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,

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,

And Nnenna?

invisible. The servants knew her name only because they occasionally had to deal with her. Her adopted family

she had 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

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

breaths grew shallower, she heard something unexpected,

It's her birthday too," Ebere

Scoff.

sharp, disdainful, and came from none other than

couldn't even bother to show up to her sister's birthday. It's kind of you to

been jealous of your position as the princess. Mark my words, one day, she'll do something more drastic to hurt you. It's in her

me about it. The only reason she's here is to

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

refusing to be part of the cruelty. They all knew the truth about the household, the hierarchy, the abuse, and yet most remained complicit to secure their jobs and stay in the royal family's

firm. They didn't care if

Lazy? Selfish?

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

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