In a dimly lit room inside a hall of books, a lone girl sat on the floor, her face streaked with tears. Her purple hair had grown messy from her small hands running through it every time frustration hit her.
It had been like this for half a year now, ever since her sister had been admitted to the royal school. She hadn't gotten a wink of good sleep since. She hated how hollow everything felt. With her father ill, no one in the house looked after her anymore.
The servants who once cared for the family had turned into strangers, each vying for a piece of their household. Little by little, belongings vanished, and the house felt emptier by the day.
The only thing stopping them from auctioning off the entire estate was her sister. She had been lucky enough to be accepted into a special royal program that many of society's elite graduated from. It was the only good news for the family in a long time.
