Chapter 2

2

Silas sounded so certain, but I didn't believe a word of it.

I cut Aurora's umbilical cord myself. How could I mistake my own baby?

The next morning, I issued an order to see Aurora.

By now, the whole palace knew I was the King's new favorite.

Even though I had no official title, I was breaking the rules by staying in the King's private quarters.

However, a moment later, the attendant I sent came back in a hurry to report.

"Lady Celine refused. She said… that girl Aurora is just a peasant trying to act like a princess. She isn't fit to serve you. "

My eyes turned cold. I was about to go get her myself when a high-pitched voice announced guests at the door.

"Lady Celine and Princess Reagan have arrived― "

Celine Vance walked gracefully into the room, followed by a young girl dressed in expensive silk.

She looked about fifteen or sixteen. There were indeed some traces of my features in her face.

"So this is the new beauty my father found? "

Princess Reagan spoke first. Her youthful voice sounded unnaturally arrogant for her age.

Celine's gaze drifted over my face. She suddenly reached out and pinched my chin.

"She really does look a bit like me. No wonder she caught the King's eye. "

What a joke.

Silas's taste had truly gone into the gutter over the last ten years.

Princess Reagan added.

"Why aren't you bowing? Do I need to teach you the rules myself? "

I smiled faintly, glancing at her forced, serious little face.

"The King told me I didn't have to bow. The Princess wants me to bow. Who should I listen to? "

Celine laughed out of anger. Her eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Acting spoiled because of a little favor never ends well. "

"But since you're new here, I'll give you a big gift. "

The doors swung open. Two heavy-set maids dragged in a thin, frail figure and threw her onto the floor without mercy.

Her thin summer clothes couldn't hide the crisscrossing scars on her body. A pale little face peered through her messy hair.

It was my Aurora!

"This slave is stupid and clumsy. Since you asked for her, I've disciplined her and brought her to you. "

I couldn't hold back anymore. I rushed forward and pulled Aurora into my arms.

Her thin body trembled violently in my embrace. she was as light as a fallen leaf.

I looked up at Celine and Reagan with pure rage. My voice shook with anger.

"You're both so malicious. Aren't you afraid of karma? "

Princess Reagan let out a light laugh.

"Malicious? She's just a fake princess. She stole my life for over a decade. Letting her live is an act of mercy. "

Aurora suddenly tugged on my sleeve. Her eyes were numb and hollow.

"My life is worthless. Please don't offend Lady Celine for a slave like me. "

Those words were like a poisoned dagger stabbing into my heart.

My Aurora. The baby I carried for nine months.

The little princess who used to pout and ask people to wipe even a speck of dust off her tiny shoes.

Now, she had been degraded to this state!

I held her tight, my vision blurring with tears.

Then, Celine's haughty voice sounded from above.

"Stop pretending. Out of all the maids in the palace, you didn't pick any but this fake princess. "

"Are you trying to provoke me, or are you trying to get something from her? "