Chapter 18
Vidalia hummed a cheerful tune as she tidied her sister's room, her thoughts drifting from one scenario to another. Her birthday was next week—would she be able to celebrate it with her friends? Would there be meat stalls?! The thought alone made her face light up.
She could visit the city, discover this world for the first time without her sister hovering over her shoulder. Just imagining it filled her with anticipation.
Her gaze landed on Naya, who was struggling to drag a pillow twice her size. Vidalia stifled a laugh and moved to help—but then an idea crossed her mind.
"Wait! I'll practice my magic. Watch!" she exclaimed excitedly.
She took a deep breath and focused. A shiver ran through her, starting low in her stomach and traveling up her arms. A thin stream of water appeared in the air—unstable, trembling.
Vidalia frowned. The water wrapped around the pillow and lifted it gently. It wasn't perfect, but she wanted more. She closed her eyes, picturing hands of water carrying it. The element answered her imagination.
The pillow floated toward her and settled into her arms.
Vidalia gasped, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. She lifted it above her head.
"I did it!" she cried, bouncing with joy.
Naya clapped enthusiastically, her eyes shining with pride.
"I'm going to tell Arzhel—he'll be proud of me!" Vidalia declared, brandishing the pillow like a sword.
Then she froze, blushing furiously.
"I'm acting like a child…" she squeaked, burying her face in the cushion.
As she finished making the bed, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Vidalia jumped. Naya instantly slipped beneath the veil.
"You!" Angela screamed, pointing an accusing finger at her. "What did you do with my letters?!"
A cold shiver ran down Vidalia's spine. A terrible feeling settled in her chest.
She didn't even have time to answer. Angela struck her without warning. Vidalia collapsed to the floor, dazed.
"Give them back! His Highness promised to write to me! He was supposed to invite me to the palace!" Angela shrieked hysterically. "A prince doesn't lie. If he didn't write, it's because you did something!"
Vidalia scrambled backward, palms pressed to the floor.
"I-I don't handle the letters, big sister… Maybe one of the senior maids misplaced them…"
"Are you calling me a liar?!"
A kick slammed into her leg. Vidalia screamed, tears bursting free as pain tore through her. Naya tried to emerge, but Vidalia stopped her with a subtle gesture.
"I know it was you!" Angela continued. "Three days without a tea invitation! Three days! Do you think I'm stupid? I'm the future princess—every lady adores me! You're just jealous!"
Vidalia didn't understand. She didn't even want the letters. She tried to rise, to calm her.
"I didn't do anything… I was cleaning your room. I didn't see anything yesterday either, I swear… Maybe they—maybe they stopped writing because you didn't reply…"
"What?! You think I'm insignificant?!" Angela screamed, running a hand through her hair in fury. "No one ignores me!"
Another blow. Vidalia crumpled again.
If Elysia found out… she would be punished again. Vidalia bit the inside of her cheek. She had to calm Angela down.
Then a familiar voice rang out.
"What is all this noise?"
Vidalia froze.
In the doorway stood Elysia, her gaze icy, accompanied by Orion and several servants.
"Angela, my dear, what's going on?" Elysia asked sweetly. "And you—why are you kneeling again?"
"Mother! She stole my letters!" Angela cried, throwing herself into her arms.
Vidalia felt her stomach twist. Orion remained in the background, his eyes flickering between his sister and his half-sister, uncertain.
She knew he wouldn't take her side. He wouldn't dare oppose the prince for a bastard child. Here, she had no one.
Elysia sighed… then pulled out a bundle of envelopes.
"Don't worry, my angel. Your letters are right here," she said, handing them to Angela.
Vidalia's eyes widened. They had been there all along?
A weight lifted from her chest. She inhaled deeply. Thank the Goddess.
"Mother! Why did you take them? What if the prince had written?!"
"I wanted to protect you. You can't imagine the malicious tongues that might try to harm you."
Elysia stroked her daughter's blue hair. Angela smiled, satisfied.
Orion watched, stunned. Slowly, his gaze shifted to Vidalia, curled on the floor, her leg swollen. His heart tightened.
Two sisters. Two worlds. One born into luxury and arrogance, the other into silence and pain.
He lowered his head. What could he do?
"The prince is coming to see me!" Angela suddenly cried.
Everyone froze.
"What?!" Elysia and Orion shouted in unison.
Angela turned to them, radiant.
"Are you serious?" Orion asked, incredulous.
Angela held up the letter with a triumphant grin.
"Very serious. The prince is visiting me tomorrow." She giggled. "Are you jealous, dear brother?"
Elysia rushed forward, eyes shining, and embraced her daughter.
"Oh my darling, this is wonderful! The prince takes such good care of you… I'm sure you're meant for each other."
Orion stared at them as if they had lost their minds.
"Are you even listening to yourselves?" he snapped. "Prince Edgar is engaged. To Lady Greenwood of the third most powerful family in the Empire. Do you really think he's interested in the daughter of a ruined count?"
Angela burst into tears against her mother. Elysia frowned sharply.
"Orion, you're being cruel. The prince can absolutely be drawn to a beautiful, gentle, refined girl like your sister. Why can't you just be happy for her? You're not the only one climbing the ranks—you'll soon be close to the second prince yourself."
Orion ran a hand through his hair, exhausted.
"I'm not becoming close to the second prince, Mother. I'm becoming his assistant. And I worked myself to the bone for that position. I nearly failed because candidates far more titled than me were competing."
He turned sharply toward Angela.
"And this Prince Edgar is my age. He's engaged to the third most powerful house in the Empire. Do you honestly think he'll risk a scandal for a… passing affair? Do you have any idea what awaits Angela in high society if she keeps deluding herself?"
Elysia waved a dismissive hand.
"No one would dare attack a friend of the prince. You're unfair, Orion—far too harsh on your sister."
He fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"Whatever happens—to you or to this family—will not be my responsibility. But know this: if you provoke a scandal and endanger my position… I won't lift a finger to protect you."
He locked eyes with his mother, then Angela—whose satisfied smile made his skin crawl.
"And in case you've forgotten, tomorrow I leave for the second prince's residence. He rarely receives visitors, and no one knows when I'll return."
He glanced one last time at Vidalia. His gaze held sadness and regret—but he said nothing.
Then he turned back to Elysia and Angela, cold and resolute.
"And I think that's for the best."
"Orion! Come back here! We're not done discussing your behavior!" Elysia shouted.
But Angela clung to her skirts, whining,
"Mother… Orion scares me…"
"Don't worry, my treasure," Elysia murmured, rocking her gently. "He's just nervous about leaving. He'll apologize—you'll see."
Angela didn't care. As long as the prince came, everything was fine. She couldn't wait to prepare her room, her dress, and—most of all—receive his compliments.
Vidalia, silent among the other servants, couldn't understand the last look her brother had given her.
Behind her, Naya cautiously emerged and fluttered onto her shoulder. Her glow pulsed faintly, tinged with sadness.
Vidalia raised a hand to gently stroke her tiny friend.
"I'm fine…" she whispered—though neither of them truly believed it.
She swallowed her pain, clung to Naya, and slowly walked away, head bowed. Elysia didn't even spare her a glance. And Angela—lost in her grand illusions—shone as if the world finally revolved around her.
In the corridor, Vidalia collapsed against the wall, gasping.
"You should have screamed…" Naya whispered in her mind. "You should have fought back…"
But Vidalia smiled faintly, her eyes bright.
"And lose what little I have left here? No… As long as I remain a shadow, I'm free to observe. And to choose my moment."
A pause. Then, softly:
"I refuse to let her win."
Vidalia dragged herself to her room, leaning against the walls to keep from collapsing. Every step was agony—her bruised leg screaming with each movement. A glance out the window told her night had already fallen.
One thing's certain—my sister is strong, she thought darkly.
How much longer would she have to wait? Today wasn't the day she could escape…
It would be much harder now.
"Vida?"
She startled. Standing at her door were Ruby and Zoé—her roommates—along with several other maids.
She exchanged a nervous glance with Naya. Panic flickered. Were they angry? She hadn't done anything… anything wrong.
"What… what's going on?" she stammered, hands clenched in her dress.
Ruby looked at her gently, sadness held tight beneath the surface. She exchanged a silent glance with the others, only deepening Vidalia's fear.
"I didn't… do anything?" Vidalia whispered, her voice barely audible.
Zoé stepped forward, a faint, joyless smile on her lips, holding out a jar of balm.
"Don't worry. We just wanted to see how you were… and bring a little help."
Around her, the others revealed what they'd gathered—fruit wrapped in cloth, leftover bread, a small vial of sweetened water. Some looked embarrassed, others shyly smiling—but all sincere.
Vidalia froze. Her heart pounded. She didn't know what to say. A knot tightened in her throat.
She wasn't used to this.
She had never received kindness like this.
Her legs gave out.
She broke down in tears, unable to hold everything in any longer. Ruby rushed forward and caught her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing, lifting her gently—cradling her like a wounded treasure.
"Come on," she whispered. "Let's go inside."
The others followed in silence, closing the door behind them.