They Made Me the Knight, But I Became My Own Princess Chapter 03

They Made Me the Knight, But I Became My Own Princess Chapter 03

The living room blazed with light on the night of the family dinner, packed with noise and laughter.

My aunt held Sadie’s hand and beamed.

“Sadie, you’re so lucky to be marrying into a family like the Keatons. You’ll be a true society wife soon.”

Sadie lowered her head shyly.

“Don’t tease me.”

Another aunt chimed in.

“Sadie has always been so sweet. Molly is nothing like her. She’s quiet all day and never says a word. No wonder people don’t warm to her.”

I stood in the kitchen washing a mountain of dishes. Cold water ran over my fingers until my swollen knuckles were red and stiff.

Mom came in and dropped another stack of dirty plates beside the sink.

“Wash faster.”

She glanced at my hands.

“We have a lot of relatives here today. Behave yourself and don’t embarrass me.”

I turned off the faucet and dried my hands with a towel.

“We’re out of dish soap. I’ll get more from the pantry.”

As I passed through the living room, I saw Sadie showing our relatives a wooden box.

It was mine. Inside was the championship medal I had won at a university debate tournament, the same competition where Wade and I had first met.

“What’s this piece of junk?” my cousin asked, leaning closer.

Sadie pulled the medal out and weighed it in her palm.

“I don’t know. I found it in Molly’s room. It’s pretty heavy. She probably bought a fake at some flea market.”

Her fingers slipped.

Clang.

The metal medal struck the marble floor. Its glass face shattered, and a deep, ugly dent marred its once-smooth edge.

The room went silent for a moment.

I stopped and stared at the broken medal on the floor.

Sadie covered her mouth with a gasp.

“Oops. I dropped it.”

Mom hurried over and pulled Sadie behind her.

“Molly, your sister didn’t do it on purpose. It’s just some cheap medal. How much could it be worth? I’ll buy you one made of solid gold tomorrow.”

Dad frowned too.

“This is a happy occasion. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood over something so small. Sweep it up before your sister cuts her foot.”

Our relatives joined in.

“Exactly, Molly. Your sister is about to become the Keaton family’s daughter-in-law. Be generous. You’re the older sister.”

I looked from one self-righteous face to another and suddenly found the whole thing pointless. Crushing exhaustion washed over me. I didn’t even have the strength to be angry.

I took the broom from the corner, crouched, and slowly swept the broken glass and damaged medal into the dustpan.

A shard sliced my finger, drawing a small bead of blood.

I didn’t stop. I dumped everything into the trash, then turned toward the guest room.

“Where are you going?” Mom called after me. “The fruit still needs to be cut!”

I didn’t look back. I walked into the guest room and shut the door.