New Problem, Different From The Past

In her past life, Arabella had very rarely seen the Grand Duke, because Julian had spent more time on the battlefield than in the capital.

Arabella cleared her throat softly with her hand fan covering half of her face, "If I may ask, for what purpose did he invite me to his residence, Father? Did I do something to interest him?" guess Arabella.

Vivaldi nodded, "I was talking to Count Brown earlier," Vivaldi's eyes pointed at Orchidia, "and when we were talking about you, the Grand Duke interrupted and asked what your name was. After I told him your name, he said that he invited you to his residence tomorrow and will wait for you," said Vivaldi.

Arabella's throat felt dry, she gulped harshly, 'there is a variable that appears in this time, even though in the past I have never had contact with that Grand Duke" Arabella thought. She squeezed her fan slightly, refraining from running out of here and hiding in the room.

Julian Malven Kingston was one of those people that Arabella desperately wanted to avoid, both in her past and present life. That man, his abilities beyond human comprehension and not one to be easy to deal with. Not only in terms of fighting ability but his nature. Julian's eyes were sharp enough to pick up on the things people hide well, not an easy opponent for Arabella. Remember, there are many things that Arabella is hiding at the moment.

"How about it, Arabella? Did you accept or.. decline the invitation from the Grand Duke?" asked Vivaldi fishing. Arabella clearly cannot refuse. But Vivaldi wanted to know, to what extent did Arabella obey and the nature of nobility without gaps.

The third concubine who didn't know anything about noble rules looked relaxed, while Orchidia, of course, understood very well that Arabella had no choice at all but to refuse the invitation from Julian Malven Kingston who was a Grand Duke.

The unwritten rule that has become an open secret in the nobility is, that one cannot refuse requests or invitations from nobles with higher titles. The rules are not punished by the government, but by social sanctions. That is, being ostracized from the society of the upper class, exiled from the group of nobles, and it is certain that the family will weaken and become nobles without power.

Arabella looked at Vivaldi and gave a faint smile, hiding her annoyance.

"Father, how could I refuse an invitation from the Grand Duke? I think you are the right person to make that decision for me. Whatever your choice, I will follow. I think, my role as the official daughter of the Falzen family is to help Father raise the status of our family in the eyes of the nobility. Isn't that so, Father?" replied Arabella with the sweetest possible words.

Oho, don't take Arabella lightly. Emotions and shock alone won't affect him in the slightest. Arabella prepared herself for the years since being reborn no kidding. Everything has been prepared by Arabella. There is no such thing as emotion in carrying out his revenge.

Again, the answer that Arabella made Vivaldi happy and satisfied was absurd, it turned out that Arabella was indeed very perfect as a noble daughter.

"Good, Arabella. I'm very happy that you trust me, as your father. So, I think you should accept the invitation from the Grand Duke" said Vivaldi without further ado. So far, Arabella didn't have a choice.

Arabella's smile did not fade at all despite getting an annoying reply from Vivaldi, which she had expected from a Vivaldi. Meanwhile, Orchidia looked at Arabella with a look that was secretly concerned. Being Arabella must be tired, having to stay strong and tough, having to keep pretending that she doesn't know anything, even though her heart is hurt.

"Okay, Father. Then, I will try to find the best dress in my wardrobe to attend the invitation from the Grand Duke" said Arabella.

' I purposely mentioned dresses, because none of my dresses are pretty. And Vivaldi, my overbearing father would not let me come to the Grand Duke's residence in all that shabby dress. Come on, get the money that you snatched from my mother, Vivaldi!' Arabella thought.

As Arabella suspected again, Vivaldi raised his eyebrows as he looked at Arabella from head to toe.

"Arabella, go shopping today. Just use your monthly budget, I will also add more money for you so you can shop for luxurious dresses to impress the Grand Duke" said Vivaldi who unconsciously expressed his intention, making the Grand Duke fascinated.

' Wow.. it turns out that Father is impatient to sell me, huh? Moreover, this time it was the Grand Duke who had almost the same power as the King. Father has not changed at all, only selfish father. Disgusting ' thought Arabella disgusted.

"Okay, Father. But sorry... since yesterday I haven't received a monthly budget at all, Dad. That's why I still wear a shabby dress from the village" Arabella whispered, wanting to make Rose even more scolded.

"What?! How can that be? Who in this residence dares to hold back your monthly budget?" Vivaldi growled.

Philip came forward, "I'm sorry for interrupting, My Lord. But, since before Lady Arabella came all Lady's needs were taken care of by Concubine Rose, she insisted. "

Arabella's thin cherry red lips twitched to suppress a smile, it was a very pleasant day. There were quite a few things she did to repay Rose, albeit slowly. Arabella knows that all her needs are taken care of by Rose, and her father's first concubine deliberately withheld all the rights that Arabella should have got to be corrupted.

Perhaps, Rose thought that Arabella would not know and assumed that she did not have a monthly budget. Too bad, Arabella isn't stupid. Although the invitation from the Grand Duke was beyond Arabella's expectations, she also benefited from it. Like now, he could nudge and add to Rose's list of faults again. And don't forget, Vivaldi will add money for Arabella to shop.

'Look so fun,' thought Arabella happily.

Vivaldi's face was bright red, the middle-aged man looked emotional.

' Go on a rampage, Father. Hit Rose again like Father hit me in the past,' Arabella thought. The corner of her heart ached, but at the same time, Arabella was also quite satisfied.

"CALL ROSE THAT BITCH!!!" snapped Vivaldi. His breath catches. Vivaldi was afraid that all the plans he had made for Arabella would fall apart because of Rose's impudent intervention.

Orchidia looks a little scared, her hands are shaking. Even though he was never beaten by Vivaldi because all this time Vivaldi seemed to not care about him, Orchidia often saw how Rose was beaten.

"Don't worry, I won't let you do anything wrong" whispered Arabella covered by a hand fan so that only Orchidia could know.

Even though it was just the words of a young girl, Orchidia somehow felt relieved. As if, Arabella would protect him.

A few minutes passed, but Rose still hadn't appeared.