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.

the same birthday. And yet, for a

the staff, the diplomats, even the kingdom's citizens. Ebere was the Princess of the Achebe royal family, the

And Nnenna?

to deal with her. Her adopted family treated her

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

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

grew shallower, she

her birthday too," Ebere asked, her voice

Scoff.

was sharp, disdainful, and came

even bother to show up to her sister's birthday. It's kind of you to think of her, Ebere, but

words, one day, she'll do something

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

of agreement, laughter blending with the soft clinking of cutlery. Even the

part of the cruelty. They all knew the truth about the household, the hierarchy, the abuse, and yet most remained complicit to

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

Lazy? Selfish?

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

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