THE DUKE

Ever since Felicia revealed her identity towards Olivia and Alexander, it was a little awkward for the two of them as they did not know what to do or address her now.

They were always staring at her as if they didn't know what to talk about which is odd because they could've just continued how they acted with her every time. Now it felt like there was suddenly a distance but not that big though. 

Maybe it'll pass soon, this awkwardness that they're showing. 

That day when she confessed and the day when she had dreamt of herself dying, the premonition of dying didn't happen. There were no attackers, no suspicious men roaming around her balcony, and no surprise attacks. 

Now, Felicia is confused. Aren't those dreams supposed to happen? Or what Noctua had theorized is actually correct? Whatever it was, she was going to focus first on her well-being rather than overthinking it once again.

"Olivia, come here for a second." Felicia gestured, asking for Olivia to come in her direction. It reminds her that Olivia didn't actually know her identity already. Why did she act shocked by then? As if it was her first time seeing her pull out her sword?

"Yes, Mistress?" She asked, walking towards Felicia's direction while wiping her hand. She still had the awkward look on her face, making Felicia's expression grow dull. 

"I'm curious, isn't this the first time that you have already witnessed me pulling out the sword but at the same time revealing my identity to you?" She asked, trying to let her remember what happened before.

"Pardon me, Mistress, but what do you mean?" She asked, tilting her head to show that she really had no idea about what Felicia mentioned. Since when was she able to learn that her Mistress is a Saintess?

"What? You know, when you found out about Noctua. Didn't I tell you about my secret? That day when you discovered that I killed a man?" Felicia tried once again, only for Olivia's face to grow even more confused. 

"I don't think that happened... It's my first time hearing you, my Lady." She replied. As Felicia stared into her, she could tell that Olivia was not joking or playing with her. It seemed that she really had no idea about what happened before.

"That's weird... If that didn't happen, then wouldn't you find it weird why Noctua is talking?" She asked, suspicious about her forgetting about that faithful day. It was her, the first woman who knew about this but right now, she looks dumbfounded.

"Mistress, I am not that ignorant when it comes to magic anymore. I witnessed being blessed and being used and healed by either Helena or the Pope. I just thought that it's weird for animals to talk but it's really that new to me. Just surprised as to why Noctua was able to speak and it must be because of the Pope's magic—is what I reasoned out when you didn't reveal anything." Olivia replied earnestly, sincerely and honestly. 

Felicia on the other hand felt like something was wrong with it. Not by the fact that Olivia might be lying about it, but rather because of her ability to forget about that incident. She clearly remembered that she had killed someone but why did she forget that she used a sword and even revealed her identity to her?

"Why? Have you experienced other animals talking to you?" Felicia asked, decided to disregard everything. Maybe she had really forgotten about it.

"No? But I thought before that Noctua's situation back then must've been like the Pope saved him and used his magic on him then enabling him how to speak perfectly like a human." She said, showing how innocent she really is. 

"I see... Maybe I was just dreaming back then." She mumbled and leaned on her sofa. "Any news from the Duke? I heard he hasn't gone out?" She asked Felicia as she lazed on the sofa.

She of course just did her training with Alexander helping her achieve how to efficiently use the sword. Even the knights participated, teaching her basic modes and even tried to spar with her.

Which Alexander rejected telling them that she's still weak. 

"Actually, my Lady..."

—

"I heard what you did to Helena." The Duke said as he plainly looked at her, his eyes devoid of emotions. He was back from being cold and expressionless towards her, his daughter from his first wife.

'Seems like she once again told the Duke a lie.' She thought to herself while secluding her inner thoughts and her emotions. If he wants to act this way then she will return it in this way too. 

"And what exactly did I do to her, Your Grace?" She asked as she curtsied, yet refuses to submit to his desire as she cocked her head, suppressing the smirk on her face upon making the Duke glare at her rude behaviour. 

"I heard you forced her to treat you when she was not feeling well. Her knight testified against you and Alexander for forcing her. The Saintess is not your personal slave, Felicia. Helena's existence is far more significant than yours." Roelle glared as she dared to test his patience with this act of disobedience. 

"I did that?" She gasped, acting shocked. Her heart when hearing that Helena's existence is far greater than hers made her heart ache. Ouch, that freaking hurts. 

"Don't try to play coy with me, Felicia. The knight had already caught you two ganging up on Helena. Couldn't you be more considerate towards your sister? For God's sake, Felicia! You are the big sister here! You are supposed to be taking care of her yet you are acting like a damn brat!" He roared, annoyed with Felicia, still acting like she didn't do anything wrong when it was already pointed out. 

This made Felicia's face turn even more colder. Is he blaming her for Helena when she really did nothing wrong but request aid for the Saintess? How dare he say she's insignificant?

"For the love of Goddess, can you not be jealous of her? That child had enough dealing with everything." The Duke added, hitting her even more than made her lose her last thread of holding out from ever talking back. 

"Your Grace, is that how you are blinded with your affection towards Helena that you forgot who was the one who caused such mayhem in this manor? Who was the one causing the ruckus, creating a bad influence over our guests, and trying to smear my name? Who was the one who tried to lock me when she claimed I was the one who locked her? Your Grace, this judgement of yours is clouded by your selfishness. I can see why Helena seems to love you." She argued back, proudly staring at the Duke who was taken aback by her words.

"What did you say?!"

"I'm saying that you are spoiling the woman so much that she couldn't even learn basic knowledge. Is this how you raise your favourite person, Your Grace? An ignorant lady who thinks that just because she is the Saintess she can get away with everything—"

SLAP!

Felicia's face turned in the opposite direction, her cheek went flushed as the Duke's hand landed on her cheek, causing the redness that started to sting. The Duke was malding red, his eyes were glazing over her, glaring at her intently. 

"You have no right to ever say that to me! You have no right to dictate those vicious words against me or your sister ever again! You are forbidden to take a step out of your room for two days! You shall not be fed until you realize your mistakes!" Roelle yelled loudly and it seemed everyone heard it. 

Felicia was shocked and hurt, and felt like her existence didn't matter to him at all. Tears escaped her eyes as she slowly turned her head to face him, clouded by the same anger yet being suppressed inside her. 

"Then I greet the Duke goodbye." She muttered, bowing her head and leaving the office with her palm shut tightly, gritting her teeth. This humiliation that she felt, she would return sooner or later. 

As soon as she got out of the office, she suddenly saw Helena, smirking as she was leaning on the doorway. A satisfied expression flashed on her face as she walked towards Felicia, mocking her right now. 

"Oh no, did big sister just get hit by Daddy?" She asked as she let out a grin across her lips, enjoying her situation. "Awe, too bad... Seems like Daddy believes me more than you now. He treasures me so much that he doesn't care about you know. Hm, I wonder who's the real daughter here." She added, giggling as she walked a lap around Felicia who remained calm despite the anger rising inside her. 

She wanted nothing more than to grab this midget's hair and just let herself let loose by pulling her hair until she was nothing more than just a scalp. 

"Don't get too excited, Helena. Just because you won today doesn't mean that I won't get back to you." She whispered, staring at what was in front of her rather than staring at the woman's face.

She might throw up on her if she did stare at her face. 

"Oh? You sure still are very arrogant despite Daddy reminding you how important I am to you. Who will support you when that time comes?" She asked, stopping in front of her as she yanked her arm to make Felicia stare at her.

"No one. Not even Alexander can help you." She whispered, grinning and then threw her hand away. "Even Liam has decided to abandon you after realizing that you held no value to him. What more would it be towards Prince Constantine?" She chuckled and continued to assault Felicia.

Felicia then gripped her hands tightly, her nails digging at her palm as she tried not to attack Helena at this point. She was trying to make her lose her patience by telling her this and it pissed her off. 

"You have no one now, dearest sister. And I will make it even more possible for you to not have everyone. This is for coveting my possessions." Helena glared, turning her head to face Felicia. 

"You should've stayed in the annexe and rotted there, you worthless piece of scum."

With that, Helena started to walk away, leaving Felicia who was glaring at her. If she attacked Helena, she would've gotten another punishment from that bastard of a Duke. So she decided to stay quiet and let the brat say whatever she wanted. 

Because at the end of this misery of hers, she will personally make her a coffin and bury her underground—that brat will taste what hell feels like. 

And she swears it to her core.