"We will be asking a few questions, your grace. Please answer them truthfully." The guard, who was sitting behind the table, asked calmly.

Alice nodded. Her hand kept trembling.

"Did anything happen before your brother went missing? Does he have any enemies? Does anyone from family have enemies that could be responsible for this?" The guard asked, his eyes were cold.

Alice was trying to hold back tears but it was extremely hard. She weakly stretched out her hand to take out the wooden box as she hesitantly opened her mouth.

"S-...something did happen shortly after my brother went missing. No one else was there with me! He... here." Alice nervously placed the box on the table.

The guard opened the box and saw the decapitated finger. He was shocked and immediately started asking questions.

Alice explains what happened that night with a shaken voice.

The guard narrowed his eyes and closely watched Alice's every movement and expression.

Alice knew. She knew he was slightly suspecting her.

"Carol? Do you know who she is?" The guard asked.

"Yes... I've seen her before that night. She was the Skyler family's eldest daughter, lady Evelina's 1st rank maid." Alice stated. She would spend the next two hours explaining everything and why she didn't report the finger. She needed the guard to believe her and not report her as a suspect.

Fortunately, after what felt like forever, Alice was finally able to convince the guard she was innocent.

As soon as Alice stepped into her carriage, she fell to her knees and cried with relief.

What Alice reported caused an uproar among the nobles. Many questions were created. Did Evelina order Carol to kidnap the little boy? Or did Carol do it on her own? Was Alice lying?

Some, unbelievably, were mad at Alice. They were all in disbelief and denial. How could their precious lady Evelina do such a thing?! In their eyes Evelina couldn't even hurt a fly! She was far too delicate and fragile to them.

Naturally the next to be questioned was the Skyler family. After all, Alice claimed it was one of their maids.

The duke was pulled into questioning and was found to be innocent. The duchess was questioned but it was clear to one that she was in no condition to harm anyone or involve herself. She was far too weak. So she too was ruled as innocent.

Next was their number 1 suspect, Evelina.

Angelina sat quietly in front of the interrogation room, waiting for her turn.

It has only been 30 minutes but Angelina already saw the door open. Evelina came out, eyes were swollen. She had clearly cried.

Angelina frowned when she saw the guards treat Evelina with such respect and care. She must've cried her way out....

Angelina was right. Evelina was able to manipulate the guard's pity and convince them she had nothing to do with what Carol did.

Evelina told them Carol must've kidnapped Oscar for ransom. She backed her claim with what happened during the Perdonley's recent event.

The theory that she reported to the guards was that Carol kidnapped Oscar for ransom because she wanted to run away with her lover. But due to being humiliated in such a way, she became mad and killed Oscar, dumped him in the lake, before finally ending her own life.

To the guards what Evelina claimed was possible. But there was no hard proof. But seeing Evelina's beautiful face distressed, her seductive eyes filled with tears, and her gentle voice quivering with fright, they couldn't help but feel sympathy.

So they let her go.

They believed she was too much of a delicate and harmless lady to do such a thing.

They just couldn't detect any evilness when looking into those eyes.

Evelina's made up story, in the end, became the official story of what happened.

When Evelina was declared innocent, she was met with a flood of support. They were all relieved that their dear lady would not be blamed for such a crime.

To make herself seem even more kindhearted and innocent, Evelina even offered for herself to kneel before Oscar's memorial table for a whole night without food or water.

The Illiya family were touched and denied. But Evelina ' virtuously ' insisted. So the Illiya family gave in and accepted.

*************

On the day of Oscar Illiya's funeral, all the aristocrats were gathered in one grand church near the temple. This church was built for the funeral's of the nobles. They would host the funerals in this church before sending the coffin to the family estate, where it will be buried in the family burial ground.

"I knew she was a scheming b*tch but I never expected her to do this... Especially to a little boy..." Rienne whispered under her breath.

"Shh! Do you want people to hear you?" Arianna mercilessly stomped on Rienne's foot.

"Ouch! I'm more worried for Alice... Look at her! She looks like she's about to faint at any given moment!" Rienne's gaze pointed at the sad figure wearing black, who separated herself from the crowd. Even when someone came to comfort her, Alice didn't respond.

Angelina looked at Evelina who was currently speaking to the Illiya family, her face full of guilt. But Angelina knew it was merely a facade.

After the funeral, everyone left except for Evelina. But aside from Evelina, two guards stayed inside the church for her protection.

Evelina sighed with annoyance. Now she must kneel before the coffin...

Evelina 'obediently' kneeled in front of the coffin and stared up at the small portrait of the deceased little boy on top of the coffin.

At that moment, she seemed to have thought of something.

Some indescribable emotion flashed in her deep blue eyes. But it disappeared as soon as Evelina closed her eyes.

************* For the next few days, Alice was simply not herself. She wore black everyday and was reluctant to speak to anyone. Even her own family.

Many thought she may have gone mad. But Angelina didn't find it alarming.

Alice may be just experiencing extreme grief.

Evelina on the other hand, she too started always wearing black.

Angelina found it slightly amusing. Evelina forgot to wear black or wear dark colors when her aunt died. But she didn't dare forget to wear black after the little boy, who she killed herself, died.

Angelina glanced at her side and saw Eric and Marie bickering about some nonsense again. She, after a moment of observing them, called Eric over.

"What is it?" He asked.

"The day of the academy entrance examination is approaching. Be sure to prepare." Angelina reminded as she handed him a biscuit.

"Yes." He nodded and took the biscuit from her hand happily.

' What a sweet tooth he has... ' Angelina felt a hint of worry. The academy doesn't have many sweets. She's worried he wouldn't like it there.

Eric seemed to have known her thoughts as he reassuringly patted the top of her head gently. His touch was so gentle, it's as if he was touching the rarest treasure.

"....." It took a moment for him to completely understand what he was doing and once he did, he backed away immediately.

Angelina laughed. She really wondered how Evelina could bear to mistreat such a cute boy.

************** The incident of Oscar's disappearance and murder haunted the minds of the nobles for days. Countless discussions and theories were created. But most of them were biased in favor of Evelina.

Most believed it was all Alice's scheme. They believed Alice struck some type of deal with Carol in order to throw down the innocent and helpless Evelina.

"I never knew lady Alice could be so scheming..."

"She must be jealous of lady Evelina! After all, lady Evelina is much more lucky in status and beauty!"

"Lady Alice truly did hide her true self well... This one always thought she was a meek one..."

Alice's reputation among the noble circles were no longer quite favorable. But she didn't really care. They've always looked down at her anyway...

In the end, everyone's minds were tired. All the nobles would be invited to witness the academy entrance examination, they thought it would be a nice break from the heated debates.

Little did they know that Angelina was preparing for an unforgettable show...