Everyone knows I refuse to leave the Duke’s estate because I’m trying to climb the social ladder by winning the heir’s favor.
The young ladies from wealthy families sneer that my methods are low and underhanded.
The maids in the estate call me delusional, a pheasant dreaming of becoming a phoenix.
Only the heir, Xie Xun, stands up for me at every turn.
I was overjoyed, thinking he felt the same way about me,
until I saw him toss aside the birthday gift I’d given him with a look of disgust.
Only then did I finally understand that to him, I was nothing but a toy to amuse him and relieve his boredom.
Later, the Duke publicly granted me a wish to repay a debt of gratitude. Everyone thought I would ask to marry Xie Xun.
I sat at the banquet, calm and composed, and spoke slowly:
“The heir is widely read and has always treated me with great kindness.”
“I would like to ask the heir to acknowledge me as his sworn younger sister.”
In full view of everyone, Xie Xun’s face turned livid, and he crushed his cup in his hand.
