A/N:

Thank you for this fan art @Kimizuuh<3

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THE ONE year that I only saw you from afar has been good to you, Prince Lauren.

Queen Aurina summoned Tori again for reasons beyond her comprehension but what welcomed her was Prince Lauren Eckrett. Tori observed that he grew taller like Prince Corean and became leaner than a year before.

Clad in her black-colored off-shoulder outdoor dress, her bare neck laid before the cunning first prince. He inspected her body without respect and as if he appreciated what he saw, he smiled like a total pervert.

"Blessings to the Empire's star, Prince Lauren." Tori curtsied in front of him to which he replied with a simple nod. What bothered Tori was his smiling face.

The exquisite flowers in front of the northern castle's garden at the back of the first prince almost made him looked like a prince charming straight out from a fairytale's page. Only, he was a viper hiding in a beautiful prince charming façade of his.

"Are you here to persuade that brother of mine to leave that poor commoner?" Prince Lauren's sapphire eyes met hers as he took one step at a time towards her still form. Tori did everything to smile like she usually did in front of everybody. "Has the stories about Lady Victoria Rozenreff, the tamer of the Monakre's iron nobles and the Ming country's scorpion, finally ended? With the way I see things, you are hopelessly clinging to someone that never wants you." The first prince encircled her as a predator would do to its prey.

Tori did not falter as she saw a pair of golden eyes looking at them from afar with a pesky little at in tow. Watch this, Prince Corean.

Tori finally looked at the first prince's eyes. "With the way I see things, his highness is also clinging to someone who never and will never want you," Tori answered with sarcasm oozing from her voice which contradicted her sweet voice and sugary smile.

His sapphire eyes sharpened for a split second before smiling back at her. This man is a dangerous being. Underestimating him will be my downfall if I will not be careful.

"You're existence is such a curiosity, Lady Victoria. You chew your family just to be the official heir. Even beasts do not eat their family. Tell me, will you chew my brother too?"

Tori's sugary smile never left her face even for a second. Instead of answering his bait, Tori baited him back which made his smile fell. "Would you rather be my meal then, your highness? I see that great concern you have with the second prince. I am a believer in love between siblings. I can change my plans and chew you instead."

His clenching jaws were enough for Tori to know that he lost the trap that he set. She knew that he was just baiting her to give in since the second prince was showing weakness through Tessa.

"Since you are here already. Why don't you deliver this invitation for Queen Aurina for me, Lady Victoria? I was on my way there just now. And this one is for you." Prince Lauren handed her two invitations.

Without waiting for her reply, the first prince left as if Tori was his servant. It was his way to remind her of her inferior status compared to him. What a brat.

Glancing towards the area where he saw the two, Tori realized that they were long gone. Tori continued towards the queen's palace. She needed the queen to know about her plan. After all, she would need the help of the queen.

THE FLOCK of nobles and aristocrats welcomed Tori and Sabina as they entered the assembly hall where the location for the invite was situated. The grandeur of the place would reflect that the party was something both factions celebrated though it was the noble faction who sponsored the grand party for Sir Oswald, the magician who created KONON camera.

After a year of polishing his invention, Oswald finally presented his masterpiece to me as I am his Benefactor T who provided him all the necessary resources and protection for his research for the KONON camera. Half of my profit share from the Oolong Tea went to this investment of mine. And now, he's finally introducing the KONON camera to high society. Of course, only those whom I trusted knew that I am Benefactor T behind Oswald. The noble faction, specifically my father, is the primary sponsor today. Marquess Zoliel is also peacocking for Oswald to agree that he'll work under his trading company.

Like in the original plot, Oswald would be sponsored and introduced by the noble faction. The only difference was the fact that all the nobles did not know that I am the one behind Oswald. What Marquess Zoliel did not realize was the fact that Oswald would destroy him in the nearest future.

Tori looked around for Sabina just to see her talking with Duke Luwen and Marquess Zoliel. Ah, will you look at that? What a picture-perfect family.

Since Tori became a debutante, men from different houses eyed her like fresh meat. Being a queen bee in her past life as Talia, she already knew how to handle this kind of situation. Tori walked to a corner while simply observing the party.

The soft melody from the orchestra set the mood right as everyone was happily inspecting the items although most of them came here for the nobles who sponsored the party and not the KONON cameras themselves.

Which will later change. You will flock to this invention. After all, there's a reason why the nobles invited the opposing faction and the royal family.

I am sure this is one of my father's plans with Marquess Zoliel.

Seconds turned into minutes, Tori saw the arrival of Lady M who was glumly looking at Zeno McMillian as the latter trotted towards the noble faction's flock.

You will have your time, Zeno. But before that, I will use it to my heart's desire.

Lady M's attempt to come at her spot was stopped when the chancellor announced the arrival of the royal family. "Announcing the arrival of the royal family! May the blessings of the Goddess Gaia rained upon you!"

King Elphaim and Queen Aurina arrived with the two princes in tow arrived regally. The air of dominance whipped around them with equal grace. All of them showed respect to the highest authority in the empire.

The cast has finally arrived. It is such a shame that Duke Rowan Castaña is busy doing an errand with the two crown princes. I am damn sure that they will enjoy this party.

The aristocratic faction and noble faction flocked around the king and queen.

King Elphaim stood in front of them. "Innovations keep our glorious empire prosperous for many years. With the help of our magicians, the empire led the continent by having the most number of innovative discoveries. Today, I am glad that Duke Luwen Rozenreff found the greatest talent the empire has yet to see! Let me present you, Sir Oswald!"

The booming echoes of the clapping sound from the audience welcomed the smiling Oswald. Tori was as happy as him as she would witness great entertainment before the sun would set.

The old magician walked towards the king as he was being introduced to high society. Only time will tell, you will earn a house name dearest Oswald. And it is all thanks to me.

For a split second, Oswald found Tori's red eyes.

"Though he came from humble origins, he has proven his self useful for the empire. Thus, I would like to let Sir Oswald's benefactor decide for his new house name as we all welcome this magician to the high society!"

Another round of applause erupted while Duke Luwen Rozenreff stepped forward in front of Oswald to grant him a house name. "Starting today, you will be a member of high society. On behalf of the noble faction, I welcome you, Sir Oswald John."

Tori glanced at the members of the aristocratic faction and just like what she expected, they were all not happy that the noble faction got Oswald. If they only knew who really owns the great magician.

Smiling around her, Tori met Prince Corean's serious-looking golden eyes while Tessa was just a step behind him. So you really know your place huh, Tessa? But you still coveted my seat. Well, at least the original plot is with you so you can argue that I am the one coveting your beloved lover.

Tori smiled sweetly at the two which were received by the second prince with a cold look while Tessa only looked embarrassed. You should be.

King Elphaim continued when the applause died down. "To demonstrate the use and samples of the KONON camera, let us have Sir Oswald and Duke Rozenreff showed their samples."

The gasps of excitement were evident for everyone especially the ladies. The excitement doubled when the servants brought a painting-size frame covered with white silk. Each frame has two servants carrying it. There were a total of three frames that would reveal the samples of the KONON camera.

"Let us call Queen Aurina, Prince Lauren, and Prince Corean to take off the veil from the frames in one go," King Elphaim instructed. The three immediately stood by the side of each frame while holding the veil, ready to take it off with the king's command.

"I give you, KONON camera!"

The moment the king signaled to the three to take the veils off was also the moment that Tori's cunning red eyes shone with pure malice. Tori had to bit her cheek just to stop herself from smiling when the gasps of horror echoed continuously inside the grand hall.

What laid in front of the empire's high society was the scandalous position of the second prince and Tessa from different angles. But each angle only showed that Tessa was the one leaning down her sinful body against the second prince.

The first picture showed Tessa cornering the second prince inside the palace walls. The second picture showed Tessa smiling while gazing at the sleeping prince. And the third picture showed Tessa opening the second prince's buttons. All of the pictures showed how unforgivable she was while the second prince was just a victim of the ambitious woman.

Tori looked at Tessa who was looking so shocked while gazing at the pictures. She then glanced at the queen who also glanced at Tori with a knowing look. I told you, Your Majesty. I will take care of Tessa in the best way I can. With this, I can show to high society how useful the KONON camera is.

Tori's watchful eyes turned to Prince Corean who remained emotionless and motionless. He was cornered not to move. With all the powerful men and women around them while the Hunt is coming, you can't move, can you?

The king looked so furious while Prince Lauren's gaze immediately fell towards Tori. After all, Tessa was his project to weaken Tori's support for the second prince. But with the noble faction sponsoring the party, the aristocratic faction including Prince Corean would automatically assume that it was Duke Luwen Rozenreff's doing.

No one will though that it is me all along. Thanks to Elisa's minions, she was able to convince Sabina to use this opportunity to weaken my strength. Thus Sabina, who was trusted with the task of preparing the best samples, used the images that I gave to Elisa.

Across the hall, Tori met his golden ones. His eyes held the plea that she was waiting to see. Are you groveling now, my dearest Cory? Not yet, I think. But because I am benevolent enough, I will help enough.

Opening the parasol that Tori was just holding the entire time just for this moment, she dramatically opened it while walking with confidence and grace towards Tessa who was still standing while crying silently.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I will take this lady with me. You can come to the Rozenreff Duchy if you want to interrogate her. Let's go, dear." Her opened parasol served as a shield for them as they existed from the hateful stares. Both Tori's hands supported the fragile shoulders of Tessa.

The people saw how benevolent and just, Tori was, but beneath her smiling face, Tori was secretly talking to Tessa. "Your smell never belonged to the high society, dearest Tessa. I will show you what happens to pests that covet my throne." Tori whispered those words into Tessa's right ear.