A VICTORIOUS END

Silence filled the garden as Helena kept her mouth shut as if she was silently saying that she would not apologize for what she did towards Felicia and Liam. Alexander could feel his heart beating loudly as the silence was increasing.

Alexander eyed Felicia, asking for her help to solve this problem. How interesting it was that her big brother who doted on Helena very well while at the same time forgetting that she's his real sister is now asking for his help.

As Felecia held the teacup near her mouth, her lips stretched out as she look at the poor girl looking down while avoiding their eyes. Her eyes then went back to her brother Alexander who was glaring at her.

"Since this is the way that you wanted, fine. Surely this isn't that much of trouble, right Helena?" She thought as she placed the teacup back in the holder as she look at the young Marquis Liam and smiled gently.

"If I may, Young Marquis. I apologize for her rude behaviour in my stead. As the eldest daughter of the Duke, I was not able to uphold our face due to my sister's inability to distinguish what's right and wrong." She said as she bowed her head as she faced the young marquis Liam.

"It is not your fault, my lady. It is simply because she lacks common knowledge. Way to ruin this perfect tea time that Alexander had prepared for us." Liam said as he smiled towards Felicia and look at Alexander with an apologetic look.

"You should've taught her better, Alexander. Quite spoiled I see." He added making Alexander grow red. Everything is ruined now, if not for Felicia joining them then this tea party will be successful rather than ending up in distress.

"Well then—"

"I-I apologize... Sister... Young Marquis... I-I r-recently had just studied proper lessons." Helena suddenly said yet she wasn't still looking at the both of them. Her apologies didn't make Felicia feel better, it surely was just a forceful apology to regain her self-esteem.

"Well done. Study well in the future so that people around you won't be disappointed anymore." Liam said as he sighed and smiled at Helena who was taken aback at what he said. Her cheeks went red and her eyes were teary, ready to cry any moment.

"Ah, and Alexander... I heard that you're invested in that gold mine from a Barron?" Liam asked Alexander who was surprised to hear his words.

"A-ah yes. I plan to invest soon since it's a promising mine after all. I've read the reports saying that the gold mine was truly worth to invest." Alexander said proudly, didn't mind Helena who was on the verge of crying.

"Hm... It seems like a good plan." Liam said. Well, it surely is a good business. "What do you think, Lady Felicia?" Liam asked Felicia who was quietly enjoying her feast. Felicia frowned for a second before she immediately smiled innocently, hiding the fact that she was annoyed at Liam for suddenly calling her.

"Hmm... Unless you have already inspected it by yourself, I'm sure you'll be able to know if it's worth the shot. Unless you just blindly believed that man's words." She said. On what grounds does it have to do with her?

But wait, investing in a gold mine? Wasn't it a failure that Alexander tried to blame Felicia that it was her fault for investing in such a gold mine that was a hoax pulled by the baron? She remembered it clearly that Felicia received a huge backlash despite the fact that it was Alexander's fault.

"Oh... On second thought, I'm sure it doesn't need for you to go there personally. On the other hand, I think you'll pull it through, brother." Felicia said towards Alexander, elegantly putting her tea cup near her mouth.

Why would Felicia stop him from investing in that damn gold mine? His failure is all his alone, she didn't need to intervene with him from what he wanted to do. In fact, it would be more fun if he ended up getting scammed.

A sly smile appeared on her lips as she drank her tea, feeling vicious at this point. No matter what happens, Alexander is bound to fail now that she has transmigrated here in this damn book.

"Why are you smiling?" Alexander asked suspiciously which made Felicia blink her eyes. She chuckled as she put her tea cup back on the small plate, looking directly at Alexander.

"I am happy that you are investing in such a large mine that you can already secure your future ahead, brother. You are indeed the Duke's son, worthy of his position." Felicia said to him in a cheerful manner.

This act made the Marquis also chuckle. He can understand how fake it was, how her words held no significance. It was amusing for him. It's like watching a circus in a VIP seat. The lady is indeed a beauty with vicious thorns.

"Of course! I am the first son of the Duke. The future Duke." Alexander brimmed proudly at her words. Aside from the Duke, he is the second in power. He could feel that Felicia is beginning to strike with fear, greatly respecting him. But what he didn't know was that Felicia was all snorting and mocking his position in her head.

"Talk about some crap." She thought.

All of a sudden, Helena stood up from her seat, making everyone look at her. Her eyes were full of tears as she looked at Felicia with hostility in her eyes. This made Felicia almost raise her eyebrow, baffled at Helena.

"What's with your attitude, Lady Helena?" The marquis asked as he was frowning over Helena. It was considered rude to abruptly ruin their party.

"Can't you at least be nice and show me that you've learned well? You are displaying rude behaviour against your guest. And here I thought you had been learning. Clearly, you didn't. Is this what made you proud, Alexander? A mannerless maiden without considering your guest?" The marquis added.

Helena felt embarrassment as her cheeks glared with bright red. Even Alexander was getting all embarrassed too because of her actions, getting on his bad side. "O-of course Helena is elegant! She's not in her right mood now." Alexander defended her.

"If she's in a bad mood then why did she force herself to join us? A simple greeting towards the marquis is already good enough to acknowledge him as our guest." Felicia said, taking a bite of the refreshments.

"Shut your mouth, Felicia!" Alexander said sternly to Felicia, throwing her daggers in his eyes. The marquis who saw this had a disappointed look on his face, disapproving of what Alexander did.

"What Lady Felicia said is right, Alexander. I don't understand why you are very protective of her when she embarrassed herself alone. You are simply allowing yourself to cover her, making you also embarrassed by her actions. I thought you were the next heir. This is foolery, Your grace." The marquis said, protecting Felicia against Alexander's harsh words.

All of a sudden, a loud sob came out from Helena's mouth as she stared towards the Marquis with big puppy eyes, as if she wanted to lure the Marquis over her, wanting him to side with her. But the marquis was already bewitched by Felicia as he was already protecting her.

"I-I'm sorry, I gotta go..." She said as she left the gazebo, crying while running away. "My lady!" The maids yelled as they followed Helena who was crying. This made Alexander frown at her rash behaviour in front of their guest.

"I'm so sorry, Liam. I have to follow her." Alexander said towards the Marquis as he began to stand up and was about to leave them.

"Aren't she, Lady Felicia your sister also? Why are you chasing your step-sister? That lowly fellow is rude." Marquis Liam said that made Alexander stop and stare at Felicia. Once again, Felicia was met with cold eyes coming from Alexander.

"Her? Hah." Alexander said, snorting and leaving them both alone in this gazebo. Felicia sighed, this made her even feel pity towards the original Felicia, treated like a stranger inside her own house.

"Are you okay, Lady Felicia?" Marquis Liam asked her which made Felicia look at him. Tears unexpectedly came out of her eyes and she didn't know why she was crying over that damn asshole.

"Me? I'm fine..." Felicia said, delivering an act towards the marquis as she looked away and simply wiped the tears from her eyes. She must gain an ally, a strong ally worthy to compete with Alexander and the Duke's authority. That is of course the Marquis.

"Are you sure, My lady? Please use this handkerchief of mine." Marquis Liam offered his handkerchief to her. She then nodded her head and held the piece of cloth, wiping her tears and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Marquis." She said towards him. "I shall give you another piece of handkerchief since I dirtied yours. Do not worry, Marquis Liam." She added.

"Don't bother. Instead, why don't you tour me in this lovely garden? The gazebo is pleasing alright, but the outside seems very much more lovely in my eyes." The marquis said, standing up and offering his hand to her.

"May I ask you to take me outside, my lady?" He said as he looked at her with a grin across his face. Felicia smiled back, giving him her hand as she pulled herself up and clasped her hand in his.

"Of course, it is my honour, Marquis." She said as they began to walk outside the gazebo. This may turn out well since the Duchess' room is facing the garden. Felicia will let her know that everything that they own will become hers alone.