Chapter 18

*˖:✧ ⑅•.⋅༻♔༺•⑅ ✧:˖*

I had a dream.

The one who showed his kindness to me, His Highness, Prince Curtis, is smiling at Betty instead of me.

“…why?”

Betty looks at me and smiles. Prince Curtis sees me but walks past me without saying a word. Betty asks him as she holds his arm, “How about her?”

“She’s an unwanted child.”

My heart froze at his words. Betty smiled again. Prince Curtis gently caressed her cheek.

“You’re more important.”

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I didn’t want to call anyone over at this time so after getting dressed myself, I sat on a chair by the window and stared at the sky. 

The stars shone bright and lightened up the dark sky, but the darkness in my heart stayed dim.

It was always like this. Darkness engulfs my vision, blocking everything in front me. It’s been like that ever since my mother died.

I wonder if I still have to live. I have no reason to. But I also have no reason not to.

Mother died. Then Andrea came. Her ‘discipline’ lessons were hard. Betty stole a lot of things from me.

But those were not enough reasons for me to die.

I’m alive because I haven’t died yet. I eat because I get hungry. I breathe to avoid being in pain. But does that really mean that I’m alive?

Dawn broke before I knew it. A few moments later, I heard a knock from my door then Bridgette came in.

“Good morning Dahlia-sama.”

“Good morning.”

Bridgette looked at me with concern.

“You didn’t sleep well?”

“No, I did. I just woke up a little early.”

Bridgette looked at me like she wanted to say something but said nothing more.

She made me a cup of mint tea. It was perfect and refreshing to have this morning.

◇◇◇

When it was time, Bridgette guided me to the dining room. I wasn’t familiar with the place, so I needed her still to guide me.

“…”

At the table was His Highness Prince Curtis and a man who looked exactly like him. He had silver hair and eyes that looked like they were inlaid with a purple gem. He had the physique of a military officer. He looked very dignified.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dahlia. I’m Othniel.”

I managed to move my frozen body to give a curtsy to the man who introduced himself as Othniel.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Dahlia, daughter of Mauro Stewart, a duke from the kingdom of Woodria.”

“Don’t be nervous. You’re my niece.”

Even if he says so, I can’t help it. Isn’t our first meeting supposed to happen after I request an audience? Why is he here?

“You’re a part of my family. It would be inconsiderate of me to meet you in the audience hall,” His Majesty answered as if he had read the question in my mind.

He looks very kind when he smiles.

But it was impossible to not feel nervous. He’s a king.

I have yet to make my social debut. I hadn’t been out of the mansion much, so aside from my fiance, Cody, I had never met anyone of a higher status than myself. 

“Come, let’s eat. When you’re done, you can ask Curtis to show you around.”

“I’ll show you around the garden if you like. It’s my mother’s favorite garden. She took care of it when she was still alive.”

“Thank you, Prince Curtis. I’m looking forward to it.”

The two laughed at my stiffness. They asked me to be seated, so I went to my seat and ate with them.

*˖:✧ ⑅•.⋅༻♔༺•⑅ ✧:˖*