Light strokes of the brush echo in the background.
For the longest time, I've always watched my sister do her best. As the eldest child in our family, she's the next head. Always prim and proper, never uttering a single word that would taint her image as a child of a high ranking noble family. She's perfect, in every sense of the word, unlike my brother and I.
"Please hold still Missus."
"Yes Camilla." I say.
I wouldn't say I'm lacking as a daughter of a noble, no, I'm just lacking when compared to my sister. One might say that my sister and I are great siblings, that we would never fight nor would we ever hate each other. Those people who say that would be outsiders, people who don't know me.
I don't hate my sister, and I doubt that she hates me, but there are hard feelings. I won't lie. Whether she actually comes back for the holiday, Dondan, doesn't matter to me. She's hardly around anyways.
We used to be good friends. It's been so long since that time. Eventually, after father announced she was to be the next head, she and I stopped playing together, and eventually, talking. Sometimes I wonder if she's even made any efforts to speak with me.
"Iris!" my older brother calls out. "Mother and father request your presence!"
I sigh, letting my shoulders slump. No doubt that it's going to be about my sister, she's supposedly supposed to be here tomorrow. Her studies led father to send her to an academy in the capital, not one for magic but one for military and law. I've heard them talk about sending me to an academy as well.
"Miss." Camilla says after she's finished brushing my hair. She's only been here for a few weeks, I believe that my parents hired her after learning of my sister's return for the holidays.
"I understand. I shall go to them now." standing up and leaving the comfort of my room, I briskly make my way to the living room, though, not without a hint of dread in my heart. Gliding over the untarnished marble floor, dozens of servants scramble to decorate the bright walls adorned with family paintings.
The maids remove vases, drawers, and pictures, cleaning the area where they were before returning them. Other servants hurry along with empty platters as if practicing for tomorrow. The guards, however, stand solemnly and seem to care not for the upcoming activities.
"Ah. Lady Iris." Multiple servants bow as I stride past. "Your parents are waiting in there."
"Thank you Nicholas." I say before entering. Nicholas is the head butler, I've known him ever since I was a child.
My parents stand worriedly next to a stairwell directing the madness inside. My father sweeps his arm at an area and tens of servants rush past to get at it. Taking another look around, my father sighs. Next to him, mother's hands are clasped, pushed against her chest.
Everyone seems to be in a rush today, except for maybe my brother and I. Dondan has since lost much of its magic for the two of us. Long ago it was a day to celebrate with family and receive presents that we had so much wished for. Nowadays, ever since my sister started on her path to become head of the family, it's become more of a nuisance than anything.
Having to pretend to enjoy the gifts given, I understand the sentiment, but they're not things that I wanted. Sometimes I wonder if my wish would ever be granted again, but look at me, a rich spoiled child living in a large mansion with hundreds of people at my feet willing to do my bidding. What would someone like me want anyways?
"I'm here." I announce. "Is there anything you needed from me?"
They exchange a quick glance before speaking, "Yes Iris." my father says. "We'd like for you to get your sister a gift."
My mother nods, "She hasn't been back in four years, and we'd really like to welcome her. So, for today we're asking you to head into the city and search for a present. If you find anything suitable, do not hesitate to acquire it. Your father and I will pay for the gift."
I clench my fists. Why do I have to buy her a gift? I'd understand if she was graduating or finally taking over, but not when she's just visiting. She should be the one buying me a gift, seeing as how she's the older one and she's been gone since I was nine. Announced next head when I was six. She's three years old than I am.
"Did Neren buy Lucy a gift?" If he didn't then I won't either.
"He did." my father replies. "He bought it yesterday."
What? "How come I only have a day- less than that to buy it?" I ask. I hardly know my sister, it's been four years, lots of things can change in that time... lots of things.
Father glances at mother once again, "Iris." mother says. "We were hesitant to ask you."
"Why?"
She knits her eyebrows and purses her lips, "Because we know how you and your sister don't get along."
"How did you make that observation?" I want to get along with her, but I'm not sure she wants to get along with me.
"Iris, you haven't sent your sister a single letter in all the four years she's been away. Whenever we mention her or plan a visit, you always do your best to avoid it. It's always, 'I have plans, or I'm meeting with Elis, or my throat's sore.' I just don't understand, you two were the closest of friends, just as close as you are to Elis."
I blow air through my nose, "I'll buy her a gift." I say.
"Thank you." Mother says, smiling wryly.
If I refused, she'd want to know why. If I told her why, she wouldn't understand anyways. It's always about Lucy, isn't it?
With my promise to mother, I quickly return to my room. Slipping on a heavy winter jacket, two puffy mittens, and a hat to cover my head, I leave the house with Camilla in tow. The chilly wind sends my hair into a frenzy, forcing Camilla to back away.
"Apologies." I say.
"It's quite alright. Do you perhaps already know what you will be getting your sister?"
I shake my head, "Nope. Not a clue. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Aha. I myself have not much of a clue either Lady Iris. I have never celebrated events such as these."
I frown, "Really? That's sad to hear."
"There's no need to be bothered by it. I consider being a servant to your family gift enough." she says while looking ahead. I can't quite make out her face with the light reflecting off the snow.
"I-Is that so? I see. Well, I'm glad to have you here then Camilla."
For the next five hours, we spend the time rummaging around the city, window shopping for anything that might catch our eyes. I make rounds through all the jewelry shops that I hardly ever visit, jewelry isn't my thing. Sometimes I might wear a necklace or bracelet, or something else to adorn my person but I'd prefer not to wear them.
Throughout the city, many of the guards bowed as they saw me. The jewelers who were familiar with my family also bowed, offering me items at discounted prices, of which I declined, none seemed to be what I'd imagine my sister wearing.
Tired out from walking around for so long, I rest on a bench while Camilla buys some warm drinks.
With nothing better to do, I spend the time watching the city in all of its liveliness. Through all the people wandering, I spot two girls playing in the snow. The adults ignore them as they build snowmen and make messes of their clothing. With rosy red cheeks, the girls laugh and toss snow at each other.
I wonder how long it's been since I've done anything like that with my sister. Was it the year which she was told about her future position or the one before that? As I continue to stare, a faint voice breaks through.
"Missus."
I turn to find Camilla with our drinks. "Oh, thank you." I take a sip of the sweet, warm, drink. Mmmm, hot chocolate, my favorite.
"Was there something that caught your attention?" Camilla asks.
"Oh, I was just watching-" the two girls are gone. "some children play."
"Mmm." she nods. "We should continue when we finish."
"Y-yes, of course." I should drink slowly then, I'm not quite ready to go on another prolonged search for a gift which I don't even have in mind.
Though I've said that, the liquid in the cup is quickly emptied. A warm sensation permeates through my chest and engulfs my stomach. I haven't had anything to eat today yet.
"Hey Cami-" I stop. She hasn't registered my voice like I did her's. Staring ahead, as if in a trance, Camilla sits motionless, not even taking a drink from her cup.
I follow her gaze. A plain golden necklace sits upon the white cushion of a small black box.
"Would you like that?" I ask.
"Huh? O-oh, sorry Missus. I, I was distracted for a moment." Camilla lowers her head multiple times before I get her to stop.
"I was asking if you would like that necklace." I say pointing to it.
"A-ah. You saw that." she bites her lip. "There's no need for you to go out of your way to purchase it for me. Despite the generosity of your parents, I wouldn't assume that they'd allow themselves, or their children, to buy gifts for the servants."
"I guess so." I say a little dejected. "But we might as well check out the store right?"
"Yes, I do think that would be a good idea. As I've often heard, the more the merrier."
"Camilla, I don't think that's the context most people use it in. But, I do say, it doesn't sound wrong either."
With a few minutes of browsing, nothing catches my interest. Knowing nothing of the person who you're shopping for is certainly going to be much harder than shopping for someone you know very well. Feeling disheartened, I secretly buy the necklace at front without Camilla noticing.
Just as we're about to leave the shop, five minutes that would've been in vain, a quiet, soft sound catches the attention of my ears.
Falling through the open holes that people have between them, I ignore their senseless chatter and pursue the sound. Stumbling after catching my foot on someone else's I stand over a single box. Two small figurines spin at the middle, two children attempting to build a snowman.
The music, is soft and sweet. Multiple light notes, before I'm forced to wait a moment for the next in line. For how long I stood there is unknown to me, eventually the figurines stop spinning, and I'm returned to reality. I lift the box slowly from its pedestal.
"Miss Iris. Have you found anything." Camilla says, walking up to me.
"Yes, I think that I've found just the thing."
---------------------
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!" My father shouts. "She'll be through the door any minute. Stand at the ready!" he accidentally slips into his commander voice.
The servants and guards straighten, but my mother and brother sigh. When the door opens, all servants and guards bow.
"Welcome back Lady Lucy." the words echo throughout the mansion.
My parents immediately rush to hug her. She's grown lots over the four years. Her once short ashen brown hair now extends past her shoulder blades. She bears a youthful mature look.
"Agh. M-mom, d-dad. You guys are crushing me."
"Haha. Sorry about that." My father laughs.
"It's just been so long since we last saw you." mother brushes away Lucy's hair.
They converse for a while before we head to the dining room. The sun has already set, the table is filled to the brim with foods. The five of us take our respective seats with mother and father at the head of the table, my sister sitting across from me and my brother.
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Lucy tells her stories of the academy while all of my family members listen closely. I do my best to ignore the stories and focus on the food. When all of us finished, we strode into the living room where a jumble of presents lay strewn across the floor.
Mother and father hand us our gifts.
"Here you go."
Lucy has the most out of the both of us. I don't really mind, it just means less pretending on my part. I love my parents but the gifts are nothing I want.
After we finished opening the gifts given by our parents, Neren takes one out from behind his back.
"Here you go Lucy. Welcome back. Even if it only is for a day or two."
"Thanks." she smiles and opens the box. Inside lies an ink pen. "Is, is this...."
"Yep. It's grandfather's pen. While dad and I went to clean up their belongings, I found this and thought it would suit you better."
"Thank you!" she hugs him.
"Oh sis. Did you get anything from any of the guys at the academy." Neren asks.
"I did, got quite a few bracelets and necklaces. One got me a music box, which I didn't like so much. I'm not so sure how I feel about them."
What? What does she mean by that?
"So Iris." Lucy says turning to me. "Did you get me anything."
Somehow, for some reason, I feel hot holding the box behind my back. Lucy stares at me, waiting eagerly for my present to her. My parents urge me on.
"Come on Iris." they say encouragingly.
With shaking hands, I reluctantly hand the gift over. Immediately, she tears the wrapping apart, revealing a wonderfully crafted box.
"You got me a jewelry box? Thank you."
As she says that, I feel my heart drop. There's a handle right at the side for winding up. She just hasn't noticed it yet. "I-it's a music box." I say, holding my head down.
"W-what?"
"It's a music box!" I yell, running out of the room.
Sitting alone on top of my bed, I'm huddled up into a ball, my knees against my chest. Why? Why did I have to buy the music box? Why did I choose to run out of the room? I shouldn't have made such a scene, it's a holiday after all, this is the only time I'll get to spend with her for a while.
A knock comes from the door.
"Are you alright Lady Iris?" It's Camilla.
"Y-yeah." I lie. "Just fine."
"Would you like me to leave then?" she asks.
"No. Come in here for a second, I have something to give you."
The door opens slightly, then all the way. The light from the candles outside rush in through the door frame.
"What is it Missus." she asks.
"Here." I pull the necklace from out of my pocket. "It's for you."
Her eyes widen at the sight, "You, you didn't have to-"
"I did. Just take it, I won't take no for an answer."
With a bright smile, Camilla holds it in her hands a second, admiring its golden beauty before wrapping it around her neck. She lets her fingers run over it. "T-thank you so much." she barely mutters through her breath.
"No problem." I say, smiling myself. I think I now know why I ran away. Seeing Camilla smile so brightly after receiving my gift, I just didn't want to see my sister force herself. I didn't want to hear a lie.
*Knock knock knock*
"May I come in."
"Ah!" Camilla's smile turns into a pained look before she instantly turns around to bow. "Lady Lucy. I shall be leaving immediately. Would you two like something to drink?"
"Yes please." Lucy says.
Camilla leaves the room before I can stop her. Lucy looks at me, concerned. Sitting at the end of my bed, she holds my present in her hands.
"Iris." she starts. "When I was talking about music boxes, I didn't mean it in a bad way."
"I know." I say. "I just took it the wrong way right? It-it was my fault for being too sensitive about it right? I should've just sat there while you pretended to like my present right? Then it would all be okay?"
"Iris-"
"Don't. Don't 'Iris' me. It's not like I wanted to buy you a gift you didn't want. I had no choice, I was forced to by mom and dad. They continue to support you and our brother while ignoring me, I know that they love me and that they care but it hardly seems like it."
I clench my fists.
"At the dinner table, they always talk about you, they always talk about how great of a person you'll be. Neren, Neren already has a path set out for him, he's going to become a knight. What do you think's going to happen to me, the youngest child and second daughter? Mom and dad won't force me to marry anyone, they know I won't like it, but what else can I do to help them?"
Lucy doesn't say a word.
"Unlike you, I'm not perfect, I can't lead people, I'm not charismatic, I can't do the things that you can. I don't know what I can do, I don't know what to become, I don't know if I can even do anything."
Inching closer, she puts her hand on top of mine.
"Iris, you're smart."
"And what? You're not? Don't lie to me. Even if I'm smarter than you, what's it matter if I'm not putting it to use? What's the matter if you can beat me in everything else? Words, swordplay, charming others? You can do all of that, that's why you're the next head. Neren, he's fine with it because his specialty lies with swords, I don't have that."
"You have the strongest magic out of all of us."
"And with hardly any competent teachers." I say bitterly. "How come you're the only one who gets to go to an academy? Neren's going to be sent off next year, but you went when you were twelve. You've had all the head starts. And... you just left me behind."
"Iris I-"
"Sorry." Camilla stands in the doorway with a tray. "Am I interrupting?"
Lucy sighs. "No, now's a good time. Thank you." she takes the cup from the tray.
"Thanks Camilla."
She doesn't respond and waits for us to drink. Lucy immediately raises hers to her lips and downs it. I follow suit.
"Wait. I-Iris, don't drink...."
It's already too late. My mind becomes fuzzy and I feel tired. My muscles relax and I fall back on my bed, the warm drink spills. Through the slits of my eyelids, I see Camilla holding her chest with a troubled look.
"W-why...."
"Apologies, Lady Iris."
---------------------
I stir back to life, my body shivers as the cold assails me. I don't have a jacket on, I'm still wearing my indoor clothes. With weak effort, I attempt to rub my shoulders only to find myself bound in the tight embrace of rope with my back to a pillar.
"Uuuhh." I can only groan weakly as I struggle to free myself.
"Iris! Iris are you awake?"
"Lucy?" I mutter.
"Oh thank goodness. I thought that she might've put too much in your drink or something. How are you feeling?"
"Uuhh." I groan as my head continues to spin. "I-I think that I'm okay."
"Good. Don't worry, I can get us out of here. Since you were asleep, I didn't want to use my magic, I thought that it might accidentally burn you."
"Magic?" I grumble.
"Yeah. Try your best to stay away from the pillar, I'll do my best to burn off the ropes around me then I'll free you."
I lean my body forward, which sends a spiral of pain to my head, causing me to convulse.
"I-it's not working!" Lucy panics.
Suddenly, the door is thrown open, sending a freezing breeze past us. My upset stomach settles down for a moment.
"What's with all the noise?" A man with wings comes in. He's an angel. "Is one of them sick Camilla?"
"Hmm. Maybe. I could've given too strong a dosage to one of them."
"As long as one's not dead it doesn't matter. They can still be used as cards against their father."
"I should check the girl to see if she's fine." Camilla says.
"Alright, two is always better than one."
Rushing over to me, hiding inside of a cloak, Camilla lifts my chin up to inspect my eyes. Concern flashes across her face multiple times.
"She's feeling ill. I think she needs some medicine."
The angel flaps both his wings, "That's fine. I'll stand watch outside."
As soon as he leaves, Camilla begins searching through a pouch at her side.
"Your name is Camilla right? Will you let us go?" Lucy awakens from her false state of sleep. "I promise that you'll go free if you do so."
She shakes her head. "I can't do that. I need that money. With it, I won't have to be anyone's spy anymore. I can buy back my sister's freedom."
"We can give you money, if you let us free then I swear that we'll reward you. We'll give you more than enough to buy back your sister!"
Camilla tilts my head back and pours a liquid down my throat, unlike the hot chocolate, it's cold.
"I can't do that. If I do, then that monster outside will kill me."
"We'll protect you!" Lucy says. "If you let us go I can guarantee your safety."
Camilla blinks twice.
My stomach rumbles and I throw up.
"Guuuh. Haaah. Haaah." More vomit comes. Eventually, I start coughing violently. The disgusting vomit soon as red splotches.
Panicked, Camilla wipes off my mouth and begins searching back around her pouch.
"Hey, hey Camilla. Is she going to be alright? Is Iris okay?"
Camilla doesn't respond, she still searches around in her bag.
"Can you heal her with magic?"
She shakes her head, "I don't know any, my magic's to weak to be used anyways."
"Then let me heal her. All you have to do is let me go and I'll heal her. I know a few healing spells."
"I-I can't do that."
I cough more blood.
"Then let my sister go at least. You can take her somewhere else, you only need one of us right? You said so before!"
"And then what? What will I do then? How will I get Lady Iris past him outside? Even if I do manage to sneak her out, I'll be killed as soon as I'm suspected for assisting her."
"Then the only thing to do if you want to save her life is to let me go. I'll just heal her, I promise."
I see Camilla's distorted face staring at me, I wonder how I look right now.
Slipping out her dagger, she saws away at the ropes binding the both of us. Finally free, Lucy puts her hands on my chest and forehead. Green light radiates from her hands. The pain in my head starts fading, the world instantly becomes clearer. The sound of hoofbeats becomes evident.
"Camilla!" the angel opens the large doors. "What? What's going on here? Are you betraying us?" Pulling a sword out from his side, he angrily rushes forward.
Lifting Camilla from the ground, he holds the sword to her neck, completely ignoring us.
"Have you gone soft with your months over there? Don't you wish to save your sister?"
She nods.
"You have ruined your chance." he says.
Right as he's about to impale her with the sword, she stabs him in the arm with her dagger. He drops his weapon and throws Camilla away, holding his arm, he attempts to quickly heal it.
Lucy picks up the sword, swinging it at him.
He easily sidesteps and kicks Lucy in the stomach, causing her to lose her breath and catch the sword.
"Only need one of you anyways." He lifts the sword over his head with his good arm.
Throwing up my hand, I let an earth bullet loose. Unbothered by my attack, he blocks it with a barrier and starts to swing.
With little time left, I place my hand on the ground, please work. The concrete breaks apart, allowing for hard rock to go past, sending me flying at my sister. I tackle her out of the way, and the world goes to black as pain spreads from my back.
---------------------
I wake up to find myself laying on something soft. Like a brush, my head is being gently stroked. The ground beneath me is shaky and the sound of crunching snow echos from all over.
I open to find my sister staring down at me, strands of her hair rests on my forehead. Her eyes are dyed pink and the skin around them are raw. A small trickle of snot peeks out from her nose.
"Gross." I say.
"Aha." she breaks into a smile and pulls me closer to her.
"You're smothering me!" I yell out after a second.
Laying my head back on her lap, she chuckles. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to."
After a moment of silence, Lucy speaks up again. "Iris, did it seem like I left you?"
I don't respond.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that it seemed that way."
"Yeah." I finally say.
"I never meant to leave you behind. I just thought that you wouldn't want to do any of that boring stuff with me. I was just so busy that I didn't have any time for you. And, and I'm sorry that mom and dad are always comparing you to me, I'm sorry that you have to feel inferior."
Tears fall from my sister's eyes.
"I'm sorry that even though I was gone for so long, training to be a competent leader and I still let you get hurt. I'm sorry that we don't get to spend any time together."
"S-stop saying you're sorry." I say, a few tears emerging from my eyes as well. "I'm sorry too, for always blaming you. A-anyways, what happened?"
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Lucy explains the events that transpired.
"So what happened to the angel?"
"He ran away after dad cut off one of his wings."
"And Camilla?"
"Being taken in a different carriage. Like I promised, we'll give her enough money to help her sister, though dad says he's going to be monitoring her."
"Where's dad?"
"He left with some guards after confirming we were safe. Apparently he got a message that an entire village was slaughtered somewhere in the north."
"Oh." What a sad statement to end my questions. Wait, there's one more. "Did you like my present?" I ask with a little less than hope in my voice.
"Yeah." she smiles, "I loved it."
I detected no lies.
"I also got a little something for you, though it might not be as useful since a lot of your hair was cut off when you saved me."
From beside her, she pulls out a small box to which I ask her to open for me as my arms are feeling too weak. It's a small silver hair pin, with a plastic daisy attached to it. Pushing my hair back, she puts it on me.
"Thank you." I say, a satisfied feeling welling up inside of me. It's been a while since I was able to enjoy a gift like this one. "Did you get anything for Neren?"
"Ehehehe. Let's keep your gift a secret between me and you okay?"
---------------------
Damn, this chapter turned out to be much longer than I first anticipated. Gaaah! My butt hurts from sitting down so long. Anyways, I hope that you guys enjoyed the chapter about Iris. Sorry that it's so long, unless you guys like longer chapters.
Another Christmas chapter will be coming out probably on Saturday as I doubt I'll be able to post anything on Christmas day. The next chapter will most likely be shorter than this one.
Hope all of you have enjoyed the chapter, and if you did, please leave a comment below, and have a nice ho
liday!