King Elphaim understood the noble faction's sentiments, but it was understandable for Lady Victoria to seek the help of the aristocratic faction when her father would obviously abandon her. "Just like you said Lady Victoria Rozenreff, the law in this empire stated that the heir with the greater connection and power will take the seat of the inheritance. But we do not recognize the power of the crown princes from other kingdoms in the empire, you know that too, right Lady Victoria?" King Elphaim's eyes told Tori that she already lost. But for a split second, the king saw how Tori smiled slyly at him before it changed to its original sweet smiling face.

"I know, Your Majesty. That's why King Leon Monakre and Emperor Mei Lin came to this noble trial." They're my insurance should you use that law against me. I guess being two steps ahead is not a bad thing. I can already tell where Prince Corean got on his sly side.

Laughing while stroking his beard, King Leon eyed Tori with utmost curiosity. He was astonished that she bravely confronted Crown Prince Yei Lin just to bring back his lost son. No matter what her reason would be. King Leon decided to help her as he owed her a great deal.

Emperor Rei Lin, on the other hand, liked Tori's cunning strategies in bringing down Marquess Zoliel. Even her proposals about the grains and sugar astounded him that such a common item could destroy nobles and aristocrats when played wickedly. For Emperor Rei Lin, Tori was a rare gem that he intended to polish for the Ming country's benefit.

Nodding their heads as confirmation of her claim, King Elphaim was once again pushed back to the corner. To stabilize the growing empire, he needed a partnership between these two countries. With nothing to argue, the king made the obvious royal call. "I, King Elphaim, Blessed Sun of Gaia, hereby recognized the claim of Lady Victoria Rozenreff, first of her name and the eldest daughter of Duke Luwen Rozenreff. With the laws upon us, the weight of high society tilts its favor to Lady Victoria Rozenreff, making her the effective official heir of the Duchy."

"No!" Sabina shrieked like a banshee as she tried to stand up and aim for the smiling Victoria. The sullen Duke stopped her second daughter immediately. "Sabina, no."

The Duke nodded at the flustered Shena who was standing at their back the whole time. "Take her back to the estate. I will have to talk to Victoria." He knew that a royal call was something that could not be changed. He looked at his eldest daughter, who was happily smiling at the center of the aristocratic faction who went down to greet her. Walking towards Victoria, Duke Luwen interrupted the ongoing pre-celebration. "Victoria."

All eyes shifted to the newly arrived Duke. Tori snapped her attention to her father. "Father," Tori greeted the Duke sweetly.

"Let's talk for a moment, Victoria." The Duke addressed his daughter but his eyes were looking at the second prince who was standing close to Victoria.

"Of course, father." Tori led the Duke out of the courtroom, leaving her companions. She led him to the room she occupied earlier to talk privately. The entire journey toward the room was silent as they could not deny the tension. Just before they could enter the room, Tori regarded Lily, who was just waiting outside the room.

Lily's face was full of worry and fear. When she realized who she was with, her anxiety grew evident for Tori to see. "Lady Tori. Duke Rozenreff."

The Duke did not even acknowledge the handmaiden as he only looked forward. "It's alright, Lily. Just prepare us some tea and don't let anyone enter the room."

You did well, Lily.

"I understand, Lady Tori." Lily hurriedly went on her way after she showed them respect.

Without even glancing at her father, Tori opened the door for him. The Duke's emotionless face welcomed Tori as she sat in front of him.

Not wasting his precious time, the Duke started. "Why? There are so many questions in me, but my pressing concern is why are you opposing me, your father?" His eyes held betrayal from what she did and anger for her disobedience.

Ha! The nerve of this man!

"Let me answer you with my question, why did you abandon me? Why make me believe that you have my back only to stab me when you destroyed my future for that half-blood's feelings? Sometimes, I wonder. Did you even see me as a daughter?"

I saw how you love Sabina. The original Victoria saw that wretched love until the moment that she died. You did not even blink when the original Victoria's head rolled to the ground. So don't you dare talk as if I disappointed you.

"You know why I did that," he argued back as his voice raised.

Crossing her legs calmly, Tori laughed for a moment. Her ruthless red eyes met her father's cold ones. "Screw your reasons, father. You can shove it in your ass. You spoke of my mother's love, but what you showed me was the exact opposite. Yes, you changed a bit, but your unyielding love for that wench never faltered. You know what, I am done. I will hold the Rozenreff Duchy with iron grip with the help of those who you loathed the most."

Standing up, the Duke could not contain his anger with the situation. "I never knew this side of you. You are nothing like your mother."

Scoffing loudly, Tori crossed her arms as she looked up at his standing form. "I never claim to be my mother, I never did. I will not die easily, no. And I will not die and go down in this wretched place, father. And for the record, erase your illusion of me being an obedient spawn of yours. I am Victoria Rozenreff and I bow to no one. I never did and I never will."

Tori stood up without even looking back at her astounded father.

Wow, walking out in front of the Duke is becoming my new hobby, huh?

Without no place to go, Tori aimlessly wandered around the hallways of the courthouse. The nobles that she saw would give her a curious look or a wary look. After all, she was the accused who became innocent and later on became the heir of the Rozenreff Duchy just in one go. Bow down to me bitches.

Not even sparing them a glance, Tori walked like she owned the courtroom herself. Is this how Victoria's Secret models feel? Damn, I'm so fucking high.

A sudden arm interrupted Tori's graceful strides, turning her world upside down for a minute before she felt the icy walls at her back. Golden eyes met hers when she looked up at the tall figure who pinned her to the wall. "What now, your highness?"

With the thick drapes of the curtains covering them, he leaned down to whisper his reply. "You think I did not remember your attempt at erasing my memory?"

Tori's eyes widened.

Why did he remember? Wait, is he baiting me?

"Memory? What memory?" Tori gave the second prince the best innocent look she got.

Smiling down at her antics, Prince Corean leaned more toward her. His lips almost touched her, "My memory of my teeth marking your pretty little neck. You seem to forget it. Should I make your body remember, Tori?"

Holy sweet momma of Gaia! Goddess, deliver me from evil.

"S-stop this, Cory." Tori did not know why her words were whispered. She sounded breathless and wanton. I am such a slut.

"How can I stop? When my future queen is such a temptress."

BORED RUBY EYES STARED at the glistening invitation in front of her. Tori had been staring at it for some time now ever since Lily delivered it to her. The brewing tension in her room could be sliced by a sword, but no handmaiden dared to interrupt the reigning heir apparent of the Rozenreff Duchy.

Though calm as she appeared – sitting crossed legs on her favorite couch while sipping her favored Chamomile tea – the handmaidens especially, Lily, knew how touchy their mistress was after receiving the iconic invitation letter from the Imperial palace sent by the king himself.

"Lily," said Tori to her trusted handmaiden.

Immediately, Lily walked toward her mistress while the others exited Tori's room. "Yes, Lady Tori."

"It has been two years since I fell from the staircase, right?" Tori still stared at the invitation which was now in her hands.

Though Lily did not know why her mistress recalled that particular incident, she politely answered, "Yes, Lady Tori."

"So this is the ball, huh," Tori mumbled to herself which Lily heard.

The wretched ball wherein Sabina and the first prince are supposed to fall in love with each other – marks the start of the original plot. If I did not interrupt the way of things, this ball will set the plot turning yet here I am.

The corners of her lips curled up upon realizing how the plot had changed.