"Wake up miss! The sun has risen!" Marie asked while carefully placing down a bowl full of warm water.

Angelina reluctantly got up and walked towards the table and Marie. She put her hands into the bowl filled with petals and water and began washing her face.

"Is miss planning to go anywhere today?" Marie asked as she turned away to take the dress she has prepared for Angelina.

"No, not today." Angelina stretched out her hand, took a towel, and wiped her wet face.

Then she raised her arms, when Marie helped her put on the dress. Rather than the gown she wore on the princess's birthday, Angelina felt much more comfortable wearing this.

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

Eric expected his breakfast to be delivered by Marie, but instead... it was Angelina.

"L-lady Angelina? What are you doing here?" Eric closed his book and walked towards Angelina to help.

"Marie deserves a break and I need to talk to you." Angelina put down the bowl.

"I presume it's about entering the academy, is that right?" Eric sat down and picked up the spoon.

"Of course." Angelina took out her handkerchief and wiped her hands.

"But how?" Eric ate a spoonful of soup.

"Of course, as a high standing aristocrat's daughter, I can make you enter without even the need for you to partake in the entrance examination. But..." Angelina smiled. As if she knew that Eric understood what she meant.

"You want me to participate in the entrance examination?" Eric raised his brows.

"Well of course. I have big plans for you. If you enter the academy through 'the back door'... It wouldn't be good for your reputation. I can't have your name tarnished like that." Angelina tapped her fingers on the table.

"True... Then what do I have to do?" Eric put down the spoon.

"I need you to pass the entrance examination. When you do enter the academy, don't reveal all your skills immediately. But do show them enough for them to respect you. Make time for the people around you to trust you before truly revealing your abilities." Angelina grabbed her handkerchief and proceeded to wipe of the soup stains around Eric's mouth.

"I-i understand!" Eric's face flushed red. Angelina leaning against the table, he had never seen her face so close.

"It's good that you understand. It makes things easier for me." Angelina sighed.

"But... Do you think his grace will intervene?" Eric coughed.

"Oh, my father? Probably not. He's been trying to curry my favor recently. I'm confident he doesn't want to offend me... At least for now." Angelina folded her arms, looked down, and thought silently.

"Then... What has Evelina been doing...?" Eric's eyes darkened as he asked Angelina.

"I'm not too sure. I haven't seen her around the mansion these days. She's been attending more events than she has ever did." Angelina knew Evelina has been trying to create more relations.

And Alex? He's been trying to avoid her. But when they do meet, he merely glares or insult her.

But Angelina no longer cared. Though she does constantly feel the urge to just punch him in the face.

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

"Lizzy! Don't run! You'll injure yourself!" Leon tried to stop his little sister.

"I finally can go outside!" Elizabeth ran around in the garden with her hands up in the air. She was so happy! She no longer needed to stay trapped inside!

"C'mon Lizzy! Eldest brother will kill me if I let you get hurt!" Leon slowed down as she was running out of breath.

"Fineee..." Elizabeth stopped and started walking towards her second brother.

"Now... Let's go back inside..." Leon sighed and grabbed Elizabeth's hand. But Elizabeth refused to go.

"I'm not made of glass, okay? I'm not so fragile. I finally recovered but still not allowed to go out and play?" Elizabeth was annoyed.

"H-hey! Look, eldest brother is entrusting you to me and if I mess up... He is going to take away all of my horses!" Leon looked horrified and panicked.

"Who in the world needs 13 horses!? Isn't having 1 enough? What's the big deal?" Elizabeth could not understand her brother's obsession with animals.

"Hmph! You have no right to judge me!" Leon pouted.

"Whatever weirdo. Oh what's going on with father?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes then asked.

"I don't know... All I heard was that, 'that woman' was imprisoned in her chamber." Leon shrugged.

The 2nd concubine has never been so humiliated. Though she has never served the Emperor, she was still respected as a princess from the Lina kingdom.

The Emperor never favored the 2nd concubine so he didn't hesitate to punish her.

The Lina kingdom is frantically trying to explain themselves and get back on the Sainthallian Empire's good side, but it's not working. War is possible. But...

If the Vancelia Empire decided to join in, and choose the Sainthallian Empire's side... The Lina kingdom might not be able to take the pressure and give in.

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

[ Lily, I'm not sure if you really care but I will be returning to the Vancelia Empire tommorow. It's about time I do. The people have been wondering about my whereabouts. I'll try to come visit you often. It has only been a few days without seeing you, but I already miss you.

I will entrust you to Serina. She has been serving as one of my loyal knights for years. I'm confident she will do well in keeping you safe. Please write back to me.]

Serina?

Serina...!?

Serina is one of Charles's people!?

Angelina's hand that held the letter, trembled. Why was she never told about this...!?

No wonder Serina always seemed to carry the demeanor of a soldier or knight.

Thought it was merely a letter, Angelina felt it carried a sad and longing feeling. It's true that Angelika rarely write to Charles...

It must've upsetted him...

Angelina sighed and sat down behind her desk. She out a blank paper and finally wrote him a letter.

[I wish you a safe journey back. Thank for being so considerate to inform me. I never knew Serina was one of your subordinates. I'm shocked but grateful that you gave me so much care.]

Now that she knew who Serina really was, Angelina decided to knock on Serina's door and give her the letter, for her to send to Charles.

Serina was a little surprised but she seems to have expected this.

She received the letter calmly and silently bowed before returning back into her room.

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

The next day, the Skyler family attended viscount Perdonley's mother's birthday.

The adults and the noble children were seperatted.

But what made this event special was that the imperial children also attended!

The former viscountess had quite a close relationship to the Empress dowager. So it would only be right if the prince and princess attend.

(A/N: empress dowager/the emperor's mother)

The noble children gathered outside in the beautifully decorated garden. The garden looked to be drawn from a fairytale. It was extremely eye-catching.

But what drawn people's attention was not the garden... But the princess who was basically sticking to Angelina's side.

Ever since the princess arrived, she was always clinging onto Angelina's arm.

"Princess must truly admire lady Angelina..." Viscount Perdonley's daughter, lady Alexandria nervously laughed.

"Of course! This honored lady has saved this princess's life!" As Elizabeth spouted those words, her loving eyes never left Angelina.

"Well lady Angelina is impressive. How could one not admire her?" Chase's smile was as warm as ever. Al the ladies who witnessed it immediately felt their hearts melt.

"Thank you." Angelina decided to give Chase some face and not ignore his praise.

Hearing her words, Chase's eyes widened. He didn't expect for her to ever want to speak to him. Not after how cruelly he treated her in the past...

But he couldn't stop the strange feeling entering his heart...

Even if he and her's relationship will always remain cold.... At least she wasn't going to completely ignore his existence.

Looking at his sweet and dumbfounded appearence, Evelina's eyes darkened.

Angelina noticed.

At first, she thought it was because Evelina was envious. But the more she looked into those glaring blue eyes, it looked to be more like... Hate?

"I still can't get over what happened..." One lady sighed.

Naturally everyone knew what she was talking about.

"Indeed. I was so shocked back then! I never knew lady Angelina could uncover such a scheme!" One young master looked at Angelina with awe.

"Lady Angelina has always been impressive in this princess's eyes!" Elizabeth, who was beside Angelina, hugged Angelina's arm tighter.

"I don't deserve such praises. It was my honor to help the princess." Angelina smiled and instantly dazzled everyone around.

"Lady Angelina need not to be so humble. This lady is already blessed to be able to have you attend my grandmother's birthday." Viscount Perdonley's daughter spoke once more.

"Naturally I have to come. It would be disrespectful of me not to. Oh yes, lady Alexandria... Who baked these pastries? There are very delicious and suitable to my taste." Angelina chuckled.

"Well our cook is indeed a talented one. If lady Angelina enjoys it so much, why don't just bring one back? This lady does not mind." Lady Alexandria laughed.

"Hm that sounds nice. I have someone back home that is quite fond of such delicacies." Angelina thought about Eric.

"Then it is settled."

Just as lady Alexandria finished speaking, Evelina's face turned incredibly ashen and she turned her head to give Carol a look.

Carol nodded and left.

Seeing this, Angelina's brows furrowed. She glanced behind her and Marie stood there, unalarmed.

' This doesn't look good... Carol leaving Evelina's side must mean something..." Angelina exclaimed in her heart.

"My... Having such an amazing little sister brings me so much joy! I'm very proud! Sister Lina has always been a graceful, intelligent, and virtuous character." Evelina giggled sweetly. Her expression caused everyone, excluding some, to feel their hearts tingle.

But only Angelina noticed the frightening look in Evelina's eyes that were directed towards her.