It’s been a few days since the incident and the Agnes manor was on fire. With the rising arguments between the duke and the duchess, it was no secret that the “ideal” couple of the century may tear apart. The maids and servants gossiped day and night about this matter to the point it reached the ears of the family’s young ladies.

“How are you feeling,Oph?” The duke asked as he looked at his daughter reading a book from his bookshelf.

“I’m fine” Ophelia replied as she closed the book and sat properly on the couch of her father’s study room. It had become Ophelia’s new hideout after the incident as her mother never visits her father’s study. She wanted to avoid her mother as much as possible as she hated her now. ‘Is this what the original Ophelia went through?’Ophelia (Raina) thought.

“Well,I brought you your favourite cupcakes,have them!” The duke smiled as he put a plate of delicious looking cupcakes that Ophelia loved.

Ophelia glanced at the cupcakes. It was the same cupcake her mother used to poison her.

“Dig in” The duke smilingly said,proud that he could make the famous store that sells these high quality cupcakes exclusively his so Ophelia could have them anytime she wants and in unlimited quantities.

“Is it that you are not hungry?” The duke asked upon seeing Ophelia’s apparent frown.

Ophelia wasn’t paying attention. Her mind was clouded with the memories of her mother poisoning her with that cupcake.

“Oph?” The duke called.

“Oph?” He called again.

“Oph,are you okay?” He asked in concern as he gently shook his daughter’s shoulder who was blankly staring at the cupcakes.

“huh?-Oh-I am fine” Ophelia said,breaking from her trail of thoughts.

“Is something bothering you?” The duke asked and Ophelia shook her head sideways,implying a no.

“You know you can tell me anything right?” The duke persisted. He wasn’t letting anything go that was bothering his daughter.

Ophelia sighed as she she floor,looking at the floor,” ..Those cupcakes are the same as the ones mother…used” 

“I am so sorry!I’ll get that plate out of your sight-” The duke said as he turned around to keep the plate away but he was met with the mutt eating the cupcakes. He normally would’ve laughed at the sight of a dog’s mouth covered in icing but he was desperate to make his daughter happy. His mind was clouded by thoughts of how to elevate this situation and make his daughter be happy and carefree once again.

“It’s alright.Doggy seems to like it” Ophelia said in a low tone, the feelings of sorrow resurfaced after she was reminded of the incident.

Noticing her low tone, the duke hugged her,” I’ll get you something else,don’t be sad now, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you ever again” he said,now kneeling in front of where his daughter was sitting and patting her head.

Ophelia smiled,at least there was someone in the house who cared about her.

“Doggy seems to like the cupcakes so much, can you bring more for him?” Ophelia asked as she watched her golden loomed mutt dig on the cupcakes to the point he’s mouth was covered in the icing.

“Sure” The duke smiles,feeling a sense of slight relief as he saw his daughter smile,even if it was a small smile.