1 The beginning of it all

I was born a princess. The first princess of the Aquastine Empire but at the worst time possible.

My mother was the only daughter of the only Archduke of the empire Archduke Panet and the best candidate for the crown princess and was engaged to my father the crown prince at that time.

She fell in love at first sight with him. They first met when they were only 8 to get acquainted with each other she helplessly fell in love with him like she was possessed. My mother was raised to become Empress from the way she talks to how she eats, dresses, and walks were all hammered into her by teachers since she was 3. And she was also taught about the importance of arranged marriage so she gave up on the idea of love. But when she saw him she felt blessed that a person such as him is to become her husband.

All went upside down when they entered school for higher education. My mother was 16 at the time truthfully speaking not she, nor my father needed the education part, but they were sent there to socialize and expand their circles. My father fell in love with a commoner who was sponsored and given the chance to attend.

My mother was devastated but it couldn't be helped their marriage was arranged even if she thought they can work things out somehow it can't be helped if his thoughts weren't the same. But my father could not let go of my mother he needed her to solidify his position he was a child of a concubine and with the second prince 2 years younger than him and a child of the empress at that, he couldn't afford to break his engagement with mother. To easily leave the position of crown prince given to him by the emperor was not an ambition he could give up even for the sake of love.

Luckily for him, only the emperor can announce the heir to his throne so his half-brother the child of the Empress could never say a thing about that. And my mother even being the daughter of the Archduke can not break an engagement with the royal family and could never allow herself to act recklessly. But I know deep down she was fine even if he needed her for that sole reason.

My father viewed my mother as a woman greedy for the crown and riches who is solely seeking the position next to him. It never accrued to him that it was him she was seeking even on her deathbed.

And he viewed his lover as an angel saintess if you ask me I really think that my father's eyes are just useless decorations not meant for discerning people's nature. And because of my parent's relationship, I am scorned, no loathed by my father but he can not afford to lose such an asset.

From the day I was born, I was ready to be sold for the royal family's sake. And with my parent's relationship, I was expecting the worst.

My father was crowned king the day he married my mother after graduation, but instead of spending the first night with her he went out and the next day he announced that woman who turned out to be a Marquis bastard child as his concubine after her name was changed to Lily Grays and was added to Marquis Grays family's register legally.

"Elaine you understand that I have no love for you but I need you by my side so at least allow me to have her as my concubine" my father shamelessly requested from my mother but it was more like an order in either case she was in no place to refuse.

Every few nights he would visit the Empress' palace and spend the night with her it was his duty even if he was reluctant to do so. But my mother was also happy with just that.

And then it happened. My father announced that his concubine was pregnant with a child. And a month later as though she didn't want to fall behind my mother discovered her pregnancy and reported it to my father.

She thought that he would smile and announce it happily as he did with Lily but he was shocked even repulsed but it was good for him. His half-brother was still alive, powerful, and influential if his marriage with mother was to be thought of as a cover he would be dethroned so he gave her a fake smile and showered her with gifts to showcase that the relationship between them is good even if he brought a concubine on the first night of their wedding.

It was a fake she knew but regardless it made her happy. Every day she would pray that she would give birth before Lily and that she would give birth to a boy so he could be announced crown prince and his Majesty would notice her even if it was just a little.

Like her prayers were heard the moment Lily was announced to have entered labour my mother did too. But as if fate laughing at her Lily gave birth first to my older brother crown prince Derek and pouring salt on the wound she gave birth to me a princess.

But she still loved me. I was not only her child but His Majesty's too. She made it her mission to raise me perfectly how to carry myself and how to disregard my emotions.

Before I even turned one my father's concubine gave birth to another child a princess at that. She was Aquastine's second princess Adele.

Growing up in the palace where everyone flashed fake smiles and were aiming to raise their position or wanted a connection I grew wary of people. And seeing my father only in important banquets while he openly adored his "family" and "children" and how my mother went through all of this I was certain that my future would not differ much from her.

So I built up my knowledge held and carried myself with esteem, confidence, and poise and I lived like I was dead. never sought my father, nor his love, nor his attention because I only accomplished what was expected of a princess if I were to distinguish myself it will only trouble his daughter. I avoided my half-siblings because they bullied me whenever they had the chance. I remember retaliating once and my father seething with anger punished me and my mother.

My mother cried to sleep that night. And I never did it again. And like she can't keep it up any longer my mother died heartbroken when I was 8. With only me at her bedside.