Setting A Trap

Arabella was finally able to lie down comfortably after the business of moving her room was over, she think Ruby's room that her mother had occupied was very comfortable. Fortunately, Arabella was able to reclaim this room from Riana.

' Mother, I can finally take back our rights,' Arabella thought sadly.

For the time being, Arabella will keep an eye on this family first while waiting for the second son of this kingdom's Minister of Security to return from the border fort. The plan is would ask the man to cancel their engagement because in the end that man would be seduced by Riana. So before Jovan—the son of the two ministers dumped her, Arabella would move first. It was enough in her previous life that Arabella lived as a coward and gave up when she was dumped.

It didn't take long for Arabella to fall asleep. Her body was too tired.

*****

The next morning, Arabella was woken up by two maids who were the same age as her.

"Hello, Second Lady. My name is Maureen Stande, the first daughter of Baron Stande" said the girl with brown hair and green eyes.

"Hello, Mauren. Nice to meet you, your eyes are very beautiful" Arabella replied in a friendly manner. She still uses formal language with Mauren, because Arabella is determined to respect anyone she meets. Except later, when Vivaldi and Rose and the kids went to jail. That's when Arabella would treat them the same as what they had done to Arabella in a past life.

"Second Lady, my name is Lea. I don't have a surname because I am an orphan, please Lady accept me" asked the girl with a thin body, black hair, but red eyes.

'Oh, red eyes? That's very unique, but if I talk about it, maybe Lea will be offended because usually people with red eyes are always made slaves for some reason ' thought Arabella.

"Hello, Lea. Don't worry, I will accept whoever you are. You are great Lea, you have survived until now. In the future, if there is a problem you can tell me, okay?"

Arabella's reply made Lea smile broadly, "Second Lady is the best!! Thank you," she said with a happy tone. During this time, Lea was always looked down upon by people because of her red eyes and her lack of parents. Even after working here, no one liked her. This is the first time Lea to receive a warm greeting from someone. Ah, it feels like Lea wants to cry tears of joy.

"From today onwards, we will both serve the Second Lady. Just tell us whatever you need, Lady," Mauren said. She didn't like Lea a little bit, who had caught Arabella's attention with her sad story.

"Okay, can you help me get ready for breakfast? I happen to have a few clothes on, so you won't have to bother choosing them" Arabella asked politely.

The two young maids immediately moved according to Arabella's orders, but of course, Mauren had more power to choose Arabella's clothes because Lea felt inferior to her tastes which were always considered the tastes of lowly people.

However, it did not go unnoticed by Arabella. She was sure, Concubine Rose couldn't possibly give two maids by Arabella's side for free. One of the maids must be Concubine Rose's spy, and Arabella would slowly find out who it was. In her previous life, Arabella didn't get a single maid at all and the maids treated her with hate feeling.

This time, her life is different, because the way that Arabella chose is different. If in the previous life Arabella became weak to the point of being trampled to death, then in this life Arabella will become as strong as possible so that no one steps on her.

Finished bathing and getting ready, Arabella descended the stairs gracefully according to the characteristics and etiquette of a noble lady to satisfy the eyes of Vivaldi the rule-crazed father.

"Oh, my beautiful daughter Arabella! Your elegance makes me feel proud to have a daughter like you" said Vivaldi with an exaggerated flattering tone.

' It's so ridiculous, I feel sick even just looking at his face' Arabella thought.

The fact, in the past, in the morning after Arabella arrived, at the same time as now, Vivaldi even scolded her because Arabella's golden hair was cut short after being splashed with glue that Welia and Yolanda had deliberately poured.

Arabella didn't ever forget the words that Vivaldi said to her at that time, "are you stupid? How can your beautiful hair be splashed with glue at night? What do you do at night, huh? Do you peddle yourself to the knights who stand guard at night? Your grades as a noble girl will decrease without your long hair, you idiot!"

That was enough for Arabella to remember Vivaldi's insult to her at that time because today Arabella would again win Vivaldi's heart to gain her cursed father's trust.

"Good morning, Father. Today, Father looks very charismatic with that Blue Sapphire Brooch" replied Arabella with eyes sparkling with admiration which of course was a charade. He seated himself to the right of Vivaldi, in front of him was Concubine Rose. Her position as the official only daughter of this residence is indeed quite profitable if Arabella is smart to use it. You can see, that even Rose's children like Riana, who is Vivaldi's favorite child, can't even sit in Arabella's position.

As expected, Vivaldi the snobbish man of course was beyond happy to hear Arabella's praise.

"Gosh, my daughter. You are good at making your father's heart happy" laughed Vivaldi.

"You're being too humble, Father. However, something seems to be wrong. Sorry to be presumptuous Father, but why are you wearing two brooches at the same time?" asked Arabella in as careful a tone as possible so that Vivaldi would not be offended.

Arabella knew the reason the middle-aged man was wearing two brooches, the one on the left chest of the sapphire brooch was Vivaldi's choice while the other on the right chest of the green Emerald brooch was Rose's choice. In the past, Vivaldi was even considered a lowly noble by other nobles, and because of that as a result when he came home Vivaldi slapped and hit Concubine Rose.

"Oh, this? Concubine Rose chose it for me, she said wearing two jeweled brooches at the same time adding to the impression of dignity" replied Vivaldi proudly.

' Stupid.. ' Arabella think.