Page XXXIV - Your Highness [ＩＩ]

~~***~~

Victoria grew up to be a strong independent woman. Always striving to go further and further beyond. To the point that no one can reach her.

That's her goal. Perfection.

Beauty, intelligence, strength. She had everything. Except... the attention of her father.

What's the thing she doesn't have? The DNA of a male.

Her father desperately wants it. But his wife bore a woman into the world.

He fell in that desperation. Ignoring Victoria's and his dead wife's deserved respect by impregnating another woman. A woman whom none of his family ever met.

He was ridiculed. Trashed on. But he got what he wanted. A son. A rightful heir to inherit his business and to be the head of the family.

He turned the frowns of the people ridiculing him to a smile as he garnered success in his business. But in that blinding light of success, he forgot Victoria.

His firstborn child.

A child that should've been given love. Affection. Attention.

Victoria finally reached the age of where she began to understand everything that's happening. It was a saddening dark reality. But her poise and unwavering mentality never failed her as she always kept up a smile.

A smile that acted as a mask. For the broken child inside.

...

...

Some more years, Victoria finally had a talk with his father after all the years of ignoring. She was called to his office. "Good afternoon father."

Gerard then threw a document on the table. "Read."

Victoria grabbed the documents and began to flip it and noticed something which caught her off-guard. "This is... a marriage contract."

"Good. At least you know that. After the end of your school year and the time wherein you'll be eighteen after you've left Nerivilya Academy, you'll be married to the Garzon family's son."

"What..? But... why!?"

"Garzon's family hold a lot of influence in these parts. The amount of restaurants they own will surely bring me a fortune as they've already started building international restaurants. In around three more years, in which you'll eventually graduate from Nerivilya Academy, I can expect a lot of the money being brought to me. And since I'll get 15%... the money I'll be getting will be guaranteed in the billions."

"That's... that's not what I mean... that's not what I meant..." Victoria said in a silent manner as she was gripping tightly to the marriage form on her hands.

Her voice was soft, not enough for her father to be heard. "In the long run, the money that I'll get will surely make up for the money I've invested to you. Make sure you entertain the young prince well. More business opportunities will surely open up if you do so."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Victoria finally snapped. A loud echoing sound was heard throughout the entire household. Tears flowed down from her face as she gripped extremely tight to the marriage papers, crumpling it. "You... you absolute unworthy father!" She then threw the paper right into his father's face.

He was unfazed. "You dare raise your voice at me..? You ungrateful WOMAN!?"

"You sold me... for an IMAGINARY NUMBER!? For this business of yours..."

"I'd rather have a billion by my side than investing on a useless child."

"You never went to my mother's funeral... I heard you told her that you've always loved her more than anything. But once she gave birth to a woman, you treated her like an object!? You've never paid attention to me. My achievements. My GOALS! I've done everything your bastard son couldn't! I'M BETTER! I'M GREATER! WHY DON'T YOU EVER PAY ATTENTION TO ME!?"

"You... you dare speak of your brother like this!? YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU WENCH!"

"Wench..? I don't think I'm the wench here. I'm not the one who cried about not having a son. So you went out paid some prostitute to give birth to your goddamn son." Victoria's fierce words made Gerard take a step back.

He was fuming with anger. And he couldn't contain it anymore. Gerard raised his hand and slapped Victoria's face. "I have been letting you say whatever you want. But you shall not talk about your brother like that. He's the future of this company. And I won't let you ruin it. The marriage will be done. Even if I need to hire someone to forge your signature. Leave woman. I don't need you here. I just called you here to inform you out of my good will. But after everything I've gave you. Food, servants, lessons. You still dare to question my actions. What a damn disappointment."

Victoria swallowed her words and stormed off the room. She then went to her bedroom. Trying to ease the pain, she cried all night.

A day after that, Fern noticed Victoria's unresponsiveness. She couldn't take it anymore. The suffering of a child that shouldn't be felt by any child. Victoria was born with it. "Milady..."

"Yes, Fern?" Despite Victoria's underlying emotions, she still manage to keep up that smile that she had put on for several years.

"If I may speak not as your aide but a friend of your mother... please milady. I want you to run away. With someone."