"You made it sound lighter," The Duke remarked. "But judging from their situation, that's really bad."

"You got me huh?" I stated with a smile. "You're right, it's not just bad, but worst. However, they need to atone for their sins. I mean I did not just do that for revenge... They've been inflicting violence to other people as well."

It's not even enough.

"I see," He said while nodding his head.

"Anyway, Your Grace. Are you really going to face His Majesty with that face?" I asked curiously.

I mean there's nothing wrong with that, but his face is really swollen.

Well, I can't blame Maria, I am actually proud of what she did. If I were her I would've done the same thing.

"The king won't care about it," he replied.

Ah, I almost forgot that the King has high respect for the Duke. Although there was a conflict between him and Maria, his respect for the Duke was great that he even call this man 'Uncle'.

The relationship between the Velasquez family to the Monarch family is truly great until the treason arc.

"Hmm, okay..." I replied. "Anyway, I'll bake some cookies later. But, Uhm, have you eat your breakfast?" I asked.

I swear I'm not asking for a date!

He silently shook his head.

A bright smile appeared on my face. "Then eat with me."

•••••

After eating with the Duke. I went to Maria's room to take a look at her. Her Lady-in-waiting told me that she wanted to sort some of her thoughts, but she assured me that Maria ate her breakfast.

I opened the door a little to a glimpse of my friend. A smile came out from my lips when I saw her petting a white cat. The cat must be the Duke's cat. I didn't see it in his office yesterday, it looks like Maria took a liking to that cat.

Anyway, Butler Jonas is right. the cat really looks like her...

I closed the door and faced the Lady-in-waiting. "What's your name?" I asked her. The woman seemed to be in shock, but she answered my question.

"My name is Rosalyn, My Lady," The girl politely replied.

I envy Maria. She has a normal Lady-in-waiting. Unlike me who has that foxy Selena.

"I see. Well then Rosalyn, please look after Maria for me," I told her, "If a man suddenly appeared here ask his name, tell him that Gabriella told you to do that. His name is Gabriel. If he told you that he's here for Maria, let him in."

"L-lady, I don't think I can let that happen. His Grace might..."'

"Don't worry, His Grace already know about this," I told her, "Also, that man is my brother, he won't do anything to Maria," I said as I chuckled.

Well, maybe Gabriel might seduce his wife?

I don't know...

I'm just a single dog here...

When I noticed that there is some hesitation in her face, I tapped her shoulders. "Don't worry, you can ask for the Duke's confirmation," I assured her, "Okay, I'll go now. Please take care of Maria."

Rosalyn nodded her head as she watched me walked away. "That must be Gabriella," I heard her uttered. "The Duke and the Young miss is fond of her coo..." I didn't hear what she said after that. I was already away from her.

But I'm curious. The Duke and Maria are fond of my what?

Nevermind.

"Lady Gabriella, the ingredients are already in the private kitchen," Butler Jonas assisted me once again to the private kitchen. "Please pardon me if I can't lend you a maid or servant to help you in baking. I'm afraid that we need them for His Majesty's arrival."

"Ah, no need to worry. When it comes to baking I'd rather do the things alone," I replied.

"Then pardon me, My Lady. I'll leave you now today," Butler Jonas said in a polite tone. I smiled at him and nodded my head.

"Sure," I replied.

After Butler Jonas left me, I quickly faced the kitchen and glanced at the Flour on the table. I also checked the oven to see if this is working, I was actually amused because this oven is one of Marcelino's works. I suddenly remembered something...

When ovens are not yet advanced, I usually burned the cookies that I wanted to bake for my brother. It was really hard to control the heat of that thing and I don't really know how to use traditional ovens since I only use modern things in my life as Elizabeth...

However, when Marcelino came into our life, he advanced the mechanism of some things that are already existing in this world with my knowledge. One of those things is the ovens.

It's not like I really like baking, but my brother loves cookies. I remember when I was a child... it was the time when I still don't have my previous life's memory.

Our mother, the late Maquessa used to bake us cookies...

I miss her...

My eyes dropped to the ground.

I immediately started to do my task. While making the dough of my cookies, my eyes went to the chocolate chips that are placed on my left side. My eyes were currently stuck on the chocolate chips.

"Please choco-chan, don't seduce me," I uttered.

I averted my eyes from that Chocolate chips to focus on my task. When I finished making the dough, I started to shape them into a star and sprinkled some chocolate chips on them.

I promise! I am currently trying to stop myself from devouring the chocolates.

Focus Gabriella, don't let choco-chan to seduce you! You can eat that later, remember that this is not your house and it's for Maria!

With determination and some of my wavering resolution, I quickly placed the pan in the oven to bake it. While waiting for the cookies, I immediately took a seat and glanced at the clock on the wall.

"I wonder if the king had already arrived," I uttered.

I checked the Oven and when I noticed that the cookies were already cooked, I took the pan out and placed it on the table. I rubbed my chin while looking at the perfectly star-shaped cookies. "Now cookie-chan is seducing me," I uttered.

I shook my head and took the next batch of cookies and placed it in the oven.

I made a lot of cookies since I know that my brother would like them.

Tsk, how I wish that my brother won't do anything stupid if he came here. Who knows if he suddenly does something to the king. I shook my head to erase my imaginations.

Brother won't do that. I'll punch him if does.

I was about to turn around when I suddenly heard a sound. I alerted my body and turned around to see who entered the kitchen.

My eyes blinked when I saw a three-year-old child with golden hair. He is currently standing on a chair while looking at the star-shaped cookies. His innocent eyes glanced at me, he is also blinking his eyes.

M-my heart!

I placed my right hand on my chest while looking at the child.

T-there's a child in the kitchen!

A child!

A cute child!

A baby!

I observed the child for a while. His eyes went to the cookies again. The child raised his index finger and poked the cookies then he glanced at me again. "Star Cookies," he uttered in a cute tone. "Stars..."

I quickly averted my eyes. I took a few deep breaths while shouting in my mind.

AHHH! I ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT I AM WEAK TO HANDSOME AND CUTE BEINGS!

Why are you attacking me like this?!

"Y-yes, it's a star cookie," I stuttered, "Do you want one?" I asked in a gentle tone. I suddenly remembered how cute Gabriel was when he was just a kid.

I want that little brother back!

The child didn't answer me, but his cheeks became pink. I silently went beside him and picked up one cookie. I placed it in his hand as I give him a warm smile. "Here you go, this sister will give it to you."

The child shyly glanced at the cookies in his hands. "Stars..." he said. "Ish pwetty," He said. The child only stared at the cookie and it doesn't seem like he is planning to eat it. "Cookie stars..."

I bit my lips because of his cuteness.

Gabriella, you can do it, do not scare the child!

"It seems that this cute kid loves stars huh?" I said getting his attention. His eyes went on me. "Do you like stars?" I asked but he is only staring at me. When I noticed that he won't answer my question, I smiled at him brightly. "I also like stars!" I said in a cheerful tone.

Whoever is the parent of this kid.

I am planning to tame this kid! I will bring him home bleh!

"You like stars?" He asked in curiosity. I quickly nodded my head as I patted his head. It feels like cotton, it's too soft.

It's been a while since I saw a kid who is cute as this boy.

"Uhuh, I actually know a song about stars, want me to teach it to you?" I asked him. He stared at me for a while before nodding his head. "Okay! The title of this song is twinkle twinkle little stars!"

"Twinkle twinkle?" He asked as he tilted his head. "Owkay..."

"Yey, but first, you have to eat the stars. Star Cookies are really delicious!"

"Owkay," He replied. He ate the cookie in his hand quietly and I can't help but stare at him with plump cheeks.

I wonder who is this kid...

I wonder what is he doing here?

Wait...

Golden hair? Blue eyes?

My eyes went wide when I realized something...

C-crown prince?

•••••