The entire dukedom of Elmar was celebrating, for it was a special day – Princess Irena's birthday. In Princess Irena's chamber, maids rushed in and out, preparing her for the festivities. Her pale skin sparkled, and her curly white hair glistened with blue jewels that resembled her eyes. Dressed in a delightful blue gown, she looked like an angel.
"Princess, you look graceful; His Grace will be happy," one of the maids praised.
Irena gazed at herself in the mirror, twirling her curly hair, and smiled. "I hope so; let's go to Daddy."
She walked out of her chamber and, after a few steps, saw a tall figure waiting for her – her escort, her father, Duke Edward Alfredo of Elmar. His blue eyes looked at her with affection, praising her beauty. He straightened his ink-black hair and signaled her to come forward.
"You look stunning, Ire," he said.
"You too, Daddy," Irena replied.
As they entered the ball, the entire audience turned to look at them. Irena welcomed everyone.
The crowd began to murmur:
"Woah, Princess is really beautiful."
"Our princess finally turned 14."
"Her eyes resemble His Grace."
"But wasn't she an orphan?"
"Looks like her being a bastard child is true?"
"But where is Princess Erin?"
These words highlighted the most. Irena pursed her lips in anger; she wasn't supposed to be in this place. These facts she knew.
"Erin, huh?" Her inferiority complex clenched in. "I hate her more than anything. Duke's true daughter."
She thought for a second, "Yes, I was an orphan." Irena grinned. "No matter what happens now, Erin, you will forever live in the dark shadows of this place."
She looked toward her father with watery eyes. Edward, seeing her in this pitiful state, commanded, "Silence!" The whole crowd fell silent, and the ball began.
Meanwhile, in a gloomy, restricted area of the palace, a figure wearing earrings glossed her lips red. Her steps were firm, and her eyes were the same blue pearls as Edward's. Her hair completely matched the duke's. She was an exact copy of Edward.
"I'm ready," she grinned and walked out.
Irena was happily talking with others, while Edward was busy. Finally, it was time for the dance. Edward and Irena stepped forward to begin the dance. Her steps were as graceful as always.
"Duke really loves her," someone whispered.
"It's very uncommon for a parent to escort."
Wherever she went, rumors followed her; that's how beloved Irena was by the duke. Finally, her dance ended, and she bowed down as a gesture. Just then:
"CLAP CLAP CLAP"
Irena and the duke were shocked by the sudden applause. They looked toward the stairs and saw a figure.
"Happy birthday, dear Sis," the figure said.
Edward suddenly looked disgusted, while Irena clenched her fist.
"Why are you here? Didn't the guards stop you?" Edward asked furiously.
The crowd looked at the astonishing person, who was the carbon copy of Edward.
"Princess Erin?" someone whispered.
Erin came down and bowed toward Edward and Irena.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, Your Grace."
If one could compare both sisters, one was like an angel, while the other was the polar opposite. Erin looked up, her eyes firm. Edward was surprised, while Irena was furious. The crowd watched in silence as the drama unfolded.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Edward's voice was chillingly cold, a tone Irena had never heard before.
This sight was only for Erin. His eyes slowly turned red.
"Of course, to congratulate my sister," Erin replied sarcastically.
"Didn't the guards stop you?" Edward asked.
"Will they?" Erin's voice was mocking, her smile not leaving her face. She was getting on his nerves; he released Irena's hand and clenched Erin's wrists.
"FOLLOW"
He dragged her upstairs. Erin looked towards Irena who was shocked and furious, she mockingly grinned.
Irena lost her nerves, she clenched her fist.
'That smile is telling me loudly'
'look I stole your spotlight'
'I won't forgive you bitch'
With that she followed them, leaving the crowd dumbfounded.
**
Edward looked at her in fury. Her being the exact his image was making him more angry. The way those pearls were looking at him, mockingly, he wanted to gauge it out.
"Care to explain?"
In that dark room his voice echoed.
"I told you, I wanted to congratulate her."
She was getting on his nerves, he clenched his fist enough to draw blood. He was angry.
'I want to kill her'
These thoughts filled his mind. Very sight of her was disgraceful. He took a deep breathe and continued,
"Do you have a death wish?"
Erin was silent for a moment.
'If I continue I will really die.'
"I apologies, your grace"
"Leave my sight now, stay in that dirty corner of yours till you rot and die"
Erin halted, she shook her head and continued,
"Do you hate me because I killed my mother?"
She finally said it. It was implying to the fact that her mother died while giving birth to her.
Edward looked in disbelief of her attitude.
'from where she got her courage?'
He started to laugh, mocking her,
"DO YOU REALLY THINK IT THAT WAY?"
"HAHAHAHA"
". . GOD.... REMEMBER KID, I NEVER CARED FOR YOUR MOTHER. SHE WAS A NUISANCE. I DESPICE HER, I WOULD'VE KILLED HER MYSELF. VERY FACT THAT YOU ARE HER CHILD MAKE ME HATE YOU, GOT IT???"
"HAHA"
Erin looked down. She bowed.
'I see'
While going out, she said.
"Your grace, can I join royal academy?"
"What?"