The Unloved Princess Novel by Aurora _ Novel




The Unloved Princess Chapter 01

On the day I was born, Mom had suffered a massive hemorrhage and nearly died.
Everyone said I was the family's jinx.
When I fell down the stairs and split my head open, Dad signed a multimillion-dollar contract.
When I fell into the pool and nearly drowned, my sister, Danika Rowan, won the national figure skating championship.
When I was trapped in a burning storage room, my brother, Adrian Rowan, was named the youngest professor in the university's history.
Then, when I was seven, I accidentally overheard a conversation in the study.
"During next week's field trip, make Mae fall down the hillside. I have an important bid."
Adrian hesitated. "We're already doing so well. Do we still need to hurt her?"
Mom's voice turned sharp and piercing. "The fortune teller said the more miserable she is, the better we'll do.
"I nearly died giving birth to her. This is what she owes me!"
Dad sighed. "Just one last time. I need this project to secure my position as the richest man.
"After this, I'll treat Mae like a little princess."
So all my misfortune had been carefully arranged by them.
If that was the case, would my death make them even luckier?
Later, I climbed up to the rooftop and jumped.
Mom and Dad, I didn't want to be a little princess.
I just wanted you to love me a little more.
***
I ran back to my bedroom, my heart nearly pounding out of my throat.
So when I got hurt, Mom and Dad would smile at me, and Adrian and Danika would comfort me.
It wasn't because I was well-behaved.
It was because I had helped them again.
My eyes stung a little, but I didn't cry.
If I cried, my eyes would swell, and Mom would ask why.
I couldn't let her find out that I knew their secret.
"Maisie Rowan, come down for dinner. The whole family is waiting for you!"
Mom's displeased voice rang out.
I hurried downstairs and saw Dad frowning as he spoke on the phone.
"What exactly is going on with that project? It's been delayed for three months!"
I didn't understand what Dad was talking about, but I knew he was in trouble.
If, like before, I accidentally got hurt, would Dad's problem be solved?
I quietly reached toward the glass at the edge of the table and gave it a gentle push.
The glass shattered on the floor, and shards pierced my palm.
Drops of blood ran down my hand.
Mom jumped in shock and snapped, "Are you trying to drive me crazy? You little rascal! Can't you have a meal without being so annoying?"
But Dad's frown suddenly eased, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"Mr. Colson finally agreed? I'll be right at the office!"
He hung up, looked at my panicked face, and actually reached out to pat my head.
"It's okay. Be more careful next time."
His hand was so big, so warm.
I couldn't even remember the last time Dad had touched my head.
I held out my bleeding hand and whispered, "Dad, you should punish me. I was wrong."
But he smiled. "I'm in a good mood today. I won't scold you."
Adrian and Danika exchanged knowing glances and continued chatting with Mom.
No one asked if my hand hurt or if it needed to be bandaged.
I looked at the glass shards embedded in my palm, but inside, it felt like a small flower had bloomed.
I wasn't useless after all.
That afternoon in art class, the teacher, Fiona Finkel, asked us to draw our families.
I drew myself very, very small, standing in the corner so that I wouldn't get in their way.
My desk mate, Lillian Hawley, suddenly burst into tears. "My paintbrush is missing! My Mom bought it overseas!"
Fiona searched around and found it in my backpack.
I shook my head desperately. "I didn't take it. I'm not a bad kid."
But a boy from the back shouted, "You took Bryan's eraser last time!"
"Yeah, and you stole my cookies too!"
I had picked up Bryan's eraser and returned it to him.
The cookies... I had found them in the trash because Mom had punished me that morning, and I hadn't eaten. I was too hungry.
Fiona looked at me with disappointment and called my family.
Danika came to pick me up.
She was wearing her training outfit, beautiful like a swan.
The moment she walked into the office, she said to Fiona, "I'm sorry. My sister has had sticky fingers since she was little. We'll deal with it."
Fiona sighed. "Ms. Rowan, this isn't the first time."
"We'll discipline her properly," Danika said coldly, looking at me. "Apologize."
I opened my mouth. "Dani, I'm not a thief."
Lillian's mother suddenly rushed over and slapped me across the face.
"A little thief! Didn't your parents teach you any manners?"
My ears rang, and my face burned with pain.
Why did no one believe me?
On the drive home, Danika took a phone call.
"Coach, the main skater is injured? I've been selected as a substitute for the World Championships?"
Her voice turned bright with excitement, and she actually turned to smile at me.
"Thanks to you, Mae."
My heart felt both sour and sweet.
Danika rarely smiled at me.
If only it could be like this every day.
Even if it hurt a little, it didn't matter.
As long as they were happy.
I whispered to myself, "Tomorrow, I'll try harder."
I would try hard to get hurt when my family needed it.
That way, they wouldn't abandon me.

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