The Sacrificial Bride

In Afternoon, Esther's room...

Esther sat on her bed, a large map unfurled before her, her eyes scanning the borders of the empire with chilling focus. "If I want revenge," she murmured to herself, "I need to take away what they adore most—SilverCrest itself." But how? Should she stay in this palace, this prison dressed in silk, or should she leave and plan from out? 

It would be wiser to first understand the cracks hidden beneath the Empire's polished surface. Esther needed to gather more information, about its politics, its people, its weaknesses. And for that, attending noble gatherings, soirées, and imperial balls would offer the perfect opportunity. 'Should I consider forming ties with nobles from other empires?' she wondered, fingers brushing the edge of the map. 'No... too dangerous for now. But I'll keep it in mind.'

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door slammed open without a knock. Suzy entered, her voice sugar-coated and trembling. "Big sis... can you help me?" She wore the same fake sadness she always did, the same play of crocodile tears. "I dropped my favorite necklace in the pond. I tried retrieving it, but I failed. Please help me, big sis." 

Esther barely looked at her. "What about the maids? Ask them." She went back to checking the map.

"They tried but failed," Suzy said quickly, coming closer. "But if you help me... Mother might finally praise you. Isn't that good?"

Esther looked at her, face unreadable. "I don't need her praise, Suzy."

Suzy's smile faltered for a second, irritation flashing in her eyes before she masked it. "Please? It might help you. You know how much I care about you..."

She was confused why her big sister was different today? Esther used to adore suzy so much. It made suzy uncomfortable. She didn't wanted to accept that. Everyone in the family should adore only her. No one can change that.

"Big sis, please help me. Mom always scolds you, I feel so awful. I really want to help you. This is a chance to show mom how amazing are you. Please big sis." Suzy said with tears in her eyes.

Esther sighed. She realized that suzy just wanted to create a trouble. Since, she was bored anyways, she decided to have fun with her. She got up and agreed to help suzy.

Suzy's eyes sparkled with happiness. "You're amazing, big sis."

.

.

.

They arrived at the pond in the royal garden, where a few maids were searching in the pond. Suzy handed Esther a long stick. Esther took it calmly, pretending to search the water.

Then, as expected, Suzy suddenly lunged forward to push her into the pond.

But Esther had already stepped aside.

With a splash, Suzy fell into the cold water. Her scream pierced the air. "I'm drown.... Drowning! Help! Help!.. Someone help me!!"

The maids panicked and ran inside the palace, leaving Esther alone with her younger sister.

Esther stepped closer to the edge, watching Suzy struggling. Her heart was torn between two: One part of her wanted to help her younger sister who was in pain and needed her. But the other part was completely devoid of warmth.

The sight of the water stirred something inside her—a painful, cold memory. She saw herself as a small child, being dragged by the maids and forced underwater as punishment. She had made a mistake at the royal ball: stumbled and fallen while dancing with the Emperor, her father. The next morning, her mother, enraged by the embarrassment, ordered the maids to "discipline" her. And so they did, by holding her under the freezing pond until her limbs went numb and her screams turned to silence.

Another memory rushed through her mind. She was sixteen then, smiling brightly as she wore the jade bracelet gifted by elder sis. It was her most precious belonging, one of the rare tokens of affection she had ever received. But Suzy's envy had no bounds. Without warning, she shoved Esther into the same pond. Esther remembered flailing, gasping, calling for help. No one came. The palace remained silent, uncaring. Only when she had nearly slipped into unconsciousness did a passing guard finally pull her out. Even then, no one asked what had happened. No one cared.

Her hands trembled from the memory.

Suzy gasped. "Big sis... help... please..."

Esther's eyes turned empty and cold. She reached out and grabbed a fistful of Suzy's hair.

Suzy barely had time to scream before her head was shoved underwater. The water around them rippled unnaturally. The surface shimmered with faint violet light. Around them, the trees stopped swaying. Even the birds grew silent.

A supernatural stillness overtook the garden. She had unknowingly created a barrier of divine energy.

Esther pulled Suzy's head up. Suzy coughed violently, her eyes wide in disbelief. Her big sis looked back at her as if she was a stranger. The cold empty gaze that no more held kindness and warmth for her.

"Big sis—"

Splash. Esther pushed her down again.

A third time, she dragged her up, then down.

Then up again.

Suzy was a wreck: coughing, gasping, tterrified Using divine power for first time took toll on her body. She felt weak and dizzy. Esther's body was sweating as her eyes were getting heavy. But, she didn't wanted to leave yet. She looked at suzy, who was panting heavily. She was coughing and shivering in fear. Esther smirked and clapped her hands bringing it near her face.

"How do you feel, my little sister? Was it fun? Don't you love drowning a person? Haven't you drowned me before? It's really fun. I had so much fun. Do you want to play again?" She smirked while asking her.

Suzy stared at her in horror as scooted back. "N-No... Please don't... Please forgive me..."

Esther laughed. "Aww... my poor sis has no tolerance."

Esther got up as her knees buckled. But she stood up straight. Her body was getting weaker due to the divine power. She somehow broke the spell and left.

Next second, the maids and guards burst in, surrounding Suzy in panic. "Princess! Are you hurt? Did Princess Esther save you?"

Suzy coughed, shivering, glaring in rage. "Shut up! Just help me get up!"

As they helped her to her feet, fury burned behind her eyes.

She'll pay. No matter what it takes... Esther will regret this.

.

.

.

Esther barely made it back to her room. Her legs wobbled, her vision blurred. Her whole body was burning. She collapsed onto her bed and blacked out.

In Night...

Esther woke up due to loud noises. She got up from her bed. Her head was aching badly. Still, She wrapped a shawl around her and walked outside.

The maids were rushing here and there. Esther walked towards the Suzy's room, lavish and opulent, nestled right beside their parents' grand quarters. Unlike her own cold and modest room tucked far at the end of the hall, Suzy's chamber gleamed with silks, gold trimmings, and the scent of fresh lilacs

Everything befitting a treasured princess.

Suzy was burning with high fever and cold. The physician asked her to stay in bed. Her condition was frail and weak. Empress Maria clutched her daughter, panicked. Emperor Oliver stood close, eyes narrowed. Crown Princess Sierra stayed by her bed and cleaned her forehead gently. She was worried about her sister's health. 

Then Maria spotted Esther.

"What are you doing here? Get lost. You will create a mess by staying here. Sierra will take care of suzy. Leave." She scolded her.

Esther nodded, emotionless, and turned. She walked back to her room in silence. Alone.

Once she stepped in her room, she locked the door immediately. She looked down at her wedding ring.

A strange warmth fluttered in her chest. When she blinked again, she was no longer in the cold castle.

She was back in hell, in the same bedroom.