Chapter 2

A deathly silence fell over the drawing room. I didn't care for the stunned expressions on Enzo's, Otto's, Marcela's, or Raphael's faces and just turned my back on them, heading for the stairs instead.

The maids around us began whispering, "Look, I think Signorina Casati is really angry now."

"She wouldn't actually cancel the suitor selection banquet, would she?"

"How could she? The whole Famiglia knows that her husband must be chosen from one of the four signori."

"You're right. But if that's the case, then why is she making such a huge scene? What if none of them show up tomorrow? That's going to be even more embarrassing for her."

The maids weren't loud, but it was so quiet that everyone could hear their whispers.

The four men who'd just stood up from the couch sat back down at once.

"Miria!"

I paused on the stairs and turned around. Lia stood at the foot of the stairs, clutching the hem of her dress and looking up at me. The diamond necklace on her neck glittered dazzlingly in the light, and tear tracks still lingered on her face, making her look deeply aggrieved.

Her shoulders trembled as she spoke softly. "Please don't blame them for this, Miria. I know that my status makes me unworthy of their protection, but I was truly terrified."

She met my expressionless gaze, and her shoulders shook even more violently as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

"I know that I'm just a lowly commoner, but I still spent many years trying to be your friend. I've only longed for you to treat me with genuine sincerity!"

I smiled. I was laughing at my five-year-old self back then, when Lia did and said the same things to me, and I was moved to tears. Ever since then, I'd kept her by my side as my companion. We ate together, slept together, attended the same elite school, wore the same dresses, and shared the same table.

Whenever I had something, I would always make sure to prepare her portion as well, worried that she would feel inferior to me.

And now, she was standing in my Famiglia's drawing room, wearing a seven-figure dress I had given her, and looking every bit a Principessa, yet still shamelessly telling everyone that I had been trampling on her "sincere" feelings all along.

I didn't want to waste another word on her, so I turned my back to her and continued walking upstairs, but she grabbed the hem of my dress from behind.

"Please don't ignore me."

I reached out and pulled my dress free without even looking back. But before my hand even touched the fabric, I heard Lia cry out in alarm.

I stopped and turned around, only to see Otto catching her as she stumbled.

"I didn't—"

Marcela interrupted before I could even get another word out. "Miria Casati! Apologize to her this instant!"

I looked at him and scoffed. "Why should I?"

Raphael also rushed over in a rage. "You can't just go around bullying people left and right just because you think your high status makes you think you're better than us!"

Enzo walked up and shook his head. "It's fine if you refuse to treat her as a friend. You should just say it to her face instead of playing with her dignity just for fun."

Otto also looked at me darkly. "Miria."

I felt my heart clench. This was the first time he'd ever spoken to me like that.

"You know that the difference in our statuses creates an inherent psychological burden on all of us, and your words and actions have always been oppressive toward her. Can't you see that she's already suffering from a nervous breakdown?"

As I listened, I felt my heart being pierced by a thousand needles. The pain was simply too excruciating.

Scenes from the past flashed through my mind like an endless movie reel.

Before my period, Marcela would always prepare hot water bottles for me and help me massage my tummy to ease the discomfort. Every night, Enzo would quietly tuck my blanket around me if it had slipped off. Whenever I felt down, Raphael would come up with little surprises to cheer me up, and at meals, Otto would swap out the foods I didn't like for the ones that I loved.

Now, all of their affection and tenderness belonged to Lia instead.

I took a deep breath and tore off the cross necklace from my chest. It was the one they had obtained from the chapel after praying there on their knees for 100 days.

Marcela and Raphael cried out in unison.

"What… What are you doing?"

Enzo also took a few nervous steps forward. "You're being far too willful and reckless. Do you really think this gives you leverage over us? Who else would ever want to marry you if not one of us?"

Otto stared fixedly at me, his Adam's apple bobbing as he said, "Don't test our patience, Miria. Reflect on your behavior tonight, and we might still show up for the banquet tomorrow, albeit reluctantly."

Lia glanced up at me, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.

I let go of the cross necklace, letting it drop into the trash can.

"Sure. Just you wait."