Chapter 221 A Horrible Childhood 1 (1/2)

”Because of my evasive and silent character, many soon grew tired of trying to befriend me. In no time, their friendly facades dropped and instead, turned into faces filled with irritation and annoyance that was apparently directed towards me. At that time, I was oblivious to the change. I was far too focused on trying to change myself--trying to gather the courage to say hi to at least one of them--that I didn't notice that they already had a misconception about me in their minds.”

Inna shakily exhaled as she gently traced lines on her wrist with her thumb, a habitual gesture she always made whenever she recalled those times.

”I was just a five-year-old naive little girl that had the worst social skills man could ever have. But in their minds, they formed me into a snobbish spoiled little princess that would only talk to someone she deemed 'worthy' of her attention. Can you believe that? They're still children but annoying judgemental assuming little shits were already bred into society. That's how you know humanity's a lost cause.”

Inna huffed in disdain as she waited for Raghnall to agree with her. Although not fully getting the context, he could one way or another understand her sentiments so he slowly nodded in agreement. Seeing the gesture, it made Inna smile lightly in satisfaction.

”Right?! They totally assumed I was a spoiled princess just from the fact that my parents were rich and influential. And because of that assumption, the whole class turned against me. And it was so fucking frustrating on my part because just when I actually was able to gather up my courage to say a simple greeting, those little fuckers just sneered at me! Do you know how horrifying that was to me?! The first time I spoke to someone else and their reply was a fucking sneer!”

Inna calmed herself down when she felt her voice starting to get louder. After a few breaths, she finally collected herself and continued.

”I pitied myself back then. I was such a weak awkward sensitive little shit that just let others trample on her. After that sneering incident, I became discouraged to reach out to them. I got more reclusive and they got worse as well.”

Inna sighed sadly. She combed her hand through her hair as she tried to properly remember and organize her memories.

”It uhh, started with a few girls from my class just whispering whenever I turned my back. They weren't much at first. They were just the people from my class that knew about that 'spoiled princess' rumor, after all. But after a few weeks, the rumor must've spread because literally from the moment I entered the school campus, they start whispering like crazy, men and women alike. To be honest, I felt like a celebrity in one of those school dramas, y'know? Like the moment when a 'Queen B' enters the room kinda-shit… But… well, the first time it happened, I found it amazing-- the feel of finally something familiar happening just how I saw it on the television was exciting for someone who's addicted to tv shows. But when it happens nearly every day, it soon grew to be annoying and stress-inducing for me.”

Inna grew too immersed as she told her story that she failed to notice Raghnall's look of confusion as he mulled on some words she used that made no sense to him. But Raghnall didn't dare to question her about it.

Right now, he just wanted to listen quietly to give her a sense of release and comfort. Because right now, he felt that what she needed most isn't understanding but for someone to listen and accept her story.

”I had everyone's eyes on me every time. And coming from the kid who never got used to human attention, having all that attention directed towards me was really unnerving. And so, on the course of that year, my memories were filled with people just whispering and sprouting ridiculous rumors behind my back. In fact, I don't remember the others but the most ridiculous rumor I've heard about me was that apparently, I was a vampire princess that sucks the blood of anyone who comes near me and that I attacked the last person who said hi to me.”

Inna bursted into light sarcastic laughter when she recalled the ridiculousness of it.