BC # 4: Breaking Commandment

PROLOGUE

A/N: I make sure to use English. Unti lang yung Filipino kasi hindi pa naman talaga masyadong fluent si Reich sa timeline na 'to.

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PEOPLE always tell me that I was born to be someone who can make my country proud. That I should be a Duchess with femininity, grace or being a soft spoken lady. Well, I do not know how to be like that.

Despite of being a Duchess, no one will ever take me as someone powerful enough to represent our House. If I can do what a woman should do, what is the difference? I am only a woman. I cannot have the title or power. It has to be a man.

"What are you thinking, Duchess?" Zed smiled cheekily as he approached me. When the people around me focused on Adam, he is the only one who sees the good in me.

"Nothing." I smiled even though my eyes started to water. But I quickly wiped it away and faked a smile. "Are you doing well with learning the Filipino language? Magmi-migrate na tayo next month."

"Of course, my Duchess." Zed sat beside e and looked at the garden. "Won't you miss them?"

"They won't miss me, Zed. You know that." I said in a low voice because I am sure that no one will miss me. "Mabuti pa si Tita Kristella. She's good to me."

"It's okay, my Duchess. As long as I'm here, you'll be fine. And happy." Zed smiled. And it made me smile tooz

Zed Kilian Beinlich is the son of our maid who passed away because of an illness. Since then, Tita Kristella decided to give him a name even my family was against it. I, myself, do not treat him as a cousin or whatever. He is just a best friend to me.

"Reich, you should be there talking to the other royalties!" Mama walked towards us with anger evident on her face. She always treats other people like this.

"Do I have too? They are all talking to Adam." I answered back. I cannot hide my jealousy so I closed my eyes and anticipated her palm on my cheeks.

"Yes! Lächerlich! (Ridiculous)" Mama closed her fan and hit me on my head. It hurts but her words hurt more. "Wertloses Kind! (Worthless Child) You should have been a boy!"

"Hör auf, Prinzessin! (Stop, Princess)" I heard Zed shouted to my Mama. It makes me nervous. I am more nervous about his welfare than mine.

"How dare you, slave! That young Filipina should have not adopted you! Look at you, shouting at me!" Mama's voice made everyone turned to us. They are looking at me while Zed is infront of Mama. "Dein Adoptivsohn! (Your adopted son) He is shouting at me, Kristella!"

"She was hitting Duchess Reich, Prinzessin Kristella." The way Zed covered me from their glances made me feel at ease. He is always there to protect me from my own family.

"Monika, she is still young. A sixteen year-old girl should not be hit like that." Adam's father, Prince Conrad, stopped Mama from going berserk.

"That is why your adopted son does not know his place anymore! You keep on taking his side!" Mama glanced at me as I closed my eyes. I know what will happen later. And even her brother cannot do anything about the punishment.

"Monika, that is enough. You are going too far." Prince Conrad pulled Zed away from me. I want to reach him but Mama will get angrier.

"Come on, Reich. This young, filthy boy influences you to be an unworthy Duchess." Mama grabbed my arms and pulled me away from the crowd. "If only I can get you away from him but Conrad always interfere."

"Mama, it hurts..." I bit my lip to supress my protest because her nails started digging its way on my skin. "As much as I want you to study somewhere, Prince Conrad already made a deal with me. And that is for you to study in the Philippines where her dirty wife was born." I can feel her disgust towards Tita Kristella but I cannot do anything about it.