The Kind Older Sister Is No More

I simply thought it was weird. I’m sure he came to see me, but he went out of my little sister’s room and didn’t even tell me that he had already arrived at my house. Now, he’s walking side by side with her.

Come to think of it; it was already quite strange that no one told me about it. My parents already knew about him. Why did they cover up his arrival?

It’s okay, I’ll turn a blind eye to this situation since it’s you, but I won’t let it go next time.

My sister… my beloved little sister’s figure, was in my fiance’s eyes.

♔♔♔

“Since you’re the older one, you need to give in to your little sister.”

This is a phrase that she frequently heard throughout her life.

Riel, my little sister, was born with a weak heart. She was highly doted on by our parents. Because of her illness, she would be pitied no matter who saw her.

They held a birthday party when Riel was ten years old. And coincidentally, Irene and Riel’s birthday was on the same day, the 22nd of December.

The snow that fell last night had piled up in the morning. It felt like the sky was blessing these two people’s birthdays.

Irene dressed up for her upcoming birthday party and headed to Riel’s room. However, Riel was still getting ready, but she couldn’t endure being groomed for a long time because of her illness. This is why she would sometimes take a break in the middle.

Riel was wearing a yellow ruffle dress when I entered her room. My mother was helping Riel dress up with her own hands. This was the first time I saw my mother’s face today.

“Riel, when will you finish?”

Irene urged Riel to hurry up. It was because she could only go to the party after Riel was finally ready. And then, Mother pushed Irene aside and said, “Riel still needs more preparation. Go back to your room.”

“Why? I want to wait here as well.”

“Riel will get jealous seeing you. You’re the older one, be patient and wait in your room.”

Just like what Mother said, Riel, who was in front of the bed, had an envious look on her face.

“I want to wear a pretty dress like you, sister, quickly,” Riel said while looking at her.

“Irene,” Mother said with a firm tone.

However, Riel’s words pushed Irene more.

She had no choice but to go back to her room and wait alone. After waiting for an hour, the nanny knocked on her room to pick her up; she told her that all the preparations were done and that her mother headed to the party first with Riel.

When she arrived with the nanny, the party had already begun. Riel was currently blowing a candle on the cake with their Father beside her.

When Irene appeared, her mother said with an apologetic look on her face, “I’m sorry, Irene. Riel’s sick, and she can’t stay much longer, so please let her enjoy this moment.”

“But…”

Her Father hugged Riel as he hurried to the room. When her mother tried to follow him, Irene timidly grabbed her by the hem of her clothes.

“Mom, I…”

“Irene, please. I’ll talk to you later. Your sister just collapsed.”

“I know, but I want to say….”

“Irene! Stop it! Why are you like this when your sister just collapsed? You’ve disappointed me! Get in your room and think about what you’re doing!”

Her mother couldn’t stand it and shook off Irene’s hand as she left the party. Because of this incident, everyone in the room left. And then, the nanny approached Irene.

“Miss..”

“Thank you for giving birth to me. That’s what I wanted to tell her.”

“…”

Irene just wanted to say this. The nanny could hear her murmur. It made the latter feel sad. As Irene grasped the hem of her skirt, she really wanted to cry, but she bore it since she was the older sibling.

“That’s why I can endure this….”

The nanny kept silent and didn’t say anything.

This was how Irene’s 11th birthday passed.

The employees in the mansion all pitied Riel. She wasn’t allowed to get hurt because she was frail. Even Irene’s maids were busy assisting Riel instead of her. This was how Irene gradually became isolated.