Chapter 1: The Cruel Deception
1228words
The reflection in the mirror was blurred. I reached out to wipe away the thin mist from its surface.
A face covered with red blemishes and sunken scars appeared clearly before me.
This was my face.
"Stop dawdling, Seraphina." My stepmother Victoria's voice was like cold tweezers, precisely pinching my nerves. "The guests are arriving soon."
Victoria tossed an earth-yellow gown onto my bed, its color resembling dried mud, utterly lifeless.
"Put it on."
"This one..." My fingertips touched the coarse fabric. "Orion said he likes me in blue."
Victoria let out a short, contemptuous snort.
"Orion Vexley is tonight's main character. He has no time to care about your color preferences. This dress's color at least makes the flaws on your face less glaring."
It was a charity-like kindness, more hurtful than direct humiliation.
The door opened, and my stepsister Isolde entered, like a blooming white rose. The silver-threaded gown she wore flowed like moonlight under the lamps.
She gently lifted her skirt and twirled.
"Sister, do you think it looks nice?"
I couldn't take my eyes off her perfect dress.
"Beautiful."
"Yours is... quite unique." Isolde's gaze lingered on the earth-yellow gown for a moment before moving away, as if burned.
I silently removed my old clothes and changed into the dress that felt like an instrument of torture. The fabric rubbed against my skin, every inch proclaiming my inappropriateness.
But deep inside, a faint flame still burned.
Orion.
That handsome, charming man from the Vexley family.
For the past few months, he had always found me in secluded corners—between library shelves, under the wisteria arbor in the garden.
"Your mind, Seraphina, is like a treasure vault. Those frivolous women only know how to adorn themselves with jewels, while you arm your mind with knowledge."
His praise was a secret spring, nourishing my parched self-esteem.
"We must keep this secret, my dear. My family, your family... they wouldn't understand. When the time is right, I'll announce it to the world."
Tonight was that "right time."
This party was for our engagement. I believed it without doubt.
I descended the spiral staircase, each step feeling like treading on knife edges. The hall was brilliantly lit, crystal chandeliers refracting thousands of light points onto the guests' glamorous attire and false smiles.
I was like a misplaced ghost, utterly out of place in this luxury.
I searched for Orion's figure.
He was in the center of the crowd, holding a glass of golden champagne, laughing with several nobles. He didn't look at me, not even once.
Of course, for secrecy. He had to make it flawless.
I consoled myself, picking up a glass of lemon water, shrinking into an inconspicuous corner.
Time ticked by, the hall's clamor washing over me like tides, making me dizzy.
Finally, my father, Mr. Whitestone, walked to the platform in the center of the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!"
His booming voice quieted the entire hall.
"Thank you all for coming to Whitestone Manor tonight to witness an important moment."
My heart began to race, almost breaking through the constraints of my earth-yellow dress.
This was it.
Servants entered in a line with silver trays, delivering crystal glasses filled with champagne to every guest. I also took one, the cold glass steadying my slightly trembling fingers.
"Today, our Whitestone family will be united with the noble Vexley family!"
My father's face radiated unprecedented pride.
I raised my glass, ready to welcome my moment of glory. I had even thought about what kind of modest yet happy smile I would show when Orion approached me.
"I am very honored to announce—my daughter, Isolde Whitestone, is officially engaged to the talented Mr. Orion Vexley!"
Buzz.
The world's sound disappeared.
I watched as Isolde, holding her moonlight-like dress, gracefully walked toward Orion.
Orion extended his hand to her, his face showing an undisguised affection I had never seen before.
They stood together, like a legendary prince and princess.
Then, amid everyone's cheers and blessings, Orion lowered his head and passionately kissed Isolde.
Thunderous applause.
I stood motionless, like a forgotten statue.
The champagne glass in my hand silently slipped.
"Crash!"
The crisp shattering sound cut through the jubilant atmosphere like a sudden scream.
The entire hall instantly fell silent, hundreds of gazes turning toward the source of the sound.
Toward me, the girl in the earth-yellow dress, my face deathly pale.
I became the center of attention in the most awkward, most ridiculous way.
"Such a clumsy girl."
"How could the Whitestone family have such an unpresentable daughter?"
Cruel comments pierced my ears like needles.
My cheeks burned, humiliation overwhelming me. I couldn't stand there; I had to do something.
I crouched down, extending a trembling hand to pick up the shining glass fragments.
Just then, the voices of several young men drifted over, very close to me.
"Well done, Orion! I lost. One hundred gold coins, I'll send them to you tomorrow."
"I knew you couldn't possibly be interested in that 'ugly duckling.' So it was all to get close to her sister. What a move!"
A familiar voice sounded, carrying a light laugh. It was Orion.
"What can I do? Mr. Whitestone kept her so well hidden."
Another voice asked with a mischievous tone.
"But tell me, how did you make that ugly creature believe you fell for her? That face—it takes courage just to look at it."
Orion's laughter grew louder, full of a victor's smugness.
"Oh, that's simple," Orion's voice dropped to a theatrical whisper, though still loud enough for me to hear every syllable. "You look into those desperate eyes—past all those hideous scars—and you whisper that she has a 'beautiful mind.' That's the secret. A woman like that has been told she's worthless her entire life. Tell her she's special, and she'll not only believe it, she'll worship you for it. All the while..." he chuckled, "she's just a stepping stone to the real prize."
"Hahaha, Vexley, you're a genius!"
Every word was like a red-hot branding iron, searing into my heart.
Wisdom. Thoughts. Treasure vault.
All lies.
I was a bet, a joke.
A... stepping stone.
I slowly stood up, glass fragments cutting my fingertips, a drop of blood seeping out, but I felt no pain.
All eyes were still on me, full of scrutiny and mockery.
I looked at no one—not at my gloating stepmother, not at my triumphant stepsister, and certainly not at the man celebrating his double victory with friends.
I turned, lifted that shameful dress, and began to flee.
Through the magnificent hall, through the schadenfreude-filled crowd, I escaped like a true ghost toward the depths of the mansion.
Only the library at the end was my sole refuge.
I forcefully pushed open the heavy oak door, slipped inside, then closed it heavily.
"Click."
The sound of the door locking shut out the entire world.
The library was dim, with only moonlight pouring through high windows, casting pale patches on the floor.
I leaned against the door, my body slowly sliding down, finally sitting dejectedly on the cold floor.
I didn't cry. My tears seemed to have evaporated in that extreme humiliation.
In this deathly silence, a figure rose from the deepest shadows and walked unhurriedly toward me.
It was a stranger, a man who had been quietly watching everything from the corner.
