Betrayal — Why?

Over the next few months, Nadedja and Katerina were a perfect team of sisters.

With Katerina's wit and Nadedja's magic, they managed to hide the pregnancy from their family and even their social circle.

After all, they were born Petrova's, born in Bulgarian aristocracy and a baby out of wedlock would definitely be a nightmare if their family were to find out.

***

"One last push! come on, you can do it ... come on, sister! Push!"

With a few midwives Nadedja had bribed, it was time for Katerina's child to see the world for the first time.

Katerina had already been in labor for five hours, and she was getting utterly tired. Nadedja was a bit overwhelmed but she couldn't wait to see her little niece or nephew.

"Miss, I see the head! We're almost there!"

Gently stroking Katerina's sweaty hair on her forehead while her hand was being crushed by her sister's, Nadedja repeated the midwife's words. "We're almost there, sister. You can do it!"

Gathering her strength, Katerina gave one last push, her throat raw because of her constant shouting over the last few hours.

When the babe's first wails were heard, Nadedja couldn't help the small but genuine smile on her face.

Nadedja had never yearned for children, and probably never would, but she would try her hardest to be Katerina's child's best aunt.

"It's a girl!!" One of the midwives announced.

Nadedja's smile got bigger before she stood up, intent on taking hold of the baby and showing her to her mother.

However, before she could do anything, the door she had spelled shut nearly exploded, leaving an opening big enough for two people to walk through.

— two of her dearest people, Mr. and Mrs. Petrova.

"Mama? Papa?" Nadedja was startled by their presence, before realising that her and her twin hadn't been able to successfully hide the pregnancy. "Let me ..."

"No need," her father cut her off. "The matter has already been arranged."

Her eyes widening in alarm, Nadedja quickly turned around, only now noticing that the midwife who'd been holding the baby last had already disappeared.

Mr. and Mrs. Petrova had to quickly accomplish the feat since Nadedja was an extremely powerful witch and would have successfully stopped the child from being taken away.

Katerina, who had just realised what was going on but was still too weak to stand up could only plead to their father. "Papa, please!" She was now crying. "Let me see her. Let me see her one last time, Papa ... Papa, please!!"

Mr. Petrova was absolute in his decision, not swayed one bit by his daughter's cries. "It's too late, Katerina, you should have thought about this before bringing shame unto our family," his voice was stern. "I don't want to see you again. I have no such daughter as you."

With those harsh, cruel words of banishment, Mr. Petrova turned around and swiftly walked away.

Nadedja on the other hand, was staring at her mother, pleading with her gaze. "Mama, please ... don't do this."

Mrs. Petrova nearly wavered at her daughter's teary-eyed look but in the end, she stood firm with her husband.

"Do not fret, my child," The older woman reassured nonetheless. "The baby will be in good hands, in a family that will love her."

Nadedja gave a small jerk of her head, her sister's wails tearing at her heart. "You're missing the point ..." her whisper was lost in the noisy room.

***

"You know you don't have to come with me, right? You were not banished by Papa ... he would never do that to you."

Katerina's voice was without any fluctuation, the way it had been since that tragic night two weeks prior.

Nadedja had her back to her sister, arranging her luggage in the stables. "I'm your sister, Katerina. Your twin. Remember our promise; whatever we do, we're in this together."

Katerina looked at her sister's back for a long while, the feelings she'd long learned to suppress bubbling back to the surface.

Envy ... Resentment ... Inferiority ... Hate.

Therefore, when Nadedja turned back around, she was met with a sharp knife deep into her heart, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"W-why?" Nadedja's eyes bore into Katerina's, demanding answers. "I'm your sister. Your twin!"

A single tear fell down Katerina's face before she backed away. "No. You're my shadow. And only one of us can shine. Goodbye ... sister."

Without a backwards glance at the twin she had just murdered, Katerina took her luggage and rushed away.

Falling hard on the floor, Nadedja watched the parting figure of her sister. "No ..." Blood trickled down the side of her mouth but her eyes were cold. "You're no sister of mine."

The brunette should have believed in her own vision.

Nadedja was dying but for some odd reason, her last thought was not the life she would be missing ... but the glass of milk her mother always prepared for her in the evenings.

She hadn't had her glass of milk that night.