The Emperor's Flower

I subtly turned my head to the left, where my sister was. I saw her busily talking with the other guests while looking vibrant and positively radiant in her wedding ball gown. She's stuck with her husband like sticky rice. And as if it wasn't enough, my sister's hand is possessively coiled around her husband's waist like a possessive maiden in love. Her dark gaze flutters like a feather while oozing with sickly sweetness as she looks at her husband's face; I couldn't help but immediately look away.

I heave a deep sigh as my stomach twisted in turn. Don't get me wrong, I like her new husband, Chris, but I just truly wished my sister wouldn't get fed up with him easily. However, knowing my sister's temperament, it's like expecting a chicken to fly.

And honestly speaking, the sight is giving me a terrible headache considering that this is already her third marriage within eight years. Just as it's hard for me to trust and love someone, it is quite the opposite for my older sister Alanna. We are the opposite – a polarity of two extremes. Although despite our differences, we still complement each other. We get along well, and we rarely argue except in situations like this.

I grabbed the wine glass filled with water and downed it all before slamming the empty glass back onto the table. Thankfully, I was alone and away from the prying eyes of my new extended family, and no one had dared to walk up to me and strike a conversation about the mundanity of life. I'm glad that I'm spared those social niceties, and Alanna isn't forcing me to socialize. Instead, I've been itching to sneak out of the reception hall and inhale fresh air.

Before I even lose the courage to leave, I grab my purse on the table and my coat hanging at the back of my seat before walking up the employees' exit door just a few meters away. I strategically chose this location so no one would notice if I just decided to stand up and leave. It will be hard to spot me amongst the crowd because the hall is teeming with guests from both sides of the family and their colleagues and business partners.

I quickly maneuvered amidst the crowds of people, trying to be as quiet as a mouse, and I could not stop my grin when I was finally a few steps toward my freedom. However, as soon as I grasp the cold metal knob, my heart almost jumps out of my rib cage when a strong hand grips my bare shoulder.

"My dear sister, Elianna. Where do you think you're going?" an amused but high-pitched voice asked from behind. My shoulders slumped in defeat as I mentally prepared to face my sister's wrath.

In reflex, I looked at her with a broad smile plastered on my lips. "It's quite stuffy. I just need some fresh air."

"That's because you're camping out in the corner of the room without planning to talk to anyone!" Alanna almost half-shouted while her nose flared in barely contained anger. Her cheeks turn bright red as it snakes down her neck.

I couldn't stop myself from giggling because of her reaction. Still, when her eyes almost look like it will shoot laser beams at me, my laugh automatically dies down. I cleared my throat and shrugged nonchalantly.

"What are you saying? It's just that no one wants to talk to me."

Alanna's mouth hangs open in disbelief as she stares at me incredulously. If they weren't in public, I might already have been smack on my backside—that's how annoyed my sister looks right now.

"Are you kidding me? People are asking about you. They are curious about who you are, but you're just giving off this cold and dark vibe that they're getting cold feet before even coming near!"

My eyebrow rises in doubt. "Don't make it sound like I'm an evil incarnate who intimidates people by my mere presence."

Alanna leans forward, closing the tiny gap between them, and whispers beside her ear. "That's because you're acting just like that. Try to be nice, please? Remember, they're family now. It's not just you and me anymore. You've always wanted a big family, right?"

I shrunk back and looked over to the teeming crowd taking up the enormous reception room. My heart should be happy because of my sister's remark, but it felt like I got kicked in the chest instead. Out of all those people inside, no one—not even a single soul belongs to a blood relative of the bride aside from me. There's only my sister and me. We had always been an orphan.

Suddenly, my heart burned with ache, and my mouth felt dry. I looked back at my beautiful sister, who always shines positively, and regarded her with a wry smile. "I did—past tense. You are my only family now. I don't need anyone else."

"Elianna…I don't understand why—" Allana trails off suddenly, not wanting to continue saying what she had initially thought. A deep frown mars her beautiful face while her mouth sets into a hard line.

I'm sure she was about to say she doesn't understand why I'm so tricky, and I would probably reply that's just the way I am. However, I swallowed the words that threatened to spill out of my mouth and put them back in the corner of my heart.

I reached out and tucked the strand of hair that came loose from her braid and whispered solemnly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to cause any trouble. I just really need some air. I will be back as soon as possible, and I will even talk to your new family if you want me to…. just give me a moment of space."

Allana quietly nodded in defeat before turning her back on her. And just like always, she naturally gravitates toward the love of her life without looking back at me—her sister with who she spent her whole life. I should have grown accustomed to it. This is the third time I have watched her try to build a new life with a new family, but it doesn't even make it less painful—the pain of being left alone and the sadness that comes with it.

And it seems that I was too preoccupied with the sudden squeeze of pain invading my senses that I didn't notice the dark silhouette watching us from a distance. It was only later that I found what the night had in store for me.