Anastasia pushed open the ornate doors to the Empress’s chamber, her steps light as her dress swished elegantly against the marble floor. The room, bathed in a soft golden hue, exuded warmth, with the scent of jasmine incense lingering in the air. Flickering candlelight danced across the intricate tapestries and priceless artifacts, casting gentle shadows that played along the polished surfaces. The room felt suffocating in its perfection, as though it were alive with the silent whispers of past intrigues.

Seraphina, the Empress, reclined on a velvet chaise lounge, her dark brown hair perfectly coiffed, emerald-green eyes sparkling like the jewels encrusting her crown. Even in repose, her presence was commanding. "My dear Anastasia, come here," she called warmly, extending her arms with a soft smile. "Mother, I missed you so much!" Anastasia exclaimed, hurrying into her mother’s embrace. There was a sweetness in her voice, but beneath it, a sharpness lingered, as if her affection came with an edge. The Empress wrapped her arms around her daughter, her fingers lightly stroking Anastasia’s blonde curls.

"I missed you too, my sweet child," Seraphina cooed, her tone comforting but her eyes gleaming with hidden intent. The moment of warmth passed as quickly as it had arrived. Anastasia pulled back slightly, her eyes flitting to the maids who stood by the walls, heads bowed, waiting for orders. "Could you all leave us for a moment?" she asked, her voice sugary but commanding. "I have a secret to tell my mother." The maids exchanged uneasy glances, but before they could act, Seraphina waved them away. "Leave us. I have something to discuss with the princess." They curtsied and filed out swiftly, the heavy doors closing behind them with a soft thud.

The warmth of the room seemed to dissipate as silence enveloped the space, broken only by the soft rustle of Anastasia’s gown as she turned sharply toward her mother, her face twisted with a childish pout. "Mother, that girl is getting far too much attention in the palace, and I don’t like it!" she huffed, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her voice, tinged with indignation, rose like that of a spoiled child denied her desires. "Adaline this, Adaline that. It should only be about me!” Seraphina, reclining elegantly, raised a perfectly sculpted brow, a slight, almost amused smile dancing on her lips. "Is that so?" she purred, her voice smooth as silk. "And what, exactly, has she done now?"

Anastasia’s eyes flashed with fury as she bawled her hands into fists at her sides. "Everyone keeps talking about her—how pitiful she looks. Even Cassius has taken her side!" Her voice cracked with venom. "I hate her!" The Empress's smile widened, her eyes narrowing in thought as she leaned forward ever so slightly, her presence growing more menacing despite her calm demeanor. "My darling," she began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "they aren't pitying her. They’re watching her out of curiosity—a fleeting distraction. Do as I say, and we can rid ourselves of this nuisance, once and for all." "But what about Cassius? He yelled at me today because of her!" Her voice wavered, her earlier bravado cracking as the name of her brother left her lips. Seraphina waved a hand as though brushing away a trivial matter. "Your brother?" Her voice turned icy, the softness of her tone betraying something much darker. "After this, he won’t be in any position to defend anyone—least of all her."

Anastasia’s expression shifted, the tension in her brow relaxing as the words sank in. A sly smile slowly crept across her face, the cold cruelty she had inherited from her mother gleaming in her eyes as Seraphina whispered something into her ear. Her mother’s plan was as cunning as it was cruel, and Anastasia nodded eagerly, her earlier anger fading into a sense of satisfaction. "Of course, Mother. I’ll handle it," Anastasia said, her voice bright with confidence.

Leaving her mother’s chambers, Anastasia strode through the palace's lavish hallways, with a hint of mischief in her eyes. her dress brushing softly against the opulent marble. Outside, the palace gardens were in full bloom, a breathtaking array of flowers bursting with color and fragrance. The soft hum of bees and the gentle trickle of a fountain created an atmosphere of peace. Yet, within the hearts of the princesses, tension swirled like a storm.

Adaline made her way toward the gazebo, where her younger siblings, Cassius and Anastasia, were waiting. Her steps were slow and deliberate, each one heavier than the last as she approached the family she felt so distant from. The garden's beauty contrasted sharply with the anxiety twisting in her stomach. Anastasia spotted her and broke into a wide smile, running toward Adaline with arms outstretched. "Adaline!" she called out, her voice filled with an exaggerated sweetness. Cassius stood by the table in the gazebo, his posture formal, his expression composed. "Good afternoon, Princess," he greeted, nodding slightly. Adaline nervously forced a polite smile. "I greet your Highness, the little sun of the empire." Her voice was soft, subdued.

"Oh, stop with all the formalities, you two!" Anastasia giggled, waving her hand dismissively. "We’re family, after all!" The siblings sat down for tea, the table set with fine China and an array of delicate pastries. As they began to eat, a maid approached with a fresh pot of tea. She poured it carefully into their cups, but when she came to Adaline, her hand hesitated slightly, and her eyes held a disdainful gleam. Adaline pretended not to notice; her eyes fixed on her cup as the maid turned away with a slight sniff of disapproval. Anastasia watched this with a glint of amusement in her eyes, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips.

Cassius, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "The cookies today are delicious, don’t you think? They have a hint of almond." Anastasia nodded eagerly, but her gaze remained on Adaline. "Yes, Mother had them specially made. Father had some imported from the Ivickli family of the Soreno kingdom when they came last time for the banquet. He thought they would be a nice change from the usual. They were so nice! but then again, everything Mother does is perfect, isn’t it?" Adaline gave a polite smile. "Yes, they’re quite good." Anastasia leaned forward, her tone shifting to a mockingly sympathetic one. "You know, Adaline, everyone loves these little treats Mother arranges. Just like they love me." She paused, her smile widening as she saw Adaline stiffen slightly.

Anastasia tilted her head slightly, her expression innocent but her words carefully chosen. "You know, sister, it’s interesting how everyone here is always so nice to me. Like Father—he’s always giving me extra attention. I guess I’m just really lucky that way. And the maids—they’re always so eager to help me with everything. They must just really like being around me. It makes me feel so special! I suppose it’s different for everyone, though, isn’t it?" Cassius frowned slightly at Anastasia’s words, but he remained silent, sipping his tea carefully. Adaline’s face remained composed, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes.

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"Y-yes, you’re very loved, Anastasia," Adaline replied evenly, though her voice was a bit strained. Anastasia’s smile turned sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, don’t be modest, I’m sure the maids like you too… in their own way.” Anastasia twirled her hair around her finger, her voice light and almost sing-song. "You know, sister, it’s so silly how some people just don’t know their place. Like yesterday, a maid who had gotten fired, did you know?” “N-no, I didn’t” Adaline’s gaze fixates on the cup of tea that has now gone cold.

“Oh, well, that's unfortunate. She went and did something she really shouldn’t have, I guess she just didn’t understand that everyone has their place, and some places are just better than others, don’t you agree?" she added with a dismissive shrug, her tone dripping with a faux sweetness, "it’s important to know where you fit in, right sister?"" Her tone was sweet, but the implication was clear—everyone knew how the staff treated Adaline, like an outcast or a stray dog. Cassius set down his cup, a look of annoyance crossing his face. "Anastasia, enough," he said firmly.

Anastasia pouted dramatically, her voice dripping with false innocence. "What? I was just saying… Everyone has their place, right? And some places are just better than others. Isn't that right sister?" Adaline, fumbling to find the right words to respond, Cassius suddenly began to cough violently. The sound was harsh and ragged, breaking through the tense atmosphere like a stone through glass. His face turned pale, and he doubled over, clutching his chest. The teacup slipped from his hand, shattering on the ground as he fell to his knees, blood splattering from his mouth.

"Cassius!" Adaline screamed, rushing to his side. She grabbed his shoulders, trying to steady him, but her hands trembled with fear. "What’s happening? Cassius, what’s wrong?" Chaos erupted around them. Time seemed to slow as his once strong frame crumpled into Adaline’s arms, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Blood, bright and jarring, spilled from his lips, pooling on the marble beneath them. It stained Adaline’s trembling hands as she screamed his name, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the world around her.The maids and nanny shouted in panic, running to fetch help as the once-peaceful garden descended into chaos. Anastasia sat frozen, her eyes wide with shock, a hand covering her mouth.

Cassius’s eyes fluttered open, filled with pain and desperation. “Sis…ter” Cassius ' weakened voice trembled as He leaned closer to Adaline, whispering something so faint it was almost inaudible, his breath warm against her ear. Then, as quickly as it had started, his body went limp in her arms. "No… no! Help somebody please, come help!" Adaline cried, her voice breaking as she clutched him tighter. Her mind raced, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out all other sounds. The Empress stormed into the garden, her face a mask of feigned concern. "What is going on here?" she demanded, her voice sharp and authoritative. Upon seeing the chaos that had occurred in just mere minutes she screamed in horror and disbelief and guards from every direction started rushing in, intensifying the situation at hand and before Adaline could respond, she was pulled away by one of the maids crashing into the gazebos’ walls.

The guards with their faces stern and their grips unyielding, seized her roughly, pulling her away from the scene of Cassius’s lifeless body. "No! Let me go! He needs help!" Adaline screamed, struggling against their hold, but her cries were ignored. Without another word, the guards dragged her through the palace, down a dark, narrow corridor, and threw her into a cold, damp cell. The door slammed shut with a loud clang that echoed in the small space, sealing her in darkness. Adaline collapsed onto the hard stone floor; her body racked with sobs. She hugged herself tightly, trying to hold herself together, but it was no use. Her world had crumbled around her, leaving her in darkness—abandoned and alone.

Days passed with no food or water, her strength waning as despair took hold. Her once-bright lavender hair now hung limp and dirty, her simply worn outdated dress now torn and stained. As days passed by, Adaline was barely conscious, her vision blurred, and her thoughts muddled by hunger and exhaustion. She blinked slowly as she heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. The cell door creaked open, the heavy iron groaning as it swung inward, letting in a sliver of dim light.

Adaline looked up, her eyes bleary from exhaustion and lack of food. Standing in the doorway was a familiar figure, her silhouette backlit against the faint glow of the hallway torches. As her eyes adjusted, Adaline saw Anastasia step forward, her lips curled into a sly smile, eyes gleaming with a mix of mock sympathy and satisfaction. "Oh, dear sister," she cooed, her voice sickly sweet. "How are you holding up?"

Adaline stared at her in disbelief, her mind racing to make sense of her sister's presence here, in this dark and desolate place. Her heart felt like it was breaking all over again, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke, her throat dry and cracked. "Anastasia… why?" Anastasia tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering. "Why, whatever do you mean, Adaline?" she replied, her tone light and airy as if discussing something as trivial as a broken teacup. "I have no idea what you’re talking about." Adaline’s eyes narrowed, a spark of anger mixing with her confusion. "Cassius… the tea… you were the only one who could have done it," she said, her voice gaining strength despite her fatigue. "Please tell me you didn’t…"

Anastasia’s smile grew wider, her expression shifting from feigned innocence to a sinister delight, her eyes alight with a malicious glee. "Oh, that," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand, as if brushing away a minor inconvenience. "Well, it was just an unfortunate circumstance that needed to be made, and Cassius was just collateral." Adaline’s heart sank further, her stomach twisting into knots. "Unfortunate? He was your brother! Anastasia… how could you?" she breathed, furious, with horror evident in her voice. Anastasia leaned in closer to the bars, her voice dropping to a cold whisper, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Because you needed to be reminded of your place, Adaline," she said, with chilling clarity in her voice. "And now, you’ll never forget it. It’s for the best, really. Some of us are just meant to shine brighter." The words hung in the air like a death knell, and Adaline felt the last vestiges of hope slip away from her grasp.

Anastasia straightened up, her face still wearing that unnervingly sweet smile. "It’s nothing personal, really," she added with a shrug, her tone still mocking. "You just never understood where you belonged, and now… well, now you do." Adaline’s vision blurred with tears as the realization of her sister’s betrayal fully settled in, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and disbelief. "I never wanted to outshine you, Anastasia. I just wanted to be your sister, to be part of a family." Anastasia laughed lightly, a chilling sound that echoed off the cold stone walls of the cell. "Oh, Adaline, you really are naïve, aren’t you? There’s only room for one of us at the top, and it was never going to be you."

Adaline’s shoulders slumped as Anastasia turned away, her laughter lingering in the air long after the cell door closed with a resounding clang, leaving Adaline alone in the darkness once more. Adaline’s heart shattered as the realization of her sister’s betrayal sank in. She had lost everything—her family, her freedom, her place in the world—and now she was alone in the darkness, betrayed by the very person she had once loved. The heavy door slammed shut once more, leaving Adaline alone in her cell, the only sound the faint echo of Anastasia’s cruel laughter fading into the distance.

~To be continued~