They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 1: The Forgotten Princess

"Why did I ever try so hard for people who never cared?"

Nnenna lay weakly in the cramped storage room beneath the stairs, her so called "room" for the past ten years. Her body shivered from the cold, the threadbare blanket doing little to protect her from the icy drafts that seeped in.

She could barely move, her strength sapped from the illness that had plagued her for weeks.

From beyond the door, cheerful voices floated in, clear and mocking in their joy.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Princess Ebere, happy birthday to you!"

Laughter followed, a mixture of voices rising in celebration. Even the usually aloof elder brother joined in with a rare show of emotion.

"Happy Sweet Sixteen, Princess Ebere!" he declared, his tone warm and sincere.

Nnenna clenched her fists weakly. It was her birthday too.

But, as always, no one remembered. No one cared. Not a single person had ever thought to acknowledge her existence, let alone her birthday. She was nothing more than an afterthought, a shadow to the radiant Princess Ebere.

Ten years ago, she had been adopted into the royal Achebe family. Ten years ago, she had been taken in, not out of love or kindness, but to be a companion for their precious six year old daughter.

twist of fate, they happened to share the same birthday. And yet, for a decade, that fact had

years, Ebere had been the shining star of the family, beloved by everyone, their parents, the staff, the diplomats, even the kingdom's citizens. Ebere was the Princess of the Achebe royal family, the jewel

And Nnenna?

to deal with her. Her adopted family treated her

made worse by living in a closet like space with no proper

the first time she had been sick, but this time was different. Her body was failing, worn down by years of

grew shallower,

her birthday too," Ebere asked,

Scoff.

came from

know. Don't care," the queen replied coldly, her words dripping with venom. "That girl is so lazy and selfish she couldn't even bother to show up to her sister's birthday.

Mark my words, one day, she'll do something more drastic to hurt you. It's in her

voice dripping with malice. "Tell me about it. The only reason she's here is

murmurs of agreement, laughter blending with the soft clinking of cutlery. Even the guests, eager to

knew the truth about the household, the hierarchy, the abuse, and yet most remained complicit to secure their jobs and stay in the

stood firm. They didn't care if it meant being

Lazy? Selfish?

in her cold, cramped space beneath the stairs, her frail body trembling as she overheard their words. A bitter laugh escaped her