CHAPTER 106: PITY CARD.

To the others, however, it appeared as though Victoria had deliberately flung the steaming bowl of soup at her sister.

"Mirabel!" Callum shouted in alarm as he rushed forward, his arms outstretched to steady her trembling form. He quickly helped her to stand, his jaw tightening as his eyes darted over her injuries. By now, red blisters had already begun to bloom across Mirabel’s delicate hands, her legs, and even the smooth skin of her neck where the chicken stew had splattered.

"Call the physician immediately!" Theo barked, his usually calm voice rising sharply in urgency. His command was directed toward the remaining servants, who stood frozen with their heads bowed low. Startled into action, they scurried away without hesitation.

"Why did you have to do that, sister?" Mirabel whimpered, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. Her expression contorted with so much sadness and hurt that it seemed to pull at the hearts of those watching. "I was only trying to apologize. I never meant to upset you more..." Her voice broke as another tear slipped down her cheek.

Victoria folded her arms across her chest and released a sharp scoff, her cold gaze narrowing on Mirabel.

"What are you saying, Mirabel?" Lucian interjected, his brows raised in confusion, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of disbelief.

"I know sister is angry with me," Mirabel murmured pitifully, bowing her head as fresh tears streamed down her pale cheeks. "I do not blame her. She has every right to be mad at me, after all and reject the stew I made." Her voice wavered as she pressed a handkerchief to her nose, her frail body shaking with each soft sob. "I am only sorry for annoying her more...."

"Oh, come on, Mirabel." Callum sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair as he glanced between the two sisters. His voice carried both weariness and a pleading edge. "Victoria would never deliberately splash hot stew on you. This is nothing but a misunderstanding."

Mirabel’s heart constricted painfully at his words, yet she managed to keep her false mask of sorrow perfectly intact. Her lips quivered as she forced another pitiful sob.

"I’m not saying that, brother," she whispered weakly, shaking her head. "And even if it were so... I do not blame Victoria. I only ask that she forgive me for my past mistakes. I realize now how wrong I was." She sniffled loudly, blowing her nose into her handkerchief before continuing with trembling lips. "I am truly sorry. I just want peace to reign between us. That is all I desire."

Victoria tilted her head, one brow arched high, and smirked. "Are you trying to say that I purposely poured the chicken stew on you, dear sister?" she asked, her voice laced with mocking amusement.

"I did not say that," Mirabel replied quickly, her voice shaking as she dabbed at her tear-stained cheeks. "You have every right to be annoyed with me. What I did the other day could have ruined your reputation forever, but you were smart enough to handle it. And I am sorry....so very sorry for those actions. I only hope that we may be good sisters from now on. Tell me... what can I do for you to forgive me?" Her voice broke into a desperate pleas. Just tell me what it is, and I will do it."

Before Victoria could respond, the physician, a middle-aged man with streaks of grey in his hair hurried into the training grounds. He carried a small leather satchel, and without wasting a moment, he set it down and knelt before Mirabel.

"Bring her here," he instructed swiftly.

Lucian immediately bent down and scooped Mirabel into his arms in a bridal carry, his face hard with worry. He carried her toward the benches and carefully lowered her onto one of them, his hands lingering for a moment as though reluctant to let her go.

Victoria, Theo, and Callum moved closer as well, watching as the physician opened his satchel and quickly applied ointments to the blistered skin. The sharp smell of medicinal herbs filled the air. Mirabel winced softly but continued to maintain her sorrowful expression, her tears flowing freely.

"Young Lady Mirabel will be fine," the physician finally said with a small bow of reassurance. "I have applied the necessary treatment and will return later to check on her condition."

"Thank you so much, doctor. We truly appreciate your swift aid," Theo replied, his lips curving into a warm, relieved smile. The physician gave another respectful bow before quietly leaving the training grounds.

"Well then..." Lucian straightened, his gaze softening as it fell on Mirabel. "I suppose you should retire for the night, Mirabel. We will teach only Victoria tonight. You may resume your training when you feel better." He bent down again, clearly intending to carry her in his arms once more, but Mirabel pressed a trembling hand against his chest, shaking her head.

"No... please... I can still train." Her voice was weak, quivering, but her eyes glimmered with satisfaction as she glanced sideways at Victoria.

"That won’t be necessary, brother," Mirabel voiced out softly, her tone fragile yet filled with determination. She slowly rose to her feet, wobbling slightly as if the pain from her burns lingered, but refusing to appear weak. "Even if I cannot train, I can still watch how you train Victoria. That way... I will still gain ideas about the training."

Her lips curved into a delicate smile, but deep within her mind, her thoughts sharpened.

I know I may not succeed in one attempt at turning my brothers against you, Victoria... but I have plenty of other ways. And by the time I am finished, you will regret ever trying to steal my place, ever daring to step foot into the Ashford mansion. Mirabel’s gaze, though masked with warmth, glared daggers at Victoria from behind her teary lashes.

"Are you sure you’ll be able to cope with that?" Callum asked with a raised brow, his voice lined with concern. "With the treatment the physician has just given you, it is only right that you rest. Isn’t it?"

"No, brother. I’m fine." Mirabel quickly replied, her voice soft yet unwavering as she let out a heavy sigh. With deliberate slowness, she dabbed her eyes and wiped away the last traces of her false tears. "Besides, I will be attending school tomorrow as well."

"Huh?" Theo’s eyebrows furrowed, confusion and suspicion etching his handsome face. "What are you up to, Mirabel? Are you trying to hurt yourself even more, or what exactly are you thinking?"

And what are you plotting again, Mirabel? Victoria thought to herself, her lips curling into a smirk while her arms remained folded neatly across her chest.

Mirabel lifted her chin, her expression turning grave with a false veil of determination. "Even though I refuse to train under the three Alphas at the academy since Father specifically ordered me to stay away from them after... what happened between us...I cannot risk failing the upcoming competition. It is far too important."

"You should forget about those three Alphas!" Theo snapped, his voice laced with both anger and concern. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his fists clenched at his side. "You have already made that mistake, and it is over. Do not look back. Besides, this incident must never be mentioned outside these walls. Do you understand? This secret dies here, Mirabel."

Mirabel lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief, her voice soft and repentant. "I understand, brother. Truly, I do. But what I am saying is this....Victoria will be attending school, even though she is training privately at home. I can accompany her. I am certain she will protect me. After all, she is my sister." Her tone was sweet and filled with false sincerity, her words carefully chosen like poisoned honey.

Victoria let out a loud, mocking scoff that drew the eyes of her brothers, though she ignored their stares.

"Oh, girl... she’s up to no good," Leo whispered into Victoria’s ear, invisible to all others. His tone was laced with sarcasm and quiet amusement. "Just how long do you think this act of hers will last?"

She thinks I am a fool like her... but I’m not, Victoria murmured under her breath, her smirk widening as she shifted her weight, her arms still crossed proudly over her chest. Just this one little trick of hers is already proof that she wishes to turn the Ashford brothers against me. She wants to appear fragile and helpless, to make everyone see me as the villain while she plays the pitiable angel.

"Ohhh, so you’ve seen clearly into her scheme." Leo chuckled lowly, his ghostly presence leaning closer, his brows lifting in curiosity. "So, tell me, my lady... what do you plan to do now?"

Victoria’s gaze darkened with determination, her smirk fading into a cold, resolute line. Her voice dropped low, filled with gravity. "Since she insists on playing the pity-card game, I’ll let her. After all, that was the role forced upon me in my first life....weak, scorned, and looked down upon. I was ridiculed, mocked, unloved. And she... she was the villain. But she was a foolish villain, one who hid behind crocodile tears."