"You are annoying me, Angelika."

"What did you say?"

"I said you are annoying me," Francis concluded, placing his pen down on his desk. She stared down at him in dismay, her nose scrunching with displeasure with his comment. "You are moving too much. Sit," he demanded, pointing at the seat next to him.

She sat beside him per his command, fiddling with her hands.

"I apologize for distracting you from your studies," she stated, finally folding her hands in her lap.

"Nevermind that," he said, swatting away at her comment, "My mother has summoned you, correct?"

"Yes, Master," she said, nodding her head.

"It is fine. You look..." he paused, his eyes raking her up and down. "Decent."

Angelika woke up this morning by the frantic pattering of feet. The next thing she knows, the head maid swung the door to her bedroom open and demanded her to wake up. Without much explanation, three other maids began to swarm her with clothes and accessories to dress her up.

She was put in a bold reddish-orange dress, embroidered with gold thread. It slipped past her shoulders and dipped down past her collarbone, with a breath restricting corset to fashion itself against her waistline. On her neck rested a red ribbon tied with a neat bow. The heels made her wobble, as did the sheer unfamiliarity of moving in such an outfit.

And despite having been put through all of this, the Young Master of the house still demanded that his tutor were to continue with his studies. Angelika had hoped that this encounter would mean she would have a day to herself, preferably to nap, but it looks as though luck would not grant her such privileges.

This boy... had such an attitude. She thought to herself, smiling through her annoyance. What kind of compliment was that supposed to be?

"Thank you, Master," she mumbled through gritted teeth, maintaining eye contact. "Are you having any trouble with the work that I have been giving you?"

"No, why would I?"

What a liar he was. It wouldn't make any sense why it wouldn't: the former Angelika gave him much easier work up until this point. But Francis was too proud to admit that he struggled with the more advanced work that she had suddenly thrust upon him. Some would call it petty, but she would much prefer to call it a stress reliever.

Through the week that she worked with him, it became clear how much of a brat he was. He was stone-faced as he threw insults left and right, and it seems as though he didn't do it to anyone else but Angelika (at least, according to the other servants). It was such a shame too, because he was so cute until he opened his mouth.

"Angelika, the Duchess, is calling for you!" the head maid called out, poking her head out from the door.

"Yes, I will go!" she said, leaping from her seat. "You will be alright, yes, Master?"

"Go," Francis said, shooing her away. She rolled her eyes, snorting at his retort as she bounded towards the door- but only to crash into someone.

Angelika parted her eyes open to stare upwards at Cooper, who stood like a solid wall in front of her.

"I have come to escort you," he said.

"It's not a big deal, don't let this servant waste your time," she said, moving her gaze to the ground. It would be annoying if someone as unpredictable as Cooper were to come alongside her.

"No, it will not be wasting my time. I believe I will find it rather entertaining to come along."

Angelika felt like her eyes were attempting to roll into the back of her head and burrow themselves there. It took every inch of her being to just nod at his statement. He was obviously coming along to laugh at her expense.

She trailed awkwardly behind Cooper as a heavy and uncomfortable silence fell between the two. The head maid had scampered off and away as quickly as she could from them (which was smart, in Angelika's opinion).

"The work that you have given my brother is ridiculous," he said suddenly. Angelika made a face with the statement, but as soon he turned around, she changed her expression.

"Master says he understands it very well," she responded, looking unbothered.

"The way you teach him is interesting. I've never seen anything quite like it."

"What was that?" she asked, perking up at the sound of recognition.

"I will not repeat praise twice," he said, making her face go sour, "but I will admit that your teaching methods are interesting."

"Well in Japa--" she paused before she let the words slip out, "back where I came from, we teach children through an individualized process. If I can engage Francis with real-world problems instead of what the old fashioned books have been teaching, he will be much more engaged, I feel."

"You must tell me more about that later," he said, stopping. "But unfortunately, we are here, Angelika. This as far as I will go."

"You are not coming in with me?"

"I think you will find that my Mother's energy combined with mine might be overwhelming."

"I see," Angelika said, sighing. "Do you know what she wants?"

"The same thing that I want."

"Which is?"

"Some entertainment, I suppose," he said, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly. He waved his hand goodbye, leaving Angelika in his dust, looking stunned.

The Abella family was so much more different than she had anticipated. From their novel, they were much more composed, respectable, regal, and honest people. But looking at the youngest Abellas acting a fool made her seriously question how accurate their depictions had been in the book.

Angelika politely knocked on the heavy wooden door to announce her presence.

"Duchess, you have called for me?"

"Yes, come in." although it was a simple greeting, her speech was enough to make Angelika grow rigid. The voice was alluring, like a cat playing with its prey. She nervously hooked her fingers against the chilled gold doorknob, parting it open.

There sat Elitsa Abella, in all her glory. Her presence equaled one of a majestic beast, as did her beauty. Her sheer aura was enough to overshadow the fact that her husband, Patrick Abella, was also in the room, sitting beside her.

Good genes ran in the Abella family. Elitsa stared straight through Angelika with her hardened jade eyes. She had voluminous fiery blonde hair, wearing it up in a bun with framing strands. She smiled similarly to her second son, that sickly sweet look with a hidden demeanor.

Her husband had slightly curled, shimmering silver hair, and a warm smile —pale skin alongside golden eyes, freckled with orange specks. Their energy was the opposite of each other.

"Duchess and Duke, I come to greet you," she said, bowing politely.

"You may rest at ease," she said, sipping on her tea. She ushered Angelika to sit across from her, eyes watching closely as she takes her spot. Elitsa then proceeded to usher out the butler and maid who had gathered there. "Please feel free to indulge in the tea that we have set down for you."

How was she supposed to have an appetite for this atmosphere?

Despite her doubts, she hesitantly took the cup and brought it to her lips. The taste of oolong was welcoming on the tip of her tongue, the warmth spreading and coating her mouth as she swallowed.

"You have changed Angelika. You seem to be less wary of us."

"I hope you find that to be a good trait, Duchess."

"Yes, of course," she said, putting her cup down.

"How are you adjusting to the Abella estate?" Patrick says, finally speaking and looking at Angelika.

"I find everyone very welcoming."

"That is good," he said, sounding relieved. He looks at his wife nervously, before returning his attention to his lap.

"I won't cut corners with you," Elitsa says suddenly. "I have been examining you while you were here, and I find you to be quite delightful."

"I am glad to hear that."

"You do not feel offended that I have been supervising you this entire time?"

"Not at all," Angelika said.

Yes, she was not surprised nor insulted at all. She was just curious as to how much they knew.

The Abellas were known to observant and manipulative people. Just like how their eldest Marshal behaved. In the novel, although the Knight was silent, he played the heroine like a fiddle. He was someone who quickly had people acting the way he wanted them to. And she hadn't had a right to be upset about their eccentric behavior because this was one of the traits that she had written in alongside Mari.

"Interesting," she said softly. "I am sure you have talked with Cooper. That boy runs his mouth, so he most likely was bragging about having figured out your aim, correct?"

"I'm not quite sure what you mean-"

"How you were working alongside the Penn estate. It's not as though he made a great discovery; it is evident that you were planted here for some greater purpose than to be a tutor that was recommended to us. That's why I just had to accept the offer from that vile Barron."

"Ah, I'm sorry," she said, not knowing what to say. She fidgeted for a few moments before picking her teacup up again.

"There is no need to be sorry. Afterall you wanted to use our connections to the Royal Family. The Crown Prince burned down your village, yes?"

Angelika felt her grip loosen on the porcelain cup, splashing what little she had left of the liquid onto her dress.

"Oh my," Patrick said, handing over his handkerchief to Angelika, who promptly began to clean the mess. "My love, there is no need for you to be so intense with Angelika. Remember we called her in to-"

"Yes, my Darling, but she did try to put the Abella family's name to ruins with her sinful conspiracies," she said, holding a hand up to silence him. "Look at her expression. Isn't she fascinating?"

Angelika was unsure of what sort of exciting face she was pulling at the moment, but it was most certainly not polite. Her hands gripped on the fabric of her dress as her thoughts began to race.

How would she know? How much do they know? Was this the end of her second life? With what little time she had in this world, it would have been impossible to escape her death! What could she do to atone for the past Angelika's actions?

"What are your true feelings right now?" Elitsa asked, giggling. "If I allow you to say whatever you want without penalty, what would you say, Angelika? Would you be so kind as to do that for me?"

Her blood began to boil as her face turned a bright shade of red. What was she supposed to do in this situation? If she was going to be executed anyway, what is the point?

"Your youngest son is a little gremlin with a bad attitude, and your second son talks too much for someone who is supposed to be smart. I don't even understand how you lot can hold power for so long. The Abella family is a bunch of brats with confidence that stems from God knows where." she said, fumbling with her words as she ranted. She then continued with her speech, which gradually turned into violent cussing until she finished, panting.

She braced for impact, shutting her eyes. The silence that followed was deafening, and she parted her left eye open to peak at the Duchess and the Duke.

Then she saw Elitsa, who was currently covering her mouth in a fit of silent laughter. Her whole face was red as she slammed her fist on the couch, and her tired husband watched her antics. She snorted as tears streamed down her face, rupturing whatever air of royalty she had previously.

"Elisa, love. Please regain your composure." he pleaded, patting his wife's back. Elitsa promptly sat upright, coughing.

"My apologies. You reminded me of myself when I was younger," she said, looking wistfully. "You and I have a lot more in common than you would think. I was married into this family, after all. Most people would have apologized or grovelled, but people like you and I take the opportunity to show our true feelings. "

Angelika gave a relieved sigh, slumping in her seat. She blew her hair out of her face, rubbing her temples.

"Angelika, I'm sorry for my wife's antics."

"It's quite alright; I am glad that I am not being punished."

"I had to check to see if she was hot-headed enough to be the representative for the Abella family," she said pouting. "We can't let that dull Royal Family fool her if she is submissive."

"You shouldn't speak such blasphemy about the Royal family..." Patrick sighed out.

"Is this what Sir Cooper was talking about? Myself representing the Abella family in the Empress candidacy?"

"Yes, of course, darling. I do believe you have already accepted my son's offer?"

"That is correct."

"I see," she said, smiling. "That is good, then. She's impulsive, temperamental, and hot-headed, like a proper Abella."

"Am I not an Abella then?" Patrick asked.

"You are a special kind, my love," Elitsa said, laughing. " I am truly sorry for researching your background so thoroughly. But I wished to gauge your reaction." she outstretched her hand to the girl, her fake smile having wholly melted into one of genuine warmth. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I don't mind," Angelika said, shaking her hand. "How much do you know?"

"I know virtually everything," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Well, at least my husband does."

"Do not bring me into this," he mumbled, looking away from her intent gaze.

"I hope you know that the Abella family from now on will be your allies and backers for life. There is nothing that will change that because I have taken a liking to you."

"Is that ok? Aren't you still wary of me?" Angelika asked.

"No. And if you decide to backstab us, so be it. It is my own fault for trusting you. I can take on that responsibility."

"This family is insane."

"Yes, perhaps," she said thoughtfully. "But certainly, we make it more fun! I can see why Francis and Cooper took such a liking to you!"

"Francis likes me...?"

"Of course, that boy likes you!"

"He is always calling me all these different names-"

"Little boys are always teasing girls that they like," she said, laughing.

"I think you are mistaken," Angelika said, looking to the Duke for help, who could only shrug.

"Well regardless. I'm delighted we have found you, Angelika. Despite your origins." she said, now reaching out to gently pat her hair. It felt comforting, making Angelika relax. "Welcome to the Abella family."