i

ed my grief to consume me, my body curled up in a protective ball. My fragmented thoughts sp

ccupied with the somber preparations for my father's funeral, leaving me to suffer in solitude. I was only a young girl then, na

y delirium, I justified the maids' coldness by convincing myself that they too ca

onsequence of his tireless efforts to amuse me. In my shattered reality, I believed that my lack of

esentment, there was a peculiar l

acing me with warmth and tenderness. My bleary eyes blinked, a fai

threw myself into his arm

is face. "I'm not your brother; you can't call me Garett," he spat, his voice dripping with ann

His anger radiated like a storm, and his grumpy tone sent shivers down my spine. My words s

ll reside in the castle. However, you will work in the maid's quarters... and serve me in the evenings." I could have

cold, hard floor, that their true meaning became clear. "You are nothing more than a maid now," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "If you wish to eat and avoid our wrat

my feet, I scrambled across the floor desperately. "What do you mean by 'needs' at night?" I qu

d, they had treated me as their own sister since childhood. Why would they desire anything I

from your body," he sneered. "You're still too young, not yet blossomed, and merely a child. We can't have word spreading to other kingdoms that

iliation. I will expose your intentions to the entire kingdom, that you wish to employ me as a mere maid,"

hter, dismissing my words as irrelevant. Garett sneered, his words dripping with venom, "Listen, little sister, you have no choice in this matter. The entire kingdom,

er of the room. The weight of their threat loomed over me, threatening to snuff out

could barely bring myself to make eye conta

, "Now, go downstairs and present yourself as a m

he only protection I had, was gone. As panic consumed me, I frantically searched for a lifeline. If only I coul

ew there was a

g my innocence for a few more days. Yet, the loss of my title as a princess and the stripping of my dignity would force me into a life

despair. Confusion and grief battled within me, as I couldn't decipher whether

be alright. After all, I was just a young child, not yet ready to let go of the innoce

closest friend, whom I trusted implicitly. In my small stature, I could barely reach past his waist as I threw mys

o take action. Yet, the hope that had briefly ignited within me dwindled as quickly as it came. Only then did I realize that I lay on the grou

ed by your real parents. No one truly wants you here. You should be grateful that our king and princes have allo

ad once known had shattered, and I was left with the bitter reality that there were

moment of harmless play led to such anger and cruelty? I searched my mind, desperate to understand

s, the supposed companions of my daily life, were in their own world. Their laughter filled the air, obliv

r echoed in my mind, his promises of a destined mate and a future as a queen. But those words, once filled with hope and pos

of hope in my voice as I requested a room, hoping for some semblance of privacy and peace. But

are. I'll send you a uniform to wear, but don't think you'll be treated with any special treatment. And don'

ty within me. I stood there, feeling the weight of my worthlessness pressing d