Chapter 0: A Little About Me

Someone's Point of View

"I heard you're now leading the race for the position of Crown Prince's wife," the Duke, my father, remarked casually, his voice laced with authority. I froze, mid-bite, and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. Setting my utensils down carefully, I dabbed my lips with a napkin, taking deliberate, measured movements.

"You've heard correctly, Your Grace," I replied, my tone cold and direct. I reached for a glass of water, noticing the smug smile curling at the corners of his lips. I paused. How amusing...

"Good," he said, his voice calm but satisfied, before returning his focus to his meal. I allowed a small, sharp smile to play on my lips, then placed my glass back on the table with a deliberate clink, ensuring I had his attention.

"Let's change the topic, Your Grace," I said, watching as a questioning look flickered across his face. Leaning back in my chair, I fixed him with an unflinching gaze.

"You haven't forgotten your promise, have you, Duke? That upon my securing the position as Crown Princess—or perhaps even Queen—you would relinquish your title and pass it on to me. I'm not mistaken, am I, Your Grace?" My words were sharp, piercing through the air like a blade. He smirked. How infuriating.

"Why would you still need my position when you'll hold one higher than mine? Are you not satisfied with your ambitions?" he asked, his tone condescending. I forced a smile, one that did little to mask the growing contempt within me.

"A promise is supposed to be a promise—don't complicate things, Duke," I said, switching to a foreign tongue, my voice hardening with authority. His smile faltered for a moment before he quickly regained his composure.

"You truly believe you'll win in the end. Fine, if you succeed and are seated on the throne as Queen, I will honor that promise. But remember, becoming Crown Princess is a minor achievement compared to ruling." His words made my blood boil, but I forced my expression to remain impassive.

"But—" I began, only for him to silence me with a hard stare.

"Take the deal, or else," he said, his voice low, threatening. I clenched my fists beneath the table. How disgraceful, I thought. To think he could manipulate me this way. But as I met his gaze, I saw the seriousness in his eyes.

"I'll have a contract drawn up to formalize our arrangement, Your Grace. I'll send it to you for signature through one of my servants," I replied stiffly before rising from my seat, feeling suffocated by his presence.

"If you'll excuse me, I will take my leave, Your Grace," I said, bowing slightly. He waved me off without another glance, his attention already back on his meal. Without another word, I turned and walked away, feeling the weight of my anger with each step.

My mother died when I was still a child, taken by a mysterious illness. We were poor, but I was happy—free. But when she passed, my world crumbled. One day, out of nowhere, the Duke arrived at our doorstep, claiming that I was his daughter. His illegitimate daughter, to be precise. I thought, foolishly, that this would bring happiness back into my life. But I was wrong.

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Outside our home, no one knew I was the Duke's bastard. Instead, I became known as the sole heir of the Limiton family, the lone inheritor of the Limiton Dukedom. It's almost laughable. A life built on lies. They pretend I am their only child, the rightful heir, but the truth is far darker. The Duke's real child—the one who was supposed to inherit everything—died young, struck down by fever and seizures. Before they took me in, their true heir had already passed. But because I looked so much like him, they decided to make me his replacement. And that, I realize now, is the most revolting part of my life.

At first, they didn't intend to use me like this. But when the Duke's wife—who now pretends to be my mother—could no longer bear children, they made their decision. And thus, I became Bernadette Hannah Limiton.

But because I was born out of wedlock, the Duke's wife has always harbored a deep hatred for me.

I snapped back to the present as I caught my reflection in the mirror. My long, flowing hair was dyed a bright, artificial yellow—a constant reminder that I am not truly a Limiton. My blue eyes, cold as ice, stared back at me, an unmistakable marker of my true bloodline. I may have inherited the black hair and green eyes of the Limiton lineage, but they stripped me of those traits to maintain the lie. My pale complexion, however, betrays me—proving that I don't truly belong to this family.

Exhausted, I sank onto the edge of my bed. My life feels like a puppet show, with everyone pulling the strings, though I still grasp a few threads of control. But it's never enough.

The Duke is the most corrupt among the nobles, a puppet master manipulating the king along with his high-ranking allies. I refuse to admit it out loud, but deep down, I'm plotting his downfall. My hatred for him runs deep. I'm so close to becoming Queen. Just a little more, and I'll finally claim what I deserve.

True, the Duke raised me. But he also forced me to endure endless Noble etiquette lessons, driving me to be the 'perfect daughter.' Tortured, molded, until I became something else. He created a monster—a monster set on opposing him.

"Lady Bernadette, I didn't expect you to be here already," Lilda said softly as she entered my room, bringing with her an air of calm. I smiled gently. Lilda has been with me since I was a child—she's more of a mother to me than the Duke's wife ever could be.

"It's time to sleep," she added kindly, placing my nightgown on the table.

"I know," I replied, though her expression had suddenly shifted. Concern creased her brow.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, but she shook her head, leaving me more confused.

"I only heard that you're about to win the throne," she said in a somber tone, her voice heavy with worry. It was as if she couldn't celebrate my impending triumph.

"Shouldn't you be happy for me, Lilda? Once I become Crown Princess, many things will change for the better. Don't you think that's something worth celebrating?" I asked, curious. She walked toward me, sat beside me, and gently took my hand. Her hands were cold, trembling slightly.

"I know this is your long-held dream, and yes, you may finally escape this hellish place. But you don't know if the palace will be heaven either. Once you enter, there's no way out. Becoming Queen is no small feat, and I fear it could shorten your life. I'm worried for you, my dear," she confessed, her voice filled with deep concern. I offered her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about me, Lilda. I know what I'm getting into. And I promise, whether I become Queen or Crown Princess, I'll visit you, wherever you may be, to prove I'm not imprisoned in the palace and to ease your fears," I said softly. Her face remained troubled, the love and worry she had for me clear in her eyes—the only person in this house who truly cares about me.

Then, tears welled in her eyes, and though she quickly wiped them away, they didn't go unnoticed.

"You look much better when you're smiling," I teased lightly, and she took a deep breath.

"You are a kind child, Bernadette, but I can't understand why you've chosen this path," she whispered. I kept my smile in place. The world had stopped turning for me a long time ago. Now, I only need to survive—to win at all costs.