"Z-Zen, why are you being so mean to me? Did I do something wrong?" Alice asked, her voice trembling as tears threatened to spill.
This time, there was a genuine hint of grievance in her tone.
She couldn't understand why Zen, who treated Hera with such care and respect, seemed to regard her as an enemy.
Alice had always believed she was universally adored, that no one could resist indulging her whims if she truly desired it.
But every time Hera entered the picture, everything unraveled.
Plans failed, expectations crumbled, and the attention she believed was hers alone shifted elsewhere.
This only deepened her resentment toward Hera.
To Alice, Hera was an anomaly, an unwelcome disruption influencing others to turn against her.
And so, in Alice's mind, her growing hatred for Hera was not only justified—it was Hera's fault entirely.
Zen didn't spare Alice another glance and instead turned to Hera with a smile.