Angelina returned to her room right as soon as she was allowed to leave the table. She couldn't stand being in the same room as the duke and Evelina for long. She was afraid she would lose her control and start lashing out at them if she stayed for too long.

' Alright... Get it together Lilith... ' Angelina sighed with frustration.

She sat behind her desk and began reading through the papers gathered there. It was all filled with the recent news of the shops and current state of the empire.

Both of her shops were doing very well, especially the boutique. Arianna's designs are very detailed and unique. That's one of the main reasons why so many noble ladies came to Angelina's boutique instead of the other luxurious boutiques in the empire.

As for the Empire... After the second imperial concubine's scheme was discovered, there was much tension between the Lina kingdom and the Sainthallian Empire. Many suspected a war would be declared. But it seems that wasn't the case...

How did the Lina kingdom get themselves out of such a dilemma? By claiming it had nothing to do with them and that it was all by the second concubine's orders.

Angelina couldn't exactly determine whether it really was all the second concubine's doing, or if the Lina kingdom made her their scapegoat. But her guess was leaning towards the second option...

The Emperor decided not to declare war on the Lina kingdom, for the reason that his late father and the former king of Lina were close friends. All he asked of the Lina kingdom was for them to give the princess a deserving compensation.

The Lina kingdom obediently agreed. The Emperor was already being extremely benevolent, how could they reject? Giving compensation is much better than war...

"Miss..." Marie hummed lovingly after entering the room with an envelope in hand.

"What is the matter Marie?" Angelina rose to her feet and approached.

"A letter addressed to miss came! It seems to be about lady Rienne's upcoming birthday." Marie took out a letter opener and helped Angelina open the envelope.

"Does miss have a gown in mind to wear? Or should we go pay a visit to some of the popular boutiques around?" Marie seemed excited. It was expected. Marie loved dressing Angelina up.

"I do not have anything particular in mind but... Well, let us see later..." Angelina put down the invitation and sighed once again.

"Miss!" Marie clung to Angelina's arm and acted spoiled. She clearly wanted something and was just trying to act cute.

"What do you want?" Angelina was amused and caved in.

"Miss, I was invited by some of the other maids to check out a newly opened cafe and was quite interested... Miss wouldn't mind right? Please? This good maid has worked hard and deserves a nice break. I promise to get back to work immediately after!" Marie negotiated with sparkling eyes full of hope.

".... Okay." Angelina gave her permission and Marie hugged her tightly before leaving in a cheerful manner.

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

Angelina carefully walked towards her room after being given a large box from Serina.

Earlier, Serina met her in an empty room to give her this, since Angelina's room was being cleaned by other servants.

Inside was apparently a gown Charles sent as a comfort gift. Angelina guessed he felt worried after yesterday and thought this gift would lighten her spirits.

The gown inside, Serina had already shown her. It was a breathtaking gown that very much suited her tastes. It was an off shoulder white gown with beautifully detailed flower designs on the skirt. Angelina was satisfied.

While passing the halls, Angelina was suddenly stopped by Evelina and forced into a conversation.

"Sister, what are you carrying there? What's inside the pretty box? Can I please see it?" Evelina stared at the box in Angelina's arms with a curious gaze.

" It's none of your business." Angelina was just about to turn away when the box was pushed off her hands by Lia, who was behind her.

The box fell to the ground and the top was knocked off which caused the gown to be revealed.

"My... What a pretty gown! I'm confident it will look good on me! Can I have it sister?" Evelina asked as she knelt down to pick up the box and handed it to Lia.

"What makes you think I'll give it to you? Give it back. It's mine." Angelina felt annoyed and tried to take it back, but Lia held the box firmly.

"Lady Angelina, I cannot return this to you. My lady Evelina is interested in what's inside and her wishes are my top priority. Won't you, as the younger sister, give this to my lady?" Lia stubbornly refused to give it back.

Angelina felt her anger rise. It seems Lia has grown much more brave and rebellious...

"What made you think a mere maid such as yourself can order me to do anything?" Angelina walked over and was about to snatch the box when Evelina pulled her by the hand and started crying.

"Please sister... I really like it. It's just a gown... Is it more important than your own sister?" Evelina cried loudly.

"...." Angelina was not moved and tried to shake off Evelina's grip. Then a loud bang was heard as the doors by them opened.

"What is the matter? What caused such a ruckus?!" It was the duke.

Angelina was surprised. She forgot they were standing right in front of the duke's study.

As expected, Evelina ran into the duke's arms and sobbed. "Father! I really like the gown Lina had. I think it would be the perfect gown for me to wear to the royal banquet held for the envoys! But sister refused to give it to me!"

The duke comforted his wailing daughter and ordered for Angelina to give up. "Angelina! Just give it to Eve! She is your older sister! It is merely a gown anyway! Look, you made Eve cry!"

"Anything can make her cry..." Angelina gritted her teeth while whispering.

"What did you say?" The duke raised his voice.

"I said anything that could make her cry! You... Why do you always take her side?! It's mine and not her's! I'm not willing to give it up! Forcing me to give to her is basically stealing!" Angelina lost her temper and screamed. But the duke's obvious biases hurt her much more than before.

Angelina daring to speak up in such an impolite manner only fueled the duke's irritable fury.

"Pap!" The duke violently slapped Angelina. He didn't even try to control his strength, causing Angelina's cheek to turn red and slightly swollen.

"Come into my study now!" The duke ordered before turning to Evelina and consoling her, "go back to your room Eve. You can have the gown. Don't cry anymore, alright?"

"Sniff... Sniff... Thank you father." Evelina wiped away her tears and left with Lia and the gown.

"...." Angelina was still dumbfounded after the hard slap.

"Come inside!" The duke commanded and Angelina mindlessly walked in.

"Let me tell you this, Angelina. You need to stop bothering Eve! You two are sisters! If you continue to cause trouble, it might damage the family name!" The duke reprimanded her.

"...."

The duke scolded her nonstop. All his previous frustration bursts out. He started nitpicking every trait of Angelina that he disapproved of. Like her untouchable and unapproachable attitude towards her family, the way she dresses, and her likeness to 'cause trouble'.

"Angelina, it's about time you get engaged! You need to stop acting like you're above everyone. If not, no man will want you! You also must stop associating with that shady foreign Emperor!"

Angelina endured the heavy scolding at first, but after a while she couldn't stand it any longer.

"You know what... What right do you have to say about what I should do with myself?! You've done nothing but blame and order me around! Do you think I didn't realize about your clear biasness towards Evelina?! You've always taken her side and never try to listen to my side of the story! What kind father are you?!"

"You!" The duke was stunned.

Once Angelina started, she couldn't stop herself. It was as if all her previous shock, anger, and frustrations just unleashed itself, and she could not longer repress it..

"All you do is think about reputation and not your children. No wonder Evelina turned out the way she is. No wonder this family turned out the way it is! I'm ashamed to have you as a father. Being the daughter of a beggar would've been better..." Tears formed in her golden eyes.

"..." The speechless duke couldn't find the right words to say.

"Why must you choose sides? Why must you favor only two of your children and leave the others behind? As much as I hate to admit, I'm your daughter too! Sometimes you may have forgotten that." Drops of tears fall to the ground.

"...."

"You say I caused trouble, but didn't I do well in the end? I saved the princess and have earned a respectable reputation. Is that not enough? Is it merely because I don't behave obediently as you want me to? Couldn't you at least just treat your children fairly?! Why must I be treated as the disgrace?!" Raising her head to face the silent man, Angelina stared into his eyes and could still not find a spec of fatherly love or care.

"Answer honestly, do you even care about your children?" The tearful young lady asked with a shaken voice.

"...." The duke frowned before walking past her and exiting the study, leaving his stunned daughter alone.

Angelina was shocked. But she got her answer, right?

She didn't know why she felt betrayed. She never liked the duke. She never hoped for that heartless father of her's affection, all she wanted was at least some recognition or sincerity. But it seems she couldn't have that.

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

"My lady, why did you do this? Didn't the Casspan family send you a gown earlier today?" Lia asked as she put down the box and took out the gown in it.

"Well isn't this more fun?" Evelina stared out her window and laughed. "I love seeing her annoyed face. It's a shame I can't see father rebuke her myself..."

"...." Lia stayed silent.

"To me, the greatest pleasure is to torment the person you hate the most." Evelina sneered.