Choices

The moon shone down on the lonely figure below. Her thin arms held her knees. Her dress wrapped around her like chains. Tears continued to flow down her face. She stared blankly at the little white bag on the window still. The night breeze caressed her body in comfort, but it couldn't carry away the worries in her heart.

She knew a long time ago that she had duties to her family. She had long prepared her heart to whatever was coming her way in the future. The Emperor, she must marry. The Emperor, she must kill. The Empress, she must kill. Thousands of innocent lives, she must sacrifice. This was what her mother ingrained into her from birth till now. This was what her father constantly reminded her from birth till now. This was what the Empress Dowager forced upon her from birth till now.

She thought she was strong enough. She thought she was ruthless enough. She thought she was brave enough. She thought wrong.

She always knew that she was different. She knew she was not normal. She knew the feelings of freedom will escape her. Oh but she wish, she wish she could. How great would it be to not hide herself. How great would it be to do what she wanted. How great would it be to not have this family.

Now, she must make a choice. Her family that is full of ambition and hate. Her friend that is full of life and wonder. To let her whole family die. To forever live in regret. She must make a choice.