Ophelia looked up to see who it was. She was met with a deadly glare from her mother  before her mother smiled and spoke,”She’s just a kid,she must have collided into me while playing” She said to the other nobles as she excused herself.

Ophelia followed her,worried that this event may lead to the original ending of her.

“I’m so sorry mother!” Ophelia said as she followed the duchess.

‘I’m so sorry,I didn’t see you!” She yelled as she continued walking behind the duchess.

The duchess was already annoyed. She abruptly turned towards Ophelia,making Ophelia,who was standing behind her,fall down on the ground.

The duchess eyes softened slightly as she saw Ophelia fall down,”You’ve done enough today. If you’re sorry then you can make up to it by inheriting the family powers” She said and left.

The duke,who heard the statement,came in after the duchess left,putting his hand on a sad Ophelia’s shoulder.

“You mother’s just angry because her favorite new dress got spoiled” He said.

“Let’s not take it to heart,eh?” He said,comfortingly and affectionately kissing his kid’s cheek,kneeling in front of her as he patted her head.

“You don’t need to be sad over this. It’ll pass by. You know who your mother can sometimes be. Oph’s a strong and smart girl,don’t cry over this” He said when he noticed that Ophelia was quiet and hugged her.

“Why can’t she be like you?” Ophelia asked thinking, ‘no child should go through such a parent. It’s like her mother is the child and Ophelia is the adult so she needs to be the bigger person and do what pleases her mother. Was this the life of the original Ophelia?’

The duke chuckled softly as he looked at his daughter,” Everyone is different” He said,patting her head once more before standing up.

“Does she hate me because I look nothing like her?” Ophelia blurted out.This was not a question Ophelia even thought about. But,it just popped out of her mouth,from nowhere. It seems,when they say that even if the mind forgets,but the body doesn't, it is true.

The duke looked at her seriously,concerned that an 8 year old would ask such a question.

“No of course not” He said as he stood up and picked his daughter up.

“You look exactly like me. Does your mother hate me?” He asked.

“No” she answered

“Then why would she hate you? Don’t have such thoughts. No matter how strict she sometimes might seem,she loves you and your sister equally” He said

“Alright?” He continued. Ophelia nodded.

“Good” he said as he put her down,patting her hair affectionately.

“Now go back to the banquet,to your elder sister. You’ll feel better. I've got some people to talk to about work” He said as she patted Ophelia’s head one last time before leaving.