The Beginning
When I was a commoner, I’ve always thought how living the life of a noble would look like. I always yearned to be a noble lady. Everytime I see a noble lady walking in her stunning dress, I was jealous of her. Oh, how I wished to be a Lady.
There was a day that felt like a dream to me. The day I felt as though God was hearing my prayers.
That day when I was running errands for my foster parents, a bunch of knights stopped and examined me. I was frightened to the point that I felt nauseous. They told me to take them to where I was staying. I obediently took them cause obviously I was shit scared. I thought I soiled my pants even though I was 14. The moment I entered the house, I ran to mom and hid behind her. The knights explained to them why they were here. Then they explained it to me too.
I am the kidnapped daughter of Duke Belkin. ONLY daughter. I was kidnapped when I was 4. They were searching for me all these years.
But how is that even possible? In this Krayen Empire Belkin Dukedom is quite popular. So how did they even fail to find me? Maybe at that time they may not have been this powerful. I was in the Ledine province. The capital of Krayen. I had to go to the Eastern part where the Belkin family controls under the Arch- dukedom of Doberain. Lithiana. A beautiful province, surrounded by lots of mountains. It has a big valley, a big street and a bunch of good people.
Even though it was hard, I adapted quite fast. Calling my father Dad, mother Mom, and to playing with my brothers. Two big brothers and a small one.
My life was pretty good until the day of my coming of age ceremony. I was 18. 4 years since I reached my home. All nobles in the dukedom was invited. To make it cherry on the top, my father was a close friend of the Emperor. So he invited them too.
So of course any one of the person from the royalty will be there for sure. And there was.
The crown prince.
He confessed to me that night, when we were dancing together.
He said it was love at first night. Bullshit.
But I believed it. Because it was my first time being confessed to and seeing such a handsome man other than my father and brothers.
Yes, they’re handsome.
So yes, I fell for it. My brothers, my mother, even my father was suspicious of him. But I was naïve; no I was foolish. So I chose to believe and love him.
And he chose to betray me.
Never in my one year of relationship with him, he never took me to the palace. I never took it seriously, because I thought maybe he had his own reasons. It's not because I was greedy or arrogant being the crown prince's girlfriend, I just thought it was only right for him to take me there, because 'I' thought we had a special relationship. But, I was wrong. Then later on I heard he took his current lover to the palace multiple times. I should've noticed it earlier. My fault for being nonchalant.
We were sitting on a street bench, a STREET BENCH, on one of our date. I remember being so happy, that I got someone like all the princess tales I've read. I was on cloud nine thinking I've found the love of my life. But,
"Marianna."
"Yes." I was so happy that I was grinning at him even though he wasn't smiling.
"I need to tell you something."
"Yes, what is it? Is everything alright?"
"I- let's end this."
"What? Haha what are you talking about?"
"I can't do this anymore. I don't love you now. I've found someone else."
Someone else?
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
He just walked away. Just like that. I sat there still, not knowing what to do. I went numb. I couldn't feel my heart or my body at all. That day I regretted it. Everything.
He threw me away like a tissue paper.
I regretted being a noble. I felt like I shouldn’t have been the daughter of the Duke. Then I would never have been cheated on.
That day I realised everything that shines isn’t gold.
I was reckless for trying to take my own life.
But by God’s grace nothing happened. And I'm grateful for that. If something had happened that day I wouldn't be able to enjoy this life of mine now. I love this. Being treated like this. This is heaven. More than having a soulmate. But, from this I learned something, never trust a guy. Now I feel like falling in love was so stupid. I am never loving again. Dying alone is far more better than getting betrayed like this
If I say now it’s peaceful. It really is.
“My Lady, may I come in?”
“Yes, you may.”
“My Lord is looking for you.”
Father?
“I understand. Prepare my bath.”
“Yes, Maria.”
Oh this is so good.
It’s really good to be inside this bath tub. I don’t have to think about anything, I don’t have to do anything, just chill in my bath. I don’t even have to do my make-ups or dressing. I just need to stand still and boom! I’m ready. What a life! I just have to live as a spoiled daughter. My family won’t mind either. They love me so much for that.
“We’re done, My lady.”
“Thank you.”
I looked in the mirror.
Okay I look pretty.
“Come Anna, let’s go.”
.................................................
“My lord, Ms. Marianna is here.”
A guard infront of my father’s study informed him.
“Let her in.”
“Dad, Did you call for me?”
“Mmm, yeah.”
He’s hesitating. I wonder what is making him hesitate this much.
“What is it, Dad?”
“Well, I know you won’t like this. But, the emperor invited you to the palace.”
“WHAT?!”
