Chapter 33

From a very young age, Loraine was the only person who would spend time with me as opposed to the rest of our family. However, when she was busy with her tasks, I had no one else to play with. Therefore, I'd roam around the palace until I was tired. 

"Hold my hand, Char!" 

She was always attentive and sweet, so I grew to love her more than my estranged parents who wouldn't give me the time of day. 

"My king! Princess Charlotte has requested an audience with you to…"

"Escort the princess back to her quarters. I'm busy." Father would grumble.

Mother was no different, and so I no longer bothered to seek them out because I had my sister. My brother would also stop by my palace whenever he wanted to escape his studies, but his instructors would catch up to him just as fast.

"Studying is so dull. I'd much rather play with you my little Rosie."

"Carl! The scary teacher is coming this way! Run away!" 

"You were supposed to whisper that, Rosie. Not shout it!"

Our fondest memories were when the three of us were all in one place at the same time. We were quite a chaotic trio back then. However, that was until my brother suddenly passed away. That day felt like my entire world had flipped upside down. I spent a year in the delusion that my brother was actually alive, and everything was just a silly prank to scare me.

"Pull yourself together, Charlotte! Our brother is gone forever! You hear me?! He's gone!"

She roared those painful words into my ears while clenching my arms and shaking me. It was thanks to her that I could properly grasp the situation. That day I wept in her warm embrace until I eventually fell asleep.

"Charlotte, you mustn't tell anyone about this power of yours. When the time comes, you and I will form a team and rule Ecchelon together. I will always protect you, as long as you stay in my shadow. Only do what I tell you, and I'll make you the most powerful princess in the world."

Those words sounded like they were from an inspirational poetry book. They came across as important and encouraging, yet carried a significant meaning that my little brain failed to grasp at the time. I did not care about becoming the most powerful princess in the world. All I wanted was to keep holding her hands forever.

"Loraine! Wake up! Sister, please say something! Loraine!"

While we were playing, I came upon a strange black spider and mindlessly picked it up and brought it to my sister. We were both amazed at how impressive it looked; thus, we marveled at its features as we played with it. However, things changed when the spider suddenly bit my sister's finger. I was at a loss for what to do, yet my instincts were guiding my hands. The maids and knights were flailing in panic while mother and father rushed over to assess the situation, and that was when I lost consciousness. 

Ever since that day, my life had changed drastically. The Charlotte I once was had disappeared to usher in the crown princess of Ecchelon. Between studying, practicing swordsmanship, and attending devotionals at the temple, I had no time to spare for Loraine. Hence, our relationship became distant.

+++++

*Present Time*

"Loraine, what are you…" 

I was struggling to speak because of the excessive blood that was gushing out of both my stomach and mouth. I knelt on the cold hard floor, doused in sweat and blood, trying to make sense of this situation. When I glanced up to see what kind of face she was making, Loraine was smiling from ear to ear. When our eyes met, she giggled loudly as she retracted the dagger.

"How very dutiful of you to come crawling back here after what happened on that fateful day. Well, no matter. You are here now, which means I can kill you without anyone interfering this time."

"Are you…implying that the attack…was your doing? Stop it! That's a lie! You would never do such a thing, Loraine!" I shouted, oblivious to the open wound in my stomach.

She circled around, then halted behind me. I could see her shadow looming over me, with her arms folded across her chest. She let out a loud sigh as she stomped on my back, pushing me down onto the floor. By now, my wound should have already begun to seal. Why is nothing happening yet?

Back then, when my sister first found out I had healing powers, she suggested me to a series of physical torture just to see how fast I'd heal. She called it a game and asked me to trust her for she knew what she was doing. However, what started as a bruise ended up being something life- threatening. And as a reward for surviving, she promised tobcome play with me every single day. 

"You think you know me, don't you Charlotte?" she said as she continued to put press on my back with her sharp heel that was now piercing through my skin.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Loraine Emelda Cheshley Vicksburg D'Ecchelon. I am the first princess of the crown, and as such, the primary heir to the throne. You see sister, I was born first, therefore I should be the one to inherit the throne. Which is why I got rid of my pesky little brother, my parents who dared to undermine my potential, and finally, you." She said playfully.

What is she saying? Is she saying… Is…is Loraine the one who planned the attack on my brother? And what about our parents?No, that can't be true.

"That's nonsense Loraine! Why are you lying to me?!" I shouted!

"I knew you were a delusional fool, but I did not think it was that bad. You poor thing…" She said as she removed her foot from my back.

"Hold her up, Raulin." She commanded sternly.

"Yes, your highness." He responded promptly, while picking me up from the floor.

I was once again face to face with my sister, who was riveting in my state of despair. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight as she stabbed me yet again, and this time on the other side of my stomach. By now I should know that the words coming out of her mouth are true. Yet, I wanted to convince myself that she must be under the influence of something, or someone. 

"Does it hurt, Charlotte?" she asked in a sinister tone.

"What have you done to our parents, Loraine?"

This time the blood was also coming out of my nose. I already lost a lot of blood, and I could feel my lungs slowly shutting down, and my heartbeat becoming weaker by the minute. My breathing became short, and my body was quivering. I might take my last breath any minute now.

"Like I said before, I sent them to an early grave, just as I did my little brother. If you don't believe me, then you'll just have to see for yourself when you join them."

I see…Now I understand why she was wearing a black dress. If I had to guess, it'd be safe to assume that she held my funeral alongside theirs. I just learned about my parents' death, yet I don't have a shred of strength to scream! 

"Loraine, I never once coveted the throne, and you know it. All I ever wanted was to be your little sister forever. Your hand was always so warm and soft that I felt safe just by holding it. I would have handed the throne over to you had you just asked. That's how much I valued our bond. There was nothing I wouldn't have done for my big sister, whom I loved most in the world. I loved you, Loraine."

These words were coming straight out of my dying heart. They tasted sweet, but bitter at the same time. I never would have imagined that my life could end this way.

With a tearful face and a heavy heart, I braced myself for the dagger that was now aimed at my throat. I suppose the Ecchelon saying was right after all. 'What you love most in the world can be detrimental to your life.'

The balcony's glass door suddenly shattered, and a tall figure wearing a black cloak came flying in.