She's the Prince

Chapter 1

Prologue

"It's not the stars that will tell our fate, but how we handle ourselves."

Two women stood behind Aria, their gazes fixated on her since she had awoken, screaming. Aria faced the mirror, her breath catching in her throat. Instead of her familiar reflection, a stranger stared back at her—a man, not the woman she had always known.

What happened to me? Aria thought, her pulse racing.

The sunlight gleamed off the mirror, casting strange reflections that dazzled her eyes. In that blinding moment, memories surged through her mind like a flood, forcing her to remember everything that had happened.

Flashback

Parents collected the three siblings from university. As soon as they climbed into the car, the tension was palpable. Their parents' arguments were a familiar soundtrack, but today it felt different—charged with a bitterness that made the air heavy.

"The celebration isn't for Hyacinth or Harry; it's for Aria," Donna growled, glaring at her husband.

"What are you trying to say, Donna? The celebration is for all of them. They all did well this semester," Benedict replied calmly, his voice betraying a thin layer of restraint.

"Admit it. Aria's grades were the highest. That's why we celebrate, right? You're proud of your precious adopted daughter, always eager to impress you. That's why you barely see Hyacinth anymore!" Donna spat, her words dripping with resentment.

"That's not true. I treat all three equally. Aria may be adopted, but I've never considered her any less my child," Benedict's voice hardened with finality.

"Mom, Dad, please stop," Harry muttered, a sigh of exasperation escaping him.

"It's your father's fault, not mine!" Donna snapped.

Aria winced as Hyacinth pinched her arm sharply, the pain blooming under her sister's cruel fingers. She glanced at her sister, meeting her cold eyes.

"What? Are you going to tattle on me to Dad? Go ahead," Hyacinth whispered mockingly.

Aria took a deep breath and bit back the sharp retort sitting on her tongue. The last thing she wanted was to add fuel to the fire of her parents' argument.

"Give me a break, Donna. Have some respect for Aria," Benedict's voice was tight with frustration. "You're being unfair."

Donna's expression twisted into a frown. "Unfair? I'm only stating facts."

"Mom, Dad, enough already!" Harry grumbled louder this time.

"See what you're doing, Aria?" Hyacinth hissed under her breath. "It's your fault they fight all the time."

"They fight over anything," Aria whispered back. "Even over something as small as coffee or ants—"

"Aw!" she yelped as Hyacinth tugged on her hair, forcing her head back.

"Stop it, Hyacinth. You've been at it since we got in the car. I'm serious, enough," Aria whispered angrily, her patience fraying.

Their parents were too caught up in their argument to notice the exchange in the back seat.

"There's no smoke without fire," Donna snapped. "Maybe Aria is your daughter from that fling with Emilia. That would explain why—"

Benedict slammed on the brakes, the car jerking violently. All of them lurched forward in their seats.