When Avy's consciousness came back, she couldn't do anything and could barely open her eyes. She couldn't feel her whole body and it was hard to breathe. Her eyelids were heavy as if she was being forced to sleep again but she tried to fight that urge when she heard voices from a distance.

"The rebel is dead, My Lord. It turns out the Lady had wounded him with the poisoned knife. It wasn't just a paralyzing poison, although it is a symptom."

"This is the third time."

"And all of it happened under our watch."

*SLAM*

"Under our own roof!"

"I will take any kind of punishment, My lord. I was the one who left the Lady by herself."

"I am also ashamed as the Captain of the knights supervising the prisoners, My Lord."

"This is no time for such things. Do not let any words about this incident go beyond the walls."

"But Your Grace, the Lady just got poisoned-"

"And she's capable of handling this simple of a matter. It may only be known to a few but poison cannot take her life. It is useless to waste time worrying when it helps nothing."

Avy's mind was hazy and she was only able to catch the conversation until that last sentence. She didn't feel the need to listen and finally gave in to sleep. Figures. It will take time for her to be accustomed to her new world's way of presenting problems. She's inside a fantasy novel after all.

~~~

"Will sister be alright, Father?" Ciel stared at his sister's peacefully sleeping face in melancholy. He was once again not by her side when she needed help. He was sitting on the foot of the bed where she was laid. They still haven't left the headquarters and decided to let Avy rest inside one of the rooms of the main building's top floor which is basically Gehenna's heart. It would be the most difficult to infiltrate because of the level of security surrounding every floor leading upstairs which was doubled because of the commotion that happened.

"This is not the first time she was poisoned and got back on her feet the next day. Let her be." the Duke answered, he and the Lord were sitting on the chairs around the mini table a couple of meters away from the bed, Mariel, Luviene, and Clerivan standing on the side.

Ciel frowned at his Father's answer. "How are you certain that it would be the same this time, Father?" he asked. "Even if she survives, we all know she feels everything, are you turning a blind eye about it?"

"We don't have any options."

"Then make one!" everyone, including the second prince who was sitting on a chair on the other side of the bed was surprised hearing the youngest Arkwright raise his voice, more importantly, at his Father who he respects and obeys without fail.

"You're a powerful man, Father. There is nothing you can't do-"

"I can do nothing right now." the Duke cut him off, leaving him speechless.

"She was treated with Devine Magic, her condition worsened. We tried healing magic, and it did nothing. I can't risk your sister's life trying another method when the best one almost sent her to her deathbed."

Ciel couldn't fathom why the Duke always acts nonchalantly when the matters involve his sister. He couldn't understand if he really cares about her or is it just his obligation to take action. Maybe he's too shallow to understand?

"But she's always hurt because of us. What if she gets tired and leave?"

No one was able to answer his question. Even the Duke and the Lord kept quiet.

Ciel bit his lip, he looked down and clenched his fist in a ball. "I will be going first, Father." he stated and vacated the room without waiting for a response.

"H-hey Arkwright!" Light stood up from his seat and immediately followed Ciel, leaving only the adults inside the room with the still unconscious Avy.

"Shouldn't we do something about this, Sir?" Luviene was the first one o break the ice. "After all, everyone believes that it is that man who started all of this." he added. By that man, he meant no other than the Lord who visited the Prison earlier that day, Marquis Rasheen Harrington. Everyone is aware of the fact that the Marquis is a mischievous man who would do anything to rise in power, although he is unable to do so because he is overshadowed by his older brother, Duke Harrington who is the current head of the family standing as one of the Empire's pillar and is also known to be the best Aqua type mage in his generation. Therefore, he does all of his schemes underhandedly without getting into the spotlight that would risk his title and prestige.

"We don't have any concrete evidence to accuse the Marquis of such heavy crime, Luviene. We would be going against Duke Harrington if we take rash actions. That is his objective." Lord Alcasser stated.

"I will take care of this matter myself." Duke Alton commented, taking a deep breath.

"Don't you think it would be better for the child to live with those people? It is not too late to send her there. She has yet to celebrate her debut." The Lord said, leaning on the chair. The room was filled with heavy silence because of the topic that the old man opened. No one dared to utter a word, waiting for the Duke to speak.

"We all know what kind of place that is, Father." the Duke told him, his expression as cold as usual.

"Better than being targeted every day, no?"

Duke Alton didn't answer. He couldn't say that being with them would be safer for Avy either. It's not like they have the time to watch her all the time themselves.

"I am also against that idea, Alton. That is the reason why we assigned the most talented people to serve her. But you know that family wouldn't stay silent if they hear more of this. Especially that woman."

Luviene, Clerivan, and Mariel shivered, remembering the face of the woman that the Lord was pertaining to. They certainly wouldn't want to face her wrath. It's been years since they last saw that family and it was when the Duchess passed away and they are not expecting them to show up anytime sooner.

Not to take the Lady, at least.

~~~

Light hurriedly followed the youngest Arkwright who excused himself out of the room. He didn't want to stay with those intimidating bunch after all. To be honest, he didn't expect that the 'silent' family has this so many issues. It hasn't been a week since they were almost assassinated and yet another misfortune has fallen on them once again. He does visit their Estate frequently to have duels with Ciel, but not once did he see those kinds of atmospheres.

"Arkwright where are you going?" he asked the raven-haired boy as soon as he caught up to him.

"Nowhere." Ciel answered but still kept walking, leaving Light no choice but to also go with him.

"We certainly heard that. It was the Lady who said those things." both of them stopped in their tracks when they heard voices from afar. Mentioning the word 'Lady' was enough for them to swerve their necks towards the direction of the person who spoke.

The two lads hid behind the corner, there were three knights huddled around each other who seemed like they were taking a short break from training. Intrigued, Ciel and Light kept quiet and listened to them talk.

"Lady Avy said, 'I don't really mind being killed.' 'Kill me now.'" one of the knights said. "She even told the rebel that it would only hurt the Duke's reputation if she dies."

"Who in the word made Lady Avy think about those things?"

"You're jumping to conclusions too early, what if the Lady just said those given the circumstances? Don't say that to anyone again, it might embarrass Lady Avy."

Light clicked his tongue. "They sure have time." he said "Right?" he looked at his side to see Ciel's reaction only to be greeted by him slightly shaking. Not in anger. It looked more like he was scared.

"You didn't take that seriously. did you?" Light raised his brow at him but Ciel didn't listen and just clenched his fist in a tight ball.

He doesn't want to believe that of course. But what can he do? He heard those from his sister herself as well.

"I will leave here as soon as I can so you shouldn't depend on me too much. "

"Stop clinging onto me. You have to learn to stand by yourself."

"If I want to die, I would die somewhere else."

"I'm tired of this family."

"Arkwright!" he was brought back to reality by the voice of the prince and a tap on his back. He shook his head, to wake himself up. "You look sick." Light pointed out.

Light sighed exasperatedly. "You really do lose your smarts when it involves sister. Pull yourself together, will you?"

Right. He cannot do anything trembling.

~~~

A long day has passed and it was already nightfall. The lights inside the room where Avy was staying were off and the only light that could be seen was the lamp next to the bedside that illuminated a small part of the room where Avy slept. That room has no balcony, making it impossible for anyone to enter without going through the door since it's located on the top floor of the main building. No one could be seen standing outside the door, but there were ones who were hiding in the shadows guarding the surroundings.

A man with a tall figure, jet black hair, and lackluster crimson red eyes entered the room. Dressed all formally, the Duke walked inside towards the bed of his daughter peacefully sleeping after a long exhausting day.

When was the last time he saw that face of hers unbothered in his presence?

"How careless." he stated, brushing off some strands of hair on Avy's face before sitting down on the chair next to her, facing the bed.

He couldn't recall the last time he put her to bed. Has he ever told her goodnight? He was never an affectionate father, he was never a warm person. Not once did he tell his children any words that a normal loving father says.

"I've told you countless times to stay away from that man." he breathed out.

"And yet you have never listened once."

He wanted to show his anger. But he couldn't. He wasn't capable of that much of a hassle. He has killed his happiness a long time ago. Along with the other emotions he had. He must keep himself from being too greedy.

He stayed inside the room for more than half an hour but all he did was stare at Avy's face. He couldn't do anything, he couldn't express anything. It hurt.

~~~

'...I'm hungry.'

The morning came and so did Avy's consciousness. She came back to her senses. And the reason? Her appetite, of course. Her eyes shot open and the first thing she saw was another unfamiliar ceiling. How nostalgic.

"Slept good?" a voice interrupted.

Ares sat on the side of her bed, eating strawberries that he probably stole from the kitchen or somewhere inside the mansion they were staying in.

"I'm hungry." she told him, snatching away the bowl of strawberries he has before shoving two at a time inside her mouth which made the snake servant of hers stare at her in distaste. He sure has never seen a noble lady eating like a pig. Especially a high-ranking one.

"Yes. Yes. Good Morning." Ares stated, slumping back on the chair.

Avy frowned as she swallowed, her throat hurt like a bitch. She started questioning herself how come an uneventful life like hers became so much like a roller coaster. She thought only the main characters experience these kinds of things, maybe minor villains also count if they came from a famous household like the Arkwright Dukedom.

"I should've stayed inside my house. Nothing really goes my way whenever I go out." she said bitterly, still munching on the strawberries she took from Ares.

"That's what you get for being a lazy pig. The heavens must be punishing you." Ares commented which she just responded with a scoff.

"Coming from a living bad omen. Get out of here, will you? You're ruining my already ruined morning." she snapped at him.

"I don't plan on staying with you. Your guards are guarding everything that I had to cast a spell so that they won't hear us. I can't even talk in peace." Ares said unamused before he sprung up of his eat and snatched the bowl of strawberries back.

"Hey-!" Avy wasn't able to react and before she knew it. Ares has already disappeared in front of her eyes. A second later, the door of the room opened.

"My lady!!" Mariel ran towards her as soon as she saw her sitting on the bed. Her eyes were puffy like the last time she almost died.

"Does your body still hurt? Please tell me, My lady."

Avy will never be accustomed to how Mariel becomes too emotional at everything. She watched her as she started tearing up again.

"Stop crying and tell me what happened exactly." she told her.

Mariel nodded her head, wiping the tears off of her cheeks. "That knife that the rebel used on you was poisoned, My Lady."

"Oh, that guy... Where is he now?"

"That man is dead. He didn't survive the poison, unfortunately." contrary to her statement, Mariel's eyes were dull and cold, muttering some inaudible words afterward.

Avy was no longer surprised that she was still alive of course. After all, she have read the novel before she came into that world and it was mentioned that the original Avy has a resistance to poison which she used to get attention a couple of times. She once drank a poisoned herself and framed the female lead for it. It was convincing because she experiences the effects of the poison, the only difference is that she doesn't die. That side of her ticked Annie the most. Imagine hurting yourself to the point of dying just to get some little affection from a man.

"Does your hand still hurt, Mi'lady?" she heard Mariel asked causing her to raise her brow in confusion.

She held up her hand and just noticed the bandage covering it. She was too preoccupied earlier that it didn't catch her attention. She tried moving it around, expecting to feel pain. But nothing really hit her. It was just normal. She looked at Mariel as if saying 'are you kidding me?'.

"B-but the medical mage really said you broke your hand. And I also saw it with my eyes."

She didn't doubt what her maid said. It was not the first time it happened.

'It healed on its own again. Does my self-healing only work on my hands?' she thought, remembering the time when the wound on her palm mysteriously disappeared as if it was never there in the first place.

'And I really broke my hand after punching someone. Seriously?' she clicked her tongue. Her new body is far more useless than she thought.

Another troublesome thing has happened. She silently wished it would be peaceful for the next couple of days.

But who knows? When it comes to mischief. She's a favorite.

~~~

Yes yes I know. This chapter is shitty. Still, enjoy reading! I will post the next chapter... soon I guess? Stay tuned!!