I am a terrible person.
The day I met Sophie was eleven years ago when we were both just little girls. My father had served in the imperial army as Duke Rokan's right hand man for a number of years so the two became sworn brothers.
He would often bring me over to play at the Peterlor estate.
I had been to several tea parties hosted by young nobles to promote socialising and networking but Duke Peterlor's daughter had never shown up. As a child you do not notice these little details and I certainly never thought to ask.
Would everything have been different if I had?
They say that first impressions always last the longest and the little girl I saw for the first time resembled a frightened cat.
She was hiding behind her father's legs and curiously peeking at me with a cautious expression.
"Hi," I called out.
"Do you want to be my friend?"
I still remember the bright smile that stretched across her face as she excitedly replied,