THE PRINCESS NEEDS TO BE UGLY

CHAPTER 2

I was left inside this spacious room. They said that this was this body’s bedroom. They thought that I just needed space to fully digest it all and time to rest. I can’t think of any lead that may connect me and my current situation right now. All I know is that this is not my world, my family, or even my body.

My life is not that interesting, to begin with; no fun, no adventure, and no fairy tales. Like any other rich family, my parents were so busy with their businesses that they tended to forget they had a daughter in their big home, alone. I was the only child and the maids were the only ones keeping me company. I spend time watching TV, but most of my time I am studying hard, thinking that maybe if I garner awards and medals they will spend time with me or something like that, just like the parents of my classmates.

“You won a debate contest? Congratulations, your reward will be sent to you later by my secretary. Anyway, I have to go. I’m late for the meeting with my clients, bye.” Any awards or medals that I got didn’t even have the same importance as their company or even their own phones, as they give me their usual reply whenever I have good news at school. They only give me gifts over gifts over gifts that I grew up being used to, but still craving attention that I don’t want to admit about.

As I took a rest from doing my science project, a TV interview of a famous model got my attention thinking that it was the solution that I was looking for. She is pretty and people of different nationalities support and cheer for her. Where she goes, they know her and smile at her. They seemed to acknowledge her presence while showing their proud faces of her achievements. That started my inspiration. I dreamed of being a famous model.

Luckily, my genes give me a great push in that industry. I am tall because both my parents have lightly tanned skin, brunette hair with a heart-shaped face, crystal blue eyes like shining gems, pinkish kissable lips, a proud nose, and freckles on my face add to the charm. I tried to start studying by being a great model, enrolling in a modeling school, and even tried studying photography and posing in front of one.

Because of my hard work, I booked my first job in my mom’s perfume industry. They launched it internationally and, since I did a great job, that gave me a great push in the industry. Different companies wanted to hire me, agencies wanted me to join them, different fan mail came knocking on my door, and the attention that I craved came to me. It even doubled.

“You are so great Charlene! The perfumes that you modeled for our company easily sold out. Our sales every month are higher and higher. You really are my daughter.” My mom would praise me whenever it sold out in every branch in different countries. My parents were happy that I was finally helping their business. Sad, but that is the truth. That is what they think at all, business, but at least they spend more time with me compared to before. Most of it is about business and me modeling for it.

“That’s a wrap everyone! Great work Miss Charlene, or should I say the Ice Princess of Williams Empire." That is my earned nickname in the industry after the identity of my parents came to light. With the combination of my parents’ influence and my capability, I build my background stronger than any model there is.

But it is said that all of the good stuff has a reciprocal bad side. From the busy schedule between the photoshoots and ramp modeling and interviews, my academic life was put to a halt. My parents then decided that I'd be home schooled instead to build up my character in the industry. Aside from that, in order to maintain my figure in top shape, I have to sacrifice the foods I would love to eat, fearing that I might gain weight from it. And since my career needed to ban my set of comfort foods, it led to reading different books that I could grab until my manager decided to bombard me with recommendations of online novels. All of it didn’t attract my interest, to be honest, until this novel came into my hands. You Are My Only Queen, is an online novel that emphasizes the abilities of women. Unlike any other novel, the female lead stands to her right and uses her ability to be a beacon of hope and strength for people who are abused or robbed of opportunity rather than rely on her prince charming. In that novel, there is a family name that resembles the same family name that ‘Mom’ mentioned; Aquitas.

“Wait… did I just transmigrate into 'that' novel?”

How did I transmigrate into this novel? What year am I in? Did the coup already begin? Would they believe me if I said that their daughter is already dead and I just woke up in her body? Can I really trust them with my safety here? And what shall I do with this face? I can’t go back and experience that hell once again, never again.

“Should I stay here with the body of their dead daughter? If I would, what should I do with this face?” I whispered, trying to think of ways to get through with all this.

Now that I think about it, my make-up artist taught me tricks for applying make-up. Perhaps I can do it too. This is my second chance and I shall use this to make up for the things I missed in my first life. I will do this until the original owner comes back to reclaim her body.

Determined on this chance, I took a silent oath to eat all the delicacies I couldn’t enjoy and learn a lot of things I didn’t have a chance to do. Before making a list of all the subjects I wanted to do, a knock on the door cut off my trance. The old maid entered again with a tray of food, thinking that I was hungry.

“I-I am not hungry, thank you.” After saying that, a growl from my stomach decided to prove that I was lying.

“Hohoho! Oh dear, you don’t have to worry. Your food for today is a simple soup and a freshly baked apple pie because the doctor said that you need easy-to-digest food. I just added a pie for sweets. Here there is also apple juice, your favorite.” She smiled at me while slowly placing all the food on the table that she placed earlier on top of the bed.

“Young lady, I know that it is scary to be with people you cannot remember, but your family loves you so much. And they will do their best to take care of you and protect you. If you need anything, please tug this rope beside your bed and we’ll come to your assistance.” She was about to close the door, but before she could close it,

“E-excuse me, can I look for the cosmetics after my meal?” I asked for the things I needed to survive.

“Thank you, you may leave.” I averted my eyes after I saw her nod with confusion written on her face. She gently closed the door and leaves the room to myself.