Mellic/Asna POV
"Please, Asna, don't go to the party. It's best if you don't... You don't know what kind of shame you bring to this family," Xyn said, standing before me.
"Why don't you just have some tea, brother? It's so cold today, you might get sick," I said sweetly, feigning innocence to avoid alarming him.
"I didn't come here just for tea—" I raised my hand to stop him.
"Shhh... Be quiet. I'm not the kind of person who follows orders from people who don't listen," I said, sipping my tea.
"What? You won't listen? That's why I hate you, ASNA... From now on, I won't see you again!" he shouted. My smile widened.
"Then go ahead... It's mutual. I don't want to see trash like you who uses others for your own gain." He left, and I glanced at Violet, who clapped from the side.
"Congratulations, bi*tch," she said.
"I'm just getting started... So get out of my sight. I don't want to k*ill too early," I said, looking out the window as she left. Tsk! What a fake...
"Asna! I have something to tell you," she said, excitedly.
"If it's pointless, you'd better be quiet because I don't have the energy to listen."
"Okay! I realized we're alike, so I accepted you as a sister. What do you think of the idea?" she said, smiling.
"Excuse me? What do you mean? You accepted me as a sister? God! Even if you didn't accept me as a sister, I don't need you... Because you're useless on your own. What's the difference between you and the servants here?"
"You can't impress the Duke with your efforts. All you can do in that family is obey them, like a do*g." I knew it was harsh, but I wanted to slap her with reality—she wasn't my equal.
"Watch your mouth, Violet. You won't win against me... If you want to cooperate, be quiet and follow my orders if you want to be accepted."
"So what's your plan? We have no power against them. We're trapped here in Segma, and they don't even pay attention to us," she said, like a pitiful puppy.
"Give me a week to think about it... But I have to go to that party. I have a feeling they're hiding something," I said, sensing Xyn's desperation to keep me from the banquet.
"I'll take care of it," she said.
"Good, at least you're useful for something," I said, meeting her angry glare as she stormed off. Even if she's like that, I know we'll get along.
I was in the library, searching for information about this place. I discovered our family was once very powerful, which is why the old man was so furious about Asna's actions.
I haven't mentioned that Asna's memories suddenly surfaced in my mind, which is how I learned about Violet. I decided to leave the mansion; few houses were around. I wasn't sure, but they said the old man owned the entire land in Segma.
As for Violet, thankfully, she stopped bothering me. I'm trying to be kind to people I'm not used to, especially since we weren't close.
Speaking of the de*vil, here she is again. I just said she stopped bothering me, and now she's here.
"Asna! Look at this. I brought one for you!" she said, waving a red envelope.
"Okay," I said shortly.
"Are you kidding me? After all the trouble I went through to get this for you! You're just going to say okay?!" she said, annoyed.
"What do you want me to say? Thank you? Is that it? I don't need to thank you because you also benefit from this," I said, returning my attention to the book.
"Okay, you said so," she left. I really need to prepare for that party. I'll show them they can't just bully the new Asna.
Duke Eztacious POV (Asna's Father)
"What's the news? Did she follow your wishes?" Asna's behavior was peculiar; her sudden change of attitude didn't sit well with me.
"Unfortunately, father, she's determined to attend the banquet. I'm worried she'll cause trouble again," That useless daughter of mine! She dares to disobey me! How dare she?!
"Then that's none of my concern. But the important thing is, ensure you gain Princess Ellyet's full trust for this family's power."
"Yes, father." Xyn left, and I looked at the letter that just arrived from Segma. It was from my servant, tasked with watching Asna's every move. I was shocked by the information I read.
Dear Father:
Do you really think I'm stu*pid enough not to know I'm being watched by your dogs? But I'm sorry to tell you that your dogs are losing their tongues and fingers one by one for betraying me... Those who don't know their place deserve to d*ie.
That bi*tch! I threw the letter. When did she become so clever? But never mind, she's useless. There's nothing to worry about that useless daughter of mine.
"Father..." My mood shifted when I saw my other daughter, my beloved child.
"What brings you here, my princess?" I hugged her.
"Father, when are you planning to betroth me to the Duke of the Northwest?"
"Soon, my princess... Just wait a little while, and you'll soon be the next Duchess of Duke Flenn."
Mellic/Asna POV
Violet and I were in the carriage; the atmosphere was awkward. Neither of us spoke, our pride too high. We arrived at the palace; many people stared, and I wasn't stupid enough to miss their whispers.
I expected to see Asna's family here. I bowed to the Duke, but he only gave me a cold stare.
"Make sure you don't shame this family." I didn't understand; Asna was the Duke's real daughter, yet he showed her no affection. I was the opposite of Asna; even though my father was a j*erk, I loved him. I cringed when he was overly affectionate, but don't get me wrong; he's a monster when angry.
"Don't worry, Duke... You won't be ashamed again because I won't do anything wrong," I said. He left, and Violet's face was unreadable.
"What happened to your face? Why are you so angry?" She clenched her fist.
"Damn it!!!! I really want to strangle Kalelei. You don't know how much I hate her." Was that the Duke's companion?
"Who's Kalelei?" She looked at me, incredulous.
"Seriously? You forgot the woman who ruined us? Now she's the Duke's favorite, and even our family's." She cried, and I looked at Kalelei, talking to other nobles.
"Don't worry too much, Violet... You have nothing to envy about tra*sh. Show them that even if you're like this, you can do something because the time will come when they'll be our tra*sh. So don't cry, you look like an id*iot," I said. Surprisingly, she didn't argue; instead, she apologized.
"You're right, Asna... Let's show them we can be outstanding." Tsk! I smiled at her words.
I told Violet I was leaving to go outside. The breeze was refreshing, and I looked at the sky, wondering why I ended up here.
"Look who's here." I turned to the woman before me. I didn't know them, but I was sure they were nobles like me.
"Princess Asna... You have the nerve to show your face after the shame you brought." I saw mockery in her eyes. I sighed; I wasn't in the mood for an argument.
"If you have nothing sensible to say, leave. I don't want trouble," I said calmly, but she poured her champagne on me.
"Oops, I'm sorry. My hand slipped, and I splashed you, Princess Asna."
Instead of getting angry, I wiped my dress and took the champagne from her companion, throwing it in her face.
"Oops, I did that on purpose... Besides, your dress is awf*ul. Maybe you can't afford a dress that suits you? But don't worry, I'll send you a better stylist so you'll look elegant."
She tried to slap me, but I was faster. My hand left a mark on her cheek.
She cried and left with her companions. I didn't want trouble, but they forced me.
"You haven't changed, Princess Asna." I turned to the speaker—Crown Prince Levi.
"So what? Are you the one being insulted? If you're disrespected openly, shouldn't I do something?
"As a Prince, you should know the things that can be judged and those that cannot," I said sharply. I had no time to chat with him while he just stood there.
I was about to leave when he grabbed my arm. It felt like my arm might break from this je*rk.
"Are you trying to be cold to me, Princess Asna?" Levi was being so weird, so I swatted his hand away.
"Take your hand off me, Prince Levi!" I exclaimed, feeling the pain in my arm.
"Well, I'm also grateful to meet you again, Princess Asna. You're always obeying my orders, so I asked you to d*ie peacefully." He handed me a dagger.
I took it, and he seemed pleased... Then I pulled it out of the cloth it was wrapped in.
"I really love you, Princess, so di*e! For me," he said. I pointed the dagger at his throat and made a small cut.
"Never! Someone like you isn't worth wasting my life on, and I want you to know that you're nothing but TR*ASH," I said, followed by, "F**k you."