Duty-Bound: Chapter 31
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It is not easy to obtain real happiness. Of course, she already knew that since a long time ago. When she was a child, she couldn't find happiness within her family. And from then on, she wanted to be free. She was called selfish for wanting freedom, but she knew no one would understand her pain. Why would she become the heir to this land when, in the past, her name was only mentioned in their dark history?
Everyone avoided her, looking at her as if she was the plague. Because of her status as a princess, everyone put a good front to gain their lady's favour. Still, they all talked about her behind her back.
"Look! It's Princess Aida's twin sister!"
"Ssshhh… Don't speak too loud, she might hear you."
"But, don't you think she's cute?"
"Yes, I do think she's cute, but cute or not, she's bad luck to this land."
"What do you mean by that? She's just a child."
"Lady Yuka has ordered everyone not to play with her because if you go near her, you will die."
"I do believe everyone will die one day."
"Yeah, we're all going to die, but when you're with her, you will die early."
"That's horrible. Why would Lady—"
"Don't speak a word about our Lady if you still want to live."
Everyone within the palace pushed her away, for they were not brave enough to disobey the lady of this land. Clenching her fists, she tried to control her anger. Without her Lady Mother's permission, she couldn't even play with her only sibling. It was not once that she was struck by her Lady Mother for visiting Aida or her father secretly. The one who was there to comfort her was Natsume. He was her true happiness.