"Why would a prince ever love you?" Eldest Princess Tessa sneered, her laughter echoing off the ornate walls of the palace.
"She's ugly and cursed—who would want a princess like that?" Middle Princess Fiona joined in, her cackles sharp and cruel.
But Eva only smiled, her voice calm. "I'm glad you take the time to acknowledge my presence, Your Highnesses."
Princess Fiona's face darkened as she hurled a slipper at her. Eva flinched but held her ground. "Shut your ugly mouth! Even your voice is irritating!"
"And that hair—ugh!" Princess Tessa added with a disdainful scoff.
The youngest princess, Cathy, sat lazily in a corner, stroking her cat with an air of detachment. "You waste your energy on a worthless daughter of a concubine," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "She's nothing more than a slave with the title of princess."
Before Eva could respond, the door burst open, and their instructor stormed in, her extravagant gown trailing behind her like a storm cloud. Her expression was one of utter displeasure.
"Embroidery class. Now!" she barked, her voice cold and commanding.
The sisters quickly scurried away, but as Eva tried to follow, the instructor stopped her with a glare. "And where do you think you're going?"
Eva blinked, her long lashes brushing her cheeks. "To embroidery class?"
The instructor's lips twisted into a mocking grin. With a sharp motion, she slammed the door in Eva's face, narrowly missing her nose.
How rude, Eva thought, her jaw tightening. But she didn't let it show. She turned away with a quiet scoff and walked down the hall.
She had chores to do.