Daddy's permission.

Their father and Mylène having left, Karl clenched his fists and jaw in front of the large portrait of Christal in the living room. The new duchess didn't like the fact that the portraits of this woman were all over the house when she was the new hostess, but the duke was far too scary for her to complain.

She often wondered why the duke had brought her to the mansion. Since they were married, he had never touched her and didn't even look at her as a woman. She could have complained about it but it was that or be repudiated, and for nothing in the world, would she want to go back to the filthy cabin where she lived with her daughter.

Fifteen years ago, while she was working in the fields, Gabrielle sat next to her, the duke arrived on his horse and held out his hand to her asking her to follow him. She had been surprised that he asked her out of nowhere to be his wife. She hadn't thought about it long before taking the name of Duchess of Hosten, her daughter becoming a noble at the same time.

She had so many ambitions for her daughter who would soon be a countess by marrying the future Count of Solsten. That was if that little slut Mylène didn't become embedded in her relationship.

They separated, Edward having the visceral need to talk to his father but the latter refused to grant him a discussion making him return to his room.

I fell asleep quickly, having cleared my ideas for the next day. Fancy was snoring by my side but this atmosphere was enough to send me into the arms of Morpheus.

The next morning, like the morning of the day before, someone had the marvelous idea of ​​making quite a racket outside, preventing me from continuing to savor my sleep. Fancy was already up and I guess that she would come soon to tell me the cause of this morning's agitation.

I stood up, resting my feet on the cold floor before straightening up, going to my window. There was still the light morning mist which meant that whoever was making all the noise in front of the house had arrived much too early for my good. I tried to see who was nasty enough to bother people so soon when the door slammed open, Fancy rushing in forcefully.

"My lady...you are awake...please get ready you have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

"Yes... The second prince has arrived and he wants to see you."

I felt my head pounding, it was not what I had planned. I had to meet Frederik first, then the prince, and not the other way around. Above all, I feared that Frederik would arrive and that it would end like the day before.

Why couldn't these men just sit still and be nice pawns in carrying out my plans?

I turned to Fancy with a scowl on my face and walked towards the bathroom. I can't help it now anyway, I have to deal with the fact that things won't always turn out the way I want.

"Prepare the black dress with the red flower patterns and my black shoes with the red decorations too... Today I'm going to do my hair so prepare some black ribbons and some makeup too."

"Oh my lady, you make a big deal out of meeting this prince."

Fancy seemed to be sulking at this and I smiled caressing her cheek.

"Whoever wants to go to war prepares for it, my little one."

I clicked my tongue on my puck before entering the bathroom. I picked out some of the vanilla flower scents I bought two days ago before pouring them into my tub. The entire room was filled with this subtle and intense smell that awakened certain desires...

I smiled, it had served at least something all these appointments arranged. In particular, it allowed me to learn all the techniques of seduction that could be useful to me; even if in the end, it had been useless, still single but worse... still a virgin.

I settled into the tub, the intoxicating scent wrapping around my skin until it crept into my pores. It felt so good to relax from all my sadistic thoughts and petty plans. It was necessary from time to time to better envisage the future.

A few minutes later, I got out of the water, putting in some essential oils, still vanilla flavor, and a lit elite-flavored perfume.

Fancy knocked before entering and found me sitting on a couch waiting for her to come and dress me.

"My lady, I was wondering...why did you ask the seamstress to fit all your dresses to your body without a corset or a cage?"

Fancy was stroking my dress as she surely wondered why put on such a revealing dress in an era when women were required to wear corsets and cages. My robe would fit more like a dressing gown if I were, to be honest.

I stood up naked in front of Fancy as I ran my fingers down my body caressing it sensually. I left my fingers on my chest making the girl swallow.

"Well because...."

I motioned for Fancy to come forward and she did. I pulled her against me, our bodies sticking together as she let out a small moan from her lips.

"When a man passes his hand over the garment, he will more easily feel the skin of the woman he is courting and his desire will not be long in coming."

"My lady."

Fancy cried out, her face flushed and shocked at my amused gaze.

"Don't worry my little Fancy, the second prince is certainly handsome but he is not the one who will take my virginity even less Frederik De Solsten... I don't know if this man exists or not but he will be exceptional."

Fancy nodded and began to dress her mistress, she started with the shoes before having her put on the dress. Then she put her jewels on her before putting her hair up in a small bun high in a ponytail.

She got down to makeup putting on a light touch of dark eyeshadow and adding a little lipstick to color it up a bit. But it was just enough for you to notice that she had made an effort.

" How am I ?"

I asked, wanting an honest opinion on the matter.

"My lady...you look gorgeous as always."

Fancy answered honestly, too honestly even if I believe her peony face and watery eyes. She was so easily emotional that it became cute. I think I like this little one.

"Thank you…by the way, I hope you haven't forgotten what I asked you." I reminded her of our plan because no matter what distractions I can allow myself to have, I must not stray from my plans.

"No, I'm still watching the housekeeper's actions, don't worry," Fancy responded earnestly and I smiled.

"Very nice girl...well now, let's see what's going on with the second prince."

I left my room making all the servants in the corridor gasp. Well, I guess they would never have imagined that the ugly duckling, the dumpster of the Duchy of Hosten could ever be so beautiful. As I understand them, especially when I remember the condition of the dresses that were in the wardrobe of my old self.

It was disgusting.

In short, get used to seeing me like this because it will never be the same again.

I finally made it to the entrance hall where my father was talking with the second prince. Karl and Edward were also there, and the only ones missing were Gabrielle and her mother wondering where they were.

When Claude saw Mylène, he almost had tears in his eyes, it was Christal in every way. He couldn't take his eyes off his daughter and he wasn't the only one because Karl and Edward were peony red while Aaron felt his heart skip a beat. He had never seen anything so beautiful and captivating.

I smiled, satisfied with the look of these men on me. So it was under these impressed looks that I went down to meet my father who held out his hand to escort me.

I took that outstretched hand with a smile and walked towards the prince.

"You are so Beautiful, Darling." The duke spoke and I felt my heart skip a beat as I looked up at him in surprise.

I was frozen in place at my father's immensely gentle tone and blushed inexplicably. It was the first time in my life that I had received such a compliment from a father figure, and even though I didn't want to admit it to myself, it made me very happy.

" Thank you, Dad." I sincerely answered that my face was brighter than ever. I could feel slight drops of tears in the corners of my eyes, so great was my happiness at that moment. A father who loves me, it was like a dream.

Claude smiled, Dad, this word sounded very sweet in his ears. He would get drunk on that word forever.

"My…my lady…" Our exchange was cut off by the prince's confused voice and I slowly turned to face him.

"It is an honor to see His Highness the Second Prince of Garten again."

I curtsied to Aaron's captivated gaze, who never missed my very movements.

At that moment, in the eyes of the prince, Mylène was breathtaking.

"To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

Aaron looked at Claude before clearing his throat.

"Lady Mylène Von Hosten, I have come to ask you if you would like to grant me the immense privilege of having you as my companion for this day."

" Well .."

I pretended to want to answer shyly, putting my hand in front of my worried face but the prince cut me off.

"I invite you for a ride which I know will please you very much."

I seemed to think for a moment even though my decision was already made, then smiling at the prince again, I turned to my father.

"Dad, are you giving me permission to go?"

The prince thought he was falling from the clouds. What was this madness that the duke had to give his approval first? He was the prince and he does what he wants… Shit, he would have wanted to say all these things so much but it was impossible, not when Mylène had such bright eyes asking her father that.

He had the belief that if he said the bullshit he had in mind, it would annoy Mylène for sure and she would send him packing.

"I don't mind, hoping His Highness will treat my precious daughter well." The duke spoke smiling to his daughter while on their side, Karl and Edward were flabbergasted. His precious daughter? Since when has Mylène's status gone from trash to precious girl? It was a scandal!

I took the time to watch their reactions out of the corner of my eye as I decided to stick the knife in the wound. You can't settle for less when you can have more, can you?

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed my father's cheek, surprising him.

"Thank you, I'll take care of myself too, don't worry," I spoke like a nice girl as the duke snickered at my actions.

"It's hard for me not to. Come back quickly please."

" Yes Dad "

While we were flaunting our unorthodox father-daughter relationship considering the periods, the prince was mostly wondering if they knew they weren't alone. The codes of society did not allow a girl to be so close to her father and there, Mylène overrode these codes… He was right, she was truly unique.

I felt my heart race in my chest and looked down. I have a father in this life and contrary to my memories, he seemed to love me very much.

I turned to Aaron and held out my hand with my cheeky look before speaking to him.

"How about we go...my prince."

Aaron had laid his gaze on Mylène's lips and felt his heart be on fire with desire. The desire to slam her against a wall and ravage those insolent, tempting lips. He swallowed his mouth becoming dry before trying to moisten it as much as possible.

" Yes let's go."

He responded almost stammering, cursing his hoarse broken voice but blushing at Mylène's cute chuckle at his actions. He took her hand and led them into the car parked outside, the coachman taking the path that led out of the Hostens' home.

Left alone in the entrance hall, Edward wanted to speak to his father who had changed his face, his gaze becoming expressionless.

"Hm...father I wanted to talk to you yesterday but you were very busy and..."

"Come to the point please."

Edward swallowed before clenching his fists and looking at his father.

"I wanted to know if the anniversary of the death of our mother will be in the house, or this time, we will go to the gardens."

"Ah yes, it's almost Mylène's birthday. I wonder what I'm going to be able to do to please her."

Claude spoke, seeming to make a precise program in his head as he was already advancing towards the steps of the stairs. But Karl exploded in anger that their father wanted to celebrate the day that matricide took their mother from them.

"Father you cannot celebrate this day as happy...mother died there and to celebrate it would mean to forget that mother died because of this daughter."

"So should I ask for your advice on planning my own daughter's birthday party?"

The threat in the voice was certain and the two young men immediately closed their mouths.

Claude didn't give them another look on his way to his office...further on the butler was watching this scene with anger and disgust.

"Just as the mother bewitched this man before, so did the daughter...I have to do something."

He left the hall as Karl and Edward wondered what had happened to their father in a while.