Katrina awakens as the sun filters into her room. She sits up quickly looking around to ensure yesterday wasn't a dream. But everything is as it was yesterday meaning this is real. She slides out of bed and walks to her balcony. It's cool out and there's a light drizzle coming down, but she could care less. These are all new sensations to her. The smell of rain, mixed with flowers. The cool air surrounding her, she's experiencing it all for the first time today.

"Ah Young Mistress, please come in quickly and dry off before you catch a cold."

She turns to see a girl maybe slightly older than herself standing behind her.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Cherie, your Mother asked- me to come help you get ready. She would like you at today's conference."

Katrina remembers Nikolai mentioning that yesterday, but she didn't actually believe she'd take part.

"Mistress if you'd rather not..."

"No, I'll go, I've just never been to something like this."

"That makes two of us then." Cherie muses but seems to regret instantly.

Katrina steps towards Cherie and she flinches and puts her hands up. Katrina sees a dark spot on her wrist but Cherie covers it quickly. Katrina is confused, she wonders why the girl is scared. "She couldn't possibly think Katrina was going to hurt her could she?" Katrina wonders.

"I won't hurt you. You were simply trying to make me laugh, why would I hurt you for that?"

"I'm sorry Mistress the..."

She stops again seeming scared that she said that aloud. Katrina stares at her wondering why she seems so scared before it dawns on her.

"The twins, they hurt you don't they?"

She stops looking into Katrina's eyes and tries to continue working. Katrina stops her by placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. The young maid nods silently. Katrina reaches out and grabs her hand and squeezes it. She remembers her Mother and Brother doing this when she was upset or nervous yesterday.

"Well I'm not them. I won't hurt you. And I'll try to get them to stop hurting you. Pain is something no one deserves."

"Mistress-"

"Don't worry this will be our secret. I don't know how but I'll make them stop."

"You're kind like your Mother Mistress." Cherie smiles softly.

Katrina smiles back, liking the girl. She wants to help her as much as she can.

"Not to rush you Mistress but you have to be ready in the next hour."

"But what will I even wear? I don't own anything nice enough to be worn to a conference."

"The Madam your Mother has prepared some items for you to choose from."

Cherie claps and 6 rails of outfits are rolled into the room. They range from dresses to pants suits. Katrina walks up to each rail examining each item before going back to a lilac suit. It's a cropped blazer with golden buttons, matching shorts and a plum tank top under the blazer. A pair of plum silk heels with gold vine and leaf embellishments sit neatly underneath the outfit. Katrina stares at it adoring the outfit.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Do you like that outfit, Mistress?"

Katrina nods absentmindedly still enamored with the outfit. It's something she's never read or seen in any of the books she read though some of her books were a bit dated.

"Well then shall we get dressed?"

Katrina looks up and nods, seeming excited about putting the outfit on.

When she's finally dressed and ready she does a twirl in the mirror. It took a moment to adjust to heels but she looks stunning in them. She never had really put much thought into her appearance, but today is different. Today is a new start.

"You look beautiful, Mistress." Cherie says with a smile.

"And it's thanks to you! I couldn't have done it without you Cherie!"

"Thank you Mistress but you were a beauty before this." Cherie blushes.

Katrina smiles at the girl and then remembers something from one of her books. Katrina runs over and kisses her on the forehead causing Cherie to blush even more.

"Are you okay Cherie, you're a little red."

"I'm fine Mistress, just a little warm, but it's true you have the Madam's beauty."

"I don't know about that but I really do appreciate your kindness. Knowing I have a few people on my side gives me hope that I can call this place my home."

Cherie smiles sadly at Katrina. She understands her feelings seeing as her own family cast her away. Fortunately the Madam was kind enough to take her in. She hopes that Katrina can find home here, because she already has.

Cherie leads Katrina to the conference room and when the doors open all heads are turned towards them. Cherie bows backing out of the way, leaving Katrina alone. Nikolai immediately gets up and walks towards his sister. He gives her a warm smile before turning and walking her towards the stage her family sits on. Her mother is beaming, pleased with her willingness to come. There are whispers around the room, but no one dares to ask who this girl is. When she's seated on stage her mother stands and moves to the podium.

"Hello, to all of our partners and shareholders. I would like to welcome you to this end of the year review. We will be discussing among many things our gains and losses from this year's sales, but first an announcement."

She pauses and turns back to Katrina. Katrina stands walking up to stand next to her mother.

"As many of you know we lost our eldest daughter, or at least that's what you were told. That is in fact not true. While she was born different she is as you can see very much alive."

The room is silent for a moment. And mother and daughter both stand waiting for what the reaction will be. Everyone stares from Katrina back to her Mother. Then the room erupts all at once with hundreds of questions. Everyone is barking over the other to be heard. Katrina feels panic, and that maybe showing up was a bad idea.

"HOW ABOUT ALL STOP ACTING LIKE UNCIVILIZED DOGS AND LET THE YOUNG LADY SPEAK!!!!" Someone managed to yell over all the noise in the room. Everyone grows quiet and turns to the young women standing in the back of the room. She has beautiful ebony skin with striking copper brown eyes. She seems to be not much older than Katrina herself, but appears to be bolder than she is. Katrina can't help but be amazed at her grace, and beauty wishing in this moment she was more like her. She glares at everyone in the room who acted as they did and they all seem to sit back down in silence and shame.

"Now beautiful young lady, why don't you introduce yourself. I know I'm dying to know the name of a gorgeous girl like you."

Katrina can feel her face get hot from the compliment, but she tries to shake it off as she steps to the podium.

"Hello, everyone my name is Katrina Carmela Arkase. While I may not have much experience with the outside world I will work my hardest to show my Father locking me away was a mistake."

She steps away from the podium feeling proud of herself. But she can feel eyes on her. When she looks up some people have looks of disgust on their face. Katrina feels a bit hurt, but more so angry. They know nothing about her, but because she's different they automatically hate her. The anger grows stronger and she has to stop herself from showing it. This is the first time she can say she's felt anger towards anything besides herself. She used to be angry because she knew she was different. Because she knew her flaw was the reason she was locked away. And now she's feeling anger again, but this time it's towards all those looking down on her. They think she is a waste of space and eyesore. Katrina may not know their exact thoughts but their looks translate what they're thinking perfectly.

"Thank you Katrina dear. Go ahead and sit by your brother." The mother whispers and she hugs her daughter to try and calm the emotions in her.

She knows what everyone in the crowd is thinking and she knows Katrina has noticed the look in their eyes. But her mother doesn't want her to react to them. That's what they want. To paint her as a monstrosity, but she won't let her succumb to their torture. She may not have been able to do much to protect the girl from her late husband. But she sure as hell is going to do all she can now.