THE HALLWAY was buzzing. Talia knew the hallways were always rowdy, but not to this extent. Something must be on with the social gossip. She thought that maybe there was a desirable piece of a man who was transferring; she hoped it was the case.

Social gossip was the portal to know who was in and out. After hard work, Talia ruled her small kingdom named Saint Martin High. She's at the peak of her youth. What more could she ask?

Well, maybe a boyfriend.

She's turning seventeen, but she's still the 'flirt to make out,' not the 'flirt to get laid.'

A blue-eyed brunette came trotting into the classroom. Talia and the newly arrived brunette were a couple of minutes early for class. One thing about Talia was she might rule the entire High School, but she also excelled in academics. She was aiming to be her year's valedictorian. And the one that just came in was her not-so-sincere-so-called-BFF, Gemini. Talia knew that she was a two-faced hypocrite, but they benefited each other, so she let it be.

"What's with the fuss?" Talia asked Gemini since the latter was the fastest gossip informant in their school.

Gemini slumped onto her seat. "Netflix just announced to stop the franchise of my fave series." Her gloomy mood was reflected in her crystal blue eyes.

A knot lodged in between her perfectly carved eyebrows. "Which one?"

With her question, Gemini's shrilling voice resonated inside the room as she stood like a mother hen, ready to attack her. "Which one? The series with the gorgeous edible men, Thorny Crown! Jesus, Talia! Do you live in a cave?"

Oh, that one.

"Yeah yeah."

Talia saw that one, but she stopped watching it in Season 5. The story was centered on the male leads obsessing about a two-faced female lead who's ambitious enough to covet the throne even when she's a half-blood noble with a commoner's blood from her mother's side. Talia hated the wench since Season 3 when the stupid Victoria, the female lead's half-sister, got executed for a crime planned by the female lead. It was such a twisted story, but it was still a hit worldwide since the main plot has a touch of offensive schemes and harsh politics.

Still, Talia did not care about the story. The final season, the seventh one, was what Gemini was talking about. 

Talia placed her chin atop her palm, her elbow resting on her desk. "Why's that?"

"The last book is yet to be released in the market or any publishing house. So when the writer died in the fire accident last week, the book perished along with it."

Talia, who was not familiar with the writing industry, muttered a question under her breath as if she was talking to herself. "Can't any writer create the last book?"

"Of course not! It wouldn't be the same."

Talia inwardly rolled her eyes. The only reason Gemini loved the said series was because of the male leads that were genuinely drool-worthy. She changed the topic to lighten up Gemini's mood.

Wriggling her eyebrows, Talia flipped her hair. "Dion invited the entire cheerleading squad this time. Well, she invited the entire football team first. You coming with me?"

Gemini immediately perked up at the mention of the upcoming frat party. The frat party would be the most prominent event right before homecoming, so everyone wanted to be invited. Unfortunately, the wealthy and picky Dion Lockhart chooses only the best of the best. Anyone asked in the said party would have a boost in social standing for sure. And when anyone was talking about the best of the best, that would mean her – Queen Bee Talia of Saint Martin High.

"Hell, yeah. You got a date, Talia? What about Jake?"

Jake was the team captain of the football team. He's also Gemini's apple of the eye.

Checking her hails, Talia gestured to Gemini. "You can date him. I'll go solo and see it from there if I can see some chocolate man. You know what I mean."

"Ooh. I am looking forward to this party."

THE LAST thing that Talia remembered was the headlights dashing towards them along with the screeching sound of wheels, and then it turned into darkness. No, it turned into nothing. She couldn't see anything, neither hear nor feel anything.

"Am I dead or dying?" Talia knew she spoke, but she couldn't hear her own words. She flailed her limbs, but she couldn't feel anything. Everything felt cold and void.

Talia surrendered herself to the darkness. She hoped everything would be a dream, and when she woke up – she would be beside a hot tattooed guy and naked. But no matter how many times she closed and opened her eyes, she was still there.

Damn. So much for a hot tattooed guy and his naked butt, huh.

"Please. Someone. Help me," Talia somberly whispered to the nothingness that whipped her ever since she regained consciousness. She hoped that someone would hear her plea. But no one did.

When all hopes seemed lost, Talia, both defeated and scared bordering on insanity, closed her eyes as she tried to relive her life. Talia's mother's hysterics, Talia's nosebleeds every time she studied without sleep, her A grade, her cheerleading audition, her very first standing ovation when she sang in front of many students, her very first kiss with someone she didn't even like, the pressure to stay on top in the social circle, her very first catfight with a senior cheerleader, her first party, her first date, and her college applications. Talia had so much yet to do.

Without knowing, tears fell. Talia shouldn't have attended that blasted frat party! She's very sure that she was sober when she was driving. That stupid car crossed the fucking lane and caused her death!

No way! 

She died without even putting in a fight! She should have at least thrown her stilettos to the other driver's head.

"Child. Are you hurt?" A calm and warm voice stopped her weeping frenzy. Talia took a peek and was almost blinded by the light just by looking at someone's silhouette.

No shit, Sherlock.

"Are you the grim reaper? Well, you dressed rather odd than I have imagined." Talia imagined a rather gloomy appearance, but this presence before her was blinding. If she had a term to describe the person before her, it would be an angel or a celestial being. Talia could not discern the gender of the person before her because of the loose silver robes around the person's body. A silver hair complimented by an almost grayish eye. The darkness around Talia washed away slowly, and the surrounding scenery changed.

Her senses that she thought she lost came back. The once-dark pit became a vast flower field with an amazingly clear blue sky above her. And the figure that approached her just watched her reactions unfold.

"I'm dead." Realization dawned upon Talia, and the only conclusion she could come up with was that the person before her was her angel. Talia continued, "So is this it? The heaven that my mother spoke of?"

The figure smiled knowingly. "No, Talia. This is the bridge to all the Realms. You are here because of the wishes of different people and because someone wants to meet you."

Yep, I'm dead. Talia thought.

"As you can see, my favorite soul died suddenly. But he carried a heavy burden. Also, he could not pass in peace unless we would answer the desperate pleas he heard." The figure paused and sighed before he continued, "Ironically, this person's wish coincides with yours. The moment you drew your last breath, you wished for a second chance to live. That person also wished to be given a second chance, not to live, but to correct his decisions."

Huh? Talia couldn't understand what this angelic person was blabbering about. Was it the roundabout way to tell her she was dead?

The angelic person laughed heartily that it startled the surrounding petals, creating a whirlwind of petals that seemed to sway around Talia. It was as if this person was one with the place.

"You will understand everything in due time, Talia. Before I bid my farewell to you, another soul wanted to tell you something before she passes to the spiritual realm." The angelic person snapped her fingers, and a silhouette of another person appeared before her. It was a smoky appearance, but Talia could still see the soul's features.

An oddly familiar golden hair and ruby eyes of a young woman appeared before Talia. The soul was smiling sadly before her. "Live splendidly. If it is someone like you, I am sure you can do it. Save them. Those people died in vain. And do not lose yourself."

"What?" Talia could not understand the soul before her.

 Save who? How can I save someone when I'm dead, anyway?

The soul just smiled as its smoky appearance scattered into the wind – her ruby eyes still gazing at Talia with sadness and gratefulness. Though not knowing the soul before her, Talia felt a wave of heavy emotion in her, an immense feeling of betrayal and frustration. She clutched her chest as a lone tear slipped from her.

What the?

She couldn't hear the last words that the soul whispered. One thing was for sure, the look when the soul closed her eyes, Talia saw the tranquility in it. The soul was at peace.

"Now, Talia. It is time for you to wake up and live your life the second time around. And remember, Gaia, blessed you." With the angelic person's hand wave, Talia felt herself float.

LIKE A person deprived of air for a long time, Talia woke up in that state. She was catching her breath as everything around her was a blur except the familiar flower field drawn on her canopy.

Wait. When did I have that canopy? No shit. I don't have a top in my room, just a ceiling with stardust designs. Where the fuck am I?

"Lady Victoria? Lady Victoria? The doctor is coming." A frantic voice snapped her from reverie, and the next thing she saw, a brunette with chocolate eyes and freckles around her button nose while wearing a maid uniform was hovering over her body.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was scratchy. 

How long am I asleep, anyway? Where's my mom? Wait, what? Lady Victoria? Who's that?

"Water," she spoke in a raspy voice. Her voice was a little different. It was velvety, even with a scratchy throat.

 Is this the result of my accident?

"Where am I?"

The shock and horror reflected on the woman with a maid's uniform were so clear that Talia wanted to laugh. "You're in your room inside the estate of the Duke of Rozenreff, Lady Victoria."

Rozenreff?Why is it familiar to me as if I have heard it countless times already?

Talia froze when she realized why the name Rozenreff was familiar. She heard it countless times while watching the Thorny Crown! Talia briskly sat up even when her body protested. She had to confirm something.

"Hey, you. What's your name?" Talia nudged her head towards the maid as she tried to stand up to look for a mirror. She needed to confirm something – anything.

"Me? My lady?"

Talia rolled her eyes at the woman's stupid question. "Who else am I talking to?"

"I-I'm your personal maid Lillian, but you called me–" 

"Lily," Talia continued. Like from the Netflix Series that she had watched.

Lily's face beamed when she mentioned her name. Talia knew her too well. She was the only loyal person to Victoria Rozenreff until they executed the latter.

Talia spotted a body-sized mirror near her dresser. Slowly but surely, she walked toward her new reality. When she was right before the mirror, the same image of the soul she spoke to in her dreams stood before her—golden ringlets paired with the coldest ruby eyes. The only difference was the body size. The woman in her dream was older. But the image before Talia was younger.

"Lily, how old am I?"

"Sixteen years old, my lady."

Talia touched her reflection. 

So this is what they meant in my dream. I became a villainess in a popular Netflix Series, which will later die when I reach the age of eighteen at the hands of the crown prince, the male lead of this story! Fucking unbelievable!

Wait.

Talia stopped panicking when she realized something off. The official plot of the story started when the female lead met the male lead at a banquet when they were eighteen years old! She still had two years to change her coming death!

Just like in my dream, I am a blessed child of Gaia.

Sabina, the female lead. Ha! That bitch!

"Lily, what happened to me?"

Worry came back on Lily's face, but she answered her. "You fell to the stairs when you tried to push Lady Sabina, my lady."

Her eyebrow shot up immediately.

It looks like Sabina manipulated the scene, making me, Victoria, the culprit again. Because this is before the plot started, I don't know the happenings of this time. But hell will freeze over before I let you win again, Sabina dear.

THORNY CROWN, a Netflix adaptation of the equally famous novel of this series. The author of this novel series died a week before Talia died in that world. And now, she’s inside the popular Netflix series, “Thorny Crown.” Talia couldn’t believe that the actress who acted as Lady Victoria in the Netflix adaptation would fail compared to the real deal, even if how many times she would stare at her new body.

So I should stop referring to myself as Talia, huh? Despite that, the honest Victoria told me not to lose myself. Then, I will use my experiences as Talia to live splendidly as the reborn Lady Victoria, who will also crush Sabina to bits.

“Victoria is old-fashioned. Hmm. Lily!”

Her maid stepped forward from standing on the sidelines. The others who were not called stayed at the corner. She did not miss one particular maid, auburn C-cut hair with stupid yet greedy cobalt eyes, Mia. She was the downfall of the original Victoria since this Mia-mutt was a spy sent by Sabina, her dearest half-sister. She particularly hated this one since Victoria truly trusted this mutt until they executed her. The original Victoria saw how this mutt laughed secretly together with Sabina.

“Yes, Lady Victoria?”

“I implore you to call me Tori from now on and not Victoria. It should be Lady Tori. Do not make me repeat this, so pass it along with the other handmaidens.”

Though Tori could see the bewilderment on Lily’s face, the latter did not dare question her. “Understood, Lady Tori.” Lily politely bowed before passing her order to the rest of her handmaidens. She knew that her new nickname would reach all the servants in this household by evening.

“Now, leave me alone. The doctor told me to rest, so rest I shall do.”

She could sense the icy gaze among the maids that exited the room after showing her common courtesy by bowing their heads. Lily remained to check everything before reminding her she was only one call away.

Talia, now Tori, immediately sat in front of her study table. She looked for some parchment and a quill and started writing the focal points of this Netflix series. While writing, she used coded symbols as she was wary of the Mia-mutt spilling these goods to Sabina.

Better safe than sorry.

Victoria Rozenreff died when they framed her, saying she allegedly poisoned Sabina, who was the Crown Princess of the Empire of Eckrett, after getting engaged to Crown Prince Lauren Eckrett. They found a bottle of poison in her room, thus solidifying the evidence against Victoria. The duke who cherished Sabina more abandoned her eldest daughter, thus leading to the execution of Lady Victoria Rozenreff even when she was a noble. Everyone felt sorry for Crown Princess Sabina, who suffered so much from her half-sister. Everyone hated Victoria except Lillian, her maid. Nobody would know except the viewers of the series how twisted Sabina truly was. Sabina had the image of a saint, and Tori was itching to destroy that facade.

“Victoria!”

“Sister!”

Two figures came rushing in without further announcement. The first was a middle-aged man with a dominant stance and identical ruby-red eyes. He had chocolate-colored hair, like the female who entered her room. It was evident that Tori and Sabina were leagues apart from each other. While Tori had fiery ruby eyes and silky golden ringlets, Sabina had calm pale sapphire eyes and straight chocolate-colored hair. In simple terms, Victoria truly looked like a noble, while Sabina lacked the red eyes that symbolized the Dukedom of Rozenreff.

This is one of the insecurities of this maggot which will be revealed when they execute Victoria.

Tori’s handmaidens came in after the two, along with the butler and the handmaidens of Sabina. Sabina’s handmaidens, especially her maid, Shena, threw icy glares at Tori. Unlike before when Victoria would throw a tantrum at her father for bringing Sabina along, Tori calmly faced the two with a warm smile on her face – a perfect display of a noble’s elegance.

“Thank you for visiting me, father, sister. Please have a seat. Lily, prepare me a chamomile tea.”

“Yes, Lady Tori.”

Tori noticeably saw her father, Duke Luwen Rozenreff, arched his brows at how her maid addressed her. Sabina, for a split second, arched her brow too. 

They genuinely are a son and daughter pair.

The duke waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need. I came here to ask why you pushed Sabina, Victoria. It’s been two years since your sister stayed here in the manor. You should mature and welcome the changes. It is good that Sabina understood your complex predicament.”

Sabina gasped like a vulnerable child from their father’s father on cue. “I understand my sister’s flaws–“

Tori cut Sabina off, which was insulting to do between ladies. “Oh, I understand if that’s how you saw it, my dear darling sister. I tried to push you since I saw how you almost trip, and I realized I’d rather hurt myself than see you in pain. So I pushed you towards the plain grounds and fell down the stairs in your stead. I’m a changed person now, father. I realized how I treasured my one and only sibling.” The voice she used was soft and laced with understanding and love. Tori grasped Sabina’s hands and placed them on her cheeks.

The look of disbelief flashed on the intruders’ faces.

Tori continued, “I know you are not yet accustomed to being a noble lady. After all, you’re a commoner all your life. Worry not, my dearest sister. I, Victoria, will help you with everything in me to help you become a true, noble lady.” The sincerity in Tori’s voice moved everyone except Sabina, Shena, and Mia.

Tori gently let go of Sabina’s hands.

“Oh, Lady Victoria saved our Lady Sabina!”

“Lady Victoria sacrificed her health to amend all their misunderstandings.”

“Lady Victoria is so kind. She truly changed for the better.”

“What happened to Lady Victoria? It’s like she’s a new person?”

The whispers from Sabina’s handmaidens made Tori mentally smirk at Sabina, who was busy maintaining her smiling face despite the unexpected turn of events.

“Then, there is nothing more to discuss. I apologize for barging here without analyzing another scenario that might have happened. Get well soon, Victoria.” Her father leaned forward and kissed her hair, which shocked Tori momentarily before she replied with a quick hug to her father.

It was new to her who grew up without a father like Talia. But she could not let her past affect her survival plans, not when she was interacting with the female lead of the Thorny Crown Netflix series.

Sabina, who was busy maintaining her saintly façade, trotted with their father as if his ass was burning – too angry to stick with Victoria. “I’m going with you, father. And I-I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Victoria.” Though smiling, Sabina’s eyes were gleaming with malice.

Tori answered her malicious look with equal fervent, hiding behind the pretext of a soft voice and a smiling face. “You can call me Tori. I have a feeling we’ll be much closer to each other.”

Sabina just replied with a forced smile before exiting with her father. Sabina’s handmaidens followed suit. With a soft thud, the doors of her chambers closed.

“Leave the tea, Lily. And leave me alone for a while. I’ll cherish the moment I had with my family. You know how much I love them.” Tori sweetly smiled at Lily, which was also clearly heard by her handmaidens. They silently left her room. And when she knew she was finally alone, she couldn’t help but laugh.

           WHAT A SIGHT TO behold. How does it feel, Sabina, to get trapped with your plan? How does it feel to be reminded of your filthy origins? Don’t forget, Sabina. I am the legitimate daughter of this household. I think it is time to put you in your place.

Sabina’s saintly attitude, if that gave you an advantage against Victoria before then, I will use that as your disadvantage this time around.

Tori remembered the real Victoria’s soul and her last lingering emotions displayed in the depths of her ruby eyes. The pain of betrayal from her family and household. The pain of frustration from being unable to do anything, even if she knew she was innocent. And the pain of dying at the hands of someone she dearly loved. 

That bastard male crown prince! I will live, and I will change the fate of Lady Victoria Rozenreff.

To accomplish her plans, she needed to remember the critical events of this story, starting from Season 1, in which Sabina joined the high society. The saintly female lead of the series targeted the Marchioness Susana of House Helios as her sponsor for her coming-of-age ceremony. Sabina used the sympathy that she made up and manipulated Victoria to gain favor from the noble ladies.

That conniving wench!

Two years before the plot started, she had to earn as much power and connections. One thing that she wondered when she was still Talia and while watching the Netflix Series was why Victoria didn’t reach the favor of the elusive Duchess of Castaña Dukedom.

There were only two ducal houses in this empire. In terms of power and wealth, these two ducal houses were directly below the Imperial Family of the Eckrett Empire. Next to them were the Marquis Houses of Zoliel and Florentia, followed by the Houses of Count Helios and Count Lariat, then the Houses of Baron Vida, Baron Harum, and Baron Quadrat.

Sabina earned the sponsorship from the Marquis House of Zoliel through the Marchioness before, and Tori bet that that’s what Sabina was still aiming for this time. Now, Tori needed the support of House Castaña for her sponsorship and to place a firm foundation in the High Society. But it would also be splendid if Tori could earn the favor of the Marchioness. She wanted to see Sabina’s reaction when that time would come.

From a separate parchment, she drafted the other second male leads. These two were the significant factors why they executed Victoria. They firmly pushed the ‘befitting’ punishment for the villainess who tormented their saintly love interest.

Saint my ass. I’ll come back to you guys when the right time comes, especially that certain someone.

Now, she needed to change the tides of favor in the inner circle. And she’ll start within this mansion.

Tori rang the bell, and Lily immediately came in. “Prepare me my simplest outdoor dress, Lilly. We’re going out shopping.”

Lily’s astonishment was apparent, but she never dared ask Tori, which the latter was grateful for. Tori couldn’t tell Lily why she would shop to change her wardrobe. Gone would be the overly lavish indoor and outdoor dresses. She would shop for classy yet simple ones. She would start from the outer appearance when changing her image.

“Here you go, Lady Tori.”

Lily handed Tori a light purple off-shoulder dress with golden embroidery along with a few pink pearls. Tori immediately approved of Lily’s choice. An amethyst pin in a shape of a butterfly was her only hair decorative. As Tori faced the mirror, she realized that purple was indeed the nobility’s color. It emphasized her eyes and cascading ringlets.

“Splendid, Lily!” Tori beamed at Lily through the mirror’s reflection.

“You are naturally a beauty, Lady Tori.” Lily lovingly gazed at her, to which she replied with a grateful smile.

Victoria, both the past and the present were glad you’re here, Lillian.

When Tori went downstairs, she saw her father, Sabina, and their butler talking near the garden, so she stopped by. As expected, her fresh look astounded everyone. She elegantly greeted her father by performing a perfect curtsy.

“What brought you here, Victoria? And you changed your style, I see.” He looked pleased with what he saw. She smiled sweetly at them.

“I just stopped by to greet my father and my dear sister. It is a fine day, so I am going out to shop. I plan to live humbly and live as an example for my dear sister. I am serious with what I said the last time, father, sister. So I donated all my previous dresses aside from the ones I received as a gift.” Tori’s voice laced with pure sincerity and goodwill made the duke and the butler smile, clearly happy with Lady Victoria’s changes.

“Why are you going to donate them, Victoria? I know how you loved your dresses.” Her father asked in astonishment.

Tori shook her head with a smile. “The enlightenment I received when I saved my dear sister made me realize a lot of things. Thus, I would like to donate my dresses to the girls in an orphanage. Father, I see my sister in them. Suppose I would like to make their dreams come true even for a fleeting moment. So, I am shopping for modest dresses for myself as a consideration for my sister who came from humble origins.” The sickening sweetness of her voice fooled the spectators except one who was clenching her fists the entire time.

What a view to behold, dearest sister. Entertain me more. Show them how far you are from being a saint, but you wouldn’t, would you? Come on and smile at me.

And smile she did. Sabina smiled at Tori as her goodwill moved her. 

What an actress we are, Sabina.

THE UNCOMFORTABLE ride of their family’s carriage along with an eerie silence accompanied Tori and Lillian. Aside from the coachman, they only brought one knight. But Lillian worried why Tori asked her to get a hefty amount of gold coins, even if they could tell the tailor shop to put the tab in the Rozenreff Duchy. Tori also tasked Lillian to bring three coats, commonly used to hide one’s identity. She had a bad feeling about this one.

Tori enjoyed the scenery silently. She’s busy secretly comparing her surroundings from the Netflix adaptation of the novel. But Tori could feel the intense gaze laced with worry from her maid. And she knew her requests were rather odd for poor Lily.

Worry not, Lily. Unlike before, this is not something irrational. This is a preemptive measure for my future safeguard.

The Rozenreff Duchy indeed possessed knights on par with the Royal Knights, but these knights were loyal to the Rozenreff Family, not to her, Lady Victoria Rozenreff. She needed someone devoted to his master, which was both a future genius knight and someone with power. And no one would fit like a glove other than the future royal guard captain, Rowan Cristoff Castaña.

Rowan Cristoff Castaña was one of the two second-male leads of this series. At seventeen, the Duke of Castaña Duchy recognized him as his illegitimate son. He could become the youngest captain of the Royal Guard with noble blood. But before the plot started, he was just a poor boy from the slumps of Pivet Alley. If her calculation were correct, by next year at spring, the Duke of Castaña Duchy would take this young talent. It would be a waste to let this raw gem go.

Before you form any ties, I will make you indebted to me. That way, you will keep wondering about my benevolent heart and will choose to serve me as a knight for your entire life. Once the blood oath has been made and when the Duke of Castaña would claim him. The power of the Castaña Duchy will be at my disposal.

“We arrived, Lady Tori,” Lily announced. The knight opened the carriage, and he escorted her down gently. They’re in front of the most sought-after tailor shop in the capital, Millesence.

The owner was the one who escorted her the entire time.

“Lady Victoria, it’s been a while since you came here yourself. Your presence humbles me.” The middle-aged woman bowed slightly to show her respect.

She replied with a perfect noble lady’s courtesy in front of the other noble customers. This was a simple piece for this body since the original Victoria grew up as a noble lady. There was a perfect balance while bending the left knee right behind the right knee, a straight-up posture, and only three fingers holding each side of the dress. “Your flattery indulges me, thank you.”

“Is that the eldest daughter of the Rozenreff Dukedom?”

“She’s the late duchess’ daughter, oh my. What a sight to behold.”

“Is she the heir apparent of the Rozenreff Dukedom? If she is, then she deserves it!”

“I heard she is a spoiled rotten lady?”

“I guess they are just baseless rumors.”

The positive feedback rained as she intended. “What style would you prefer, Lady Victoria?”

“Give me everything that’s something modest yet elegant.”

The owner looked taken aback by her request, but he immediately composed himself. At least he knew not to meddle with trivial matters. That’s why Tori loved merchants. They always exercise a benefit for a benefit.

The tailors measured her swiftly. “Deliver this to the Rozenreff estate and put my tab under the duchy. Thank you.” She smiled sweetly at the tailors and the owner, who was for everyone to see.

As they went back inside their carriage, her sweet innocent smile vanished. “Lily, prepare the coats. And tell the coachman to head to Pivet Alley. Give the other coat to the knight and wear the last one.”

Dread consumed Lilly’s face when she mentioned the wretched place of the slums, also known as Pivet Alley. A noble lady coming to the slums was like practically begging to harass her for gold coins, thus using coats. Visitors of slums who used coats to conceal their identity meant that they had a business with the Assassination Guild hidden inside Pivet Alley. Still, they were only hiding behind the pretext of the coat to deceive the criminals and beggars of Pivet Alley. Tori was aiming for a small junction at the eastern part of the Pivet Alley, where Rowan Cristof lives.

Tori knew this since Rowan Cristof told this personal information to Sabina in Season 3 of the series. Tori would use this information for herself.

Hiding her identity behind the dark baggy coat with two servants after her, the beggars and small-time criminals wisely avoided them as they concluded that they were a guild’s customers.

“Do not make any eye contact,” she whispered to Lily, who was trembling. Tori could not blame her. Lily had lived all her life as a maid in the Rozenreff Duchy since the time that Victoria’s mother, the late duchess, took her from the orphanage. Lily was surely not used to the smelly and dirty alleys as beggars loitered around.

“Yes, my lady.”

Tori asked Lily and the knight, Dean, to address her as ‘my lady’ when they stepped out from the carriage.

I need to find Rowan!

The power struggle became the crucial point of the story after the wretched Sabina successfully eliminated the true heir of the Rozenreff Dukedom, Victoria. After gaining power as the Crown Princess, she aimed to be ‘The Queen’; thus, she manipulated everything to destroy those who opposed her and her dream. For Tori’s past life, upon watching Sabina killing anyone who just dared to look at her in a wrong way, Tori couldn’t watch the Thorny Crown anymore. She loathed the idea of Sabina getting what she wanted.

And now, I have the chance to clip your horns before it sprouts, dearest sister of mine.

“Are we lost, my lady?” Lily piped in.

“If I may, my lady. I can guide you to the guild’s store.” The knight hinted.

They thought she got lost. Partially, they’re correct. But rather than lost, she was wandering while looking for a barely fifteen boy with sandy hair and a pair of cobalt eyes. Hence, she’s walking toward the area where he lives. The chances of meeting him there would be high.

Tori stopped in her tracks when a bony boy with sandy hair and cobalt eyes lay on the dirty ground of the alley. His harsh glare was directed at those young criminals surrounding him, and his stance seemed like he was protecting something underneath him. The surrounding criminals kicked his skinny body, but his harsh glare never faltered for a second.

Ah, there he is.

Tori undoubtedly displayed a triumphant smirk on her face. She couldn’t contain her delight.

He is indeed the rawest of the gems. I can’t wait to polish him.

Tori walked towards them, and when she was a meter away from the sprawled boy, he looked up at her.

“Dean, take care of them. I want the one sprawled on the ground.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Tori’s knight quickly picked up the three gangly criminals away from Rowan. The protests of the three echoed in the narrow alley, but no one dared to help them. The latter kept his head down as he clutched something underneath him, something essential for him. 

Is it food or medicine?

“My lady!” Lily protested when she crouched towards the boy. No one would believe her if she told them that this boy in front of her was already fifteen, much less than if she told them that this would be the future captain of the royal guards.

Tori offered her right hand. “Come with me, boy. I will provide you shelter above your head and a bountiful meal every day if you do. All I ask of you is to come with and get out of this hellhole.”

Rowan’s penetrating gaze pierced her, but she never let go of her gaze on him. She wanted to convey that she was serious and that he could trust her.

“W-what do you want from me?” His voice, though gruff, was indeed trembling, from hunger or for fear, she never knew.

“I’ll tell you after you take my hand.”

“I won’t go with you! You’re just going to sell me like what happened to my friends! Nobles are animals!”

“Why, you insolent brat!” Dean drew his sword.

“My lady, be careful!”

“Put the sword back. You’re scaring him.” Tori coldly brushed her knight. Dean couldn’t do anything but place his sword back. Lily covered her mouth from the shock of the earlier outburst. But Tori remained calm. Now, Rowan was cowering while covering his head for any coming impact.

“You poor boy. Come with me, and I’ll protect you. And when you’re powerful enough, protect me too. How about that?”

Once again, Tori offered her right hand to him. Rowan snuck a peek and was awed by the ruby-eyed woman before him. His gaze alternately changed from her hand to her face and vice versa.

Now, future duke, take my hand.

“Promise?”

Tori grinned, “I promise. And to honor that promise, I’ll give you this.” She took her necklace and placed it around his neck. “This is a symbol of my promise. Now, will you come with me, boy?”

Even with wariness in his heart, he held her hand. A bright smile graced Tori’s lips.

ROWAN WAS inside their carriage. Tori let him wear her used coat to cover his body from the cold. He was now sleeping after staring at her like some odd creature. Tori couldn’t help but smile as she watched her necklace dangling from his neck.

“What will the duke say about this, Lady Tori?”

“Worry not, Lily. I already came up with an idea. After all, I am my mother’s daughter.”

Victoria’s mother was famous for her kind and giving heart back when she was still alive. She could pretend that she inherited that specific trait of her mother.

“Do you know him, Lady Tori?”

She stared at the boy for a long time before she answered Lily. “Yes. I know him from a long time ago.”

Lily felt more bothered. She was positive that Lady Victoria disliked going out of the manor.

Every time you see that necklace, you will remember this goodwill. You will remember it is I who saved you from that horrible place in the future. Not your father, not the king, and not Sabina, but Lady Victoria Rozenreff.