"What?" Felicia uttered in disbelief, staring at Alexander with a surprised look hovering on her face. She couldn't believe what he just said, as if she had gone deaf. What is wrong with this man?
"Shut up," Alexander said, avoiding her gaze, looking towards the opposite direction and didn't bother to speak anything further to which she found it strange for him to act as if they were close.
Like after years of ignoring her pain and her suffering, he decides to become goody-goody with her? What a thick-faced man! It's making her vomit with how he's trying to act like they're friends or whatsoever.
Rachelle shivered, not wanting to be on friendly terms with Alexander. After what he did to the original owner of this body, he's trying to act like nothing happened after the sequent events of accusations. The blaming? Scheming?
But wouldn't it be perfect if Alexander were to choose her over Helena? In that way, not only will Helena receive a fatal blow over Alexander getting close to her, but it would also benefit her, especially if she can use him till the end until he becomes a Duke.
The power surge would shift her way, knowing Alexander has no capabilities when it comes to businesses and investments, he'll have no choice but to ask for help, not from the Duke, not the Duchess, and definitely not Helena who's dumb. But to her, Felicia.
Just thinking about it is making her smile, What if she were to make him the Duke but the power is all hers? Controlling Alexander behind the scenes while owning the responsibilities and work so that she can be in power.
She'll make it look like Alexander is doing all the work but no, she'll control the entire Dukedom to herself, playing the mastermind behind a crime. The scriptwriter behind the play. Isn't it fantastic?
Meanwhile, seeing Felicia smiling, Alexander couldn't help but show his confusion as to why she was smiling to herself. He then thought that she was smiling because of what he said earlier, calling her pretty.
"Why are you smiling? Is it because I complimented you? Are you that happy with a single compliment?" Alexander asks as he stares at Felicia who is smiling over how great her plan is and that is to manipulate him.
"Oh... yes, I am in joy since my eldest brother complimented my look. Good thing Olivia, my maid has a good sense of fashion." Felicia answered as she was caught smiling over her great plan.
'What an assuming man. But let me feed him some delusions in order to have him.' Felicia thought to herself while looking at Alexander's back, showing her sweet smile just to convince him that she was really happy because of him.
"How amusing, is that really what makes you happy? There could be anything in this life that would make you truly happy." Alexander said, boasting about his privilege as the heir to the Dukedom.
But Felicia only responded with a chuckle, as she didn't mind his arrogant remark. If she too has that power, she'd be arrogant too, showing off her title. But this dumb man can't even excel in business, so it's not worth boasting about.
Why did she know about it? Felicia in the book did all of his work being the heir as she received the same education but much harsher than what the two experienced just to have her master the skills. And yet, Felicia still longs for familial love even though she's been used.
And about the mining that he invested in, it's a hoax. The money he invested in the mine has been used by the Baron to escape from fooling the heir. But why is it that these are the only things that she can remember aside from her death?
Where are all those scenes she used to remember disappeared from her thoughts? Why is she slowly forgetting every detail? Is it because she had grown too comfortable with her situation here?
"Hm, I actually wish to receive an education," Felicia answered him back, not minding Helena who was silent all the time in front of them. She remained silent, observing them with her eyes but does Rachelle care? No.
"Receive education? what for? You're about to become the Empress." He said as his gaze went on Helena, making her flinch because of how cold Alexander was looking into her. Poor woman, getting hated by Alexander. Felicia wonders what made Alexander act like this.
"So I can help you ascend as the heir, don't siblings help each other for the Dukedom's sake? Also, Empresses receive education to govern a nation, you can't just become a queen without education, brother." She stated as she looked over Helena, obviously trying to make her understand that she can't be the Empress if she remains dumb.
'Sorry not sorry, darling. But I am referring to you.' She thought to herself, smiling at her step-sister and retracted her gaze back to Alexander.
Alexander then nodded his head in return, thinking about the possibilities if Felicia were to help him. "It would also ruin the Dukedom's reputation if I were to become a brainless bride. Don't you think so too, brother?" She added.
"Of course, it would certainly ruin the Dukedom's image. No worries, I will try and convince Father to give you what you want. Education is it?" Alexander asked, rubbing his chin.
"Yes. More specifically, Heirship training."
"What?! Why?!" Alexander suddenly exclaimed, frowning over what Felicia wanted. It's almost as if she's waging a war against him when it comes to participating in an education for heirs only.
"Are you trying to rob my position?!" He asked loudly, fiercely glaring at Felicia who was calm despite his anger. Rob his position? She certainly wanted that but she couldn't just say that.
"Didn't you say that I am the future Empress? Aren't I also an indirect heir to the throne? Certainly I need skills that are on par with the heir to the Dukedom. I do not want to ruin our reputation, I want to become the best to make our Dukedom's reputation more distinguish than any nobles." She stated while acting as if she was wiping her own tears.
She was acting as if she was taken aback and scared because of his voice. Even Helena who was quiet on the side flinch because of his words as she didn't expect that he would act like this.
Felicia had already suspected that he would be shocked, given that she wishes for an education that is only for the heirs. It's as if it declaring war against the proclaimed heir. A truly remarkable scene but since it's a patriarchal society, Felicia won't stand a chance.
"I seem you got a point there. I shall inform the Duke of what you want." Alexander said, convinced because of what Felicia said to him. She's got a point, it would mould her into becoming an Empress that fits the throne.
On the other hand, Helena looked at the two with a confused look as she tried to assess what just happened between the two of them. She was gripping her dress, showing hostility as it seemed that Alexander was slowly falling into her limbs.
"I-I too wants to participate in Heirship training!" She exclaimed, wanting the attention that Felicia was having. Suddenly all eyes look at her, especially Alexander's cold gaze that made her cower like a coward.
"What did you say?" Alexander asked with his low voice, didn't like what Helena said to them. Helena who was taken by fear, looked into Alexander's eyes with pity flashing into her blue eyes.
"I-I also want to participate... i-in the Heirship training," Helena said, stuttering as she was getting intimidated by Alexander's cold flare striking into her. The carriage became quiet as no one started to talk.
Helena swallowed a lump down to her throat, waiting for Alexander's answer. She's determined to have Alexander's approval to show Felicia that she can also participate in this kind of education.
Her eyes then looked at Felicia, smirking but once she saw Felicia's expression, she suddenly faltered as she didn't expect the expression flashing on Felicia's complexion. Her lips parted, eyes showing perplexion as she froze in her spot.
Felicia was smiling at her, displaying a mocking smile while her eyes looked at her smugly. She didn't expect Felicia would look like this, she thought that she would be appalled because of her decision. This is not the expression that she wanted to see on her face!
"You can't even follow basic rules and law of conduct yet you want to join the heirship training with me? Are you that stupid? Are you declaring war against me to compete?" Alexander asked, looking at Helena with a death glare in his eyes.
Helena's heart started to palpitate faster as she was caught with his answer, didn't expect that he would reply with hostility. Helena shook her head, trying to prove that she wasn't thinking about doing that at all. Before she could even explain herself, Alexander had already given him a piece of advice that made her frozen in her spot.
"You're not even a direct descendant of the Duke yet you wish to become one? How absurd, Helena. Remember your place in the family." He said while looking into her eyes.
Helena who was hurt because of his words, nodded her head as she hung her head lowly, gripping her dress as she didn't expect that Alexander would humiliate her like this! She bit her lips, blaming Felicia for bewitching Alexander.
Felicia was so satisfied because of Alexander's sudden change of treatment to Helena that she herself wanted to give him applause for making her proud. This is how he should be acting since the very beginning, not antagonising her.
Seeing how Helena had shrunk low, her smile even grew wider, satisfied at the scene that she had witnessed firsthand. This is what you get when you act like a brat, Alexander must have felt enough is enough.
What a great day to be joyous, witnessing such drama before praising the Goddess. Especially if it involves ruining of relationship. How wonderful.