1 Chapter 1
In the afternoon, Naya spends her time in the public library, is she studying? no, but instead she reads fictional books about romance, fantasizing that a handsome young man may ask her to be his bride.
Naya is the Eldest daughter of the Chautré dukedom. Her mother and siblings are very popular with their beautiful faces and gracefulness, making her unnoticeable since she took after her awkward father. She looks plain, dark hair and eyes, her skin is fair with little bags in her eyes. She sometimes mistaken as a maid by some nobles but she just smiles and let it go even though it hurts her feelings because she didn't want to cause trouble. Well her features are not that delectable but she still looked pretty.
The bell suddenly rang and Naya who is busy reading snap out in her fantasies
"It's 5 already?!" she shouted, took all the books and rushed out from the library
'I'm gonna be late for the family dinner' she thought and ran as fast she can.
As she was getting closer to the exit she bumped into someone making her fall and scatter the books, she looked up and saw a familiar handsome young man, it was Quinn de Clare , son of one of her mother's friends and her acquaintance.
He is one of the most beautiful men in her circle, his eyes is mesmerizing
and he has a smile that no one could resist, making him Naya's ideal man.
"Sorry Quinn" Naya said
"It's okay Verznaya, let me help you up" he smiled making her blush
"Uhmm you read this kind of book?" Quinn asked with a disappointed face.
Naya was shocked to see an erotic book on his hands, 'it seems I accidently took it while I was rushing out' she thought.
"N-no there is some kind of mistake I-i don't read such things" she stuttered
Quinn sighed and shook his head as they get up
"Wait Quinn you had the wrong idea!" Naya said as Quinn left after helping her up she tried to chase him but a carriage arrived to pick her up
"Miss Verzanaya, we're here to pick you up"
'oh the dinner!' she thought and quickly get in the carriage
The encounter with Quinn made her feel anxious, she's afraid that he will reject her when time comes.
After arriving at the estate, she quickly dressed up and make herself presentable specially in front of her mother.
Her mother, Duchess Emilia Marianne Chautré is one of the renowned duchesses in the dukedom. She is a very talented leader, intelligent and elegant. Naya is often pressured by this since she doesn't seem to inherit her mother's looks and abilities. She is awkward and afraid to speak up, she also lack elegance and presence.
Her father the duke, is very loving towards his children specially to his wife who he continues to court even after they are married; he is one of the best aides of the Emperor. She liked her father more than her mother for the fact that he always compliment her even for the smallest things but she never gets most of his attention.
Naya sat on the dinner table amd greeted her parents
"Good evening mother and father"
"Verzanaya, you came on time this time"
"Yes, mother"
The food are being served at the table one is her brother's favorite dish. The smell of the beef stew that she hated lingered even though she doesn't like it she still ate.
Naya has two younger siblings, Andrei the eldest son and Roxanne the youngest daughter. Her relationship with her siblings are not actually bad in fact their are close and tease each other a lot.
"Andrei my baby boy, congratulations on being accepted in the academy, I'm so proud of you" her mother said happily
"And Roxanne my baby girl your teacher said you have talent in writing that is amazing"
"I heard your at the library again Naya, reading books I see" Her father said
"It is nice that you love reading"
"Yes Father I-"
"Reading books but have you learned anything?!" Her mother interrupted
"I gave you freedom to choose what you want, I let you go out anytime you please and what do I get? a useless daughter!"
"Honey, calm down she is just finding what's right for her" her father tried to calm her angry mother
Naya couldn't say a thing, she finished her meal and rushed out of the room
"Get back here young lady! i'm not done talking"
"Honey stop let her be" she heard as she went out
As the eldest she was forced in to responsibility, everyone has high expectations for her and she must try hard, and that makes her feel pressured specially being often compared to her mother.
It wasn't always like that when she is small, she used to be smarter than people her age and was also praised because of her beauty. Her mother used to pamper her and gives her all the attention until she was her adolescent age. Whenever Naya have an achievement she reports it to her mother but then she was ignored and even compared to other kids, making harsh comments.
"How about alexa? How did she do?"
"She got higher but at least i'm seco-"
"You see you don't work hard enough"
With this repeated treatment she to drifted away from her mother and didn't bother studying hard anymore. Staying home suffocates her so she often went out.
Naya locked herself in her room, she threw all of her pillows angry cursing her mother.
She always doubt herself with her abilities and she hardly make an effort because no one will acknowledge it anyways.
The night is long she couldn't sleep, good thing she brought the books which is her comfort. She always wished that she was the main character, loved and adored by everyone. Free from rejections and full of acceptance.
If I was prettier and smarter would there be a difference? she always thought everynight which makes it harderfor her to sleep, crying and always feel guilty that she wasn't enough.
I wish I was the best she thought as she fall asleep
