Hanabi

Chapter 1

" Congratulations, you are getting married! Start packing your bags, you're leaving for Japan in a week."

Those were the first words my father has spoken to me in two years. A simple nod ended our 'conversation', and I was again left alone in my room. In his seventeen years of being my father, he never once called my name - he didn't give me one, to begin with. He never introduced me to guests, he never brought me to family meetings and he never once considered me his daughter.

I was never part of the family picture. My appearance is enough to prove it. My biological mother was a maid from the middle east who was one of the many women my father enjoyed spending the night with. The only thing I know from her is that she died giving birth to me. I wasn't a product from love and it was obvious from the role I was given in this household. I have none.

I am nothing.

Unlike my sisters, I barely received any form of education. I don't own any pretty dresses or jewelry. I don't eat with the rest, I don't speak with the rest, I don't exist in the eyes of the rest. I spend my time in the books. Most of my education and understanding of the world comes from the books I read.

I am nothing.

I am not loved, not cherished, not known, not important, not remembered and not needed. Until now. Now I'm a tool used for political purposes and as always I will do what I was told because

I am nothing.