RUMORS

C3: RUMORS

Snow stepped out of the majestic building which has a huge

door made of fine woods.

she had to walk to the market which was a bit far from her home.

Funny enough she was used to doing that as it had been a long time her father had always ordered her to buy fruits for his mistress.

Sometimes she does wonder why the woman always needed fruits, especially ones bought by her for the past five years.

she felt it was her new way to humiliate her, there were many carriages in the mansion without an owner and could be used by anyone,

But her father never allowed them to make use of the spare carriages.

She never had the opportunity to ride the east Duke's family carriage like Ethan and his mother who had one for themselves except she and her mother of course.

She decided not to think of it anymore as she was used to it for years now,

though she couldn't help but feel disappointed at father.

As she got close to the market which was crowded as expected,

Shedid everything she could to hide her face so that no one would ever recognize her.

That was when she realized that she had forgotten her cloak in her room.

Snow sighed she had been trying to remember it all this while when she had walked out of the house.

She knew that anyone could easily spot her.

She was the only one with white hair like fine snow, jade like skin and bright yet captivating deep blue eyes.

But with all this features it only made people hate her the more out of jealousy because no one was as beautiful as she is,

hatred because of what they've heard and their fear of her.

The villagers started cursing her while few pitied her and these two weren't what she needed.

All she wanted was understanding, respect and her peace of mind from them.

Snow saw an old woman who was selling fruits and they were fresh too so she decided to buy it and leave quickly.

She walked hastily yet carefully through the crowd.

Approaching the woman who was discussing with her customer,

she stopped on her track when she heard their discussion.

"It's a pity she was born into that family. I heard from a close friend that she was a stillborn baby but she started crying after some minutes” the seller said.

“You know I once thought it was mere rumors, but you've confirmed

it” the customer said and shook her head.

“ If not for her lady Madeline would not be in that loveless marriage with the duke”

Looking around, her eyes not reaching Snow's side, she continued.

“According to the rumors going around, Duke Williams never loved her he only came to pay a visit to her father and only danced with her when her father hosted a ball,

but it was also said that they were in a relationship” the woman sighed.

“If they were in a relationship then why would she be miserable”

The other woman asked curiously.

“ That was what we all thought,

It is so unfortunate that the poor lady would fall in love with him and got pregnant out of wedlock, he denied her at first,

But it was obvious he was the father and had to marry her since it would tarnish his image.

When her father asked Duke Williams if he loved her daughter,

It was said the the Duke told him that he loves another who is said to be lady Madeline's best friend and his mistress now"

The old woman finished with a sigh but the other woman was enraged.

The seller saw Snow and froze, the other woman turned to her direction and saw her as well,

She glared at her with so much disgust.

"if I were to be her mother I would kill her myself isn't it obvious that she is a curse who has such hair at a young age in this whole kingdom” she said but continued

“But it seems like she is obsessed with the Duke to the extent of getting pregnant for her best friend's man.

I understand her father's hatred towards her no one wants to have such thing living under their roof as a child,

The Duke is benevolent enough not to kill her or sell her out as a slave to other kingdoms"

She spat with pure disgust but the old woman told her not to have such evil thoughts.

Hearing all that Snow ran away from the two women that said whatever they wished to say not minding that she might hear them,

Running away from the villagers was what she thought was the best option for her but she didn't know how wrong she was.

Snow Could only think of escaping from the malicious villagers and their venomous words which hurt her ears,

not realizing that she had run into a lonely alley where no one could be seen.

She couldn't hold back her tears as they trickle down her beautiful face she wondered how it was her fault she didn't wish to bring herself back to life,

was it her hair it wasn't her fault either, none of these were her doing yet they blamed her for it.

Her father detest them so much she was blamed for it once more,

The thought of the villagers gossiping about her and her mother in a market square and no longer in their various homes and neighborhood infuriated her the most.

They weren't living with her to know what she was going through, they didn't bother to know the truth as well.

Yet they decided to hate her just because of her looks and what she did to protect her loved ones.

After crying she calmed herself down, determined not to expect anything good from the villagers anymore.

Using her handkerchief she wiped her almost dried tears and blew her nose, so she decided to go back and buy the fruits elsewhere.

She turned to leave and frowned, five men were approaching her.