The Princess And Her Wicked Butler

Chapter 3 - The Princess Returns 3

Seraphina later heard from the servants that the striking woman standing before her—wearing a flowing burnt orange gown and a gentle smile—was her father’s first love. Rumor had it they were childhood sweethearts, though why they had parted ways was a mystery no one seemed to know.

The woman’s name was Elise Vaughn, a stunning beauty who rivaled even Seraphina’s late mother in grace and charm. Her eyes tilted slightly at the corners, her skin pale and flawless like delicate petals soaked in dew. Her thick, ebony curls fell lazily over her shoulders, both alluring and elegant.

Beside her stood a little girl, about eight or nine years old, who inherited Elise’s striking features. She wore a pink dress with puffed sleeves, her dark hair styled into a cute topknot crowned with a tiny silver tiara. Like a little princess herself, she looked both sweet and lively.

King Reginald took the girl’s hand and smiled as he introduced her to Seraphina. “Seraphina, this is your Aunt Elise’s daughter. From today on, she’s your sister. She’s eight years old and her name is Lily. I want you two to get to know each other.”

Seraphina, who had grown up loving fairy tales, immediately thought of Cinderella. The scene before her felt like a real-life retelling of that story.

Except this little girl wasn’t her father’s biological daughter.

But so what? Her father was hers alone. She didn’t want some random new sister, and she certainly didn’t want her father to have a new wife.

She had only ever recognized one mother.

At nine, Seraphina already understood what a third party was—the homewrecker, the “other woman” who tore families apart.

To her, Elise was that very intruder.

But little Lily didn’t realize Seraphina’s hostility. Encouraged by her father, she took a few tentative steps forward, blinking her big, bright eyes and tilting her head cutely. With a sweet smile, she said, “Sissy.”

“Sissy?”

Seraphina’s mind instantly jumped to Snow White—the true princess betrayed by a fake princess and wicked stepmother, left unloved and abandoned.

This Lily must have some ulterior motives, she thought, flashing a dazzling smile that felt more like a trap.

“Who says you’re my sister?” Seraphina’s round eyes narrowed, her icy blue gaze clouded with resentment and rejection far beyond her years. With a delicate but forceful push, she shoved Lily away and shouted, “Don’t call me your sister! I’m not your sister!”

Angry and strong for her age—and taller than Lily—Seraphina’s shove sent the smaller girl stumbling backwards.

Unluckily for Lily, she fell awkwardly, her forehead hitting the hard corner of a nearby table leg. A small cut opened on her soft skin, and bright red drops trickled down her pale face.