AURORA; THE QUEEN OF NULAND

It was the morning of fall, the weather cloudy and the breeze cold, despite the weather, the Kingdom was happy, people danced around and made joyful noises. Aurora sat by the window watching how joyful they were, women, men and children gathered around, performing what they could. Ever since the announcement of the Queen, the Kingdom had been noisy all night and day. The sound of music, drums and shouting was so disturbing to the new Queen, Aurora Dan.

Meanwhile, Liam Dagon, King of Nuland, is dressed up and ready for his big day, finally, he decided to get married. Liam's reputation is known to be a fearful one, a rude and frightening king. This king, some say, murders brutally, and despite that, he was a great king, one to never lose or let go of his own.

The door opens and a maiden comes in, holding her hands close to her abdomen, and she spoke "Sire, the banquets are ready." She said, with her head lowered down.

"Leave" he replied, slowly she took a step backwards, and when she reached the door, she bowed and turned to leave.

"I hope she won't cause any more trouble," A voice sounded as soon as the maid left the room. Liam looks at the pretty old lady, sitting at the corner of his chambers, she looked more excited than worried.

He scoffs, and smirks "I doubt" he raised a brow at her, and she nodded, watching him adjust his belt.

"Well, Congrats, you're finally getting married, who knew Liam Dagon would wake up and announce his marriage?" She smiled at him, it was only right to return the sarcastic smile she had on, Tracy- Liam's grandmother and also the Grand Queen of Nuland.

"Thank you, Grandma." He was closer, their eyes met and he takes her hand, kissing her. "I really hope she doesn't cause any more trouble." He added.

Aurora- twenty, a girl whose vision was to become a fashion designer, she had arrived in town a month ago, and two days ago she was taken to be Queen, her life and dreams shattered for her to watch, she didn't look so happy on her wedding day, and only hoped for this to end. Despite being forced, the King was too hot, and she craved him.

She stood in the middle of the room, dressed in a white underdress, and her long brown hair flowed down her back, resting on her butt. Despite been 5'5ft she was beautiful, her honey-brown eyes shined. Aurora wasn't fat, and neither was she slim. She's a peanut butter truffle tone, the darkest of the light-skinned, her skin tends to flourish.

"Who wouldn't fall for that handsomeness," she whispered, staring out the window. Her mind played dirty tricks on her, and craved him so much, she wished she would see him again.

"Your Highness?" A voice called, so annoying and yet sweet, Aurora turned to her.

"What?" She asked, aggressively, and rolled her eyes.

The lady didn't mind her, and continued speaking "Don't," she warned, "Don't mess it up this time, okay?" She nodded, heading to the white dress placed in the room.

"Queen?" She ignores her, turning around, and watching the festival going on outside.

Who said she wanted to be queen? All Aurora had ever wished for was a normal life just without attention or trouble. She was twenty and was too young to become Queen. What decision do I have to make from now? I can't even make one for myself, she thought but there again, Liam is so pleasing his hands around her waist made butterflies gather in her stomach

"Wait a minute?" She paused, "I have to wake up to his face every morning?" Her eyes widened.

"Get ready, we about-" the court lady said, but Aurora doesn't let her finish.

"Sania? What going on?" She asked worriedly.

"His Majesty awaits you," Sania said with a smile.

"And my mother?" She requested.

"I don't think she can make it" Sania replied, Aurora sucked in the flood of tears about to hit her, She couldn't ever believe her mother was selling her out.

The wedding ceremony was over, and it was a tradition for the King and his new Queen to accept gifts from his people and enjoy the party, women performed different dance steps while they both sat behind a transparent black curtain, Aurora smiled because she enjoyed the music, dances and so many performances. Little did she know the King watched her smile.

"Long live the King and Queen!"

THREE DAYS AGO.

Aurora was a girl living a normal life and walking around the town of Nuland, smiling and waving to shop owners, taking a walk in the evening with the love of her life, but today, she walked alone, heading home after a horrible day.

"Fairy tales don't exist, I'm not a fantasy princess, baby!" Aurora comes home singing happily, her loud sweet voice charmed the area and she breathed trying to catch her breath, she walked into their small cottage and took off her shoes. "Mom? I'm back!" the room is filled with her voice, glancing around, she didn't seem to find her mother but to her surprise, she saw some unusual persons

"Mom?" She calls gently, hoping she walked into the right house, Aurora stops, when she spots some huge men in her house, She looked towards the dining room and finds her mother sitting with a pretty old lady.

"Aura" her mother- Mrs Dan gets up.

"Mom what going on?" she asked, with a smile, glancing suspiciously at the old lady and the men, who looked terrifying.

"You're needed at the palace" Mrs Dan says, Aurora looked at her, her face relaxed, Oh, she wished, she thought rolling her eyes.

"You're kidding right?" She chuckled, and looked at the old lady, she didn't say a word but their serious face made her smile disappear. "Me? What for?" She questioned.

"The king wants to see you," she said with a soft voice.

"Me? How Honorable" Aurora smiles, shaking her head, this was too much to believe, the King? A king whose face was never seen, either on the news or the papers, it was forbidden! She would be seeing that face? Impossible! "That would be tomorrow isn't it late for today?" She brushed, still unable to believe it.

"Ya!" Mrs Dan slaps her on the shoulder, Aurora glares at her, and her face turned serious.

"What!" She yells back at her rubbing her shoulders.

"He is the king no time is late for him!" She rushed, taking out a white cardigan for her.

"So you want me to go now?" She looks in the lady's direction, she is still and calm, not even saying a word.

"Yes go see him now," she swallowed.

"Okay here, mom I got this for you," Aurora says, handing her nylon. Mrs Dan looks at it and drops it on the table beside her.

"Let's go," Aurora tells them, excited and happy, she wore her sneakers in a hurry, ready to leave and hoping when she comes home, she shares the roasted chicken with her.

"Talk with respect child!" Mrs Dan hits her back.

"Momma!" Aurora yells angrily.

"Well then," the old lady says, Aurora paused and looked at her, she thought for a minute she could not speak.

"Aurora" Mrs Dan calls, Aurora turns back to her and her face looked so sad, but she said, "I love you!" Waving, tears gathered in her eyes but Aurora smiled instead.

Aurora wasn't the type to reply last, she couldn't figure out why she looked so emotional but she didn't let that bother her, "I love you, mom!" She replied.

She couldn't understand why her mother said such when she was only going to spend a night in the palace and would be coming home tomorrow morning.

Princess Kallias arrived at the Palace, she couldn't stop staring around, it was so beautiful and yet looked normal, wasn't so lavished as she expected.

The palace looked so small, they walked into a building and headed upstairs, she wondered if the king had a meeting this late. She began to wonder how her presence at the palace was needed but she didn't care to ask, she followed till they arrived at a door.

It opened, and they helped her in, Princess Kallias managed a smile walking in.

"The king demands you rest," The old lady says, Princess Kallias nods with a smile.

"Is this my room?" Princess Kallias asked curiously, with a wide-eyed gaze.

"Yes, I would come to you early in the morning, so take a rest." she said scanning her, "You would need to get prepared," she said.

"Oh," Princess Kallias looks down at herself and back at the lady. "Okay," she shrugged.

The lady makes it out of the room, Princess Kallias turns around and is stunned by the beauty of the room. It had a dark vibe and was so expensive, she couldn't count the amount of gold used to decorate the room. The lighting dims.

The bed was large and she loved it, it was covered in white sheets. Princess Kallias jumps to the bed spreading her arms around.

The next morning.

Princess Kallias 's eyes opened to the sunlight, shining against her face. She turned to the other side, avoiding the sun. She yawned, reaching out for the blankets covering herself from the chill breeze blowing.

"Your highness" she heard, Princess Kallias 's eyes opened wide, and she raised her head confused, she looked around and the room was empty. She laid back down sighing.

A knock interrupts her wide yawn, Princess Kallias looked at the door again, and then she hears a voice behind the door.

"Your highness" the knock continues.

She breathed and remembered she was at the palace, it was common to hear that word.

"Must be the king!" Princess Kallias jumps up, she gasped and rushed to the door with excitement and sleepy eyes. Princess Kallias opens the door and spots two younger ladies outside. "I thought the king was close by," She says, taking a look around, the hallway was empty.

"Your highness" They both bow to her. Princess Kallias 's mouth pouts and she breathed in and yawns.

"Oh no! I'm not, don't be confused I'm just a guest to the king" she tries correcting them, waving to them.

"No, we ain't, Your Highness," the other said, Princess Kallias glares at her, irritated with the way she looked.

"You're up," an old woman, Princess Kallias recognized her from yesterday.

"The old lady!" She points to her with a smile, and the lady returns it and replied.

"Yes, your highness," she says in disappointment, she had her hands together in a royal way.

"That's good, please explain to them... I think they are mistaken, can you explain to them that I am-" Princess Kallias stops, and her face becomes serious at the realization that she had also been calling her the same way.

"They are not mistaken, Your Highness" she replied, Princess Kallias watched them bow, and she raised her head, saying "I'm sorry I came late,"

Princess Kallias not enjoying what was going on itched her back and closed her eyes briefly "What's wrong with you guys" Princess Kallias asked, she wasn't understanding what was happening, and this was creepy.

The hallway was quiet for a while, Princess Kallias stood outside, not letting them in, she swallowed, waiting for an explanation.

"The king came last night, Your Highness" The old lady explained.

Princess Kallias rolled her eyes, and raised her brows at her, she kept repeating that and Princess Kallias was starting to get frustrated.

"What?" She asked, with a small laugh.

"The king came to see you last night and no one was aware until this morning, I came as fast as I could," the lady said, the other at her back, had their eyes lowered to the ground, standing there silently.

"Well, I can go home now right?" She shrugged, "But! wait!" She exclaimed, "Why? Why would he come and see me last night? While I was sleeping, why not wait during the day?" She stepped forward, confused and annoyed. "Is he a pervert how could he come in when a girl is sleeping!!" She yelled, covering her body just at the thought of it.

"Your highness!" The old lady calls trying to calm her down, Princess Kallias 's voice echoed around the empty hallway.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" She said in a loud tone, gawking at them. "Raise your head! all of you!!" She said angrily, and then realized her commanding tone, she swallowed, and bit her fingers, looking around confused, "Commanding... I shouldn't be doing that," she said in a low tone.

"The king has announced his queen," the old lady explained, Princess Kallias exhaling sharply.

"What does that...?" She sighed heavily.

"He came to see you, last night" she interrupted, Princess Kallias could only stare at her speechlessly, and confused, she couldn't place what she was saying.

"Me?" She nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness" she bows and others follow her.

"What?" She placed her index fingers on her chest, identifying herself, "You mean me... the queen?" She tries confirming her thoughts.

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied.

Princess Kallias shook her head, "I must be dreaming," she walked in, and they followed, closing the door behind her, She licked her lips and held her waist, then turned back to them "I want to go home," she blinked, waiting for their response. Everything is crazy, never had she thought she would become Queen? That was the silliest thing she expected. Princess Kallias held her aching head.

"I'm sorry your highness we can not allow that" They made a line blocking Princess Kallias from leaving the room. Her smile shook as fear gripped her like a friend.

"W-Why..." She stuttered, and her eyes danced around, scared, this wasn't what she expected, "I-I... um" she searched for words, "I don't want to see the king... I came here willing so I can leave too" she nodded with her eyes wide.

"It's the king's order, you're not allowed to leave the palace until he says so," the lady says, Princess Kallias looks around, she didn't come with anything, she quickly attempted to leave but they held her back.

"I said I want to leave!" She screamed just then the thought of her mom waving to her with tears covering her eyes suddenly flashed her memory... Princess Kallias calmed down, staring blankly, stupefied. Could that have been her reason? Did she know about this? Princess Kallias felt frustration and betrayal. She wished she didn't know about this, how could her mother sell her off?

As much as she wanted to talk, she couldn't, her mind went blank with thoughts. Tears streamed down her eyes. "I want to talk to my mom" her voice softens, and she wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry Your Highness, but the orders are from the king" the young lady behind says.

"Does it look like I care?" Her eyes shot wide at the lady, she immediately takes down her head.

"You need to bathe and eat, Your Highness," the old lady says.

She scoffed, nodding her head, Princess Kallias 's eyes caught hers, and she was only seen in those pretty eyes. "Say that one more time!" She threatened, "No! try saying that one more time! Huh!" She breathes furiously.

"I'm sorry, Your-" she froze and made a sign, telling them to leave.

"Get out!" Princess Kallias shouts. "I said get out!!" She drops, tears flowing from her eyes and she begins throwing a pillow and anything available at them.

"Yes, we will leave you now your highness"

"Get out!!" She continued even louder, picking the things her hand could grab and throwing them at them.

They leave and shut the door, locking it. Hearing the door lock, Princess Kallias rushes toward it, banging the door.

"Wait! I need to leave!" She screamed, hitting the door.

Minutes later, the room quietens.

The betrayal became so real, "She could have least talked to me about this?" She sniffled. Holding her knees tightly in her arms.

"Michael" this name escaped her lips, she breathes heavily, in and out loudly. It was his fault she was here, she assumed. "I wouldn't be here if he didn't cheat on me," She said directing her problem to her break-up, her weeping grows louder.

Right there on the floor, Princess Kallias 's chest became heavy and painful, hurting her so bad.

The heartbreak of a week ago was hitting her more than those days, she thought so had, why he had done much to her, she had loved him with everything she had. "Why did he have to cheat on me?" She questioned, in a low tone. "If he wanted to he could've been with someone rather than his cousin!" Princess Kallias lay on the floor, hopeless and sad while tears roll down her red face. She knew it was a lie but she hoped that would comfort her.

"I hate you, Michael! I hope you have a painful life... Agghh! he said it was just his cousin!" she broke down rolling over and over on the floor, frustrated.

An hour later,

Princess Kallias had drifted off from the painful tears. She was awake now and stared at the luminous moon shimmering bright into the room. She stared at the moon with no thoughts at all, and just tears continued to streak down her cheek.

The door unlocked and a lady walks in, in the dark. "Your Highness, his Majesty needs you to eat," she said, Princess Kallias closed her eyes pretending to be asleep.

"Your Highness?" She called, Princess Kallias remained silent, she dropped the plate and steps out, the door closed but not locked. Princess Kallias looked back and the lights from the hallway crept into the room, this was her chance, a chance to return to her normal life.

"I should leave!" She gets up, wiping her eyes, Princess Kallias peeked from the door, she found the lady walking away, and when the coast was clear, she took this opportunity.

Thunder hits the sky followed by lightning, and the heavy rain poured, washing the earth. Liviana sat in the tunnels that lead the water out of the palace. Her clothes were soaked and her hair sticking to her skin, wet. Her legs were already turning white.

"I should be safe here for now," She thought to herself while she sat dark tunnel close to the palace gate, waiting for the guards to leave.

She is dressed in a long white bathing robe and no shoes, she wrapped herself in her arms, hoping and praying to her god, she leaves safe without getting noticed.

Liviana hears the bell ringing, and her eyes open wide, she wondered why the bell kept ringing. Her heart tremendously beat hard, her wet hands shaking from fear.

"Her highness is missing!" A male voice roared.

Her breathing increased, and she curled herself tightly, listening to the bell ring loud around the citadel. Liviana hears movements around her, and quietly she pushes herself together, making sure she made no noise.

"Damn! how did they notice so easily" She whispered, panting while scared for her life, she had sat in the water all night, and the guards didn't seem to leave, they talked and played games, she hoped maybe they would fall asleep.

The morning was fast approaching, she suspected they would have noticed, but she didn't think it would be this early. She sat there, she only thought of an escape plan, luckily they hadn't noticed her yet, it's been thirty minutes, and her eyes shut briefly, exhausted and cold. Liviana starts dozing off as she didn't sleep well last night. "Not now," she tapped her cheek, "Not now, fool!" she woke herself back to reality.

"Your Majesty!" The guards gather around close to where she was hiding, all she could see were their feet.

Liviana didn't think the King would search for her himself, hearing this fear washed her, and her palms turned sweaty.

Shaking from the fear and cold, she tightly covers her mouth with her hands, sobbing. Liviana feared for her life praying hard so as not to get caught.

"Search the tunnels," The king orders and as soon as Liviana heard him she knew it was over for her, she slowly crawled back still there was no place to go any longer.

"I hear noise," one of the guards, stepping into the tunnel, Liviana grabbed her lips in her hand. "The torch," he asked.

Confused she remained there, hoping they don't get too deep, was she to surrender or remain and hope for the best.

Amid her thoughts, the touch flashes her face.

"I found her!" He screams, Liviana knew the rest would be onto her soon.

The shock of being found makes her cold lifeless body drop into the waters, after sitting in the water for a long time.

The guards place her on a small bed, and the royal doctors rush to her.

Minutes later, King Liam arrives at the room where she lay, he walked in his white royal robe.

"Your Majesty" the man in front of the room bows, making way for him to pass.

"How is she doing?" He asked the royal doctor who steps outside of the room.

"She's fine, Sire, we just have to wait till she wakes up" He clears his throat, Liam lowers his head keeping his hands in a fist, his jaw clenched, showing how angry he was. "She would need hot tea to warm her up a bit" The royal doctor states.

"Okay, you can leave," He says, turning around, and no one except the guards stood outside the room. "Where are her maids?" He questioned

A guard turns to him, and bows before replying, "In her chambers, Sire, they making her bed" He said.

"Transfer her to her chambers and I want them at the court right now!" He raised his voice.

"Sire," another guard rushes toward him, "Your Grandmother awaits you at your chambers" Liam sighs frustratedly

"Prepare the wedding for tomorrow" he replied, leaving disappointed.

"Yes, Sire,"

Finally, she opens her eyes, and slowly took a deep breath, she looked around her and found herself stuck in the same room, she tried to escape. Seeing this she could tell her plan to escape failed, and tears gathered in her honey-brown eyes, she pouted covering her eyes with her hand, she cried.

She wondered, could she ever leave here? Maybe she could talk to the King herself, Liviana slowly got up. Her eyes widened at the wedding gown in the middle of the room.

It was happening, she could tell.

"_Search the tunnels_" Liam's voice recalls in her head, Liviana remembered. She is getting married to someone, whose voice she heard only once, she had never got to see the king and doesn't know what he looks like. Even when she knew she wouldn't make it out of the palace she had to provoke the king and he came looking for her.

The door creaked, and Liviana directed her attention to it, a young lady walks in.

"Your-" she paused, "Your Highness, Dinner," she said, keeping an innocent face, Liviana could tell she was frightened.

"What's your name?" she asked, nicely, making her a bit comfortable. She remembered her from yesterday.

"Your Highness" she called, Liviana took her blankets off, and her swollen feet touched the ground.

Seeing Liviana get down from the bed, the maid looked towards the door and Liviana's eyes followed her.

"Ah, about that" she bit her lips, finding an excuse for her action. "I have given up on whatever I was planning this palace is too secure to escape, if this is my fate I have decided to accept it," she stated, the maid blinked, confused.

Liviana smiled in return and the room is silent, Liviana stands by the window, "Are you going to tell me your name or not?" She asked, turning around, Liviana's eyes furrowed, and the lady knelt after placing the food on a wooden table. "Oh my, what are you doing?" Liviana knelt in front of her.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?" She asked, slapping her lips after.

"Get up!" Liviana urged, not caring about her pattern of speech.

"Your Highness," She called.

"Why do you keep saying your highness even when you have nothing to say" Liviana sighed softly, letting go of her hand.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," she said again.

"I just want to know your name" Liviana's face fell sad, pouting.

"I'm Sania, your highness," she bows, with her hand resting on her stomach.

"Sania?" Liviana smiled, "I haven't heard of that name before" she cleared her throat, she looks her head to toe, Sania could be the same age as her, but seeing how uncomfortable the questions made her look, she decided not to ask, hoping she couldn't feel scared. "Anyway, can you be my friend?" she suggested, Sania looked at her and when Liviana's eyes met hers, she lowered them.

"My lady, you're Queen, and Queen doesn't make friends with the maids" she explained.

"That's bullshit" Liviana spat, Sania looked at her and tightened her lips, knowing she must have used the wrong word but instead she laughed, Liviana smiled.

"Your Highness, your mother sent your luggage" A voice announces behind the door with a small knock.

"My mom?" She rushed towards the door, curious and desperate to see Mrs Dan standing outside. But her face is filled with disappointment seeing the senior maid standing outside.

"Your highness? what's wrong?" She asked, Liviana looks her up and down, and she held a brown box.

"Where's my mom?" she asked, calmly.

"She asked us to give you this," she replied.

"Really?" She questioned, disappointed and feeling hatred.

Liviana heads back in, sucking the flood of tears, was this her life? She questioned if this was a dream, she prayed to wake up, because it was becoming scary.

"Your highness are you okay?" Sania asked, Liviana darts at her.

"By the way," she sighed, trying to sound happy, this wasn't the life she wanted. "I am not queen yet why do you call me that?" She asked.

"You will be queen tomorrow," The senior maid said, Liviana turns back to her, and placed the box on the bed, ready to open it.

"Leave that" she stopped her, their eyes met, and she stepped backwards, lowering her gaze. Liviana looks at the wedding gown, it was beautiful yet simple. "Wait! It's tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yes, Your..." Sania stepped forward.

"Stop it!" she screamed, and Sania takes a step backwards, "I hate my life!" Her eyes popped.

"Your Highness, you need to eat," Sania whispered, scared.

"I'm not hungry" Liviana calms, dropping to the edge of the bed, "I am not hungry!" She yelled, falling to the bed, and slamming her hands on the bed.

"And take a shower, the King would be here tonight," The senior maid said, she looked so confident.

"What?" Liviana's face wrinkled.

"It a tradition, for the king to sleep with his bride-to-be, knowing either or not she is a virgin," She said,

"What!" She blinked, speechlessly "What stupid tradition? what year is this? please!" she screamed confused.

"I have prepared..." Liviana interrupted.

"You've prepared nothing!!!" she said, aggressively, glaring at her.

"Your Highness," Sania whispered, Liviana's eyes filled with rage, as much as she tried to control her anger, she couldn't, the urge to leave this place grew the more they talked.

"I can't believe this is happening, how could I forget about my life?" She whispered, looking at her restless fingers. "My whole life before I agreed to come here!" She looked at them, Liviana held her head in her hand, and her lips shake, "If I didn't come back home and stayed with Michael I wouldn't be here but that bastard..." She bit her nails, blinking severally, "Had to cheat on me" She swallowed, wiping her tears, and Liviana gripped the sheets.

"Liviana?" A soft voice sounded, Liviana looked up at the lady who slowly taps her slightly. "I know this is tough for you everything is new... We, the king, the palace but, the people you put in danger when the king doesn't get what he wants..."

"What people?" Liviana swallows.

"Each time you upset him, the people in charge are punished mercilessly, since he can't hurt you," She said, sitting beside her.

The reality was dawning on her, she had become the wife of a beast, and this even frightened her more, Liviana closed her eyes briefly and breathed out calmly.

"This is our second chance, please... We beg of you," she says desperately.

Liviana looks at her and Sania, those words, and responsibilities were impossible to her. Letting him take control of her, so she could survive and they could also survive.

"I want to be alone" Liviana takes her hand off her shoulders, shifting away from her.

"Yes, your highness," they both say, leaving the room.

She didn't know what kind of King he was, her whole life she had lived outside the palace, and now she was slowly discovering who he was.

She took a deep breath, and got up, walking to the table where Sania had dropped the tray of food. After she was done, forcing herself to eat, she takes off her cloth, and walk into the bathroom. Liviana soaks herself into the until the water covers her face.

After a while, the maid and Sania walk into the room, sneakingly.

"Your highness?" She calls, seeing no one, and she alerts, "Her Highness is missing! Sound the bell!"

For a while, the palace was not in order as the people searched for their queen to be. For the second time in Liviana's life, she was the centre of attention which she hated so much

"What about the bathroom?" Sania asked, they both rush inside, and open the bathroom door.

"Your highness!" Sania rushed over to her, pulling her out of the water.

"Oh my god, send for the doctor immediately!" The senior maid yelled.

Liviana wipes her face, looking around "What doctor?" Liviana looks at her, confused.

"Your Highness, are you okay?"

"You asked me to bathe didn't you?" She raised her brows at her.

"I did?" The senior maid asked looking at Sania.

"Clearly" She urged to roll her eyes, "and oh, I ate too" she rolled her eyes.

"Your Highness, I... "

"Just get out... I wanna sleep" Liviana picks up a robe, covering her nakedness, she walks into the bedroom and finds other maids waiting. She sighed, rolling her eyes and clenching her jaw. "Get out!" She spoke, they remained, and she looked at them, "I said get out! all of you!" she ordered.

The responsibility they had made clear for her was a difficult task. She had never in her life been in a situation where other people's happiness came first, instead of hers.