Accept My Dominance, My King

"I want three things that only the two of you can give me. First, I want some gold under the identity of Benefactor T. Second, I wished to be an unofficial member of the aristocratic faction in which I wanted to gain access to the faction's connection in the future. And third, I want Prince Corean to never forget my deed after I make him king, hence he'll have to grant me a wish and I promise it won't harm him or the Empire."

The two realized Tori planned all of these. The second prince even suspected that Tori knew his identity all along. But they didn't know that Tori only took a gamble for the sake of her best course of action.

Lady M and the second prince agreed and signed an oath contract. An oath contract was a sacred contract and only a few choose to use this. After signing and reading all the terms and conditions, the three burned the contract together. It was a sign that it was a promise that only the three of them knew. As nobles, Lady M and the second prince respected the oath contract, leaving Tori to feel secure.

INSTEAD OF going back to the estate, Tori lingered in the Pivet Alley located at the back alley of the capital. After accomplishing her second task, Tori decided not to waste time and used this opportunity to make her third task set into motion. She also knew that someone from the Information Guild was following them, but she instructed Rowan and Lily to pretend that they didn't know.

"Rowan, do you know someone who sells things that is something peculiar? A magician of some sort."

Rowan stopped to ponder for a while, "I knew nothing of any magician in this alley, but I knew someone who sells something peculiar. I heard he created it too, though it didn't sell."

Of course, it won't sell. The shop is in the Pivet Alley, where prideful nobles never linger for shopping. And the neighborhood won't buy these things since they're too busy to find something to eat. This dirty alley is hiding a gold mine, and that will be exclusively mine to bargain and use.

"Lead the way, kind sir." Tori joked at him, which made him smile.

"Be careful, my lady." Lily reminded her when she clung to Rowan. She was glad that Rowan was now comfortable with her. The loyalty she wished wouldn't feel so far anymore.

Rowan led Tori and Lily to a shop that was smaller than the Turvy. It has no signboard or any sign of a customer. When they entered the shop, there was no one to greet them but peculiar things varying from the smallest odd things to table-sized ones. What piqued her attention was the covered thing in the corner.

"What are you doing here?" A gruff voice suddenly said. And there a plump old man with a pair of glasses came trotting in.

What a friendly reception. I'm giving you a negative score for customer service, old man.

"I came here to strike a deal," Tori discreetly showed him her necklace that was bearing the Rozenreff insignia.

"Y-you're!" It startled the old shop owner upon seeing her family crest. "Close the windows and lock the door, young man." The old man instructed Rowan, which the latter immediately followed.

The person sent by the Information Guild was just outside the shop. And the spy would probably go back and report to Lady M and Prince Corean. The two would surely wonder what she's doing in a small and dingy odd shop in the middle of Pivet Alley. If they would investigate this shop, they would only find out that there or nothing special here if they didn't mind the peculiar things the shop sells.

You two will disregard this information after not finding anything, only to be reminded of this information two years from now when the KONON camera became popular in high society. Well, maybe two years too long.

Inside the shop, the owner let them enter his workroom. It was dirty but full of odd creations, and at the center of it was a box.

It looks like the prototype of the camera has been made.

Rowan and Lily remained outside the workshop while the two sat in a wooden chair.

"I came here upon hearing from my knight that you're a talented magician. Such talent wasn't recognized just because you're born a commoner. It was unfair, and it was such a waste of talent."

Magicians were the titles given to nobles or aristocrats who invented things that made life easier for the citizens of the Empire. It was a special and honorable title that was only given to nobles and aristocrats.

"Why does a noble come here?" He was wary but delighted by her presence. Tori's presence meant opportunity or danger.

"I came here to strike a deal. As you see, I am the eldest daughter of Duke Rozenreff. With my support, you can open the largest store in the center square of the capital. You can sell your things and invent to your heart's content."

His eyes shone with delight at the words Tori said. "In return, you will only need to do three things for me."

"W-what is it?" Wariness was clear in his voice, and Tori couldn't blame him.

"First, they will grant me 30% of your profit. Second, you will not accept any investors. You should be content with me. I am a jealous woman, so let's avoid that. Third, you should tell no one that I am your benefactor. Do you agree?" Tori offered her right hand to him.

For the owner, the terms and conditions were pretty good. The young lady was telling him that his loyalty should be hers alone and he would gladly do that until the day he dies.

"Deal."

Tori beamed from the immediate response, "I will send my maid, Lily, to be my representative as you adjust to your new life. For now, as a token of partnership, this is for you." Tori handed him a purse full of gold coins.

"Never trust unless it was me or the other two with me. Lily was the young woman with me."

"Yes, of course. And thank you for giving me this opportunity. My name is Oswald."

No, thank you for falling into my growing team.

"And I'm Benefactor T."

TORI TOGETHER with Lily was now walking towards the Duke's office. She just freshly got up from bed when Butler Johanes came to her room and announced that the Duke called for her. At first, she was nervous that he might find out about her little expeditions. There were only three people who knew it in the estate; the coachman which she gave an ample amount of gold coins, and her two trusted aides, Rowan and Lily. So she immediately dismissed the idea of being found out.

Tori dressed in a peach-colored elegant indoor dress to keep up her facade about her 'changed ways'. The butler knocked on the door before entering, leaving Tori and Lily standing outside.

The door opened and Tori went inside. Butler Johanes excused himself that left the two alone. The Duke stood up from his table and sat in front of her. Duke Luwen Rozenreff was sitting comfortably.

"Good morning, father!" Tori greeted him sweetly. This new habit of Tori was a refreshing change from the Duke's perspective.

"Have a seat, Victoria."

This man didn't fight for the original Victoria when she got the death sentence. He didn't even shed a tear when he visited her in her cell the day before her execution.

This body's heart ached every time I looked at you. This is only a fraction of what your daughter felt when you turned your back on her.

"I called you here to discuss a letter I just received. They addressed it to you, but Johanes gave it to me when he saw the sender."

He handed Tori a letter with a familiar stamp. She immediately looked for the sender and was astonished when she realized who's the sender.

Headmaster Eyzana Valtera of Trifecta Academy

It looks like the original Victoria sent an application of acceptance to the academy. I thought Victoria was supposed to be the stupid one who easily got mad. Wait. This is the time before the plot starts turning. Maybe something made the original Victoria like that. Is it that wench and her schemes?

"W-what did it say?" Tori was still nervous for a different reason. She didn't know what the original Victoria was thinking by applying to the most prestigious school in the Empire.

"I didn't dare to open it. They still addressed it to you."

Ha, you just wanted me to open it in front of you. Well, then. I'm quite curious about it myself.

Trifecta Academy focuses on three things: Literature and Arts, Archaic and Holy Language, and Economics. The first headmaster of the academy was the smartest philosopher in the Empire and when he died, his son became the new headmaster of the academy. Nobles and aristocrats in the Empire and from other countries came to this school to learn these three things.

But why the hell did the original Victoria apply here? This information is not even in the Netflix Series! They described Victoria Rozenreff as a petty and stupid character who got easily undermined and manipulated by the female lead and the male lead!

"I got an invitation to take the entrance exam," Tori uttered in great shock. She was dumbly staring at the parchment that confirmed the supposed positive news.