BORN A DISAPPOINTMENT REBORN A QUEEN

CHAPTER 4

As the night drew to a close, the grand ballroom slowly emptied.

One by one, guests offered their farewells, their laughter fading into the marble corridors of the Blackwell mansion. The dazzling lights dimmed, the orchestra packed away their instruments, and before I realized it, my debut party had officially ended.

Only silence remained.

Later that night, my parents asked to see me.

I entered the sitting room to find them waiting, expressions calm yet attentive. My father was the first to speak.

“Seraphina,” he said gently, “have you ever met the Sullivan family before tonight?”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“Or have you ever had… unpleasant encounters with them in the past?”

My mother leaned forward, her eyes warm and steady.

“Please be honest with us, honey. Whatever it is, we will support you.”

For a brief second, my chest tightened.

So they noticed.

Of course they did.

The Blackwells were one of the top three families for a reason. They didn’t miss details, and neither did Bastien Sterling. I needed to stay calm, keep my head clear, and choose my steps carefully if I wanted to deal with the Sullivans properly.

“I’ll tell you everything,” I said softly. “But not now. Not tonight.”

My mother nodded immediately. “That’s fine. Just remember this. We are always on your side.”

My father’s gaze sharpened slightly. “And don’t waste your energy worrying about the Sullivan family. They are not good people. If they ever try to cross you again, we will handle it.”

That was all it took.

Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.

In this life, I had people who stood with me. A family. Friends. A home where I was cherished.

Something I had never known before.

My father stood up and pulled me into a warm embrace.

“Stop crying, my princess,” he said softly.

I sniffled and nodded. “Okay.”

My mother laughed lightly. “You spoil her too much. No wonder she still acts like a five-year-old.”

“Leave him alone,” I said, tugging playfully at my father’s sleeve.

He chuckled. “If I’m spoiling her, then I don’t know what to call what you do.”

We all laughed together, the sound filling the room with warmth.

As the laughter faded, my father added, “Don’t forget. You resume school next week. Use this time to prepare. Your mother, the staff, and I will help you with everything.”

“Okay,” I replied.

My mother stood and kissed my forehead. “Go to bed. It’s late.”

As I turned to leave, I grinned mischievously. “Don’t forget the birthday gift you promised me.”

My parents exchanged a knowing smile.

“We won’t,” my father said.

That promise wasn’t about jewelry or luxury.

It was about a younger sibling.

The next morning, the mansion was alive again.

Servants moved swiftly through the halls, rearranging furniture, polishing surfaces, and preparing supplies for the coming school term. Merchants arrived with new household items, fabrics, books, and equipment.

I lazily stretched in bed, enjoying the rare peace, before heading downstairs.

My mother stood in the center of it all, gracefully giving instructions, while the head maid and other servants assisted her efficiently.

After breakfast, I ran over and hugged her tightly.

“Good morning, Mom,” I said warmly.

She smiled and hugged me back. “Good morning, my darling. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” I said happily.

The maids greeted me respectfully, and I returned each greeting with a smile.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked.

“At his office,” she replied teasingly. “Daddy’s girl.”

I laughed and immediately ran up the stairs.

Behind me, I heard laughter echo through the hall.

At Father’s Office

I burst into the room.

“Good morning, Dad!” I said brightly.

He looked up from his desk, eyes softening instantly.

“Good morning, my sunshine. How was your night?”

“It was great,” I replied, climbing onto his lap without hesitation. “How about yours?”

“Peaceful,” he said, amused.

I greeted his secretary politely, and he returned the greeting with a respectful smile. Our relationship was familiar but professional, built on mutual respect.

As my father continued reviewing documents, I rested against him, occasionally peeking at the papers scattered across his desk.

We talked about school, about where I would stay, about safety and preparation.

“I heard you and Anneliese are attending the same school,” he said.

“Yes,” I replied. “We’ll be staying close to each other.”

“Good,” he said seriously. “Be careful. Observe more than you speak. And if anything happens, call us immediately.”

I nodded. “I will.”

The Weekend

My parents drove me to school themselves.

Standing at the entrance, I spotted Anneliese instantly and rushed to hug her.

After bidding our parents goodbye, we walked in together.

Our school was Sutton Vale College.

One of the most elite institutions in the country.

It accepted only one hundred students per session, regardless of background. Scholarships were fiercely contested, and entrance exams were notoriously difficult.

Why?

Because graduating from Sutton Vale guaranteed success.

A ninety-eight percent employment and acceptance rate into top industries, companies, and institutions worldwide.

Even the Sullivan family had once tried to send their son here.

He failed.

Bribery was attempted.

It was rejected.

The following day, all students were summoned to the auditorium for orientation.

The hall buzzed with noise. Students introduced themselves, formed circles, and tried to establish social dominance. Many came from wealthy and influential families.

Anneliese and I stayed together.

A few boys tried to flirt. We ignored them effortlessly.

Then the dean stepped onto the podium.

Silence fell instantly.

Rumors about him were infamous. Cold-hearted. Ruthless. Someone expelled students without hesitation.

No one knew he was my uncle.

And no one ever would.

I didn’t enter this school through connections. That was why I hid my identity and registered under a branch family name.

He spoke calmly and briefly.

“There are only five rules here. The rest, you will learn yourselves.”

Anyone who fails to meet the academic cutoff will be expelled.

Cheating or theft results in suspension or expulsion.

Disrespecting staff or cleaners due to social status will lead to expulsion and compensation.

Skipping lectures, projects, or quizzes results in a three-month suspension.

The top-ranked student will deliver a speech at tomorrow’s gathering.

Murmurs rippled through the hall.

Tomorrow’s gathering would include faculty, department heads, parents, board members, and investors.

The dean stepped down.

No one knew who ranked first.

Except the person who did.

Me.

Anneliese turned to me slowly.

Then burst out laughing.

“You’re joking.”

“I thought it would stay secret,” I muttered.

“You hate public speaking!”

“I know.”

But I straightened my shoulders.

If this was the stage set before me…

Then I would stand on it.

Tomorrow, the curtain would rise.

And Sutton Vale College would finally learn my name.