Whenever I disobeyed or refused to do what my mother told me, she would look to Elara as an example, saying that Elara, who had everything, gave it all up just to start a family with my brother.

But there was something my mother couldn't understand: for those who were born at the top and have always had everything, going down one step isn't so difficult. But for us, who have absolutely nothing but our feelings and the desire to just be ourselves, giving that up is much more complicated.

The more I stopped to think about the sacrifice Elara had to make and everything she left behind just to be with my brother, the more I realized the depth of that choice.

She gave up a stable life, a higher status, and perhaps even dreams and ambitions, all for love.

It made me question my own desires. Did the things I wanted so much really matter? Compared to what Elara had to sacrifice, my desires seemed small, almost insignificant compared to what she had done.

Still, it was my dreams, my desires that would be at risk. In the end, it would be me who would have to sacrifice everything I had fought so hard for. And as much as I loved my family deeply, I wasn't willing to give up my things.

Every goal I had meant something to me, something I had built up little by little, and it wouldn't be easy to give them up, even for them. Besides, I'd done enough, sacrificed enough for them over the years. Perhaps it was time to think about myself.

I had always been considered an exemplary daughter, and that was something no one could deny.

As well as looking after Mr. Dorel's prize-winning horses, which required a lot of attention and hard work, I did my best to help my mother with the daily chores. From washing the dishes to dealing with household responsibilities, I was always there, doing what I could.

In the rare moments of free time, I dedicated myself to studying at home, trying to learn as much as possible, even when I was tired. Balancing all this wasn't easy, but I was proud to do my best with each of these responsibilities.

When that damn letter arrived, I felt like my whole world was falling apart. Years of dedication and sacrifice, every small step I had taken to distance myself from the expectations that weighed on me, were becoming meaningless.

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What tormented me most was the certainty that my mother, in her distorted vision, believed I was already a queen, even though I felt nowhere near it.

I couldn't understand what was going through her head; perhaps she was trapped in an illusion, expecting me to take on a role I never wanted. The weight of this expectation crushed me as I struggled to find my own identity in the midst of this chaos.

If I had been a little smarter, or perhaps a little quicker, I would have managed to hide the letter before she had the chance to show it to everyone. However, due to the confusion she herself had caused, I ended up forgetting about the letter completely, missing the only chance I had of avoiding that disaster.

Unfortunately, my mother was quicker than me and managed to hide the letter in her apron before I could do anything.

She chose that exact moment during our meal to torture me, as if she knew there was no way I could escape that conversation. I knew full well that, sitting at the table, I would have no option but to face the situation head-on, while the discomfort grew in me with every passing moment.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that your daughter has been selected as one of the candidates."

My mother began to sing aloud everything that was written in the letter, her radiant smile seeming, at first glance, to be a gesture of affection. However, for me, that smile was more like a mask that hid how much she was enjoying everything she was doing with me.

"That's wonderful, Livia!"

Exclaimed Elara, my sister-in-law, as she clapped her hands enthusiastically.

I know Elara didn't mean it, but her comment hurt me more than I realized. I didn't want any of it; what I always wanted was to be like an invisible person, far from any spotlight and the obligations my mother dreamed up for me.

While my mother tried her best to read the letter, I fought to keep her from telling anyone. I did everything I could to get the paper out of her hand, but all my attempts were in vain.

I already knew that, sooner or later, everyone would find out, especially since my mother can't hide anything. The problem was that if she broke the news, she would manipulate the situation in her favor and turn everyone against me.

"Please, Mom, don't do this; I'm begging you!"

I begged, feeling despair take hold of me, my trembling voice reflecting the desolation that consumed me. My plea resounded like a distant echo, lost in a void where no empathy seemed to exist.

"Pala Livia, I want to hear what auntie is going to tell you."

Nira exclaimed with a cute tone that didn't surprise me much, as I already knew her animated manner when there was news in the house. If my niece were to hear the contents of that letter, she would surely be at my mother's side, thinking the whole story was romantic.

My niece, although still very young, was an exact copy of my brother, both in personality and appearance. She had inherited his blond hair and blue eyes; she seemed to have inherited almost nothing from her mother.

Every time my mother insisted on torturing me with that letter, I felt more and more helpless and ashamed.

My father, already aware of the letter's contents, let out a long, heavy sigh. Meanwhile, my niece was jumping for joy, completely oblivious to what was happening.