Selma Payne's POV:
Aldrich laughed out loud because of my strange metaphor. "You're saying that because you've become a Princess, everyone's attitude towards you has changed drastically?"
I nodded gloomily.
"I knew this would happen sooner or later, and I was prepared for it, but I still can't help but feel disappointed. Could it be that I can't have a pure friendship without any schemes and benefits again? I don't want every word I say to be weighed on a scale before I express it. It's so exhausting, and I can't bear it. "
Aldrich rolled me into a ball and stuffed me in his arms, patting my back like he was coaxing a baby to sleep.
'Don't be so pessimistic. You already have friendships that are pure and without any conditions, haven't you?" His voice was extremely gentle. "You have me, your adoptive parents, brother, and a group of like-minded friends. Isn't what you have now more precious?