TORI AND Sabina together with their handmaidens and some servants were standing at the entrance of the Rozenreff estate as they just welcomed a guest of the Duke. Their father was now talking to the guest who just arrived. The wench took this opportunity to talk to her and start a game of hypocrisy.

"I didn't know that sister Victoria is so knowledgeable. The servants haven't even seen you study even once, you're a genius sister Victoria!" The enthusiastic voice of this wretched Sabina was unusually in a high pitch voice which almost made Tori cringe. The latter responded with equally fervent enthusiasm.

Are you accusing me of cheating?

"Oh, dear sister. If I can't even do this, then I can't deserve to be called the heir apparent. Don't worry, I will have time and tutor you if you need me. I heard from your handmaidens that you're having difficulty deciphering the basic holy language."

Now that I know Victoria isn't stupid, I'm beginning to like our almost ironic roles. Suck it up, loser.

Their blazing eyes were contradicting their sweet smiles, but the Duke and the Marquess of House Zoliel were oblivious to the animosity between the two ladies. The Duke invited the Marquess for some over the tea discussion.

Tori realized that the noble faction made a sudden move when the Elysian Crown was transferred by the Information Guild with the King's permission by falsely fabricating information about an attempt of stealing the crown. Now, as the king who's a neutral between the two princes and Tori who instructed the Information Guild for the new preferred location for the crown, the noble faction was in an uproar. By now, they would suspect the aristocratic faction already, but they didn't have evidence to start a noble trial nor did they know that the Information Guild was in cahoots with the aristocratic faction.

"Is this your daughter who is rumored to be a genius after getting an invitation even at such a young age?" The Marquess was staring intently at Tori.

"Blessing to Empire's spear, the Marquess." Tori and Sabina both greeted the guest. Tori continued, "Your praises humble me, Marquess Elrick Zoliel."

The Marquess looked at Tori and Sabina with approval, "It is a shame that my son, Ed, is not here. But perhaps you will bump into each other once you're in the academy already."

"I look forward to it."

The Duke interfered oddly in their topic. "I'll lead the way to my office, Marquess Zoliel. Victoria, Sabina, you can go back now." Tori thought her father would push the thought of friendship between Marquess Zoliel's heir apparent to her, a daughter of Rozenreff Dukedom.

As the two noblemen walked away, the impolite Sabina also walked away without saying a word to Tori. Though Tori didn't miss the deadly glare from Shena, Sabina's maid, Tori just looked forward to their retaliation. The news might have shocked the poor soul since the original Victoria didn't display any trace of intelligence.

What a bunch of losers. It would be fun to destroy them, but even insects have a role to play. So, my dear darling sister, please hold on to your head while it lasts.

THE DAYS given by the headmaster of Trifecta Academy were well spent by Tori. Duke Luwen Rozenreff checked on her from time to time, and sometimes he would bring new books he gained from the capital of the royal palace. The butler or the head maid would make sure to get her foods prepared by the head chef or sweets to keep her away from hunger while studying. And her handmaidens were preparing her for the best of baths every evening, which she appreciated. All those days, Sabina never visited her, which already circulated throughout the estate.

Since the servants talked to even Sabina's handmaidens, Tori that the wench was having a fit inside her room by lashing on her things and dresses. The handmaiden that talked was the one Sabina thoughtlessly punished after slipping on the floor.

On the other side, rumors about Sabina acting rather strangely after she fell from the stairs circulated. But for Sabina, it was her blasted half-sister who suddenly changed and compromised her standing in the estate. Her hard-earned favor from the Duke and the servants got trashed like nothing when the stupid Victoria started using her brain. Thankfully, Shena was with her along the way. Shena told her to wait for the right time because all good things happened to those who waited. But Sabina's patience was growing thin every time that hypocrite half-sister of hers opened her mouth. Every plan that she worked hard for was slowly being ruined except for one, her growing closeness to the first prince. Sabina was supposed to get a recommendation letter to take the Trifecta Academy entrance exam from the first prince. It was all going according to her plan when that letter arrived. Her perfect plan to snatch the heir apparent title from Victoria vanished into thin air again when the Duke recognized that bitch as a genius instead of her! She won't allow Victoria to pass the test, but she couldn't do that when that bitch wasn't going outside of her room. Even Shena's spy, Mia, was useless since everyone was fussing about that arrogant bitch! That attention was hers, and she couldn't let her take all the credits.

"Lady Sabina, we can still stop her from taking the test." Mia who was watching the nonstop pacing of Sabina suddenly interrupted her real master. Shena asked her to come to report what was happening inside Victoria's room. And like what Shena predicted, Sabina's mood turned worse upon hearing that the Duke came to visit Victoria again after his work while bringing a cake from the capital which Sabina didn't receive.

Sabina gave a harsh glare to Mia, but the latter continued. Her loyalty to Sabina was unyielding, "How? The captain of the Rozenreff Knights will be with that pathetic scum when they go to that blasted entrance exam. I asked for Prince Lauren's help to stop the exam, but he said he can't extend his power if the Headmaster of the Trifecta Academy is concerned. So tell me how we can stop her!"

"We only have to stop her from stepping out of this estate, Lady Sabina." A devious smile appeared on Mia's face, which irritated Sabina more.

Throwing the nearest vase in Mia's direction, Sabina snapped. "I said tell me! Not give me a fucking riddle!"

Mia, who's so used to Sabina's tantrums, barely flinched when the vase almost hit her body. "Since Lady Victoria barely leaves her room, they deliver her meals to her. Her handmaidens take turns delivering her food. We can't kill her but we can make her sick for a week, very sick that she can barely stand up but not that sick to die."

The fury behind Sabina's eyes vanished, only to be replaced by pure delight. "I knew you are worth keeping."

Shena who was listening to the plan was nervous for Sabina's sake. "Lady Sabina, if this goes wrong we will earn the wrath of the Duke. You won't be spared."

The echo of the slap resonated inside the room. It left a red mark on Shena's cheek, but she didn't dare utter a single word. Not when Sabina's unfocused eyes were blazing with unjust fury. "You dare side with that scum! You are my subject, Shena! Remember that!"

"Mia, when can you do this? There will be two days before they leave for the academy." Anxious words reflected Sabina's pacing.

"Tomorrow morning will be my turn to deliver her meals. That will be the time. I will hand the poisoned meal to Lily so she will take the blame for me."

Tori was feeling good this morning. She finished reviewing everything that needed to be reviewed. She even included the history of the Empire and its relations with its neighboring countries.

Who knows? I may use this knowledge for my benefit one day.

A knock stopped Tori from daydreaming. Lily came with a sour face. "I can't believe that Lady Tori is having tea time when she might get killed any moment from now."

Tori couldn't help but laugh, "Anyone who will hear you think that you're planning something for me."

"I just can't understand you, Lady Tori. Your hunch is correct about Sabina's faction making a move, but to think we have a rat in our midst. What's worse is that you are planning to go along with them."

Tori just smiled at Lily. After the Marquess visited their estate, she couldn't stop thinking about the harsh glare from Shena with the abrupt leaving of Sabina. It only meant one thing, that wench reached her boiling point.

Though Tori couldn't immediately eliminate Sabina, she could cut one of her limbs to immobilize her. Hence, Tori set this trap. This plan wouldn't get through without help, so she had no choice but to tell Lily that something may happen to her. Lily immediately reacted, so she reassured her she could stop it if she followed the movements of Mia and Sabina's handmaidens.

Tori let Lily handle everything while she stayed inside her room preparing the bait. On the outside, it only looked as if Tori was studying hard, but it was the bait to lure Mia or Shena. Lily saw Mia being summoned to Sabina's room last night and according to Lily, a strange man delivered something to Mia.

So the horns are being exposed already, huh, dearest sister? And of all the things, you chose poison. How classic.

"Just follow my lead, okay."

Defeated, Lily just sighed. "Yes, Lady Tori."

Tori's laugh got interrupted when the main actress of the play entered her room, "Your meal has arrived. Miss Lillian, the chef called you for assistance."

"What for? The meals are here already. And I bet Victoria is hungry after studying late last night." The appearance of Tori's second actor came in, her father. Her father wanted to dine with her, so he compromised by eating inside her room. Tori, who was silently watching as Mia turned pale, orchestrated the coincidence.

I know you poisoned my food, but the Duke being poisoned is not in your plan. Lily is with me and you are the only one who delivered the food that was made by the most trusted chef of the Duke. An investigation will happen and will lead back to your beloved master. What will you do now, Mia?

Either you poison me or not, you will still die on the guillotine. I will make sure of that. You were there too, right? You were standing behind Crown Princess Sabina together with Shena when the original Victoria's head rolled in the plaza's squire.

"I am so glad that you're here, Father. I miss eating with you and sister Sabina. Wait, how about we call sister Sabina?"

"I am fine with whatever you wanted. I just want you to eat healthily. Johanes, call Sabina. We will wait for her here."

Lily didn't know it was possible, but Mia became paler than earlier. Mia hid her trembling hands behind her back, but the shaking of her shoulders was practically visible. Lily didn't know that her Lady Tori was planning something like this. Somehow, Lily was looking forward to Lady Sabina's reaction. For her, Lady Sabina didn't deserve the Rozenreff name.

"You should rest, Victoria. You must not forget that you are quite fragile. I heard from Johanes and Teresa that you finished studying with all the books I gifted you. You do not need to push yourself anymore." Genuine worry laced his face, which Tori felt uncomfortable to reply.

"But I want to pass the entrance exam, father. I want to be admitted to that academy." And form some formidable connections.

"I understand but take it slow or your body will suffer."

Tori smiled sweetly at her father, "Thank you, Father."

The awaited door finally opened and there stood the last actress in the play. An uncomfortable Sabina came with a nervous-looking Shena.

Now that everyone's here. Let's begin!