“Hannibal.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Prepare my relatives to leave. They should be polite to us. Everyone knows that we need to mourn Carlo quietly for the rest of the day.”

They all shut their mouths, at a loss for words.

In the first place, it was rude in itself to be seated down this way in a house of the deceased.

Today was Abella’s complete victory. Her first day in Amerigo began so raucously.

***

As soon as the meal was over, Mrs. Amerigo rushed to Simon’s room.

Mrs. Amerigo, Lorelia, paced back and forth in the room nervously. As Abella said, Amerigo’s only answer now was Abella. Even at breakfast this morning, like a viper, she drove away Amerigo’s relatives. If it were that kid, she might be able to keep Amerigo intact.

Because Abella was a devil.

However, things of the past were still lingering like shadows.

‘Wasn’t she born on the day of the curse? You have to kill that one right now!’

Poor Abella was never even called by her name. Even after giving birth to her first child, she had never welcomed Abella. It was because she was born on the day of the curse.

How many times had children been born on the day of the curse in this country’s history? Only ten or so times.

And every child had brought their family’s downfall.

Especially in the north, it was unacceptable in Timur which was the most conservative among the regions. No matter how noble the family, children born on the day of the curse, would be abandoned. So, the demands of Amerigo’s elders were valid in some ways.

Lorelia touched her forehead covered in a cold sweat.

It seemed that the past misgivings and stigma was coming back to life.

The first child that should have been a blessing became Lorelia’s wound.

Lorelia seemed to be distorted when she saw Abella. Abella shattered Lorelia’s happiness.

And now she’d come to shatter Simon’s happiness.

“Take care of the child.”

Lorelia exhaled, sweeping her trembling hand over Simon’s head who was fast asleep.

Abella was associated with death. And she couldn’t push Simon to his death.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Avoid contact with Abella and let the meals be in a separate room. And limit him to the garden and room..... So he can’t walk to the East Wing where Abella is staying.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The nanny taking care of Simon bowed her head.

Since the nanny was smart, she would take good care of the child. Lorelia’s ferocious eyes sank coolly.

‘Abella. Not this kid.’

The devil inside Abella shall never take this child.

***

Abella watched with Enoch as her relatives left the mansion as if they were being driven out.

Abella’s face hardened as she gazed out from the highest point of the mansion. Enoch glanced at her.

“What if they get resentful?”

With a face filled with no concern, Enoch asked as he rolled a lollipop in his mouth. Enoch, with his arms raised against the railing, leaned over, smiling like a boy.

“That’s why I brought you, Enoch. The bigger the family, the more likely they are to get involved in a conflict.”

“Ah.”

Enoch chewed the lollipop loudly so that it made a mischievous sound.

“Is it something I’ll be taking care of?”

“Enoch. I believe in your skills as a lawyer. I don’t want them to have any property of Amerigo.”

Abella patted Enoch on the shoulder.

Enoch frowned.

“How many relatives of Amerigo are there?”

“A lot more than you can imagine.”

“I just had a thought, Abella. The thought that I shouldn’t have come here.”

Abella laughed.

“It’s already late.”

“I guess so.”

Enoch devoured the lollipop.

“I have to rest now. I’ll be busy from now on.”

Enoch left Abella behind. Abella stayed there for a long time after Enoch left.

This was the first step.

Abella shall keep her promises to Carlo, and for this Amerigo–whom her father loved–so that no one would covet this place.

Resolve awakened in Abella’s darkened purple eyes.

Amerigo’s wide hall, famous even within the empire, came into view. Her father used to stand here for a long time.

On the ivory marble floor, there were jewels of Amerigo embroidered in, and on the purple drapery hanging on the wall, the emblem of Amerigo sparkled in gold.