Camelia Hamilton (19 y.o.), 18th of February.

I am Camelia Hamilton, the only daughter of marquis Jeremy Hamilton. I grew up without my mother, so dad was the only important man in my life. Always supportive towards his baby-princess. However, as I grew older, deep, deep inside I started realizing, that dad also needs his own support - the queen. So, I was not resisting when he brought baroness, Katarina von Delman, who became my stepmother...

BUT...who would expect that everyone except me will be in a win-win position?!?! AAAARGH!!!

- Lia, I know this is against your will, and we, especially I don't have a right to tell you that, but...but... we need this marriage for our family's sake.

In short, she wants to sell me off to a duke whom I don't even know... Why? Because my dad has fallen sick 5months ago and to increase the status of the family I should marry a so-called duke.

- Lia, sis. I heard that he is a good, young man. He also studied abroad. I'm sure he will take good care of you.

- Then why don't YOU go and marry him, if he's such a good man, huh?

- Camelia and Adrian Hamiltons, be serious! This is an important matter! We are discussing your older sister's fate. *sigh* So, I'll speak with the dowager duchess later this weekend. Think it over one more time, please. Okay, Lia? This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

- ...

I went upstairs...in tears. When my friends and other girls got married to a stranger, I thought that my fate would be different...but I guess, I'm not an exception. I cried on my bed for several hours. I know this is for our family, but...but living my whole life with a man whom I don't love, living without being loved...this might feel awful.

I don't know how I gathered my courage, how I wiped my tears and how I started packing up my luggage. "WAIT! What am I even thinking about? Am I actually doing this? Maybe I should at least write a letter? And where am I supposed to go? A noble lady alone in the capital...without money. I'll be doomed for sure. Aaah, Lia. You. are. not. thinking. straight. Or...maybe I'll find that one - a man I dreamed to meet for so long? Pfft, enough imagining things. You are not in a romance novel!"

* * *

~ 1 hour later ~

All preparations are done. I wrote a letter, took some clothesand dresses, medicine and of course money! Phew, I'm ready to go. And one little thing before I go. I went to my dad's bedroom. He was in coma and sleeping soundly. Doctors said that he won't probably recover. But I believe in him, he won't leave us behind as I'm doing now... and I kissed his forehead. A warm tear ran down from my cheek. But it was not the time. It's too late to step back now.

- Father, they tried to sell off your daughter. But your princess is all grown-up now and can make her own decisions. I'm leaving home dad, and I don't know when I will come back, or will I be able to make it back. But promise me, promise that you'll meet me when I'm back, okay? Thank you for everything. Goodbye...

* * *

12 years ago, my parents argued, and mother decided to go to my grandparents' home. At that time, it wasn't such a dramatic argument, but the outcome was rather tragic. My mother died when her carriage went down the cliff. I can't even imagine how my dad suffered from her death. It was not his fault. It was just an accident, the accident which took away a loving mother, daughter and wife. And sometimes when I think about it, I ask myself, what the future would be if I stopped her from going, or if they didn't have that argument, or if father didn't invest the money to that factory...But my thoughts always lead me to the same conclusion. It's our fate, that we can't run away from. It was supposed to happen, and it did happen. Alas, there's nothing we can do about it, and thinking about what would happen, 'what if...' will bring more and more suffering. It's always the best to just accept it, the way it is now and to look at the future with hope.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

* * * (Note from the author: I just wanted to show the readers the past of the character more. Now the tragic part aside, let's proceed to the good part)

~ 2 weeks later ~ 1st of March

Mmmm, spring such a nice time to go shopping with your friends...BUT I don't have any money left. Only for food. But I don't think it will last for long too.

- The capital is soo expensive, unlike our city... "Whoops I said it out loud."

- Ahaaa I knew that you are not from here! - said a young fellow - Oh sorry for my rudeness my lady - he bowed...

- Oh no need for this courtesy (after being so rude) I'm more interested in your... identity, young man... Who are you?

- Oh, I forgot. I am Benjamin. You can call me Ben, my Lady. I saw you 2-3 days ago in the market. You didn't seem familiar, so I was wandering whether you're local or not.

- How did you...

- Oh, cuz you were wearing yellow hahah. By the way, you didn't tell me your name yet. What's your name, my Lady?

- I'm ... (what should I say? My real name? Or should I use a fake one? I'll use a fake one, just for a precaution. So when he...)

- You're? Did you forget your name? Pffft

-NO! I'm...I'm Amelia! (I'm sorry mom)

- Can I call you Lia?

- NO!

- O..kay

- Hey! I want to ask you a question. Uh...What's the trend of dresses nowadays in the capital?

- Oh, I see, you're quite quick-witted, my Lady. Let's go! I'll show you the best boutique in the capital. Every noble lady wears dresses from there, you know?

- Oh wait! Wait!

- What is it now?

- I...I don't have money hehe =). I asked just to know. So that I'll try to wear alike dresses from now on.

- Oh...I see. Do you even have a job, my Lady?

(Oh yeah, a job!)

- No, I did look for a job tho...

- Did you go to the Fitzgerald mansion, by any chance?

- Where-where? Fetz...Fatz...what (what a last name)?

- Fitz.ge.rald! Fitzgerald. It's the place where I work. If you want you can apply for a job. The mansion is big, so...extra hands are really helpful there!

- Ooh I see... Um, Benjamin. May I...

- ...take you to that mansion? - what an eager boy he is...

- Y...

- Yes?? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, my Lady - he took my hand and lead me to the Fitz...Fitz...Whatever! To that mansion.

The walk was quite exhausting, and I was hungry too. I don't know who owns this mansion, but I'm sure that my ex-fiance, even though he is a duke, doesn't even dream about it. IT IS HUGE! So extravagant, yet so minimalistic. Every detail, every single ornament was on its own place. It didn't lack anything. I wonder who is the owner? Maybe the Royalty? The garden was filled with the red roses. There were so many of them. As if a wedding was going to happen in this magnificent garden. As we walked inside the mansion from the backdoor in the kitchen, I was shocked from the tidiness. I guess they do not need any extra hands, huh?

- Wait me here, and don't go anywhere! I'll call the butler.

- Okay!

So interesting. Every dish, spoon, knife and napkin. Everything on its own place, shining as small pieces of mirror shattered all over the kitchen. But something felt extremely weird. The mansion...is really quiet. And the silence was broken by someone's cold tone.

- So... you are the one, who was brought by Ben? - I could feel a threat in his voice, yet it seems like he was enjoying the moment...I turned to face him and realization hit me! He IS the owner. I'm sure of it. His outfit, his face, physique and even the hairstyle didn't lack anything, like his mansion. Nah, I'm wrong. His eyes are on fire. Is he mad at me? Of course he is, but WHY?

- Um...yes. I am Amelia, Amelia Eckhardt. (Note: This is just a coincidence. It doesn't have anything with the real person. This applies to every character)

- Good. You're hired. You can start working starting tomorrow morning. - and then...he just left(?)

To be continued. . .