TRIFECTA ACADEMY was in the lush eastern part of the capital, where the high walls of the academy secured its privacy under the scrutinizing eyes of the people. And she was going there after her scheduled tea party today.

A day after the allergic reaction incident, Tori got her health back, though she acted all weak to keep up with the show. She didn't leave her room, and she didn't let anyone in besides Lily, Rowan, and her father. Rowan became in full knight mode after learning what transpired behind her closed doors. He didn't leave her room, especially when the doctor came in to check on her. When he's not inside her room, he guarded her outside her room.

Lily was worse than Rowan. Every time Tori had to drink or eat something, Lily had to taste it in front of her just to check that there would be no more attempt on poisoning her. It was both sweet and cute for Lily.

Everything was fine on Tori's end, but that was the complete opposite for Sabina. Tori heard from Rowan and Lily that like her, Sabina was not leaving her room. Although the Duke showed everyone that she cared for Tori, the Duke was secretly visiting Sabina at night to check on her when everyone was awake. Tori didn't know if the Duke caught on to her trap, but she didn't care. Whether the Duke learned about her trap, the fact that Mia attempted to poison Tori was irrefutable. Tori also knew about the rumors that Sabina's benevolence saved her, although it resulted in her allergic reactions because of Sabina's lacking knowledge. Either way, Tori was the victim and all the sympathies in the Rozenref Estate belonged to her. The Duke or Sabina could not deny the fact that the unyielding support of the servants belonged to Victoria Rozenref.

The poor chef compensated by bringing her meals that were all Tori's favorite. The other servants were taking time to check on her through Rowan or Lily. All in all, Tori got an excellent result from her plans.

The captain of the knights reported to her in front of her father. It was her request to be involved in the investigation. Although she only did it to make sure that Mia would get the death sentence, which the latter did.

And now, she would leave for Trifecta Academy this afternoon. To show that there were no ill wills between her and Sabina, Tori arranged for tea time together with her father and the House Zoliel's couple. She didn't intend to invite them, but Marchioness Susana of House Zoliel requested an audience. After all, Tori and the Marchioness grew quite closer after many tea parties they attended together. Tori used this chance to spread something to talk about in the high society.

They were all seated inside the late Duchess' greenhouse. The Marquess and Marchioness just arrived.

"Blessings to the Marquess and Marchioness of House Zoliel, I welcome you all as the host of this tea party today." Tori showed flawless courtesy in front of the two.

A pair of delicate hands engulfed Tori, which still surprised the latter even if she knew how touchy and clingy the Marchioness was. "You didn't have to exert yourself, Lady Tori."

"I can't help it, Marchioness Susana. It's been a while since we have tea together."

"You don't know how my wife worried like a mother hen when she heard that you almost died. She wanted to visit you right away, but thankfully I managed to pursue her that you might still feel under the weather." Marquess Zoliel nonchalantly told them that earned him a playful swat from his pouting wife.

Aah, you two looked so in love. Your chemistry can fool anyone. You two can be popular actors in my past life. What a joke.

"Has the culprit been trialed, Duke Luwen?" Marchioness Susana asked Tori's father, who's been silent all the time. Sabina on the other was practically avoiding everyone's eyes.

Is that wench finally losing her sanity? Wow, what a disappointment.

"Yes. She's now in the capital's prison cell and is waiting for her execution day."

Marquess Zoliel's forehead creased, "With her grave offense, she shouldn't have lived a day. Why is it being stalled?"

Tori butted in, but while answering the Marquess' question, she was intently looking at Sabina, who was squirming under her gaze. "I asked Father for it, Marquess Zoliel."

"Why?" the couple asked in chorus, clearly wondering why she wanted that for the person who tried to kill her.

You see, the original Victoria and Mia have a long history together. I have to settle an old score for this body's original owner. So I wanted Mia to see my smiling face before the sharp blades cut into her neck.

Tori hugged herself as if she was scared, "I wanted them to wait until I came back from Trifecta Academy. I wanted to see them execute her to assure myself that I won't be able to harm me anymore."

Marchioness Susana reached out for her hand and squeezed it, which she squeezed back. "We'll make sure that she'll regret it. I'll go to that holding cell later on." Her voice was full of conviction, which alerted Sabina.

"You don't have to do that, Marchioness Susana. It's not like I got poisoned, I had an allergic reaction."

Yes, the one who almost killed me should be Sabina and not Mia. The Duke may manipulate the facts in this estate, but he can't stop the rumor mill in the high society when Marchioness Susana starts to talk.

Marchioness Susana and the Marquess instinctively glance at Sabina who was not meeting their eyes and was particularly interested in her teacup.

"Y-Yes, I heard you ate spinach, which you're severely allergic to." Marquess Zoliel answered with awkward tension.

"I already left all of it to the past. I am only looking at the good side. My sister Sabina prepared that food in consideration for me. That's what I'm focusing on now. Right, Sister Sabina?"

Sabina immediately smiled sweetly, "Yes, but I am still bothered that you suffered from my lacking knowledge." Her voice reflected sorrow and pain which highly matched with her glistening sapphire eyes.

Bitch please, you know how to save your ass.

"No need to fret about it, sister. After all, it's not like you intend to kill me. I believe that the animosity between us was long gone since we reconciled." Tori's equally sickening sweet voice replied to Sabina. She handed her embroidered handkerchief to her sister, which the latter accepted.

Oops! I can practically imagine hearing the breaking of a glass.

Sabina just laughed shyly like it was just a joke, but the Marchioness was eyeing Sabina like a hawk. The possibility of a foul play playing inside the Marchioness' petty mind and Tori couldn't ask for more.

The Marquess shifted the topic immediately after witnessing the Duke's frown. He was not angry about the honesty of Victoria, but he knew that the very thought of foul play which he desperately avoided would circulate in high society. Sabina's reputation would be tarnished, which would make it hard to find her a suitable groom in the future.

"I heard that the second prince, Prince Corean, will take the entrance exam. The two princes will now stay in the same environment."

The Duke nodded with a serious face, "Prince Corean will be of age by next year. It is a favorable time that he'll get the same education as Prince Lauren."

"He is just holed up at his northern palace. Surprisingly, he's willingly taking the exam without the aristocrat's push. What do you think, Lady Sabina, Lady Victoria?"

The Marquess included them in the topic for two things. First, to entertain the younger generation of Rozenref Dukedom, and second to see the potential of the heir candidates of Rozenref Duchy. After all, the Duke has yet to announce the official heir of the Rozenref Duchy, even if technically Victoria was the heir apparent since she's the legitimate daughter.

Sabina answered first. Tori was also curious about how would Sabina view the aristocratic faction since this wench would be the future enemy of the second prince and the aristocrats in the original plot. "I think that Prince Corean is now considering being a proper candidate for the throne."

Hm, so your mind is still in use, huh?

"I agree with Sister Sabina. Especially that the by next year that he can take part in the Hunting of the Elysian Crown, he must be preparing for it."

The Marquess smiled at the both of them. "You're right–"

The Marquess stopped talking when Johanes hurriedly whispered something to the Duke, which made him flustered, "What? Who's here?"

"What? What happened?" Marchioness Susana was quite curious about who elicited that kind of reaction from the Duke.

The duke abruptly stood up, announcing the news that shook them all. "The two princes are waiting in their respective carriages. They wanted to escort you, Victoria."

"What?" Tori's weak façade cracked with the sudden crazy news.

Why are those two here? I am shaken by the very thought of my killer as the one escorting me, but the second prince is also here! What's happening with this plot?

"Let's go and greet them. Seeing that they're refusing to come down and greet us meant you are going now with them instead of later, Victoria." The Duke got both astonished and bothered by the sudden appearance of the two princes, especially when Victoria didn't show any hint of attraction toward the two. The Duke was wondering what the two princes were scheming. "Johanes, let Teresa fetch Victoria's belonging. Assemble the assigned knights for Victoria, they're going right now."

The five of them rushed towards the estate's entrance to greet the two Empire's stars. With the Duke and the Marquess leading them, Tori saw how Sabina stole glares toward her whenever the Marchioness was not looking. The walked towards the estate's entrance was quite stiff. It was partly because of the appearance of Prince Corean, who was not welcome in the Rozenreff Duchy. The two princes were above them, so they should pay their respects.

Two grand carriages surrounded by royal knights greeted their sight. Tori tried so hard not to show her confusion and wariness in the unwarranted situation thrust upon her.

The captain of the royal knights greeted them politely. "Blessings to the Empire's spear and shield, Duke Rozenref, and Marquess Zoliel. Greetings to Marchioness Susana, Lady Sabina, and Lady Victoria. Prince Lauren and Prince Corean were inside their respective carriages. They wished to escort Lady Victoria upon hearing the attempt assassination to Lady of Rozenref Duchy."

The Duke glanced at her, "Welcome to Rozenreff Estate, Captain Greyzon. I didn't know that Victoria was friends with the two princes."

The captain knowingly smiled at Tori. The captain could not reply when the two carriages opened simultaneously. Familiar amber eyes met Tori's eyes first. For her, it felt like it's been a long time since they met. Dreading, Tori needed to step forward to greet them, especially the one with the sapphire eyes who are looking intently at her. But greeting them was not her greatest problem.

My fucking problem is, which carriage should I fucking choose?