The sharp sound of steel tearing through flesh echoed in the cold chamber.
Lotus stood frozen.
Her eyes were wide, her breath caught in her throat as she watched Nefira , her mirror, her curse and her heart crumple to the ground.
The blade had pierced her chest.
And their father had held it.
They'd spent a lifetime bound by blood, by rivalry, by secrets whispered in the dark.
Nefira had always shone brighter. Been bolder. Smarter. Better.
And yet she still loved her.
Now she was gone.
"Now come along, Lotus. Unless you'd like to join her?"
His voice was calm. Unbothered. Cold.
It broke through Lotus's trance like a whip.
Her body flinched, but she didn't speak.
A single tear slipped down her cheek and she clenched her fists so hard her nails broke skin.
The pain kept her still.
It stopped her from doing something reckless. From screaming. From dying.
She would not cry again. Not in front of him.
She followed her father in silence, her steps light, her presence small.
She wasn't the one who had been stabbed — but it hurt like she had.
Every breath was a struggle. Her chest felt hollow.
She was suffocating.
Still, she said nothing.
Blood dripped silently from her hand onto the marble floor, mingling with the innocent's that had been shed .
Her father walked with satisfaction in every step.
As they emerged from the palace, soldiers knelt before him, heads bowed in reverence.
"Men, arise! Victory is ours today!"
He lifted his arms, basking in the moment.
His smile was wide,genuine one might say. The first real smile Lotus had ever seen on his face.
And it was terrifying.
"Tonight, we celebrate," he declared.
"Cisor!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the commander responded, bowing deeply.
"Go to the holding quarters. Free the women and strong men. Have them clean the palace. And prepare a feast worthy of conquest."
"Your will is my command."
Cisor mounted his stallion and rode off.
The soldiers cheered.
"Victory!"
Lotus felt sick.
"Lotus," her father said casually as they walked back inside.
"Do you know why Nefira was always my favorite?"
He walked with his hands clasped behind his back like a wise man, like a god.
Lotus clenched her teeth.
"Because she was braver. Smarter," she said, her voice tight.
"Exactly," he said with delight. "She didn't wear her emotions. She showed no weakness ,well except for today. Love tsk. Love makes fools of even the best."
He paused, his voice dipped with mock sadness.
"Ramsees was impressive. I'll give him that. Managed to charm both of you."
"Father, that's outrageous," Lotus said quickly. "You know I'm nothing like Nefira."
"So you say," he mused, glancing at her sideways.
Then he stopped walking.
"Do you know why I killed my precious daughter?"
Her stomach twisted. Her jaw locked. She didn't answer. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"No words? Hm. Bold. Fine. I'll tell you. She became emotional. I warned her — love would make her weak. But she let it consume her."
"She let it change her,i taught her better *sighs*"
He circled her like a predator.
"Originally, you were the one meant to die," he said casually. "You've always been… disappointing."
She flinched but kept her face still. Blank.
"But today? You surprised me. You watched your sister and the man you pined for die, and you didn't break.
If I didn't know you, I'd almost believe you didn't care at all."
He leaned in, his breath hot and smug near her cheek.
"So congratulations... on not dying."
Lotus couldn't breathe.
She wanted to scream. To stab him.
But she stayed still.
"I expect you to get your emotions out of the way tonight," he said, stepping back. "Cry, scream, do whatever nonsense women do. But tomorrow — you'll wear her name. You will become Nefira."
Her heart cracked.
She wanted to vomit.
He turned away, proud and victorious, striding down the hallway.
The monster had won.
Lotus waited until he was gone, then ran.
She found the first empty room she could and collapsed to the floor.
And only then did she cry.
"Why her?" she whispered into her hands.
"Why not me? Why wasn't I enough?"
Her sobs were silent, but her pain roared inside her.
Her sister had found freedom — even if it cost her everything.
But Lotus?She was still trapped,will forever be trapped by that monster,sick excuse for a father .