"How are you?"
Duke La Forte wiped his mouth and stared at his daughter as he waited for her response. A week passed since Calista's engagement party and he was worried about her after what happened. However, contrary to his expectation, Calista remained unfazed despite the talk and headlines about her spreading all over the capital.
"I'm fine, Dad. Thanks for asking," Calista replied a couple of minutes after she heard the question. She sure took her time savoring her breakfast before giving her father an answer.
"Are you sure?" Duke La Forte gave his daughter a skeptical look. He was having a hard time believing what she just said. After all, he couldn't sleep in the last few days thinking about how to resolve the issue.
"She looks fine, dear." Duchess La Forte gave her husband a reassuring smile. "You must be worried about her, but don't forget. We're talking about Calista here," the Duchess added.
"Mom's right," Calista agreed. "You have nothing to worry about me, Dad. I'm totally fine," she added.
Duke La Forte wished Calista would understand him.
The lady had no idea of what was going on in the Royal Palace. Everything was a mess, and it was all because of the dead body found at her party. Calista should have known she was expected to take responsibility as the host of the party, but instead of stepping out to explain her side of the story, she spent the last few days eating and sleeping.
Duke La Forte let out a deep sigh. "Well, that's nice. In the meantime, just continue what you're doing so far. It's best if you stay in the mansion until the rumors subside," he said, wiping his mouth and getting ready to leave the table.
"I'm going to the Palace today. Now, don't give your mother a headache," the Duke continued, reminding his daughter. He leaned in to kiss his wife before turning to the door to leave the dining hall.
"What are you talking about? I have somewhere to go today, so I'm leaving anyway," Calista grumbled, taking her father's attention in a split second.
"I told you to stay here!" The Duke raised his voice in frustration. He couldn't tell his daughter how dangerous it was for her outside, especially with all that was written on the news about her.
"Why is that? It's not like I'm a criminal in hiding, Dad. I didn't murder anyone," Calista argued. "Besides, I haven't talked to my fiance after that night," she whispered.
"I know. My daughter isn't a saint, but you won't kill either," Duke La Forte agreed. "But Calista, it's been days since you stir trouble among the nobility. You may not know it, but even the common folks already know about the crime—"
"The crime I didn't commit," Calista completed her father's sentence. "I wonder why I always have to do good things, to please the people, to be everyone's perfect Saintess…When I'm not," she continued.
Silence filled the halls for a few seconds until Calista dropped the bomb.
"I'm done," her voice was firm and her face as she spoke her mind. "I'm tired of pleasing people. Just look at what is happening now. All my life I did what the people expect me to and just one mistake, Nah, it wasn't even my mistake as I never did the crime, but everyone's turning their backs on me."
Calista pursed her lips as she balled her hands into a fist. She couldn't believe she'd lost her cool and blurt out the things she always kept deep inside her.
"Cali, your dad and I…" Duchess La Forte failed to continue when Calista avoided her gaze.
"Master, I have urgent news. You have to see this," Sol, who came from outside, hurriedly went to the Duke's side and handed him the paper. "Please, take a look at this, Master."
Duke La Forte almost threw up his breakfast when he read the headline on the news.
"The Wedding of the Century: The Saintess Proposed to the Beast of East. Lady Calista La Forte found her true love, and it's no other than the ferocious Duke from the East…What in the world is this?" The Duke's hands shook as he continued reading the paper.
"... The question is, when will the two hold the wedding that everyone is looking forward to? Hah! Who's looking forward to whose wedding?"
"Dear, aren't you overreacting? Calista made her choice and the Duke Crown wasn't bad," the Duchess commented. She left her seat to rub her husband's back. "You're not going to oppose their relationship, are you? I thought we've already talked about this."
Calista's ear perked when she heard what the Duchess said. "So, Mom is on my side," she mumbled, flashing her infamous devilish smirk toward her mother, who winked at her.
"There you have it, Dad. Even my fiance knows how to divert the people's attention," Calisa muttered. "In the first place, I was expecting to see my name in the news headlines with a stolen photo of mine." Her expression changed when she recalled something.
"And yet the press printed the papers with my photo next to a corpse," Calista said coldly. "You know what? Dad's right. I should do something about this," she added and grinned.
For people who didn't know the lady, seeing her smile must meant she was up to something great. It wasn't like that for the people in La Forte Duchy.
"Sol," the lady called her father's aide, who suddenly felt chills running through his entire body.
"Yes, My Lady."
"I want people to talk about my engagement. Tell the press to spread news about it instead," Calista said before picking up her fork to eat her salad.
"I understand, My Lady. However, I'm afraid it won't be easy—"
"Nah-uh. It's not that hard, Sol." Calista bobbed her head to the side. "Just buy all the media companies who'll refuse to do it," she said.
"Come on, we'll not be able to spend those golds when we die," Calista stated when her parents gave her a disbelieving look.
Calista rarely used her allowance on something as she could get whatever she wanted as gifts, thanks to the Royal family who continued spending on her.
"I guess we don't have a choice. Sol, do what she wants," Duke La Forte ordered his aide. He was surprised when Calista wanted to do something. All along, the Duke thought she would leave everything to him.
"The Pazelle is doing everything to unravel the mysteries behind the crime. It would be safer if you stay home," Duke La Forte suggested to his daughter. "Of course, you can do whatever you want once this matter is settled," he added before Calista could say something against him.
Taking a deep breath and letting out a long sigh, Calista gave up the idea of visiting the Crown Duchy.
"If father insists, then I'll oblige," she mumbled.
The La Forte couple couldn't wish for anything more than Calista's cooperation. As much as they wanted to shower their only child with the love and care every parent wished for their precious ones, they chose to let her decide for herself and learn to face the consequences of her actions.
Giving Calista orders was never a good idea, and the couple knew that. They knew she wasn't the type to submit to just anyone, even to her parents. Well, it was supposed to be like that until they both realized that Calista was more than just a spoiled, wealthy, noble lady.
"... But on one condition," Calista continued. She was rocking her brain on how to get her parents involved in her 'engagement' and was delighted when she thought of something.
"No more condition, child. You ought to do what you think is the best. Unless the Emperor summons you to the Palace, you're not going anywhere," the Duchess said firmly as she met Calista's gaze.
"I don't want to repeat myself, so make sure to behave," Duchess La Forte added.
Calista realized it was too late to proceed with her plan when she heard her mother's commanding tone. It didn't happen always, but for some reason, she couldn't go against her mother's word.
The moment Calista listened to her mother while looking at her eyes, she knew she had nowhere to run. Only obeying her words was the best course of action she could take if she wanted to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
"I understand," Calista mumbled with her fists clenched. She could argue with her father all day, but with her mother, it was impossible, and she was afraid she had no idea why.
Perhaps she respected her more and the idea of going against her was beyond her capabilities. Whatever the reason was, Calista was certain of one thing; Messing with her mother would be a suicide.
"Great!" The Duchess smiled at her daughter before turning to the Duke. "You heard that? There's no need to worry about Calista. I will take care of everything from here," she said.
Duke La Forte sighed. "You should have done that from the start, dear. Just how are you able to make that stubborn child do what you say?"
Just like Calista, the Duke also wondered how the Duchess always managed to get their daughter under control. Well, it wasn't just toward Calista. The Duchess could make even the Emperor do what she says…
… All the time.