father, Marquess Chandler was shocked and upset. It was not made public yet, but Marquess Chandler decided to apply for a divorce.

Marchioness Chandler was not allowed to meet Arianna and , ever since that day, has not been in the same room.

Arianna seemed slightly hurt, but she felt much more free.

As everyone heard the sound of trumpets, they bowed and waited for the Emperor to give them his permission to raise their heads. When he did, the first thing that caught their eyes was the princess, who was sitting on a wooden wheelchair.

But she looked less haggard than everyone imagined.

Her eyes seemed tired, but they could see she was excited.

The princess wore a beautiful yellow gown, but one could barely see it. As on her lap was a blanket.

"Thank you all for attending our dear princess's 10th birthday. May we celebrate this joyous occasion!" The Emperor clapped his hands and sat down on his throne.

The princess's seat was between the Emperor and Empress. She looked tired, perhaps even bored. But also excited...

Nobles after nobles presented a gift to the princess. Perfumes, rare flowers, jewelries. And yet the little princess was unfaced.

Everyone was confused.

Was their gift not good enough?

No... It seemed more like the princess was waiting for something.

The duke presented a purple diamond tiara. But Elizabeth was still not impressed.

The tiara the duke gifted was priceless! Everyone was even more shocked. What gift could possibly be better?

The duchess presented her gift. The princess was still unimpressed

Alex presented his gift. Still unimpressed.

Evelina's gift was a pink diamond necklace. The little princess was still unfaced.

At this point everyone, who was supposed to be up next after the Skyler family, lost hope.

Then Angelina came up. She was holding a covered painting. Just when she was about to unwrap it, Elizabeth got up from her wooden wheelchair and ran to Angelina.

The little princess jumped into Angelina's arm and buried her head in Angelina's chest.

"Thank you." Elizabeth whispered.