I was unbothered. Duke Eléftheros lost his composure as he knelt to gather the trimmed hair. There were people outside—I didn't know who they were. Sean, the doctor, was also staring at me.
A few gasped when they saw my short hair. I watched the onlookers as my father bombarded me with questions.
"Are you out of your mind?! What's wrong with you, Malaya? Are you seeking attention again?!" he roared. I sighed, my eyes scanning the crowd outside.
The noble ladies were there, smirking and clearly enjoying my predicament.
I exhaled. Attention? I don't care about that. Let them have it.
I don't want them to question or bother me about my sudden disappearance. I want them to be the reason I leave. I don't want them to be shocked by my abrupt departure.
I heaved a sigh. Even with nobles present, I didn't give a damn. Let them think Malaya no longer wants to please them.
"I trimmed my hair because it was too long, Duke Eléftheros," I said coldly. He froze and glared at me, as if my words had stung.
"What?!—For that reason?! It's your mother's hair, Malaya!" he shouted. I remained serious. Oh. He's asking if I'm crazy when he's the one losing his mind. Why can't he let his wife rest in peace?
Sean calmed him down. The doctor stole a glance at me as he soothed my father. "Please understand, Duke Eléftheros—your daughter is suffering from depression. We've observed this behavior for two weeks now," he said.
"That's not an excuse for this, Sean! She was always obedient! Now that her fiancé wants to end their engagement, she's acting like this! Do you think I don't know she might be doing this to force the wedding?" he exclaimed.
I stared blankly at them all. Really? He thinks I'm that hurt? Can't it be that I just hate the hair because I want to forget?
Mikael was the reason I cut Malaya's hair. I don't want to be here, and to stop myself from thinking about him... I need to cut the memories that bind me to him.
I cleared my throat.
An old man invalidating his daughter's feelings to prove his unworthy opinions. A doctor spreading lies about my condition to taint my name—so unprofessional. And noble ladies eager to bring me down.
Malaya. Poor you. Everyone here is against you. Mikael really made you feel unloved and unworthy. What a perfect reason to seek... vengeance.
Let's run away together, while they suffer from their own guilt and karma. No matter how poorly written you are for their happy endings, they have no right to treat you like this.
Without you—without me—they can't live happily ever after.
"Duke Eléftheros," I said sharply. They all looked at me, curious. This was the second time I hadn't called him "Father." "I want to be alone. Please leave." I pointed to the door.
I heard their pitiful gasps. But they all bowed their heads, as if my gaze could burn them.
He hissed angrily. "I don't know what to do with you anymore, Malaya! You'll be grounded here for a month. I won't listen to any explanations. You've gone too far," he said.
I nodded and pointed to the door again, my expression unchanged.
I looked at each of them, lingering on Sean. He stared at me coldly, but his gaze didn't even make me shiver.
I spoke up. "Yeah. Do as you please. And regarding the broken engagement... " I paused, fixing the old man with a hard stare.
"I don't care about that. Or the Crown Prince. So please, don't mention it in front of me. It's unpleasant to hear." I said seriously.
I heard the Duke's fake scoff. He cut me off immediately. "Stop pretending. Everyone knows how obsessed you are with the Crown Prince. Your words won't fool us. They can't deceive anyone."
I sighed. Ah. This is a big problem.
Malaya used to follow that man around and pick fights with anyone who approached her fiancé. If I say I don't care about him, I know it'll be hard to believe.
Ah. I'm so lazy, but there's so much to do. Can't I just escape peacefully?
They left one by one in silence. Before I closed the door, Sean's gaze locked onto mine. I scoffed at him. He sighed and followed the others downstairs.
I heard him explaining my behavior. I didn't care. I don't need to clear my name.
I fixed my clothes and looked down. The ladies were preparing to leave. I heard they'd come just to see my state. Duke Eléftheros thanked them for their "concern."
I put on the hood I'd taken from the bed. If only he knew those bitches just wanted to break me, I wondered how he'd react.
Even if he doesn't love me as a daughter, he still cares about his reputation. It's why he let his daughter fall for the Prince—Duke Eléftheros wanted more power.
I escaped the Eléftheros mansion by jumping out the window. I landed smoothly, even though my room was on the second floor.
I checked the black mark on my right wrist. It was a tattoo—a symbol of a bird.
The creature was all black, like a phoenix.
I remembered the man who'd given me his umbrella. I was determined to find him. I needed to know... him.
Maybe he could help me.
I also had a feeling he was the only one who'd stay by my side until the end. I needed to find him. Before the sun rose, I had to locate him.
To ask for his help, and to learn about the... mark.