"N-no, I can't be with you."

"I'm sorry.."

"... No."

These were the words Eepop was used to uttering towards her suitors for as long as she could remember. It felt deeply repetitive as she sunk deeper and deeper into a hole that she seemingly dug herself in.. But no, it wasn't her fault. She was born into this world of wealth and aristocracy- to be loved, cherished, admired, adored.

It most certainly felt like as if she herself was put into this predicament. Surely, she didn't ask for it, and yet here she was: turning suitor after suitor away as if they were moths drawn to a flame, dropping down dead once they have gotten too close to the light.

She was a fair maiden in the upper class worthy of all the costly possessions and highest admirations society has bestowed on her with great flourish and grandeur.

During the daytime, her mother, Ipap, was deeply proud of her beauty, and showing her off like a sparkly new trinket to their all-high and mighty social circle.. Such a presentation would most typically take place on the elevated upper staircase, plush carpet and polished marble floors included. Waving her grand oaken cane around, Ipap proudly flaunted her looks as her sharp eyes danced around the grand fancily furnished ballroom, twinkling with profound, immense pride over how captivating her daughter Eepop was to the awe-stricken, gaping audience in the ballroom below.

In the daytime, she was like a goddess on an over glorified pedestal just waiting to be worshipped. But as the festivities sauntered down and all the guests at the party were bid farewell, the doors to the mansion were finally shut. As far as the outside world was concerned, they only saw what they wanted to see: 'The all knowing, good, grand, beautiful lady Ipap and her gorgeous daughter Eepop throwing out the most splendid parties out for them'. Meanwhile they all gorged themselves and gratefully dined with their clear glasses, porcelain dishes, and shining silverware accompanied by its complimentary cutlery.. All of this to be happily greeted off as they put their friends and family in tow, away from the mansion, where all the magic happened.

Little did they know, in this place they so admiringly called paradise, it was a familiar pitch-black abyss for one of the residers, from which she cannot escape from.

By the dusk, all the magic, happiness, and light fades away, only promising to come back once daybreak comes. Until then, the mother and daughter in the enormous mansion would intermingle.. Usually it wasn't very joyful at night, as the day has brought up before them. As a matter of fact, it would be the complete opposite.

Ipap turned around sharply after she saw to it that the servants dutifully shut the door. "Eepop!" She loudly crooned.

"Y-yes, mother?" A soft voice as if it was in a whisper answered her call as it echoed from across the room.

Ipap narrowed her eyes towards her daughter, observing her petite figure dolled up with white, intricate lace shaped like doilies on her pale shoulders and torso.

"Darling, dearest." She replied calmly in a comforting, motherly tone. "I want you to get yourself fixed up for tomorrow's party. Another entire train of suitors is coming to seek your hand, so you must see to it that you are in your best..!"

"But mother!" Eepop cried out. "We can't be having another party! I.. F-feel exhausted! After so many guests, a-and young men asking for my hand! Why, I simply can't find myself to marry even one of them..!"

"Oh hush-hush my Eepop." The elder persisted, drawing her eyes nearer to her daughter's neckline, where her large emerald gem was embedded deeply into her silver studded brooch for the whole world to see. "We don't want them to know that, can we? Dearest, you may reject all these dashing men you want if you'd like," Her eyes now narrowing down at her daughter as she spoke, piercing her soul through and through, "but you very well know as much as I that you will have to marry the richest, wealthiest man amongst one of them." Her voice now sharply turning into a scoff, "It would be a shame if your inheritance ran out now, would it? How will you treat your dear, sweet mama once you're all poor, and washed up like an old spinster?"

At her crude remark, Eepop looked down at the marble floor with shame. No. Of course she wouldn't.. It is the duty of young noble and aristocratic girls her age to get married off to wealthier, older men who dressed them like spoiled peacocks and regarded them highly, though at the end of the day they are viewed and so remain as the lower females.. And give in to their husbands' wants.

"I-I.. Understand, mother."

"Good." Ipap said as she loosened her gaze upon her. "Ah, here comes the morrow. Now get to your room child.. We don't want you to be worn out for our upcoming plans, after all."

Eepop bowed, and turned her face away from her mother. Her satin slippers fashioned with leather soles below made a repetitive 'tip-tapping' noise as she crossed the main room and up the staircase.. To reach her room up in the second floor of the mansion. Once she closed the door behind her, she slid her back upon the closed door, hugged her shoulders, and began to weep.

'Hopeless..' Eepop thought as she sobbed. 'Absolutely hopeless.'