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.

they happened to share the same birthday. And yet, for

been the shining star of the family, beloved by everyone, their parents, the staff, the diplomats, even

And Nnenna?

they occasionally had to deal with her. Her adopted family treated her as though she

caught a cold, made worse by living in a closet like space with no proper blankets or heaters. She had tried asking for medicine, but no

this time was different. Her body was failing, worn down by years of neglect and

her breaths grew shallower, she heard something unexpected,

Ebere asked, her

Scoff.

sharp, disdainful, and came

bother to show up to her sister's birthday. It's kind of you to think of her, Ebere, but don't waste your kindness on trash

your position as the princess. Mark my words, one day, she'll do something more

voice dripping with malice. "Tell me about it. The only reason she's here is to keep Ebere company, and she can't

with the soft clinking of cutlery. Even the guests, eager to curry favor, joined in the

be part of the cruelty. They all knew the truth about

a few stood firm. They didn't care if it meant

Lazy? Selfish?

as she overheard their words.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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