3rd pov

It had been a full seven years since little Anastasia entered the family and there was no one who could deny that she had brought them an immeasurable amount of happiness. She was everything anyone could hope for in a younger sister - adorable, ever so kind. However, ever since she had begun her lessons, their family had hardly seen her.

Cale and Alberu, along with their three children, sat in the parlour room, sipping tea in the early afternoon. The room was filled with a comfortable familiarity, albeit with a hint of loneliness due to the absence of little Anastasia. Ever since she started her lessons, the family had seen less and less of her, and it was apparent in the soft sighs shared betwenen Cale and Alberu.

"Don't you think those princess lessons of Anastasia's taking a bit too much...of her time" Cale asked alberu with a frown on his face as the kids nods in agreement with their papa.

"Papa is right cookie emperor....the last time I get to properly talk with her was on my 16th birthday which was 2 months ago.." raon whines Cleary missing his little sister considering he was the closest to her.

"Yeah...what Raon said was right father...this lessons of her is taking too much of her time....that we barely get to properly hang out with her without being interrupted. " Ohn the oldest daughter of the family complained but still being respectful as her younger brother hong nodded.

"Also...lately..her eyes feels like, I don't know...empty..her smiles are getting less genuine too...it reminds me of Father's old smile..like she's creating this perfect princess persona." Hong added, making alberu flinch as he's starting to think if this lessons of hers are really making Anastasia a younger version of him.

"..I'll do my best to clear her schedule, but for now why doqn't we just enjoy our tea while waiting for our little Ana, no?" Alberu said while trying to lighten up the mood, Cale agreed and pat Raons head.

It had been an hour since they started waiting on Anastasia, but they all kept themselves entertained. However, Alberu had a meeting to attend, so he couldn't stay any longer. Before leaving, he pat each of his 3 children on the head, and then kissed Cale on the cheeks. Then, he bid them a warm goodbye.

"How unfortunate that I have to leave my queen and beloved moon who gives me hope whenever this lonely soul feels sad and insecure" Alberu stated with a hint of teasing in his tone but then Cale refutes "how unfortunate indeed, and here I was enjoying the bright and happy world that my dear husband and beloved sun of our empire, but work calls for my love so I must bid you farewell"

Raon and Hong starts to fake gag while Ohn just looks amused at her 2 dad's antics.

"Get a room!!" Raon and hong both yelled and both of their dad laughed, alberu shakes his head and left.

With a pang of jealousy and sadness, Anastasia observed from the top of the manor. She watched them laugh and enjoy themselves, their joyous presence, as if making fun of her own loneliness. Despite the distance, she wanted to join them, to be a part of their laughter. She couldn't hear their words, completely oblivious of that her family misses her presence. A hand abruptly gripped her shoulder tightly, so tightly that it was sure to leave bruises.

"Would you look at that princess...they could be happy and normal even without your presence..you are nothing but a thorn to their side...an extra..someone who is not noticeable...you see princess..they had lived together for 3 or more years without you...what makes you think they need your smiles....oh no they need you to be perfect you must not make mistakes..you must be well mannered..after all nobody wants a useless trash of a princess..right" the man taking advantage of the sadness and jealousy of the princess decided to use the scene before them to manipulate her and create a misunderstanding.

Anastasia's pov

Do they really think that, am I really just a torn to the side? am I replaceable?.. am I useless because I had no wisdom? because I'm not as cunning as my papa nor am I as perfect as my father, or is it because I'm not as great as my brother raon with magic, is it stealth that I lack? what's wrong with me why am I useless....my thoughts are neither good nor bad...I always have a hard time taking sides...I'm always in the middle all alone..no one by my side...

I'm in so deep in my thinking that I failed to notice the tears that fell out of my eyes, I only noticed when my teacher wiped my tears, why am I crying, do I even deserve to cry.

"Oh poor princess don't worry your teacher is here, I will comfort you..cradle you in my arms..just don't forget who took care of you once you became an empress okay.." lies all of his words are lies he's only using me..is that why he stayed? Is it because I'm usefull to him when the time comes.

"Lies all of it..you're only using me..and what, once you're done you'll just discard me? How stupid of you to think I'll even acknowledge you're filthy existence-" I wasn't able to finish my words when I felt a sharp pain in my chest, it hurts..I looked at my teacher he looked so..mad probably because this is the first time I fought back..or is it because of my words...haah who cares..it hurts..huh..I looked at my hands..am I bleeding..but he didn't hit me this time..

"You insolent brat?! How dare you say that! After everything!? Huh! You useless bitch! I knew I should've sell you to those slave traders I mean you are a beautiful kid I know you'll look more beautiful once you grew u-" I wasn't able to listen to his disgusting words when someone barge in my room, Wes it Raon? I don't know my world suddenly went black.

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I feel Terrible about my late update, I mean it should be expected my schedule is hectic and the internet is so slow then suddenly my draft was deleted and so on haha but I'll probably update like 2 times a week? Who knows okay again the TCF and twisted wonderland isn't mine they belong to their rightful owner I only own my Oc's and the lore, the plot and unless I said the Drawing are mine the drawing are mine, but mostly I found them on Google or pinterest.

*The image below is mine*