Paying "Sister" a Visit

Kalina was currently thirteen years old, which meant that Lucille was twelve. From her past experiences, Kalina also knew that Lucille and her mother, Nessa, currently lived in a small room behind a bakery in the town near the estate.

Nessa was a former prostitute, who had been very popular for her sensual beauty. She had a curvy body and a sultry aura that attracted noble men who were bored with their elegant and composed wives.

Kalina's father had also become infatuated with her and spent many nights with her, neglecting his pregnant wife. Eventually, when Kalina was only a year old, Nessa became pregnant with Lucille.

The Duchess never found out about the child until the Duke brought Nessa to the mansion. He had demanded that the Duchess, who had full control over matters concerning the Ephraim House, to adopt Lucille into the main family. The Duchess had complied, and was eventually murdered by her adoptive daughter.

Kalina scoffed as she recalled the events of her past. The Duke was nothing without her mother. No title, no money, just endless gambling debts that he had continuously paid off with the budget that had been allocated for the maintenance of the dukedom. He had become Duke Ephraim after marrying her mother, who was the sole heir to the family, from being the fourth son of a poor viscount with no inheritance.

'For my mother's money to be spent in such ways...truly unacceptable.'

"Miss? Is everything alright?" Olivia asked timidly after seeing Kalina's expression darken.

"Oh, I'm fine, thank you." Kalina replied, rubbing her eyes. She had just woken up and her thoughts were already filled with vile people. Turning to her maid, she asked: "Would you like to go out with me?"

"Yes?"

"I haven't gone out to see the town in a while. Would you accompany me?"

"Of course! Should I notify the coachman right now?"

"No, come help me get dressed. Let someone else do it." Kalina ordered, her words showing her favor for Olivia.

"O..Okay!" Olivia rushed over to Kalina's wardrobe and opened it. "Which dress, miss?"

"Pick something simple. Not too eye-catching, but something pretty." Kalina sat back and closed her eyes as she listened to the noise of her rustling dresses.

"Is this good?" Olivia held up a pale blue-gray dress.

"Yes." Kalina stood still and allowed Olivia to dress her and brush her hair.

Even at a young age, Kalina had unparalleled beauty. Her hair was of spun gold and her eyes were big radiant gems. She had a dainty nose and plump rose-colored lips. Her face was small with plump cheeks and supple skin. She was a graceful nymph that would one day develop into an alluring goddess.

She stood in front of the mirror and evaluated her outfit. Her layered periwinkle dress cut off right below her knees, showing off her slender ankles and matching Mary Jane shoes. Since she was going for a plain look, she didn't wear any jewels and instead opted for a silver charm bracelet. Finally, she draped a hooded cloak over herself so that her outfit wasn't showing. After all, she wasn't wearing it for just anyone to look at. It was reserved for a special, special person.

After being urged by her mother to stay safe, Kalina set out for the town with Olivia and two knights. She stopped the carriage at the edge of the town to avoid unwanted attention, since the Ephraim family seal was plastered on the side of the coach.

"Miss..! Are you really going to walk?" Olivia exclaimed, chasing after Kalina, who had already started for the town. The knights looked worried as well, as if they thought Kalina was incapable of walking a few meters.

Kalina didn't respond and kept walking. She went inside an accessory store and bought some cheap and gaudy hair clips and trinkets so that no one would suspect she was doing anything other than shopping.

After buying a few small dolls on the way, she finally arrived at her destination. It was the very bakery where Nessa and Lucille were staying.

"Wait here." Kalina instructed the two knights. "Olivia, come with me."

"But-" One of the knights began to protest as Kalina moved towards the bakery.

"That's an order." Kalina said, stopping and turning back, glaring at the knights with a frosty stare.

"Yes, Lady Kalina." The knights kneeled in unison, a cold sweat forming on their backs. Since Kalina had been more well-mannered lately, they had been more relaxed and accidentally talked back to their lady. For this alone, months of their salary were at stake.

"Don't let it happen again."

Kalina turned on her heel and led Olivia into the alley next to the bakery. The maid followed her silently, wanting to ask where they were headed but too scared to speak out in fear of being reprimanded.

Kalina stopped in front of a grimy wooden door and motioned for Olivia to knock. The maid stepped forward and nervously tapped on the door three times before retreating.

Since it was still the afternoon, no one would be home, except...

"Hello?" A familiar voice sounded as the door opened a crack.

Kalina's hands began trembling unconsciously as she gripped her cloak tightly, her mouth twisting into a grimace.

It was Lucille.

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"You know Papa?"

"Yes. But keep it a secret, okay? If anyone finds out, I can't visit anymore." Kalina sat on a wooden chair in Nessa's dilapidated apartment as Olivia waited outside.

Sitting across from her was Lucille, who was dressed in tattered rags, her face streaked with dirt. Her light blue hair was disheveled and her unwashed body smelled foul. Right now, her appearance was unsightly, but underneath all the grime, she was quite a pretty girl.

In Kalina's past life, Lucille had received many compliments after becoming a noble and dolling herself up. Of course, her face could not be compared to Kalina's–but Kalina rarely dressed up, fearing it would take attention away from her poor younger sister.

Seeing Lucille in such a state brought a smile to Kalina's face. She reached into the pocket of her cloak and pulled out the toys and accessories she had bought earlier, placing them on the table. Even in the dim space, the rhinestones shimmered brightly.

"Pretty!" Lucille exclaimed, grabbing one and examining it, her purple eyes filled with childish wonder.

"I bought them for you." Kalina said, watching Lucille clamor over fake jewels in amusement.

"Really? Thank you!" Lucille beamed as she fastened a pink hairclip to her hair. The glittery clip looked out of place in Lucille's unkempt hair, but Kalina just smiled back.

"If you like them so much, I'll visit again with even prettier things."

"Okay! And umm..." Lucille swung her legs back and forth as she fiddled with her fingers.

"Huh?"

"What's your name?"

"I can't tell you that yet." Kalina responded, mischievously bringing a finger to her lips.

"Oh, then...if it's okay, can I call you sister?"

Kalina stiffened. In her head, she could hear Lucille's taunting voice calling her sister, sister, sister, all the way up to her last moments.

'No. This Lucille is still naive and stupid. The situation is still under my control.' Kalina reminded herself, taking deep breaths to calm herself down.

"Sure."

"Sister can call me Lucy. That's what Mama calls me."

"Alright." Kalina agreed but didn't call the name, which made Lucille frown a little.

"Miss? It's getting late." Olivia's voice came from outside the door. "We should get going soon, or the madam will worry."

"Wait for me to come back," Kalina said to Lucille, getting up and dusting herself off. Then, in one swift move, she removed her cloak, revealing her wavy golden hair and elegant mist-colored dress. A hint of lavender wafted through the air. Lucille stared, her mouth agape. She had never seen anything so beautiful before.

Kalina turned around, chuckling under her breath.

'Yes, just like that. Desire what I have. Fill yourself with greed.'

With that, Kalina returned to her estate and Lucille was left alone. She removed the hairclip from her hair and caressed it carefully, her eyes glinting in the dark room as her thoughts were slowly consumed by the girl who had just become a goddess to her.