“You bitch! How dare you do this to me?! I’ll make you pay!”

With fury burning in my veins, I lunged toward her, sword raised. I wanted nothing more than to end this charade—her lies, her theft of my life.

But before my blade could reach her, something sharp tore through me.

“Wh–What...?” My voice cracked. “Who... did this?!”

I staggered back, my strength leaving me as a hot gush of blood soaked through my gown. My knees gave out, crashing to the cold marble floor. The world around me tilted. Footsteps echoed. Slow. Measured. Familiar.

I lifted my eyes.

“...Alastair?” I choked out, blinking through the haze.

But it wasn’t just him. All three of my brothers stood before me—Alexander, Alastair, and Adonis. Their expressions were void of warmth, carved in stone. They weren’t here for me. No... they were standing between me and her. Shielding her.

Protecting her.

“Eve, are you hurt?” Alexander’s voice was gentle—too gentle. A voice once reserved only for me.

She sniffled pathetically, stepping forward with her bloodied sleeve held up. “She… she slashed me, Big Brother… I—I didn’t know why. I was so scared…”

She was lying. I knew it. She always knew how to play them.

“What?! No—I didn’t! I never touched you!” My words came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. Each syllable hurt.

But the look in their eyes wasn’t one of doubt. It was contempt.

The disgust on their faces crushed what little strength I had left. They glared at me as if I were filth… as if I were the villain in this story.

If only I could say I was surprised.

I wasn’t.

I had fought for them—for all of them. I bled for this family. I endured years of isolation, cruelty from the servants, the leers of ministers who came too close in the dark corners of my wing. I bore it all, hoping one day… someone would see me.

When I turned ten, my powers awakened, and for the first time, Father looked at me with pride. But even that faded. Soon, I became just another pawn—used, paraded, discarded.

All I ever wanted was to be loved. Cherished. To feel like I belonged here.

But I was never the daughter they wanted. I was a shadow, a burden, the black sheep.

And now, standing in front of me, they aimed their swords—my brothers. Each one with a blade drawn… each one casting the death spell.

They knew what it meant.

Piercing someone with a sword infused with death magic doesn’t just kill—it devours. Every heartbeat is agony. Every nerve screams. A thousand deaths folded into one.

So that was their choice. A painful end. For me.

I let out a soft, bitter laugh.

“Brothers… thank you.”

My trembling hand reached up. I grasped the tips of their swords, dragging them inward—toward me—toward my own chest. I welcomed the bite of steel. And when the spell took hold, I felt it—the scorching pain, the pull into nothingness.

And still…

A strange peace settled in my chest. For once, there was no more pretending.

As the darkness claimed me, I fell—not in defeat, but into the arms of silence.

And in that final moment, I felt something close to freedom.

Author's Note

Hi! This is Han and I have another work for you to read! I hope that you'll love The Duke's Daughter and I hope that you'll give it support and love. I know that I'm still new to Wattpad writing and I'm doing my best to make every work I do interesting and enjoyable for everyone.

Enjoy your day and always be positive and happy!

...Chapter 01 – Reincarnated ...

...✿ Cassy’s Point of View ✿...

Darkness.

That’s all there was—an endless void.

It reminded me of the west wing, the forgotten corner of the castle I was exiled to. It was there that my ambitions were born. There, behind those cold, isolated walls, I first dreamed of escape. Of being seen. Of being loved.

From my window, I used to watch my family laughing in the garden—Father, my brothers, surrounded by warmth I could only observe from a distance.

I wanted that.

A family that would hold me without hesitation. A home that didn’t feel like a prison. A place I could feel safe.

But fate never gave me that privilege. I was born into this world with nothing—not even the kindness a daughter deserves. Every ounce of recognition, of worth, I had to carve out with blood, sweat, and pride.

Then she came along.

And without lifting a single finger… she got everything.

It’s not fair.

It’s never been fair.

“Child…”

A gentle voice echoed, filled with sorrow.

“I’m so sorry you had to endure so much. If only I had lived after your birth… you wouldn’t have suffered this fate.”

I looked around, but there was no one—only the voice, and the darkness.

Then, a glowing orb of light appeared, drifting toward me like a firefly. Compelled, I followed.

It led me to a realm unlike any I had ever imagined—a land bathed in ethereal light, bursting with impossible beauty. It felt like Eden, but deeper. Older. Sacred.

“Come to me, my sweet child,” the voice called again, and a soft breeze carried me forward.

I found myself standing before a magnificent temple-mansion, its doors draped with silk that danced in the wind like spirits. The air shimmered with divine energy.

Inside, towering pillars loomed. Velvet paths split in all directions. I hesitated, unsure.

Then the wind guided me again.

Two massive leopards appeared before me—one black as midnight, the other as pale as bone. Gemstones shimmered in their foreheads. They parted wordlessly, allowing me passage.

The chamber I entered was bathed in golden light. Seated in the center was a woman whose presence seemed to command the universe itself.

She looked at me with warmth, and beckoned.

“Come. Sit with me, my child.”

I obeyed—half unsure, half entranced.

“Who… are you?” I asked. “Why do you call me ‘child’? I’m not yours.”

She smiled knowingly, as if she’d heard that question many times before.

“I expected that. So let me show you the truth of your birth.”

She raised her hand. Smoke formed above it, shaping itself into a living memory.

A young boy tugged at his mother’s hand.

“Momma, why is your belly so big?” he asked with curious eyes.

The woman smiled gently and lifted him onto her lap. “Because there’s a baby in there, Alexander. Your baby sister.”

The boy’s face lit up. “A sister?! When can I play with her?”

“Not yet, sweetheart,” she laughed. “She’s still growing. You’ll meet her soon.”

Alexander pouted. “But I want to play with her now!”

The woman cupped his cheeks. “Listen to me, my son. If I ever… if something happens to me, I need you to protect your siblings. Love them fiercely, no matter what. Can you promise me that?”

The boy didn’t fully understand, but he nodded. “Okay, Momma.”

...———————— ◆ ————————...

Fast forward.

“Your Grace… I’m sorry… but Her Grace… she didn’t make it.”

The Grand Duke staggered. “No. No! Where is she!? Where’s my Belle!?”

He shoved past the midwife into the birthing chamber.

There, her lifeless body lay still. The only sound that filled the room was the high-pitched wailing of a newborn.

The Duke turned slowly to the baby—his daughter—and rage clouded his eyes.

“If looks could kill,” a maid whispered later, “that baby wouldn’t have lived past her first breath.”

“She’s healthy, Your Grace,” another maid said timidly. “A girl.”

The Duke scowled. The baby had Belle’s eyes. Her tiny face was so much like his wife’s that it shattered him.

“Get her out of my sight,” he growled. “Before I burn her myself.”

One brave maid, trembling, dared to ask, “What… what shall we call her?”

He paused. Looked at the child again. Pain danced with fury behind his eyes.

“…Cassandra Claire Allison Von Montefrancesco. Put her in the west wing. And never bring her to me again.”

The maids did as ordered, but as the baby was carried away, one couldn’t help but smile through her tears.

“Oh, what a beautiful baby you are,” she whispered. “You look just like your mama. So precious. May you never feel unloved, little lady.”

But love would not find Cassandra easily.

She would grow alone. In silence. In shadow.

“My life is one cruel irony,” I muttered.

The maid who called me worthy—the only one who made me feel like I mattered—was killed by bandits while fetching my birthday cake.

That’s why I hate my birthday. It’s cursed.

“My child…” the woman—my mother—spoke again, sorrow in her eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to shield you. But please… don’t hate your father and brothers. They were deceived. Manipulated.”

I bit my tongue.

“Don’t ask me to forgive them,” I said. “They didn’t even acknowledge my existence until they saw I was useful. And once they had what they wanted—they cast me aside like garbage. Even killed me, for her.”

Tears stung my eyes.

“How can I not hold a grudge, Mother?”

She looked pained but understanding. “I know how deeply you’ve been hurt. But please… don’t let hatred root itself in your heart. Don’t let it define you.”

I stared at her—at the sadness she carried for a life she could never live.

“…I can’t promise to forgive them now,” I said at last. “But… maybe one day, I’ll learn how. So please… just give me time.”

She smiled, her tears finally falling. “That’s all I ask.”

“Child,” she said softly, “it’s time. You must return now.”

I nodded slowly, feeling both fear and strength rise in me.

“Will you come with me?” I asked.

She took my hands and pressed them against her heart.

“I will always be with you. Here—take this.”

A shimmering silver locket appeared in her hand. She whispered ancient words into it before placing it around my neck.

“With this, you will always find me. Through your mana, I will be near.”

We embraced one last time.

Then I stepped into the portal.

Back into the world of the living.

...☆ A Year and a Half Prior ☆ ...

I woke with a splitting headache and a dull ache across my body.

Where…?

I looked around.

My room.

I was home. But not the same home I remembered. No—this was a year and a half before it all.

I ran to the nearest mirror. My reflection stared back.

“I’m really back…” I whispered. “I’m back.”

A girl burst into the room.

“Miss! You’re awake! I’m so sorry—I should’ve come sooner!”

She looked terrified.

Of course she was. I was known as the “Terror of the Empire.”

“It’s fine,” I told her gently, turning back to the mirror. “No need to fret.”

“Would you like your new dress, m’lady?”

“No. Find me the plainest white dress you can. The simplest one.”

She blinked in shock, but returned an hour later with a light blue gown.

“I couldn’t find white, but… will this do?”

It was lovely. Soft, flowing. I smiled.

“Help me into it, please.”

As she dressed me, she beamed. “You look like a fairy, my lady! The Duke will be so pleased to see you—”

I froze.

Her smile faltered. “D-Did I say something wrong?”

“No,” I said quietly. “What’s your name?”

“Rosabella. Rosabella Rodson.”

She looked like she might cry.

I lifted her chin gently. “Rosabella, please… never mention my family to me again. Ever. Understood?”

She nodded, eyes wide.

That day passed peacefully. I even helped in the kitchens out of boredom—turns out, I enjoyed learning new things.

The servants were kind. Even the butler smiled at me.

For a brief moment, I thought… maybe this life would be different.

But I had no idea that reality was already sharpening its claws.

✿Author's Note✿

Hello, everyone! This is your author, Han!

This is my new work, The Duke's Daughter. This story is a bit of a cliché but I'll make sure to make it as interesting as I can and make it not boring.

And if there is any resemblance or similarities to other stories that you've read before, it is just a coincidence.

And if there are any typos/grammatical errors/misspelled words I'm already apologizing for now, just tell me if there is so that I could fix it quickly.

Also, my English still needs a little more progress.

That’s all!

Love lots, Han❤️