Never before in my life have I smelt more flowers in a room.
Doused with cold water, I was scrubbed until my skin became red with irritation by the maids that were in the service of my 'generous' biological father.
I hate him even more now, but not because he coerced me into accepting his proposal. I wasn't coerced into doing anything, it was my decision at the end of the day. There is only one reason why I accepted, and that was revenge.
Revenge on him and revenge on every noble who has ever once played with a human life. I can do that if I become the partner of a Prince who will inherit a throne. I had no idea what Prince he was talking about, but I had my ideas.
I believe that the Barroquant prince is not yet married, though he is 34. Perhaps it's one of the Bloomsberg prince's, though their kingdom does allow their royals to take consorts. The chances of me being able to gain enough power in that case would nearly be reduced to naught.
Then, there's Attinian, but they've been neutral for years now. No one would dare declare war against them since their terrain is so unpredictable and their strategist did quite the number on our army last time, if I remember correctly-
"Ouch!" I yelped as one of the maids yanked my hair, almost pulling me right out of the bathtub. Yeah, it's clear that they hate me. I almost hate myself after discovering that pig blood runs through my veins. I'm fine with being hated by everyone. As long as I can make a difference no matter what position I'm in, I'll do it. Whatever country I become a part of through marriage, I'll change it so that no more common folk have to suffer, and children can feel proud of their nation and unafraid of leaving their houses.
That's a world that I want to make, and that's the world that my mother wanted me to live in.
After the maids dressed me up in a hideous dress, crushing my stomach until it was the size of an olive branch, I was forced to meet with the pig again. As I walked through the corridor, I could feel each step pulling air out of my lungs. Is this really something that noblemen's daughters must wear?
"Mommy?"
I froze and turned my head towards the sound of the voice. When I looked down, I saw the smallest little girl holding a large stuffed animal in her arm. Seeing that I wasn't her mother, she hid behind the wall shyly. The maids didn't seem to pay her much mind. From the quality of her dress, I could tell that she was that pig's other daughter or perhaps a protégée.
She seemed strangely scared of the maids. Hopefully, she never has to deal with the horrid reality of life. Those eyes so full of innocence, so full of dreams. It would be cruel of me to shatter them. I stopped and did my best to kneel down.
"Hi there." I spoke softly. "What's your bunny's name?"
The maids all rolled their eyes, but the little girl took a long look at me before hiding behind her stuffed rabbit. "Annette." she mumbled. She's really adorable.
"Lady Ellen, don't you have lessons to attend?" one of the maids uttered.
Lessons? How old is she to already be going to lessons? The girl named Ellen looked up at me, pitifully whimpering and at the verge of tears. "Are you going to Daddy?" she asked, gripping onto her bear. "Please don't make him angry. Mommy doesn't like it when he gets angry."
So this girl happens to be my half-sister. I can't help but she should feel relieved that she isn't 18 yet, or else she'd be the one sent abroad to marry a prince who will most likely never love her. By the looks of things, our father doesn't seem to show her any affection. She's as scared as a little gray mouse.
I smiled at her and went to speak again when a loud voice boomed through the corridor. "Ellen."
When I turned around, I saw the cold-hearted pig that had dragged me here looking at his own daughter as cold as he looked at me. Ellen jumped, grasping hold of her Annette tighter. She was... trembling.
The Duke walked towards us, and before I could think, I moved and blocked his path towards her. He looked at me like I was vermin.
"What do you think you're doing?" he declared. "You aren't to meddle in my family's affairs. That includes speaking to my daughter."
I looked right into his eyes and sneered. That made his eye twitch. "You know, Duke Richmond, I pity you for not having a heart. You'll never be able to be happy without one."
Before I could do anything, he grabbed onto my arm and yanked me towards him. The maids all gasped while he stared into my eyes, afraid of witnessing violence. But I didn't waver, I didn't even blink. Perhaps if he was present throughout my childhood, I would have been afraid of him, just like Ellen, but standing in front of me, right now, all I see is an animal who knows nothing better than to terrorize children.
Seeing that I wasn't intimidated, he squeezed my arm and whispered disgustingly into my ear: "At least I know when to grovel and when to stand. You're nothing but a tool in this play. Don't think for a second that I'm going to give you the chance to be a part of this family."
Think that all you want, but in the end, the tool that is needed in my plan will turn out to be you. You're giving me the opportunity to overthrow you. I'll be sure to remind you of that when I have you on your knees.
-End of Chapter 3-
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