EMILIA In the grand hall of the Thorne estate, tension hung in the air. Henry, my eldest brother, had just return hom, holding in his hand the letter from Duke Edric. Father listened with mounting fury as Henry read the Duke's reply aloud, revealing that Duke Edric had flatly rejected our request for any share in Aveline's fortune.

"That girl," Father muttered through clenched teeth, "is nothing more than an ungrateful little brat. She"s forgotten where she come from."

Across the room, I watch my father with a mixture of unease and resentment. Part of my thought, Aveline is lucky, now a wealthy young lady with the Duke's protection. But I reminds myself that, in the end, Aveline is nothing more than an illegitimate child. I can not forget that Aveline's origins make her forever beneath us in our eyes.

Mother, Marchioness Diana noticing the shadow on my face and place a comforting hand on my shoulder "Don't let it trouble you, dear," she murmured. 'Aveline might have the Duke's support for now, but if he knew the truth about her origins, he'd be repulsed by her. It's only a matter of time before her good fortune crumbles."

Henry chimed in a smug grin. "Aveline isn't anything special. She have some money now, but that doesn't change who she really is."

Father nodded, satisfied by brother's loyalty. "The Duke might be fooled for now, but her luck won't hold forever."

Suddenly, our family's private moment is interrupted by the arrival of a servant announcing guests. We are soon join by the Marquess Corwin of House Ashbourne, his wife, Marchioness Zetty, and their son, the young master Kevin. The Thorne family had known the Ashbournes for nearly a decade, and the two houses are close allies. Father welcomes them warmly, quickly inviting the Ashbournes to join us in the living room.

Once everyone is seated on the lavish couches, conversation flows freely, through and undercurrent of discomfort lingering. Out of nowhere, Marchioness Zetty breaks the silence with a sudden question. "And how is Aveline? I've heard quite a bit about her successes lately."

A faint scowl cross father's face. He quickly deflected, shifting the conversation toward matters of estate management and political alliances, steering away from topic of Aveline. But I can not help the irritation stirring inside me. What is it about Aveline that keeps everyone talking? I thought to myself. The attention directed toward her really grated on my nerves, but I tries to focus on something else.

Seating directly across from me is Lord Kevin. His dark eyes, much like his mother's, hold a calm intelligence, while his hair is the same striking red as his father's. He have a strong, confident presence that immediately catch my attention. He looks particularly dahsing, and I find myself intrigued.

While the conversation carry on, I watches Kevin with growing interest. I silently resolves to make him fall for me, to capture his affections and elevate her own standing. I will proof to everyone, especially Aveline, that she can claim something precious for myself.

As if Marchioness Zetty is reading my mind, her voice rose, breaking my thoughts. "Emilia, dear, you've grown so lovely since we last saw you," she said warmly.

Mother picking up on my budding interest in Lord Kevin, she whisper softly in my ear, "Use that beauty, my dear. Capture his heart—it would be an excellent match." My lips curve into a small smile as I look to my mothre. I nods, reassuring, as the room's attention shifting back to more pleasant topics. The conversation continues, but my thoughts remain. Fixed on my goals. I have my sights on Lord Kevin, and I will not let anything in my way.