Chapter One

Edwina

During my mother's pregnancy, the midwife confidently announced that a baby boy was on the way due to my lively movements, sparking great excitement in my parents. They had eagerly anticipated the arrival of a son after having two daughters and had even chosen the name Edwin. However, upon my birth, their expectations were shattered as I turned out to be a girl, leading to my name being changed to Edwina, much to my father's disappointment.

At the age of six, I had a vivid dream where I envisioned myself as the queen of a magnificent kingdom, a vision that filled me with immense joy despite the unlikely prospect of encountering royalty. I confided in my mother about this dream, and she fervently prayed for its realization. Unfortunately, my older sisters ridiculed me, labeling me "Joseph the dreamer." 

Esther, my eldest sister, dismissed my dream as impossible, doubting that even a royal servant would take notice of me, let alone a Crown Prince. She explained that it seemed impossible for a Prince to notice another "boy," leaving me perplexed. I asked her to clarify, and in her typical manner, she rolled her eyes, set down her knife, and focused on me entirely.

"Mom and dad never captured your childhood moments in photos because they were ashamed. They even limited guests at your naming ceremony due to your appearance." She sighed. "You really should have been born a boy, Eddie."

In my limited understanding, I felt I wasn't pretty enough to be considered a girl. Even my second eldest sister, Evelyn, confirmed Esther's words, stating that I had been born bald and had cried like a boy. I took their words seriously and started emulating typical boyish behavior, even seeking guidance from Steven, my mother's friend's son, on how to walk and act like a boy. This amused my sisters greatly.

Despite my mother's attempts to discourage me, I persisted, ignoring her pleas. She eventually resigned herself, leaving me to my own devices. I accompanied my father to his farm, performing tasks expected of a son, and in doing so, I gained his respect, bringing me immense joy. 

Mother nature eventually caught up with me, ushering in the unavoidable stage of puberty. Unmentionable places sprouted hair, a surprising growth spurt occurred, and the most shocking transformation took place - I became beautiful, and my hair grew out too. My sisters, taken aback, grew jealous as suitors started flocking to me at the young age of eighteen, right after high school. 

They couldn't fathom how an ugly duckling had seemingly transformed into a beautiful swan overnight, but there I stood, a testament to nature's mysteries. I learned how to fight to protect my sisters after taking on the role of my father's son, not daughter. My skills proved useful a year later when I saved Esther from her stalker and his friends. 

One evening, while taking a shortcut home from the market, three men, including Desmond the son of one of the Kingmakers, jumped out of the shadows. Esther squealed in surprise, but I remained unfazed.

"Isn't it nice that we're meeting again, Esther?" Desmond's smugness echoed in his voice as he spoke to Esther, thinking he had the upper hand with his friends by his side. 

"What do you want, Desmond?" Esther's distress annoyed me, but I stayed quiet, waiting for the right moment. ""Should I spell it in another language that I'm not interested in you?"

""I don't take no for an answer, Esther. You know that, don't you?" He took two steps towards her and I intervened, confronting him directly.

"What do you want, Desmond?" I retorted, my patience wearing thin. "Can't you understand a simple 'no', or is your brain wired differently that it can't decode what that means?"

"What are you doing?" Esther hissed behind me, fear lacing her voice.

Desmond chuckled dryly. "Oh wow, Little Eddie is all grown up now. She's meddling in someone else's business."

"Not someone else's business, but my sister's." I lifted my chin defiantly. "She doesn't like you... at all." I glanced at his friends who were flanking him. "Move." I commanded.

"Look at this little girl." One of them scoffed in disbelief at my order. "Do you know who you're talking to?" He pushed my head back with his finger.

"Do that again and you'll regret it." I warned him.

"What exactly will you do?" The idiot pushed my head again. "Hmm?" I seized his finger mid-push, bent it backwards, and he yelped in pain. Esther, the squealer, pulled her usual act, but I didn't flinch, maintaining my grip on his finger.

"Coward. What if I bend it completely?" I let go of his finger. "Let's avoid a situation where I have to handle all three of you, okay?"

Desmond burst into a surprised laugh, and his two friends joined in, unfazed by my actions. They were in for a surprise if they continued to resist cooperating.

"Desmond, please... Let us go. I'm begging you," Esther pleaded desperately. "There are plenty of other women in this Kingdom. I don't want you, and I never will."

"But I want you." Desmond persisted and undeterred, approached us with a sinister smile on his face. "I'm going to have fun with both of you. Seize them," He commanded his friends.

The first one grabbed Esther, prompting her to scream, but it was muffled as his hand covered her mouth. I was caught off guard as the other one grabbed me from behind and lifted me off my feet. I swiftly turned the tables by slamming my head back into his, causing him to release me immediately, grunting in pain.

I didn't wait for them to regroup as I quickly seized a short, thick stick from the floor and swiftly swung it at Desmond's head. He cried out and fell unconscious. His two friends, witnessing his state, fled without looking back.

Esther stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Desmond's unconscious body. Her mouth opened, but no words came out; she clamped it shut.

"Let's go," I said, picking up the bag from the floor, stepping over Desmond, and walking away.

"Are we just going to leave him here?" Esther demanded. "What if he... passes away from blood loss or something?"

"Good for him," I replied coldly.

"Edwina!" Esther looked appalled at my words.

"Just say thank you and let it go," I stated glibly. "But, feel free to stay with him so you can keep him company." With that, I sauntered off.

Esther's footsteps matched mine as we walked home in silence. She was likely trying to process everything that happened, while I couldn't help but feel proud that I had saved my sister.

"Thank you," Esther mumbled.

"Don't mention it."

"Where did you learn to fight?" She inquired.

"Steven taught me."

"So, you and Steven, huh?" She teased me. "I'm happy for you."

"There's nothing going on between Steven and me. We're just friends."

"Friends, huh? Why do I find that so hard to believe?" She mused.

I glanced at Esther and refrained from commenting on her remark about my friendship with Steven. She seemed eager to twist my words, likely to gossip with Evelyn. I refused to be their topic of discussion tonight.

~~~~

After a few days had gone by, I had completely forgotten about the incident with Desmond. However, upon my return from the farm with my father, I was confronted by two palace guards. My mother and sisters awaited my arrival, and from Esther's expression, I sensed something was wrong. 

The concern I had brushed aside about Desmond's health now haunted me, and I realized I was in serious trouble. Despite the turmoil in my mind, fear didn't grip me.

"May I ask the reason for your visit, honorable palace guards?" My father, Cyril, inquired.

"We are here for your daughter, Edwina," One of the guards answered. "She has been summoned to the palace."

"Edwina? What could she have possibly done?" My father demanded. "She has been by my side on the farm since the break of dawn."

"Don't worry, Father," I said, "I will accompany them."

"But you've done nothing wrong." He protested.

"I will tell you everything when I get back." I replied firmly, turning on my heel and leading the way for the guards.

~~~~~

In the presence of the King, I bowed deeply, my disheveled appearance contrasting sharply with the regal surroundings. Clad in a t-shirt and jeans, my hair hastily bundled into a messy bun, I hadn't yet washed the dirt from my face, and my sweat-soaked shirt likely annoyed the King as much as it bothered me.

The King, peering at me, asked, "You're Cyril Jonas's daughter, Edwina?" 

"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied. 

He pondered for a moment before questioning, "Is it true that you attacked Desmond and left him for dead a few days ago? I heard he merely attempted to speak to your sister, and you assaulted him."

"I had to protect my sister, Your Majesty," I explained, my voice steady. "He'd been stalking her persistently, even after her rejections. He refused to leave us alone and ordered his friends to abduct us forcibly. I couldn't let that happen, so I defended us by hitting him."

"But did you check if he was okay after you hit him? What if he had passed away?" The King questioned.

Resolute, I responded, "Your Majesty, I don't believe I should be the one under scrutiny. My sister and I lack witnesses, but I swear on my life that I'm telling the truth. He attempted to abduct us, endangering our lives." I suppressed a shudder, imagining the horrors we might have faced if I hadn't acted swiftly.

"Chief Williams mentioned this isn't your first altercation with someone much larger. He labeled you a troublemaker. Do you expect me to trust your word over my advisor's?"

With a heavy heart, I clenched my fists, realizing I had little chance of escape. I sighed in resignation, acknowledging, "I'll accept any punishment Your Highness deems appropriate."

Desmond may have won this round, but I'm determined to seek my revenge. I will, or my name isn't Edwina Jonas.