Chapter 10

"But papa!"

"Honey, good girls listen to their papa"

8 year old Cecilia, her cheeks ruddy red and puffy in annoyance, lips in a pout, glared up at her father.

"I love that doll! Can't you get her another one?" 

Cecilia pointed to a five year old Julia, her curly brown hair falling over her face as she curiously watched the exchange in front of her.

"Dear, she wants that doll. I'll get you a new one ok? The exact same"

The viscount panicked as his oldest daughter's eyes welled up with tears. 

"Evelyn gave it to me" 

She rubbed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hands, knees falling to the ground. 

"Sweetie, come here!"

The viscountess smiled at her, making a come hither motion. Cecilia plodded to her mother, and fell in her lap. 

"Cecilia, Older sisters take care of their little sisters. You have to protect them and keep them happy and you've to share your toys with them" 

Her mother softly rubbed her hair, smoothening the strands that got haywire during her outburst. Cecilia just nodded, accepting her mother's words and looked back. 

Her little sister stretched the arms of her doll and chewed the ears. Eyes meeting Cecilia's for a moment, she grinned at her and hugged the doll. 

•

Cecilia squealed as she opened the wrapping of the gift box, it was such a gorgeous necklace. Gently placing it back into the box, she tackled her father.

"Thank you papa! This is the best gift ever!" 

The Viscount chuckled and hugged his daughter back. Quickly, shifting her attention back to her gift, Cecilia admired the necklace. It was a pretty rose gold, with a tear drop at the end that was embedded with a baby blue gemstone. She wore it around her neck and noticed how it complimented her eyes. 

"What is the matter Julia?"

Cecilia turned away from the mirror to look at Julia, whose eyes were shining with tears and her lips wobbly.

"It's just -" Hiccup " We didn't celebrate my birthday because I was sick"

She turned away as soon as the tears were about to drop, trying her best to hide them.

"I'm sorry sister, I didn't mean to cry"

"It's ok dear, I can always get Cecilia another one. Right Cecilia?"

Cecilia nodded and numbly removed the necklace from her person. The Viscount took it from her and placed it around the now sniffing Julia's neck.

"There you go"

Later, the viscount presented Cecilia with another gift, which did not have the same necklace.

"I'm sorry dear, It's sold out. I hope you aren't too sad about this"

Cecilia just looked on at the different necklace, pretty but not hers. When she didn't reply, the Viscount sighed and continued,

"It's been a hard time for all of us with your mother passing away, we can only imagine what Julia is going through, losing her mother at such a young age. It's not been easy for me, I can't focus on work like before and now I've to love you both in place of your mother too"

He looked grim by the end of his speech. 

"Dear, please don't be hurt. We need to sacrifice and protect those close to us in times of need"

Cecilia mutely nodded.

•

She was in a hurry, tying her bracelet, excited for her debut. After careful consideration, she and Ruby decided on a lilac gown. She loved how it elegantly flowed down to the ground, the pattern of the neck, the choker that perfectly complimented it and the way it swished as she walked. 

Making sure she did not accidentally step on the hem of her dress in hurry, she finally reached the carriage and spotted Julia. What she saw gave her a pause. There stood Julia, donning the exact same gown, patiently waiting for her. Their eyes met and Julia gave no reaction, as if waiting for Cecilia to do something.

"My, don't you girls just look wonderful!" 

The viscount walked to them, smiling cheerily and clapped his hands.

"Julia dear, is this your idea of supporting your sister?"

"Yes papa, It was my idea. I figured sister would be nervous, It's an important occasion"

Julia hugged his hand as they made their way to the carriage, and turned her head to give Cecilia a smile that almost appeared sly.

•

Giddy excitement coursed through her as she ran to her room to read the latest letter from her penpal. Alex and her have been exchanging letters since they last met at a ball a few months back. Their conversation never ended after learning that they both had lost sleep over a novel that they loved to bits. Deciding to continue speaking through letters, it quickly became an exciting part of most of her mornings, reading and writing letters back.

She cherished their conversations on paper, would never admit it but she spent a good few minutes admiring his handwriting. Ruby always teased her, making her blush. 

Having never experienced these feelings in her eighteen years of life, Cecilia couldn't place a finger on it. Ruby called it a crush.

Humming to herself, gazing out the window, Cecilia was bored. Having no lessons left her quite a bit of time. Wondering if maybe she should just go for a walk, she turned around. 

However, a carriage entering the gate made her stop. 

Who was here?

As if to answer her question, the carriage stopped and out came a figure.

Alex?

Quickly making sure she looked decent in the mirror, she hurried out the room. 

Ah no.

Running back, she grabbed a tube of lipstick and applied it evenly with her shaking fingers.

Done.

Taking two stairs at a time, all while wishing she would not slip and break her neck.

"Alex?"

The boy in question perked up and almost appeared embarrassed.

"Cecilia"

He smiled awkwardly.

"What brings you here? I don't remember us discussing you visiting me?"

Alex pressed his lips in contemplation, before he could answer, it came in the form of Julia.

"You're here early"

Julia noticed Cecilia and a question mark was practically painted on her face.

"Oh sister! Papa wouldn't let me go alone to the play. Sir Alex is escorting me"

That did not answer anything, in fact more questions popped up in Cecilia's mind. There were guards who could have accompanied her? Something could have been arranged? Cecilia was not even asked if she wanted to see the play? 

"See you at dinner sister" 

Julia weaved her hand through Alex's and Cecilia didn't fail to notice the blush on his cheeks. 

Something broke in her as she watched their backs moving farther and farther.

•

CECILIA!"

The older one scoffed internally and suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Julia practically stomped to her, harshly grabbed her wrist, nails painfully digging in her skin. Cecilia winced and tried to pry her hand away but the grip was too strong.

"What was that?"

Her every word punctuated with saliva in Cecilia's face. Is it this easy? To strip Julia of the perfect mask she wore around? 

"What?" 

"What was that with the prince?"

Cecilia acted concerned but on the inside she was consumed with misery. Her once loving sister, Soft features contorted in fury, eyes that held so much love now void of any.

"What about Ivan?"

That seemed to infuriate her even more. Good.

"You never told me that you were in a relationship with-"

"Let go of my hand! You're hurting me!"

Wrist painted with angry red crescent moons, Cecilia felt her chest filling up with rage. Taking a deep breath, calming herself to stay clear headed, she calmly regarded her sister's shaking frame. 

"You tell me everything!"

It was as if a toddler was throwing a tantrum. 

"What if I didn't share this with you? Why must you be displaying such anger?"

"BECAUSE I-"

Her eyes widening, as if realising what she was about to say, she clamped her mouth shut. 

"Today has tired me out, I need to rest" 

A curt end to what would barely be called a conversation, Cecilia left her sister clutching at her shimmery purple dress. Her eyes followed Cecilia like a hawk until she was out of sight.

Breathing easily as she entered her room, she flopped on the bed.

Sleep would be a mercy.