Prologue

Warning: This chapter contains mature content such as violence, sexual assault, abuse, and foul words and major graphic descriptions not advisable for minor readers and people with a traumatic experience.

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Sage Nieva's Point of View

My life never became easier when I stepped foot here in Angentha's land. Their aura is exactly similar to the empire where I grew up.

The disgusting looks on their faces are familiar to me because I've always seen them in my entire life.

“There may be some mistakes in the oracle that the elders announced,” The maids murmured. I know that they speak loud intentionally when they see me sitting down in the chair to make me hear about their gossip but it doesn't hurt me anymore because I'm used to it.

Well, nobody likes me, anyway.

I know how much they despise me but, I feel the same for myself.

I hate my fucking existence either.

“Maybe, the Battlerce family wants to create an alliance with us by making their elders lie about the destined mate,” One of them said, which made me frown.

What the hell are they talking about?

If someone heard them talking ill to the Battlerce elders, they would face death as a punishment.

“You're wrong. They are mocking us by sending a slave's daughter.”

“It's been decades since I worked here in the Angentha's empire and I couldn't believe that our future alpha had a slave's daughter as his destined mate.”

“Poor guy. He would pray to the Moon Goddess to give him a second chance to change his mate.”

“Ha! I wish. I don't want to serve a Luna who has tainted blood in my entire life.”

If what they say happens, my father will beat me to death.

“Sage, the only thing that you can do for our family is to make the Crown Alpha of the Angentha family accept you as his destined mate and carry his son to your womb; therefore, it will strengthen the alliance of our Empire,” Alpha Alejandro stated.

Then, all of this is for his position.

“That's impossible, Your Majesty. How could he open his heart to someone like me?” I replied while keeping my head low.

The Emperor is my father yet, he is treating me as one of his tools.

“Nothing is impossible. Offer him something that he can't refuse, your purity,” He whispered in my ears making my knees tremble.

Is he serious about that?

“When you succeed, I will make you my heiress but, once you fail, you know the consequences. Remember that our family doesn't accept failures so, don't disappoint me,” He ended and left the room.

I never dreamt of ruling an empire that doesn't accept me for being a slave's daughter but, I don't want to die.

“Have you heard that all of the families will be going tonight? I'm so excited to see Prince Samuel,” The maids excitedly said making me spill my tea.

What did they say?

“Yeah, but he has a cold aura. I prefer Prince Theoden because of his charming personality that anyone liked.”

“But, Princess Rosana will be coming along. I can't wait to see that slave daughter's reaction when she saw how the Crown Alpha treated the only daughter of the Drottghes family.”

Oh, so Damien is telling the truth that he loves another woman.

I feel that I'm a hindrance in their relationship.

“All of you shouldn't talk while working. The representatives of each empire will be here in the evening and we are not still done with the preparations,” Greyson said to the maids who were gossiping around me.

“Forgive us, Your Highness. We will not do it again,” All of them said while begging to their knees.

“Make sure that this thing won't happen again. Now, go back to your duties,” He stated which made them go back to the duties they were assigned to do.

“Good Afternoon, Lady Sage,” Greyson greeted and pecked a kiss on the back of my hand.

“I greeted the Gamma of the Angentha's family,” I replied and stood up to perform a curtsy.

“Let me apologize on behalf of our maids,” He sincerely said and bowed lightly.

“There's no need besides, I'm used to that kind of thing,” I stated while trying my best to curve a smile on my lips.

“Are you saying that you're always treated like that in the Battlerce empire?” He curiously asked. 

“Uhm, well. That's the thing…. Sorry, I can't tell you,” I responded.

“Look, if someone treated you like that again. Tell me, I will punish them for you,” He uttered while looking directly into my eyes.

“No need for that. It's really fine,” I said because I did not think that someone would treat me better because of my mother's blood.

“How could you say that it's fine when the truth is, it's not?” He asked and held both of my shoulders.

Is he worried about me? Hmm, that's impossible.

No one cares about me.

“They are just telling the truth. Your brother will wish to change his mate because he loves someone else and, I'm a slave's daughter,” I uttered.

I never forgot my status because, in the end, I'm just a woman with tainted blood.

The world will always be cruel to us who were born as half-bloods.

“Stop talking like that, Sage. My brother will not do that kind of thing because of petty reasons,” He replied while his brows furrowed.

Greyson and Damien have a resemblance to each other but they have different personalities.

“Thank you. It eases my mind,” I said.

It's a lie.

“I'm happy to hear that. Is there anything you particularly need?” He queried.

Why is he suddenly asking me that?

“No. I'm just enjoying my tea here in the garden. The flowers are so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off,” I responded.

When Greyson's eyes saw the spilled tea in my dress, he quickly took a handkerchief in his pocket.

“Your dress was ruined because of the spilled tea, Here, I will wipe it for you,” He said, which shocked me.

“Ah, no. I can do it by myself,” I replied and snatched the handkerchief in his hand.

When Greyson realized what he was trying to do. His reaction suddenly changed.

“I'm sorry, Sage. I didn't tend to…. Ha, I will excuse myself now. You should also go ahead now to prepare for the ball in the evening,” Greyson stated while hiding his face.

But, before he could walk away. I held his arm, “Wait, Sir Greyson,” I said.

“Could you be my escort on the ball?” I asked because his brother is a jerk and didn't even invite me.

“Isn't it….”

“Please, Sir Greyson.”

“Then, I will be waiting outside of your chamber,” He replied and walked away.

How odd.

Greyson told me about the ball this evening but no maids decided to inform me.

They hate me that much, huh?

“Lea, prepare a bath for me and bring the most expensive gown I've had,” I ordered when I came back to my room.

I can't lose this opportunity to know who the maids are talking about.

“Yes, My Lady,” Lea replied and started to look in my closet.

When the preparation ended, I couldn't help to look at myself in the mirror.

This face was hated by everyone.

“My Lady, the Prince is here,” Lea informed me.

“Okay. I will go out now.”

As I get out of the room, Greyson offers me his right hand.

“Should we go?” He asked.

I turned my gaze to him.

“Yes.” I shortly replied.

“You're incredibly handsome tonight,” I praised him, but when our eyes met. He quickly turned his head away.

Did I say something that offended him?

“You're also quite gorgeous,” He said, which made me smile.

“Thank you, Sir Greyson,” I replied.

“Stop the formalities. You can call me Grey,” He stated.

“But, I don't think that I have the right to call you by your nickname,” I responded.

“You have.”

“Because you will be part of the Angentha's family soon,” He uttered.

“Then, alright Grey,” I answered.

When we stopped at the front door of the Main Hall, Grey held my hands tightly.

“Are you nervous?” He asked while looking at me concerned.

“A little bit.”

“Don't be. I'm right here on your side.”

“Prince Greyson Tobias Angentha and Princess Sage Nieva Battlerce will be entering,” Knight Spencer announced.

The two of us entered and I could see all of their eyes were directly looking at me.

“Wow. I couldn't believe my eyes, they look so stunning together.”

“Isn't she the destined mate of the Crown Alpha but, why don't they go together?”

Their murmurs are making my ears hurt.

“Are you okay?” He asked. 

I nodded.

When we went to the side, a man approached us.

“I greeted the Gamma of the Angentha family,” He said.

A man with purple eyes and black hair.

“It's nice to see you again, Prince Leverious, but have you skipped your etiquette class to properly greet a lady?” Greyson sarcastically asked.

“Oh, sorry for my rudeness. I'm Leverious Cooper from the Lobstrosfox family,” He stated and attempted to peck a kiss on the back of my hand when suddenly someone grabbed it.

“Samuel?” I uttered.

“Sage,” He said.

“My wrist. Let it go,” I said while looking away.

Instead of releasing my hand, he gripped it so hard that it made me flinch because of the pain.

“Ah, release it, idiot!” I hissed.

“Didn't you hear what she said? Release it, dumbass,” Greyson demanded.

I almost lost my balance when Samuel released it but, luckily, Greyson caught me.

That damn psychopath.

“Good Evening, Prince Samuel of the Battlerce family. I didn't know that I would meet you here at the ball,” Leverious greeted but, Samuel ignored him.

“Are you okay, Sage?” Greyson asked when he saw what happened to my wrist.

“Hey, you shouldn't have grabbed her wrist like that!” Greyson growled.

“Why didn't you inform me that you will go here to Angentha? I'm so busy fighting in the Mount Lozt but when I heard that Father sent you here. I tried my best to go home quickly just to visit you,” Samuel stated while holding my chin.

Since when did he care about me?

“Why should I inform you? We are not even close, so get away from me,” I said while acting bravely.

“Step away or else, I will not think twice to harm you. This is the territory of the Angentha,” Greyson demanded.

“What is the matter? I'm just greeting my sister,” Samuel sarcastically said.

“You harm her,” Greyson roared and drew his sword.

“What is this commotion?” A cold voice asked that made me shiver.

This voice belongs to….

Axel.

“Samuel, did you start a fight again?” Axel asked while looking at me.

“I'm just properly greeting my sister but, someone keeps bothering me,” Samuel replied. 

“You bruised Sage's wrist, and you're telling me that it is a greeting? How absurd,” Greyson said.

Axel stares at me blankly like, I'm the one who caused this commotion.

What could I expect? The only things that existed in their mind were my mistakes.

“Is that true, Samuel?” Axel asked.

“I just grabbed her wrist. That's all,” Samuel answered. 

“I'm sorry, it's entirely my fault for having fragile hands. Now, I'll excuse myself, brothers,” I apologized and held Greyson's hand to go away from them.

When we stopped, I saw how mad Greyson was. “Hey, why did you take the blame by yourself? It's that idiot's fault.”

“I'm really fine. We will ruin the reputation of both families if the both of you fight because of me,” I said, trying to convince him.

“I can't believe that your brother hurt you like this. If he lays a hand on you again, I will not stay still,” Greyson stated.

Our conversation was interrupted when the Knights opened the door.

“Crown Alpha Damien Tobias Angentha and Princess Rosana Florencia Drottghes will be entering,” Knight Red announced.

When the two of them entered, I couldn't help but feel envy. 

“How stunning. They are good at standing up to each other.”

“The Crown Alpha must like the only daughter of the Drottghes family.”

“I can't imagine the reaction of Princess Sage, she must be hurt that his destined mate escorts another woman.”

The chattering started to arise again.

“Excuse me for a while, I will get something to drink,” I said because the attention of the crowd was on the three of us.

“Sage, are you okay? I didn't know that my brother would escort Princess Rosana,” Greyson explained, but I tried my best to give him a fake smile.

“I'm fine. My throat is just dry,” I replied.

Many minutes later, I decided to go back where I left Greyson but someone accidentally bumped into me.

And, the worst thing, it's Rosana.

“Rosana, are you okay?” Damien hurriedly runs to help her get up.

“Sage, apologize to her right now,” He ordered, which made me frown.

Is he blind?

“It's not necessary, Damien. I'm the one who accidentally bumped into Princess Sage,” Rosana explained.

“But, she doesn't look her way,” Damien replied.

Unbelievable guy. I'm the one who is at fault now.

“No, it's fine. I'm sorry for being careless, Princess Sage,” She apologized.

“Don't apologize to her,” Damien said.

“But, Ah! My feet hurt,” Rosana cried because of the pain.

I saw Rosana grinning at me when Damien carried her.

So, she is just acting.

“If something happened to Rosana, I'll cut your head off,” Damien ended and left.

As if I care what will happen to her.

“Here, let me help you get up,” Theoden stated while extending his hand for me to reach it.

“Thank you, but I don't need your help,” I replied.

Besides, your sister is the one who made me end up in this situation.

“The visitors have started to look here. It's embarrassing if you don't accept my sincerity,” He said, which made me accept his hand.

I remember Theoden's face when he visited our empire before but I didn't know that the one that Damien loves is his sister.

“Are you hurt by any chance? I will treat your wounds,” He stated while we were walking away from the crowds.

“No, you can leave me here now,” I replied and sat down in the chair.

“It's better if you don't ignore my help,” He whispered in my ear which made me shiver.

“I said that I don't need it,” I hissed but Theoden carried me.

“You're stubborn, huh? Don't worry, this will not last long,” He said and threw me in the bed.

This is one of the rooms where the nobles want to spend their private time, that's why no one is guarding it.

“You have a beautiful face,” He grinned while holding my chin.

What is he trying to do?

“I wonder, will Damien accept you as his destined mate if your purity is gone?” He jeered and started to kiss my lips which made me struggle so hard.

I want to escape from him but my strength is weak compared to his.

“You will never escape here, Sage. This is the only way to make you mine,” He said while undressing the top of my gown.

No, someone help me!

“Learn how to stop. If Damien learns about this, I don't know what he will do to you,” I stated, trying to act bravely.

“Ha! As if he would believe you. The only woman he listens to is my sibling, Rosana,” He scorned.

Is there something between that woman to make Damien head over heels for her?

“This will not last long, so why not stop struggling?” He said while kissing my neck.

I feel disgusted.

I want to escape but my body is so weak.

“Stop doing this, please,” I sobbed.

All my life, I was treated badly but, this is too much.

“Even, your crying face is beautiful,” Theoden mumbled.

He didn't stop kissing my neck while trying to undress my underneath but when his lips touched mine. I bit it so hard that it made him flinch.

I tried my best to run away as fast as I could. 

“Help me!” I screamed.

Luckily, I bumped into someone.

“Please, help me whoever you are,” I yelled.

“Sage,” A voice said.

It's Damien.

Finally, I'm saved.

“Sage, why are you running away from me?” Theoden asked and touched my shoulder which scared me. I hide in the back of Damien.

“D….D-don't come near me, idiot!” I stuttered.

“Prince Theoden, it's nice to see you here but, did something happen between the both of you that made Sage tremble like this?” Damien asked.

“That man tries to rape me!” I yelled while pointing my finger at Theoden.

“It's not true, My Lady. Why would I do that to you? I'm just trying to clean her wounds because I felt pity when my sibling bumped into her. I didn't know that Lady Sage would think badly about it,” He said.

“He….He is lying! You should not trust his words, Damien,” I stated.

“Why would Prince Theoden lie about it?” Damien asked while staring at me blankly.

“But, he is--” As I tried to speak, Damien stopped me and slapped my cheeks so hard that made me sit on the floor because of the impact.

“You're a lowly bitch. Don't tell me that you created this fuss to ruin the Drottghes family on me?” Damien sighed.

“I'm apologizing on behalf of my mate, Prince Theoden,” He said while looking down at me.

“That's fine, Prince Damien. Maybe, the lady just thinks badly about my concern,” Theoden replied, making me look bad.

“I assure you that this will not happen again, Princess Rosana is in the Guest Room. Why not visit her?” He stated.

“Then, I will excuse myself now,” Theoden answered while he was walking away. I saw the same grin that Rosana did.

So, both of them planned about this.

“I'm so disappointed in you, Sage. If you want me to accept you as my mate, then, stop acting desperately,” Damien said while pulling my hair.

“What is happening here, brother?” Greyson asked and hurriedly went to my side to check if I was fine.

“Don't get involved here, Greyson. I'm just trying to teach this woman a lesson,” He replied, but I was shocked when Greyson punched Damien in his face.

“Are you out of your mind? Sage is a Princess of Battlerce,” Greyson defended me.

“I said, stop involving!” Damien angrily said and, drew his sword to point it at Greyson.

“She is your destined mate and, yet you dare to hurt her? How absurd,” Greyson stated, holding the tip of Damien's sword.

Damien asked, “You disobeyed my command for her? Don't tell me that she poisoned your mind?”

“It's not like that!” Greyson furiously answered.

“Did that woman flirt with you?”

“That's too much. Sage will never do that kind of thing.”

“Then, why are you trying so hard to protect her?”

Greyson looked at me, “That's because she is a…. woman!” 

“I didn't know that you're such a pitiful person but, that's not enough reason for punching me even though you're my sibling. There's no exception in the law.”

“Knights, take Greyson away and beat him thirty times for harming the Crown Alpha,” Damien ordered.

“No, don't punish him. It's entirely my fault,” I pleaded but they didn't even bother to listen to me.

What is the point of having the title of a princess if I can't even protect one person?

How useless I am.

“I'm fine, Sage Besides, a whip can't take my life,” He jokingly said, trying to cheer me up while the Knights were dragging him away.

It's always like this.

When someone tries to treat me kindly, they end up being in danger.

My life is a curse.

“You should know your place, woman,” Damien stated and left me alone.

Where should I place myself?

There's no place for someone like me.