I was born in a clinic in Las Condes, Santiago, in Chile. Both my parents were born and raised in Chile, although I didn't get to live more than two years there. I was baptised under the name Blanca Elizabeth Escobar Bello. My father was a humble man that worked harder than anyone to get all what he's accomplished in this life. My mother always lived a comfortable life as she was from a wealthy family. I think they loved each other very much, even to overcome social differences. Things changed a lot during their lives together, though.

My father started a business that grew and kept growing. From one hotel in Santiago, he started an international hotel chain that expanded all over the globe, with the strongest business located in Europe. Even if he could manage it all from Chile, two years after I was born he decided to move to a country where it would be easier for him to travel all around from, and to control everything. That's how we ended up migrating to England, London.

Because I was born when my father's business was already doing well, I grew up as a princess. No, my family wasn't really royalty, although we did met the Queen once, but he was the owner and CEO of the biggest hotel chain in the world; Globe Hotels. So I was literally brought up as a princess and treated like one, having so many people working for us that I couldn't even remember their names, although I tried to remember. I never realised how wealthy we were because that was a reality for me. It's like breathing, you don't really pay attention to it because it's natural for you. Not unless someone makes you aware of it.

Although anyone could say that life we lived in London was a dream, it actually destroyed my family. Mother couldn't endure the cultural shock and that was the beginning of their fallout. Love extinguished like a fire under the rain and when I was four they signed the divorce papers and Mum went back to Chile, I stayed with Dad because I would have a better life with him, a better education and more opportunities. Besides, I was the only heiress, I needed to be trained to inherit all his hard work. Still today I visit Mum once a year, but we aren't really close. I didn't even go to her when Dad died.

When I was eleven Dad met another woman. She was an ex miss England and although she had a career on television at some point, this was long dead. Yes, she was beautiful and managed to make my father fall for her, but not even today I think she actually really loved him. After Dad passed away in an accident a year ago I could confirm that she married him just for his money. Dad was the biggest entrepreneur in the whole UK and one of the biggest in the world; she literally won the lottery the moment she met my father.

So then it was just my stepmother and I. A queen and a princess. But this princess was in the will and it was stablished I would inherit and take control of all business the moment I turned twenty-one. Today I'm twenty and she is growing anxious because it'll be all mine, and even if she is taking care of the company right now, it won't be for too long.

She hates me. And she hates my father for not leaving more than five percent of the shares stock to her; which is the same he left for his ex wife. I really saw her breaking everything in a room after the will was read, cursing out my late father. That was the moment I started hating her.

My father was a good man. He loved me so much and I was really his princess. He pampered me, he gave me the best. No matter what I wanted, he would get it for me. If I wanted certain celebrity to sing me happy birthday, he would make that happen, even if he had to buy the whole label. I was raised like that, spoiled like that.

I went to the best schools, had the best tutors, and as I take after him I did well in my studies. Because of how wealthy we are, I became a kind of public figure. I was invited to Awards Ceremonies, Premiers and fashion shows. I was followed by cameras sometimes, just like any celebrity. Although we don't have an ounce of royal blood, people treat us like that. Money gave us that status.

My name is known everywhere, my face is as public as any other celebrity. Globe Hotels only heiress. The girl that grew up in a bubble, oblivious to the problems of the world and the rest of the people. My biggest problem was that my purse was two months old and I couldn't wear it anymore. I never saw that as something bad, it's how I grew up. It was my reality. And despite being spoiled like that, I never was mean to anyone. Even if I couldn't remember all names, I was always respectful and grateful with everyone that worked for us. I was always kind to everyone I met. From a homeless man to the Queen herself.

I never noticed the similarities of my life with the fairy-tale, probably because I was too busy just living, learning the business and trying to carry a good life without letting money and fame ruin me. If you haven't struggled with that you don't know how hard it is not to let that corrupt you. You can't imagine how hard it is to be humble when everyone treats you like you are different.

No, my life isn't the exact copy of the fairy-tale, but there are certain things and are uncannily similar and yes, these are disturbing.

I'm the only princess in the kingdom my father created and left to me after he passed away. I was left with a beautiful and ambitious stepmother, a jealous queen who wants me as far away as possible. I can't even count how many times she's tried sending me back with my mother in Chile, telling me I need a real family. She tells me I can come back later whenever I feel ready to take over the business, and that if I feel it's too much pressure, she can sacrifice for me, taking over the company and letting me live a simple and easy life whilst she takes care of everything.

I'm my father's daughter, I am responsible and capable and I will continue his legacy. He's gone but he left me in charge, he always trusted me and I won't disappoint him. He knew that Laura, my stepmother, couldn't really become the owner of Globe Hotels and all the other business that BEEB Group owns, another company my father started in my name. I'll take care of all that the moment I turn twenty-one, even if Laura hates it. I'll live up to my father's expectations and make him proud because I know that wherever he is, he is watching me.

Even if the situation is somehow similar to the fairy-tale, life isn't like it and things won't be like that either. A kiss of true love won't save me from the curse. Whatever Laura does to me, my own strength and willpower will be able to defeat her. Whatever she tries, I'll always fight her back and claim what belongs to me. I have control over my own life and future, so the similarities end there. Yes, I'm Blanca like Snow, Snow White, but I'm not her. I'm my own person, the main character of my own story. And I'll live my life that way.

⋙⋘

How was that? I really love Blanca and I can't wait for you all to meet her... and her "prince charming." I love him so much already hahaha even if I haven't figure out his name yet. 

Let me hear your thoughts, share the book and let's wait for the first chapter! (it comes after IJA is finished).

Bel, xx