SERVANTS AND handmaidens were buzzing since the crack of dawn. The chilly breeze of winter did not deter the busy people in the Rozenreff estate. Sabina was in a foul mood since she woke up. Shena's sweet nothings could not quench her temper. Today was the blasted day that the bitch Victoria was born. It was the seventeenth birthday of that bitch and even her handmaidens were excited saved for Shena.

How I wish she was never born by that pathetic Duchess. I should have been the only heir of the Rozernreff Dukedom, but the blasted fate made that bitch! Ugh! And that sore loser Mia had to get caught! Good thing that someone from the prison cell chopped her tongue off or else.

"Have some chamomile tea, Lady Sabina." Shena served her but everything around her was irritating Sabina so she flipped the teacups before her, spilling everything to the floor.

Not feeling any remorse, Sabina just glared at Shena. "You are annoying me, Shena. Did I tell you to talk?"

"Forgive me, Lady Sabina!" Shena was visibly shaking as she was kneeling on the floor while picking the shards of porcelain.

"Then don't talk unless you bring me good news!"

Sabina could only lash out this much without minding her reputation, since Shena was the only one inside the room. Her other handmaidens were outside and were waiting for her orders. Sabina did not have the energy to act happy and saintly in front of those lowly servants this early in the morning.

Shena nodded fearfully. "I-I understand, Lady Sabina."

Huffing and puffing, Sabina walked towards the windows of her room. Carriages from all other households came and went in the Rozenref estate since earlier. Messengers from nobles and aristocratic families went by to send their gift to the heir apparent of the Rozenref Dukedom in which fueled Sabina's rage.

Compared to last year's celebration, there were a lot more carriages this year. The news of Victoria being a young genius became the talk of the capital. It amazed many by how she even became the top passer even with the incident where she almost died two days before the exam.

That's supposed to be my glory!

Sabina was seething, her sapphire eyes blazing with fury. Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, Sabina closed her curtains forcefully. "Prepare me my dress for the later lunch party."

"How about the gift for Lady Victoria, Lady Sabina?" Shena meant the commissioned embroidered handkerchief with the Rozenreff Duchy's sigil. Sabina would use this item to cause a commotion later, displaying that she had nothing to do with the attempt at poising Victoria.

The rumors circulating in high society were ruining her reputation, and Sabina did not like it one bit. It would ruin her plan to be the next heir of the Rozenreff Dukedom.

"Ready that too. I can't afford to let that dumb bitch be the center of attention anymore. To think that the two princes went to get her that day! Curse her!"

I am the Saintly Sabina of the Rozenreff Duchy! I should put her back in her place! All I need to do is show the high society who is the more favored one. If I show them that by siding with me, they would be at the advantage, then I could be the heir apparent instead of that blasted Victoria.

A sudden knock stopped Sabina from her reverie. "What is it?"

"Lady Sabina, a letter from the Castaña Duchy arrived."

Upon hearing where the letter came from, Sabina immediately lightened up. "Give that to me, hurry."

The whole time that Sabina was opening the letter, she was feeling anxious. Although she made sure that every time she went to the Castaña Duchy's estate, she would do her best to gain the favor of the ducal house. She even made it to the point where she denied her desire for the first prince just to fool Lady Elisa.

A dark laugh resonated inside the room when she read the letter. The dark gleam in Sabina's eyes reflected cruelty and victory.

I am sure that Victoria thought she won when she earned the favor of Marchioness Susana.

"But how wrong you are, Victoria. I will crush your hopes of gaining the Rozenreff Duchy right on your birthday. I will snatch what you have one by one until nothing remains anymore."

"I am so happy for you, Lady Sabina." Shena's grin rivaled hers, which caused Sabina to grin wider.

"I thought this would be a bad day for me, but it turns out the opposite, huh."

With an hour left to prepare, Sabina's changed mood made her sung while her handmaidens were preparing for the birthday party.

I can't wait to see your defeated face, Victoria.

She wore a dark blue lacy tube gown adorned with white pearls. Sabina's aura screamed her saintly image. Sabina and Victoria's birth month was in the winter season just before the New Year. Her father summoned them together just to tell them that he would not interfere if who would become their sponsor for their birthdays.

A sponsor for a noble lady's birthday was an important role. This would serve as a rite of passage that would eventually determine the social standing of a noble lady to the high society. The noble lady who could secure a high-ranking sponsor would be granted a brighter future in the elite society, especially in securing titles and husbands.

With the recent events, Sabina could tell that Marchioness Susana of the Marquess House of Zoliel would be the sponsor for her blasted sister's birthday.

Oh, I can't wait.

"Let's go and wreck some party, Shena." The excited glint in her eyes was so clear, but as soon as she stepped out of her room, Sabina's eyes became gentle and her aura became docile.

An hour passed by like a blur for her, and now she's going to join the party held in the Rozenreff assembly hall at the west wing. There were noblemen and noble ladies loitered around the hall towards the assembly hall where the party was held. Every eye turned to her as she walked quite confidently with Shena in tow. Her presence screamed kindness and grace that left every visitor amazed by her.

Hah, be amazed by my presence and forget that dumb bitch.

"Did you hear about Lady Sabina's gift that almost killed Lady Victoria?"

"I wonder what will Lady Sabina's gift for today."

"Is that true?"

"I heard that from Marchioness Susana herself."

Behind those smiling eyes, Sabina was seething inside from the rumors that circulated the high society. I must turn the tides now!

And I must start by walking side by side with my sponsor, the Duchess of Castaña herself.

An elegant-looking woman stood near the entrance of the assembly hall. She was talking with her father while Elisa went inside the assembly hall first. The Duchess might felt Sabina's presence since she glanced in her direction. When Sabina was close enough, she did an elegant courtesy in front of them.

"Blessings to the Empire's shield, Duchess Castaña."

A gentle chuckle with a pat on her shoulder. "No need to be so formal, Lady Sabina. After all, I am your sponsor for your coming birthday."

"Thank you, Duchess." Sabina's gentle smile answered the Duchess.

Her father's shocked face was something she wanted to brag to Victoria. "Father, are you not escorting Sister Victoria?"

It was a common sight for a father to escort his daughter during birthday parties. It made Sabina wonder what that cunning Victoria was planning.

Anyway, no matter what it is, her party will still be good as a ruin. After all, I have the Duchess of Castaña Dukedom with me.

"Let us go. Your sister will arrive soon. Johanes told me that Victoria's sponsor will escort her."

It was customary for the birthday celebrant to arrive last with her or his escort. This was to emphasize the celebrant.

Hah.

The three of them went inside the assembly hall where the party was held. Sabina being escorted by her father was welcomed with a very formal setting of a party. A vast space was given at the center for the dances and tables were elegantly placed around it. The musical band played a soft yet joyous song for the occasion, while the Rozenreff servants were busy keeping the nobles happy.

But every chatter inside the hall halted when the Rozenreff butler, Johanes, closed the assembly hall's door to announce the arrival of the celebrant.

Hiding her wicked gleam, Sabina looked towards the entrance like all the others did.

"Presenting to you, Lady Victoria Rozenref of the Rozenref Duchy and escorted by the Empire's moon, Queen Aurina Eckrett."

What!

WEARING A red-colored off-shoulder outdoor dress with black diamonds adorning it, Tori twirled one more time in front of Lily who was clapping her hands with pure delight.

"You look so beautiful, Lady Tori!" Lily was teary-eyed the whole time they were preparing, which caused Tori to laugh. "You must wear this now. It arrived this morning, the late Duchess' tiara, which you customized for today's event."

Tori stared at the tiara. They now adorned it with rubies unlike before that they adorned it with clear white diamonds. Her father gave this tiara to the late Duchess. And the other night, the Duke summoned her just to give her this tiara.

The late Duchess wore this when she got married and now Tori's wearing it on her seventeenth birthday, wherein she will be properly introduced to the high society. Tori hated the tiara the very first time she saw it. They adorned it with glistening diamonds that screamed purity, which was something that Tori was not. So she replaced it with rubies to show subtlety about her no-bullshit attitude.

Placing the tiara above her styled bun, Tori faced her handmaidens who were there the whole time.

"Are you sure you will not wear a necklace, Lady Tori?" Alya, Tori's handmaiden, asked her again.

I need to have space if I want to wear the Jewel Eyes of Rhea, but I can't tell you guys yet.

"I want to remain simple and who knows, someone might gift me a necklace." Tori jokingly replied Alya. The latter's eyes sparkled. "Lady Tori, the princes might gift you that." She was gushing like a dog in heat.

"Alya," Lily scolded the poor Alya.

"It's okay, Lily. So, shall we go to my very own birthday party?"

A knock stopped them. A very shocked Johanes came into her room with her sponsor in tow.

"You did not tell them that I am your sponsor, I see." The entertained smile of Queen Aurina did not ease the shock of the people around Tori as she came inside her room.

Why should I? That very look of surprise is something that I am looking forward in this party after all.

"I intend to start this party with a bang, Your Majesty." Tori made a courtesy together with her bowing handmaidens in front of the Queen, Prince Corean's mother.

"Shall we surprise them then, Lady Victoria?"

Tori did not bother to hide her evil smile in front of the queen. "It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."

They were walking side by side towards the assembly hall. Their handmaidens were just behind the two of them as they walked with confidence. And when Johanes announced her arrival, Tori heard audible gasps from everywhere. Everyone seems to freeze like a sick comedy film.

Her mocking red eyes went straight to her hear half-sister.

I will always be the center of attention, dearest sister. Bow down to me, loser. After all, my sponsor is the queen.

Contempt and anger were visible on Sabina's face. Oh, we're just getting started, dear sister.