Chapter 19

"how bold!" a maid stepped up to defend her miss. "how dare a filthy illegitimate child address the first Lady of the Duke's household in such manner!"

The maid raised her hand to slap the younger girl.

"Jane." the girl with better attire, Aurelia, stopped her maid and turned to the little girl. "I came here to visit my little sister."

She didn't like how an illegitimate daughter treated her rudely, but that illegitimate daughter is of a lower upbringing, and as her older sister, she should tolerate her and teach her manners.

"as a daughter of a noble family, you should learn to behave like a proper lady." Aurelia lectured. "a lady should wear the proper attire, and address those of a higher standing with due respect. As your older sister, and the legitimate daughter, you are to address me by a curtsy. H—"

"Aurelia, as sisters, shouldn't we put formalities aside?" Victoria cut her off and grabbed her hands.

Startled by her bold behavior, Aurelia flinched and instinctively pulled her hand roughly.

"ah!" Victoria fell back dramatically. "sister, why did you push me?" tears gathered in her eyes and she started crying.

"I—" before Aurelia could refute, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"what's going on?" The Duke entered the small yard.

"uh, fath—"

"daddy!" Victoria threw herself at her father.

The Duke was taken a back when a crying girl in shabby clothes rushed into his arms. He looked at Aurelia and her maids who immediately bowed in greeting.

"explain what happened." he ordered.

"father, I came to visit little sister. I brought over some gifts for her, but when I arrived, she acted very disrespectfully. And as her older sister, I am obligated to teach her manners. "

"by pushing her?" The Duke frowned.

"No..."

"so you didn't push her?"

"it's...not like that, father. "

"did you push her or not?" The Duke wasn't in a good mood.

He had only recently received the news of having a daughter that lived in the countryside last week. While he was away to give her a proper welcoming, the princess fell ill and he had to cancel his trip and send someone else to fetch her.

The emperor suddenly sent him a strange letter that morning, ordering him to stay at home. A messenger delivered it this very morning, as he was leaving the residence.



The letter was short, but clear. The emperor didn't want to see him for the next week. And from the content of the letter, he guessed it's because of his illegitimate daughter.

According to the laws of the empire, mistresses and illegitimate offsprings were a taboo, however, the Duke explained his situation to the emperor and he was excused, but not without a heavy workload.

The Duke didn't know why his majesty opened the subject again, but all he could do now was to follow the emperor's orders. Still, he couldn't help feeling anxious at the emperor's sudden orders.

He spent the morning sorting documents to send to Duke Valerie and Marquise Bellevue, then he took a nap to calm his nerves, or at least tried. At last, he decided to call his family for low tea and use that time to introduce his daughter.

He wanted to meet his daughter first, and get to know her better, then introduce her. But he was lost in thought, until he reached a desolate place behind his mansion, and much to his surprise and disappointment...

Aurelia knew it would be futile trying to explain, the more she tried to justify herself, the more guilty she would seem. "it was an accident. I apologize."

"alright ." Then turned to Victoria and sighed. "Arlo, ask Amanda to prepare a room for...Victoria."

He ordered the butler and left. "everyone else, gather in the living room. "