I still remember it clearly. I am the only daughter of the Duke Lawrence family. A family that has become one in royal history. All the attention was on me and wanted to take the position as Duke.
"You have to find a great man, because it will be your husband who will carry the Lawrence family name."
My mother said to a 9 year old girl. I don't know what that means. I just followed my mother words and was controlled like a puppet. A noble daughter must be skilled in various fields to get a future husband. Practice continually to earn a compliment.
"You can't do it right?! What mother taught you is useless?! I did it for your good, Adeline. You have to be the perfect woman."
Whenever I made a mistake. My mother mercilessly beat me until my body hurt. Mother did that for me? It was doing for her sake and don't get humiliated by the stupid daughter.
Adeline clears up the paper that was scattered because of her mother. None of the servants cared about her. No one dared to come close because of her cruel mother. When sick, no one cares about her condition. Adeline can only endure the pain to get better soon.
The Adeline family cruelty make a bad influence on her body. Her body couldn't accept everything and made her body weak and helpless. Every mother will feel sorry for her child. But It's different, Adeline mother turned to scold her for not being able to take good care of her body.
Adeline couldn't scold her mother. To her, mother is like a chessboard whose goal must be achieved. Meanwhile, her father is like a chess piece that has to keep going. She endured pain, until when she was debutante at the age of 16. She met a man named Erwin De Estefan.
I don't know what love is. I don't know what affection is either. You taught me all that. A treatment that I never got before. A life that I have never done before.
"Erwin De Estefan, I'm so happy."
...
Adeline was drowning in silence. Staring at an eternal darkness. Continuing to fall without a basis. Her body began to disappear one by one like shards of glass.
Who am I? Why am I here? It's very cold and dark here. My body felt torn apart, leaving almost none. No one can help me here.
"Hoping for something that never shows up. I'm a fool."
The moonlight seemed to illuminate the entire darkness. Adeline just stared at that and raised her hand as if she wanted to grab it. Adeline's body disappeared, as if her heart had been broken.
.....
Sunlight shone on the bedroom window blinds. Adeline who is sleeping, falling from her king size bed. She with her blanket like a cocoon.
"Aw ..."
Ha? What's wrong with me? Isn't this my room? Why am I here. Mirror? Where's the mirror?
Adeline saw her clean face without a single wound. If she fell off the balcony, there should be a lot of wounds on her body. Her body was white and smooth, not a single minor or serious wound.
What happened? My face? My room? My house? I'm still alive?
Adeline was surprised when a servant knocked on the door and entered the room. The servant said she would prepare Adeline as usual. Adeline was just confused, she finally asked.
"What year is it now?"
"It's 970 now, Miss Adeline."
That year is the year I will meet him. Judging from the date, I have two weeks before Debutante.
I looked at the window and saw the sunlight. All of this incident was like a dream. Like never happen before. Is this an opportunity that never arises? Are they giving me a chance? If so, I'm very grateful. I will definitely change the future in this cruel world.
"Adeline?! Why don't you wake up from your sleep yet? A woman must wake up earlier. Didn't I teach you that?!"
Adeline mother come the room in her showy clothes. Hair is silvery yellow, straight, and long. Like seeing another version of Adeline.
My mother still hasn't change at all. Of course, my mother didn't care about me anymore when I became the Crown Prince's fiancé. she sold me to the Crown Prince for wealth. Don't care about her daughter who is tormented under pressure.
"I'm sorry mother, I won't do it again and I have a request to you."
"Request?"
...
Adeline is wearing a dress with a cosmos pattern and is standing at the door. She saw a snow-white, Adam's-haired man. He has a thick little mustache on his nose. Adeline saluted and gave a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you, Father."
Adeline father, Lord Duke of the Lawrence family did not respond to her daughter. He continued looking at a document in front of him.
"I came here to ask something."
"What is that?"
"Cancel the engagement between myself and the Crown Prince."
Duke Lawrence was surprised to hear Adeline words. He asked Adeline how can she found out. Adeline just guessed and continued to give Duke Lawrence a warm smile.
I know because when the Emperor announced the engagement. Mother told me that I was fiance to the Crown Prince from from the start. The is because the Crown Prince has a high position and an educated background. The Emperor has agreed to it. They keep it a secret from me. It must be because I met him.
"Don't talk about stupid things. I won't allow it. It's all for your good."
Nonsense, what father said like nonsense to me. For my sake? Even father never paid attention to me. All this is done for your good. You don't want to be embarrassed. You don't want me to bring disgrace to this family.
Adeline laughed happily in front of Duke Lawrence. Duke Lawrence scolded Adeline for her inappropriate behavior. She finally stopped, gave a expression with meaning behind it.
"Father, won't allow it? I will follow your word. But, on my own. I will cancel the useless engagement."
Adeline give a bow him and left the room. Duke Lawrence was silent watching his daughter's behavior that was different from before. Adeline walked down the hall with a happy smile. Her mother suddenly appeared and slapped her. Adeline fell and her face was bleeding.
"You stupid child, what are you saying?! Breaking the engagement to the Crown Prince? Are you stupid? I didn't teach you as a woman who disobeyed me."
At certain times, a child will not obey the words of his parents anymore. There was a time when a child would choose his own path. There is a time when a child will transcend a limit. I will cross that limit. I don't care what happens. As long as my goal is achieved, I don't care if I die within that limit.
"Just wait, I'll change everything."
Adeline stood and looked at her mother with a burning gaze. The anger in Adeline burned like fire. Her mother was scared and fell when see her daughter. Adeline hugged her mother and then whispered a little word.
"Take it easy, Mother. I won't mess up. I'm doing it for us."
Yes, for us, for all of us.
End Chapter 3.