THREE YEARS from now in the original plot, a small shop became the Empire's most successful business would ever see. The shop owner invented the very first camera named KONON and many nobles and aristocrats loved the newly developed device. The emperor gave the shop owner the title of Baron and he became a leading role for the aristocratic faction. However, the Baron died together with all the aristocratic faction's loyalists when the second prince died in Season 2. Even with the newly gained status and wealth; the Baron fell into Marquess Zoliel's trap and was beheaded for treason.

Marquess Zoliel rose to power when the sponsored lady of Marchioness Susana became the Crown Princess candidate.

If I can stop Marquess Zoliel's greed to monopolize the merchants in the Empire, the aristocratic faction can rise to power, a power that will be enough to protect and support the second prince. And I will be the person behind the new king.

"Now what will make you fall?" Tori was staring outside of her window. It's been a month since that embarrassing banquet. She's been attending tea parties with the same ladies she first went to together with Sabina.

Nothing particularly changed except that Lady Elisa Castaña became good friends with that wench. It was irritating enough to see that a few things happened like it was following the original plot.

Curse that plot!

For the past month, Tori already recognized the sensual gaze of the Marchioness towards the butler. Tori knew where the evidence she needed was perfectly safe. She needed not worry about it.

And now, all she needed to do was plant the seeds of doubt in the Zoliel manor to destroy the Marquess House from within.

How to make the Marquess of House Zoliel fall? Easy. Destroy the reputation of the Marquess and Marchioness. After all, they're a couple who's known to love each other. Among nobles, the concept of love and marriage was not a necessity. But the high society sighed in awe when the famous couple got married, even if the Marchioness was originally a countryside noble with no estate and wealth but honor.

How pathetic. A make-believe fairytale that gave the House Zoliel an advantage will destroy their very core.

"Lady Tori, I'm done with the preparations you asked me to do."

Tori smiled at Lily, "Let's go then."

"Uhm my lady. The young man Rowan insisted to come with us." Uncertainty laced Lily's voice. It momentarily stopped Tori, but she already decided to show him her other side. He would find out that she's no saint one way or another. If she intended to own his loyalty, then there must be trust.

Though the original Victoria would surely laugh at the thought of befriending the very same person who antagonized her, things would change in Tori's every action.

"Let him come."

Rowan changed in two months since staying in the Rozenreff Duchy. Tori could see that he gained weight and a few muscles. Also, he grew a foot from before.

Woah. What's with the sudden sprout? He's that malnourished?

He was the knight assigned to them for today. Technically, Rowan was still a knight-in-training but what they thought was that they were only shopping for some silk for Tori's embroidery but in reality, it was far from an innocent stroll in the capital.

"Good to see you faring well, Rowan." Tori offered her hand to him, which he hastily accepted. He guided her inside the carriage gently, like she was some kind of crystal.

You're such a gentleman, Rowan. No wonder the wench easily lured you to her honey trap.

"Everything is thanks to you, Lady Tori. I'll be your knight. No, I am your knight since the moment you reached out to me."

Tori just squeezed his hand with a wide smile, a typical action for the protagonists. Tori decided she would dictate her destiny.

That's right, Rowan. Never forget who bestowed this benevolence on you. It is I who you should worship. You should kiss the very path I walked.

Before entering the capital, a plain-looking carriage stopped right when their carriage also halted. Rowan was about to check on the coachman when Tori stopped him. He was also wondering why Lady Tori and her maid Lillian were so calm.

"Worry not, Rowan. I arranged for this," Tori went down first in which Rowan followed her hastily. Lillian secured their coats before moving towards the plain-looking carriage.

Tori knew Rowan wanted to ask her why they were heading to the back alley of the capital. Since Rowan grew up in the slums, he knew this area like the back of his palm. This place was full of vile people that would take advantage of anything just to survive. What Rowan didn't know was the rotten stench inside every noble's heart. For Tori, she believed nobles were most comfortable in the back alley of the capital. After all, nobles or aristocrats, even royals were like wolves hiding in a sheep's cloth.

When the carriage stopped, Lillian handed an all too familiar coat to Rowan. He had to wear this to blend in - all of them.

"Rowan, do you know of a shop called Turvy?"

What a nonsensical name in a shop to hide the Information Guild.

"Yes. I'll lead the way. But I haven't heard about the Turvy selling any silk."

So even someone from the slumps didn't know what the Turvy sells. The shop Turvy was only a cover-up for the Information Guild of the Empire. Turvy either sells information or buys information. What I love about the Turvy is they don't discriminate.

Rowan led the group of three. Tori was memorizing their passage since she was sure that she would be back in the Turvy again. A few turns and stairs down, a dingy small shop with barely audible signage came into their view.

"This is it." Tori stepped forward to enter the door first. She knew there would be no danger as long as she knew the coded words.

The inside of the shop was a lot cleaner than they imagined. It had a few tables with customers that were eating and schmoozing. A middle-aged woman guarded the counter.

So she's Lady M, the head of the information guild.

"My lady!" Lily's whispered pleas fell on deaf ears.

Tori purposely strode towards the counter and in a hushed voice, Tori whispered the coded words. "I would like to order a rum and spinach."

The busy bartender stopped. Her hawk-like eyes penetrated Tori as if Lady M was scrutinizing her very soul. Under the hood, ruby-red eyes stared back fervently.

"Rum or spinach?"

Lady M was asking Tori if she would buy information or sell information.

"I'm a greedy person. I want both."

Lady M smirked. "A lady after her own heart, I like that. Follow me."

Lady M guided the three of them towards a secret passage that led to a comfy-sized room that looked like Lady M's office. The latter sat comfortably, and Tori followed suit. Lily and Rowan stood at the back of Tori, completely on guard.

"Leave us for a moment," Tori ordered the two which they reluctantly followed.

When Tori was left alone with Lady M, the latter finally spoke, "So tell me, what is a noble lady doing here?"

Tori took off her hood and sat comfortably. "Now, now, that isn't the information that we must be talking about. How about we start our conversation with the location of the Elysian Crown?"

Lady M abruptly stood up from her seat due to shock by what she heard. Tori couldn't blame her. After all, the Elysian Crown was the reason the original novel got the title 'Thorny Crown'.

Thorny Crown was the title of the novel series, which later on, became a popular Netflix Series. The story was about the first prince and the second prince who were both heirs to the throne. Originally, to decide the rightful heir to the throne, like all the previous kings went through, the heir apparent had to use all their resources to locate the Elysian Crown.

Whoever finds it first will become the Crown Prince.

But the wench Sabina, the female lead of the series, along with the noble faction, didn't want to risk since the second prince displayed quite the intelligence so they destroyed the Elysian Crown and sabotaged his death.

Though the sabotaging part wasn't confirmed by the author and the second prince allegedly died during the great plague in the Season 2 of the series. Come to think of it, it did not highlight the death of the second prince in the Netflix Series. That was so shady.

In the original story, the Elysian Crown was never to be seen again. The story got the title 'Thorny Crown' as it was the representation of the female lead and male lead's thorny path before reaching happily ever after. Although Tori didn't know what's the ending since they got burned together with the author.

If I can secure the Elysian Crown before it fell to the Rozenreff Dukedom and Castaña Dukedom, who were both loyalists to the noble faction, then the second prince can take part without worrying about dying.

'The hunt to the Elysian Crown' was an official occasion wherein there's only one rule. If either of any heir apparent died during the duration of the hunting, the other one should give up the claim to the throne. Thus this rule eliminated the possibility of assassination for the second prince. After all, the noble faction could not afford to be destroyed. If any of the princes die, then the two Dukedoms would claim the right to join the hunt of the Elysian Crown.

Either way, any result is not a loss for me. But I prefer the amber-eyed prince to be the future king.

"Do you know how heavy that claim is, my lady? And even if you know the location of the crown, how will it benefit me?"

It was Tori's turn to smirk, "Whoever has the crown's location got the right to decide who will become king. Isn't it Lady M's wish to support the aristocratic faction? And let me correct you. This information won't benefit you but the entire people you wished to protect."

Yes. Lady M short for Lady Merilla of House Larat was a loyalist to the aristocratic faction.

Lady M's face turned serious. Only a handful knew who she was. And she couldn't believe that she was hearing these words from a young lady of the House Rozenreff who was known to be a loyalist of the noble faction who openly supported the first prince.

"Is this the noble faction's scheme to trap us?" a flustered Lady M asked. She was having a hard time believing.

"I don't need to prove you anything. I'll just show you." Tori stood up, but before she left the room, she dropped a small piece of paper to the floor.

"I'll be back by next week to discuss my terms and the information I want. Goodbye for now, Lady M."

Hurry and become my vassal. It would be nice to gain full access to the Information Guild.