2 A Daughter They Would be Proud of

"My dear, about Chalice. She's already injured. Can't you let this one go as well?"

Alaric looked up from the documents he was reading and landed his gaze to his beloved. It was always like this. Whenever their daughter, Chalice, got into trouble it was his wife who pleaded and apologized for her. Frankly, Alaric already expected this. He sighed and met her lovely peridot green eyes filled with anxiety and worry. These eyes never failed to take his breath away.

"Lyana, my love, you know that this time it's different. The crown prince is involved."

Lyana's shoulder slumped, her face down-trodden. Alaric stood and took her into his arms. The both of them know that Chalice was at fault. The crown prince had disliked her from the start. He only tolerated her as respect to Alaric being the prime minister and sworn brother of his father emperor.

However,the crown prince was truly angered when Chalice chased after him doggedly and thus had her trampled by his horses to stop her.

Even if she was injured in the process, in the end Chalice had disrespected the crown prince. This is something that they, as her father and mother cannot deny. Thus, it was either House Amaranth punish her themselves or deliver at the mercy of the crown prince himself.

"Then could you be more lenient with her punishment. Don't make suffer."

Lyana conceded. Alaric looked down at her and smiled reassuringly.

"Lyana, Chalice is my only daughter. I may be strict with her but I also do not wish for her to suffer. I know, somehow it is also my fault that she turned out to be this wilful."

"It's both our fault, my dear. We're her parents. I just hope that this incident would change her for the better even just a tiny bit."

Alaric sighed. He didn't refute what his wife said because he too hoped for it. Howeverhe did not want to hope too much. Chalice was much too spoiled by her mother. And his strict demeanor did too little and instead made her more rebellious.

"Let us just wait for her to wake up and hear her stand on the matter first, my love. I will give her fair judgement."

Lyana did not reply to him and just reveled in the comfort his embrace gave though it did little to ease her anxiety about their daughter.

---

Pia stared at the face reflected back at the vanity mirror. Exquisite. There's no denying that Chalice was a beauty. Her features were that of a sinful enchantress.

The girl's ebony locks tumbled out in waves perfectly framing her small face. Her fringes were just long enough to tease the thick, dark eyelashes fanning out. This was complemented by her upturned aquiline nose and soft, heart shaped lips.

But the most notable one is her eyes. They shimmered like the purest of emeralds with gold flecks scattered in. They were bright and clear like the lush forest basking underneath the morning sun.

"Tsk! This girl is an evildoer. Her looks are even more devastating than my previous one."

Pia touched her face. It was supple and smooth. Her skin has never been this good in her past life. Yes, she was a beauty as well. But she was too lazy to even bother maintaining it with skin care products.

"Too bad you were too dumb, Chalice."

She tsked. This girl was dubbed as hideous. It was ironic since her face was one that could send an entire nation to ruin. But because of her naivety, she got tricked by her so-called friends into dressing up in the most dismal fashion and putting on thick make up. It made her look like a clown. Due to this, she was often ridiculed. After all, her mother was a flower of high society. The epitome of fashion, grace, and beauty. While Chalice was the complete opposite.

"I can't blame you though. Despite everything, your innocence is something I could never have."

Pia whispered. Chalice was the typical sheltered lady. Since she was an only daughter, her parents pampered and protected her to the fullest. Lyana, her mother, had difficulties during her pregnancy and childbirth. This led her into not being able to conceive again.

However, it is this very protection that made Chalice an easy prey for the jealous, scheming women of high society. She was one who had everything. Looks, wealth, and status.

'Seems like bullying is something common even in this age.'

Pia sighed as she filtered through the memories Chalice had. It was slowly melding in with hers. She could feel the love that Chalice's parents had for her. She had once known and lost that kind of love in her past life. Pia was glad that she could have it again.

"They are my parents now. I'll give them triple of the love that they are giving me. I won't disappoint them again."

Pia vowed. She was one to treasure kinship. She would make sure that she would not lose it this time. She will be their daughter Chalice, a daughter they would be proud of.

The sudden creak of the door opening snapped Chalice out of her reverie. She looked up at the person who went in.

"My lady, you're awake. Thank heavens."

Chalice recalled the name of the girl in front of her. It was her maidservant, Lucy. She sneaked one time to stroll around the capital and in happenstance saved her and her brother from being persecuted as thieves. From then, they vowed to serve her.

Chalice recalled that she was always mean to her. But Lucy tolerated all of it. Amongst everyone close to her, Lucy and her brother Luke were the only one truly genuine. Aside from her parents, of course.

She smiled at the girl. Worry and anxiety was evident in Lucy's eyes. Chalice would not be surprised if she found out that she was the one who took care of her untiringly, along with her mother.

"I'm fine now, Lucy. Cease your worrying."

Chalice told her. Her sweet smile still lingering.