Chapter 11

When I was 8, I gained a family.

Before Lord Armina came to rescue me, I had no family.

I lived with demons.

One day, the demons died and I was approached by my saviour.

“Would you like to come home with me?”

I cried.

Was this a dream?

Was the nightmare over?

I took his hand and prayed I wouldn’t wake up.

At some point, I cried myself to sleep in his arms. When I woke, I hadn’t left my dream and my saviour told me all about his family and home.

He told me how big and glamorous his house was and about the room I’d have just for me.

He said I’d wear pretty clothes and shine like a diamond.

He praised his wife and said she’d treat me like I was her daughter.

And then, he told me about her - Raena Onee-sama.

“She might seem a little distant or cold at first, but she’s a good girl who will love you lots and lots.” He chuckled warmly. “She’s always wanted a little sister, so I’m sure she’ll welcome you with big open arms. Maybe not right away, but one day, you’ll be closer than real sisters.”

I liked that idea but I was scared.

What if she hated me?

What if she tormented me?

What if she hated me?

I pushed those silly ideas out of my mind and resolved myself to make it a reality.

I would get along with my family and love them with all my heart.

When I first arrived at the Armina estate, I whispered, “Is this Heaven?”

There was so much to see, so many colours, so many plants, people and animals wherever I looked.

When we got out of the carriage, I clung onto Lord Armina’s leg as we walked.

I knew it looked childish, but I was scared.

I didn’t want the dream Lord Armina told me to be a lie.

I didn’t want to wake up and see those demons again.

But then I saw her.

“Ah, Raena. I know it’s sudden and I’ll explain everything later, but this is Yui. She’ll be staying with us for a while. It’d make me happy if you could treat her like a sister.”

What a beautiful girl.

Platinum blonde hair and sparkling red eyes - she was so radiant I thought she was an angel.

Her smile was sweet like honey and I couldn’t stop staring at her.

She laughed a little which scared me, so I hid behind my saviour’s leg.

Did she find my appearance funny?

Or maybe-?

“I’m Raena von Armina. Welcome to our home; oh, and feel free to treat me like your Onee-sama.”

“Onee…sama?”

Timidly, I took her hand, and she showed me far more warmth and love than I’d ever known, and it was more than what I deserved.

She healed my wounds and gently bathed me.

Despite how hard working and busy she was, Onee-sama always made time for me.

She’d play with me, spoil me and make sure I knew I was loved.

But why?

What had I done to deserve-?

Eventually, I stopped asking that question and began to enjoy life with my family. Until the night Onee-sama saved the prince.

It was then that I realised I might have been loved, but I wasn’t worthy to be by her side.

Onee-sama loved me, but she couldn’t trust me to help her.

When I told her I wanted to become someone worthy to stay by her side, I couldn’t read her expression, but she allowed it.

I had seen for years how hard Onee-sama worked, so I asked for the same treatment.

And then I wanted to do more and more.

Every day, Onee-sama grew more distant from me, and I feared I’d never be able to reach her.

And then, I realised where those fears had come from.

I didn’t love Onee-sama as a sister.

I loved her as a woman and wanted to stay by her side forever, even if she loved another.

But what about Onee-sama?

Would she feel the same?

What if I was useless to her?

What if my feelings were a burden to her?

I didn’t want to be her weakness - I wanted to be her strength.

When she wanted to get closer to Lady Victoria, I was happy she wanted me to aid her in her plan.

I didn’t know what reasons Onee-sama had but it was the first time she had ever relied on me.

Sometime after Lady Victoria and Onee-sama grew closer, a man who I’d never seen before, made eye contact with me, smiled and then went into the estate.

I was curious so I followed after him.

I learnt that he was Lord Michael Wessex, Lady Victoria’s fiancé, from Teles but why was he here?

I put my ear to the door and heard most of their conversation, including a powerful, dominating Onee-sama that she’d never shown me before.

And then-

“You know, I saw something interesting on my way in. There was a girl in the courtyard swinging a sword around without much skill.”

I was ashamed, embarrassed and nearly cried, especially when he mentioned my blood because I, for the first time in years, remembered the demons from my childhood.

All of my worst fears were coming true until I heard the loud, resounding slap of Onee-sama's fan breaking against Lord Mihcael’s cheek.

“…you dare to insult my beloved Yui?”

All fears and anxieties were nothing compared to my love for her.

Onee-sama, I love you more than anyone else in this world.

To think you would love me so much that you’d challenge Lord Michael for me.

So, what I can do for you now is-!

“There, two, one, be-!”

“Onee-sama, don’t lose!”

I yelled as loud as I could, shocking all the other spectators, but I didn’t care how they saw me.

All that mattered was how Onee-sama saw me.

She saw.

She relaxed.

She smiled warmly at me.

“I won’t.”