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.

"ARE ALL of my dresses packed, Lily?"

"Yes, Lady Victoria. And I have also gathered the maids from this household excluding Lady Sabina's handmaidens."

Tori couldn't help but suppress her sadistic expression from Lily. She needed Lily to believe that Lady Victoria was changing for the better, that her Lady Victoria could rival Saintess Sabina.

Rival my ass.

"Good. Then let's go to the assembly hall where everyone was waiting."

Tori was in a good mood. To fully use the workforce of this house, she needed to place the seed of deception.

The servants of the household were waiting for her. They greeted Tori politely upon her arrival, to which she replied with an equally polite smile. The kitchen servants, who were more skeptical about the rumors about the change of Lady Victoria's behavior, admitted that there was genuinely a change with the eldest lady of the Rozenreff Household.

Tori signaled Lily to open the large boxes that contained her previous dresses. The packages here were only just half of the total boxes. The other half was for her different plan.

Murmurs erupted when the sight of her overly lavish and expensive dresses. It seems like the rumors of her goodwill were already circulating before she came down here.

Good. Then I don't have to exert myself in explaining.

"You may question my intention for doing this, but I'll only say this once. This is an act of filial piety for the people I have caused so much trouble with. I apologize," Tori slightly bowed her head, which the servants, even the butler, and the head maid, did not expect. To bow to a commoner from a noble's perspective was the most sincere action anyone could show. The young lady's humble efforts touched the servants' hearts.

"And to make amends as a show of my new beginning, I am giving each servant one dress. You can keep it, give it, or even sell it. Though for my handmaidens, I am giving you two dresses each."

"Thank you so much, Lady Victoria!"

"How can I accept this, Lady Tori!"

"I am at your disposal, Lady Tori!"

"I am so thankful, Lady Victoria!"

The gratitude they showed for receiving such an expensive gift was blatant. But the envy their eyes showed when her handmaidens received more was clearer.

Right. Look how I treated my subjects, everyone. Do you want more of it? Then be on my good side. Abandon that wretched Sabina and surrender yourself to me. This way, I will have the entire Household of Rozenreff under my grasp.

After getting their part, Tori's handmaidens were now helping her distribute the dresses. She gave even male servants a dress. Only one could imagine the value of her dresses, which were adorned with jewels and pearls.

"What's this commotion all about?" The stern voice of Shena stopped everyone's excited chatter. The head maid, Teresa, immediately received Lady Sabina, who had just arrived. Judging by the pissed-off attitude of Shena, it meant that Sabina was not happy about being the last one informed.

"My dearest sister!" Tori greeted her half-sister with enthusiasm in front of anyone. She even hugged her for a split moment, which earned Tori a glare from Shena.

"Greetings, Sister Tori. What's the commotion all about?"

It was clear to Tori that Sabina disliked the thought of her earning the favor of the servants. After all, this wench worked hard to destroy Victoria's reputation inside this manor.

"Remember what I told you about donating my previous dresses? I am giving all the servants half of them to compensate for my complex behavior for the past years. After all, I am the benevolent daughter of Duchess Camila. This is nothing from what the servants endured." Tori slyly hinted to Sabina the difference in their standing because of their mothers. While Tori's mother was the Duchess, Sabina's mother was a common whore lucky to carry the Duke of Rozenreff's child.

Blinded by rage that Sabina was holding in from being insulted, she blurted the words that Tori was waiting for. Finally, she took the bait. "Isn't this a bit too much, sister? As the heir apparent of the Rozenreff Duchy, aren't you overspending? I am telling you this because I am your greatest support, Sister Victoria."

Before Tori's rehearsed tears fell, only Sabina saw the sly smile of Tori.

"I-I am sorry, dearest sister! If only I knew you would be upset that I would give my dresses to the servants, I would have held it all in. I am so sorry. Please forgive me! I want you to see that I changed." Tori dramatically fainted as she shed tears for Sabina. And everyone heard and saw how their saintly Lady Sabina tried to deny them the dress given by Lady Victoria, who showed them benevolence. Everyone witnessed that Lady Victoria's act of goodwill got shoved back by Lady Sabina.

And for the first time since Sabina arrived in the household, the servants' view of Sabina darkened a bit, for there was nothing more offensive for a servant than being deprived of reward.

"Lady Tori!"

Tori heard Lily's frantic voice, but Tori didn't open her eyes. She's savoring the murmurs of the servants.

"Lady Sabina is not happy that we received gifts from Lady Tori."

"Maybe because we are commoners like Lady Sabina."

"She's maybe feeling threatened."

"Then she's hiding her true colors then."

Aah, that's the words. Keep going. Destroy the saintess more. Pluck her feathers before she can fly.

A QUIET dinner together with Tori's sister and father was what she enjoyed the most, especially after the commotion that morning. Tori knew her father would interrogate her for two things. Rowan's arrival and the unrest caused her to faint. After all, her mother fainted from time to time since the late Duchess was sickly.

If she would take advantage of the fact that the Duke loved her mother, then the fainting earlier was necessary to control her father.

"Victoria, I heard from Butler Johannes that you fainted while distributing your dresses to the servants." The Duke's tone was indifferent, but she could detect the edge. He was blaming the servants for her fainting. It meant that the one who supplied him with the unnecessary information was his dearest Sabina.

Tori glanced at the wench who was eating peacefully before her. So this is your retaliation, huh? You will make it seem like I created a stir and fainted with my doing.

"Yes, Father. I fainted from shock."

"I thought you changed for the better, Victoria? What's all this about, huh?" His voice boomed. Tori did not falter nor flinched.

I don't need to defend myself anymore because they will do it for me.

Together with the chef, all the kitchen servants kneeled in front of them, which shocked the Duke and Sabina. Though Victoria had to act surprised as well, she expected this. This was the reason she bowed her head earlier, after all.

"Punish us instead, Your Grace! Please!"

"Lady Victoria showed us benevolence like no other!"

"Lady Victoria is like the late Duchess Camila who showed us goodwill!"

"Please, Your Grace!"

The entire time, Tori was happily watching the wretched Sabina, who was biting her lips from her controlled anger. She was also gripping her utensils rather firmly.

Careful, Sabina. You're showing your horns much earlier than expected. You can't, though, because you will entertain me more from now on.

"Johannes?" The Duke asked for his trusted butler's opinion. He looked torn by the mere mention of the late Duchess.

"Yes, Your Grace?" He stepped forward near the Duke, who was now sitting at the head table beside Tori and Sabina.

"What happened?"

"Lady Victoria asked for forgiveness for behaving oddly for the past two years. She gave each manor servant a dress to show how serious she was. Lady Victoria showed nothing but pure goodwill that touched every servant of this manor, including me and the head maid Teresa, Your Grace."

How's that, Sabina? Tori's expression, which was only visible to Sabina, was smug.

As long as Johannes and Teresa view me positively, my father will always believe me in the future.

"Then why did she faint, Johannes?" The edge was long gone, but it replaced the pure worry instead.

That's the question that you should ask first, father. Now, how will you react, Saintly Sabina?

Sabina considerably paled; hence Tori wanted to snicker.

Johannes uncomfortably shifted his gaze toward Sabina, who was now looking sour and grim.

"Speak, Johannes."

"Father, please don't pressure Johannes. Earlier, I was just a little flustered since I was... rejected. I knew I was a little emotional. I mean, I couldn't blame my dear sister Sabina for not believing my actions after I did to her. But I'm okay now, father, I promise."

For the first time since this wench entered this manor, our father raised his voice toward Sabina. It was a sight to behold. Tori wanted to snicker. If only she weren't trying to look sad. In contrast, the wench was bowing her head to hide her anger towards me.

"Your commoner's blood is much stronger than I thought. A noble lady should know when to accept apologies, but you are prideful. Now it resulted in Victoria's fainting. I will inform you now again since you forgot. Victoria is like my Camila, she's fragile, and you have to protect her."

"Understood, father. I am sorry, Sister Victoria." Sabina's voice was weak, but the hidden poison behind her greedy eyes was clear to Tori.

It is the start of my many victories, Sabina dear.

"All is solved now. You don't need to be sad anymore, sister. My joy is only to be closer to you." Tori stood up to reach out for Sabina's hand.

"From now on, Victoria, you must be careful. You have an uncanny resemblance to your mother, I tell you." His voice expressed how he worried about Tori and missed the late Duchess. The kneeling servants were back to their posts as the first concern of Tori's father was done addressing.

"Yes, father. Uhm, Father, won't you ask me about the boy I brought home the other day?" Tori opened the topic in front of everyone for her later purpose.

By setting a deception for everyone, Tori's cutting off a means for Sabina to use Rowan to Tori's disadvantage. That's why she needed to put things here with everyone.

"Yes. I wanted to hear your reason why you sheltered a boy from your shopping stroll."

Tori knew the knight didn't inform her father of the bag of gold coins she bribed him with. Her father learned that she helped the boy from being chased down by human traffickers.

With a voice and face of utter sadness and worry, Tori faced her father. Her father sees her as a weak girl. "Pardon my impudence for bringing someone from the streets, father. But I didn't know why I couldn't turn a blind eye to him. I saw how he bravely fought those criminals, and I saw the passion of a knight. I knew I wanted him to be my bodyguard from that moment on. But of course, he needs to be knighted by you to be one."

Her father's serious face stared at her, which she equally returned. She wanted him to know that she was as serious as him. Her father didn't reply, so Tori continued to speak the words that would make her father agree to her wishes.

"Mother once told me, father. That a wise leader doesn't need to excel in everything but to have a keen eye to judge character and talent."

With the mention of her mother, her father's resolve would soften. And her words were spoken by the king to the Duke of Rozenreff when they were young. These words left a positive mark on the Duke. They revealed this information during Season 3, a few days before Victoria's execution. The Duke coldly spoke these words to her daughter, whom he saw as far from a leader.

But not now. Father, I will be the only heir of this Duchy. Once you agree to this, it is like deciding that I am the perfect heir to the Duchy. But you aren't thinking of Sabina's feelings anymore, right? Since I spoke of the words that made you vow to the king to be a loyal subject to him. Are you seeing the king in me, father? I am not the king. 

I will be better than him, father.

"Spoken like a genuine leader. I am proud of the changes in you, Victoria. You matured. I am glad and at ease. Well, then. Johannes will handle that boy for the time being until he's healthy enough to move to the knights' cabin to begin his training."

"Thank you, father!"

Everyone was glad for Tori except those in Sabina's faction.

"I am happy for you, Sister Victoria."

I am happy to put you in place too, dearest sister of mine.

Tori smiled gently at Sabina.