AVELINE As the carriage rolled steadily towards the Thorne estate, my heart raced. It had been ten years since I left this place—the place that had been my prison. It was surreal, returning to Highcrest, the noble district near the capital, where my past awaited me like a shadow I could never escape.

Then, unexpectedly, the Duke spoke up from beside me, his voice light and casual.

"Aveline," he began, "from now on, call me 'Father.'"

The words struck me like a thunderclap. I blinked, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "Father?" I repeated, the word unfamiliar on my tongue.

He laughed softly, a warm sound that made me feel momentarily at ease. "Yes, you should get used to it. Adapt to it," he joked, his tone light.

I could only nod, still in shock, but managed to joke back, "Yes, Father," despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

The Duke chuckled at my response. The sound seemed to reassure me, though I was still reeling from the sudden change. I hadn't expected this—hadn't anticipated this new title. I was now Aveline von Lytheryss.

Curiosity took hold, and I couldn't help myself from asking, "Are you going to the Thorne estate as well, Father?"

"No," he replied. "I'll be heading to the Imperial Castle for some state work. I might not be back until tomorrow night." He smiled, noticing my surprise. "Don't worry. There will be a carriage waiting outside the Thorne estate for you later on."

I nodded, trying to process his words. The Duke wouldn't be staying with me. He was dropping me off and leaving me to face the Thornes on my own. But I didn't feel fear. Not with Sir Edward, my ever-loyal personal guard, who would be with me.

"And after you've finished with the Thorne family," the Duke continued, his voice gentle yet firm, "you can rest at my estate in the capital. It's not far from the Imperial Castle."

I froze. I hadn't known the Duke had an estate here. My mind raced as I tried to grasp the full extent of his words.

"I've already prepared a room for you there," he added, as though reading my thoughts.

"Really?" I asked, my voice tinged with surprise.

The Duke smiled. "Yes, really."

I felt a wave of gratitude toward him. "Can I walk around the capital while you're gone?"

He nodded. "Of course, but make sure to bring Sir Edward with you. It's not safe for you to wander alone."

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the Thorne estate, and the sun was beginning its descent. It was a Saturday, so I figured everyone would be home. As I stepped out of the carriage, the Duke's voice echoed in my mind.

"Aveline von Lytheryss," he had said before we arrived. "Show no fear to them."

I nodded to myself, steeling my resolve. Ten years had passed. Ten years since I had left this place. Ten years since I was reborn into this world. This time, I would take my revenge. I wasn't the scared girl who had been cast aside. I was a daughter of a noble house now.

I turned to Sir Edward. "Wait here," I ordered. He gave a slight bow, his ever-watchful eyes scanning the area as I walked toward the estate.

As I entered the garden, a guard stopped me, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Who are you?"

I paused, then took off my hood. My white hair, a stark reminder of my true heritage, shimmered in the fading light. The guard froze in shock.

"Aveline Maeve," I said coldly, my voice firm.

The guard's face paled as recognition dawned. Without a word, he hurried off to inform the Marquess, and I was allowed to enter.

Inside, the Thorne family awaited me at the door, their expressions unwelcoming. As I stepped forward, I saw them all—Emilia, Henry, Father, and Marchioness Diana. They were all here, just as I had expected. It was time to let them know exactly who I had become.

Father, his voice stuttering in disbelief, was the first to speak. "Aveline? Is it really you? Why are you back?"

I didn't waste a moment. "I've finished my duties at the Duke's estate," I said, my voice calm, though my mind was racing with all the years of mistreatment and neglect.

Marchioness Diana, as cruel as always, sneered and yelled, "How dare you come back here, after all this time, without even sending us a single coin! Have you no shame?"

Father raised his hand, silencing her, but his face was filled with confusion and concern. Emilia, with her usual cunning smile, walked towards me, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Oh, my dear sister. You're back," she said, her tone mocking.

I pushed her hand off my shoulder with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "It's nice meeting you again, Emilia," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've missed you."

Her face twisted in displeasure, but I relished it. Henry, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke up, his voice insincere. "Join us for lunch, Aveline."

I smiled, amused at how quickly they had all fallen back into their roles, pretending to be the perfect, united family. But I wasn't fooled.

At lunch, a maid came around to pour tea for everyone. As she approached me, she "accidentally" poured hot tea onto my lap. The burning sensation was immediate, and I shouted in surprise.

The maid looked at me with an expression of annoyance and said, "Why are you shouting at such a small thing?"

I stood up, my anger flaring. Without thinking, I slapped the maid across the face, the sound of the strike ringing out across the room. Everyone froze, shocked by my sudden action.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" I shouted, fury in my voice. "Does she not know her place?"

Emilia stood up, her face filled with outrage. "Who are you to slap the maid?" she demanded.

I turned to face her, my eyes ice-cold. "I am Aveline von Lytheryss," I declared, my voice unwavering.

The shock on their faces was priceless. Marchioness Diana's eyes widened. "Have you lost your mind?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "After spending ten years at the Duke's estate, how can you just claim to be the Duke's daughter?"

Father exploded in rage. "Absurd! You are a Thorne! How can you claim to be Lytheryss?" His voice was filled with anger and confusion.

I calmly reached into my bag and pulled out the official disowning letter from the Thorne family and my adoption papers from the Lytheryss family. I threw them onto the table.

Father's hands shook as he read the documents. His face turned pale, then red with fury. "How dare you? After all these years, how could you repay us like this?"

"Repay you?" I asked, my voice sharp. "What have you given me other than abuse?"

Marchioness Diana sputtered, "You're an illegitimate child. You have no right to claim anything."

I turned to her, unfazed. "Really? You don't know?" I asked, turning to my father. "Does she really not know?"

Father froze, his expression one of utter disbelief.

Marchioness Diana's face twisted with confusion. "What do you mean?"

I smiled coldly and revealed a picture of my mother. "My mother came from the Skyefyre family. This is a picture of her and father during their marriage," I said, pulling the photo from my bag. "Perhaps you should take a look at the back."

Marchioness Diana shook her head. "Nonsense!" she spat, but I pushed the picture toward her.

"Turn it over," I said calmly. "It's my father's name and my mother's name written on the back."

Father's face went white as he read the names. "Where did you get this?" he whispered in horror.

I leaned back, my voice steady. "With the power of Lytheryss."

I turned to Henry, who had been silent until now. "I'm sorry, Henry, but I don't find any reason to lie to you. The truth is, I'm the daughter of the Skyefyre family."

Emilia's face twisted in disbelief. "What nonsense is this?" she yelled.

I looked at her with a smirk. "Maybe you can ask your beloved parents, the Baron and Baroness of Thorne," I said, my voice dripping with venom.

Father roared in anger. "What do you mean by 'Baron'?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Oops, I forgot to mention—here's one more thing." I pulled out the official letter from the Imperial family and slapped it down on the table. "Your noble title has been reduced to a mere Baron."

Father's face turned white as he read the letter. "How could this happen?" he shouted. "And why is there an order to pay you one million gold?"

I smiled coldly. "It's a punishment from His Majesty. You're being punished for your treatment of me."

I turned to Emilia, who was standing frozen in place. "Don't worry, Emilia. You can still have your lavish life being a noble lady" I said, winking.

Emilia stood frozen, her face pale with shock. The Thorne family's world was crumbling, and I, Aveline Maeve von Lytheryss, was the one who brought it down. They had abandoned me, treated me as an inconvenience, and now, they would face the consequences of their actions.

I turned away from them, feeling a sense of satisfaction. I no longer needed their approval. I had earned my place with the Duke's support and my own strength. Walking toward the door, I could hear their frantic shouts, but I didn't look back.

Outside, Sir Edward awaited, as steadfast as ever. I climbed into the carriage, leaving the Thorne estate behind. The mansion, once a symbol of torment, now felt insignificant.

"Where to, my lady?" Sir Edward asked, breaking the silence.

"To the Duke's estate," I replied, my voice calm. "There's much to do."

As the carriage rolled away, I looked back at the Thorne estate one last time. The past was behind me. The future was mine to shape.