Chapter 148: Chapter 148

“You are my sister.”

Sister?!

Henry looked at his sister with wide eyes, and then at the girl wrapped in shadows, her identity didn’t come as a big surprise for him, but rather like the rational answer to all the questions, where did the girl came from, what did she want, what was she hiding, how was she so strong and capable, and why was the shadows’ lord so attached to her, she was the hybrid, the daughter of his father and Goddess Historia, but to call her sister…

Was she really a sister? Henry wondered, his eyes not moving from the duo but his mind summoning the image of his other sibling, Nicholas, the one who not only betrayed them so many times, but also killed their mother, the angelic woman who never held back with her love to her children, and still, her own son killed her, which only proved to the young king that the bond of blood was just as weak as a no bond at all, it wasn’t blood that made a family and held it together, it was the pure, selfless, and unconditional love.

The girl whom Nara just called sister with tears falling off her face and a complicated smile on her face wasn’t family, how could she be? Nothing ever tied her to them, they didn’t even know her, they never met her, and in his case, he always saw her as the living proof for his father’s betrayal to his good mother, the wound that remained open on her heart.

“Nara! This is not…”

“She is, Henry! She is our sister! I don’t care if she is a half-sister! That doesn’t change anything!” Nara snapped at her brother, her face hard and serious as she stood in front of the other girl like a defensive shield, ready to take anything instead of what she just claimed to be their half-sister, whose other half was a Goddess, looking over his shoulder, he was met with teary pure eyes, ones that reminded him of a pair he once saw in a dark corridor, also weak and pure and vulnerable.

Taking a step back, Henry watched as his little sister turned back towards the girl with that warm and hopeful smile of hers, and for a second, he felt as if he didn’t know anything about anyone any more, his  brother who was dealing with a God was killed, his best friend was a mad beast not minutes ago, killing everything that stood in his way, the weird knightess was his half sister and best friend’s lover, and his sister, she was the one that shocked him the most, he was wondering where did his obedient and calm sister go, the perfect little princess of Taghit kingdom, there were no traces of her, Henry thought, the woman standing in front of him was more fierce and more down to earth than what his sister used to be, she was capable of killing for those whom she loved, she was turning into…his mother!

Henry felt the tears gather in his eyes which he didn’t try to hold back, his eyes shifting to his friend who was still in his demonic form, standing protectively in front of his beloved, Sara, her name was, the little liar who walked into their lives and managed to leave a mark in each and everyone of them, including himself, that girl didn’t only change his sister, but him as well, she made him a better king, and a better human, but was that enough to call her family!

“You are my sister!” Nara said once again, her smile growing wider as she noticed the way Sara’s lower lip was trembling, for even when the words were almost unbelievable, the need to hear those particular words was too intense and urgent to care about all the warnings and doubts in her head, the beauty and sweetness of the spoken words, and the sincerity her sister’s eyes held as she said them were enough proves for her to expose her bruised heart and let it be patted and bandaged, it was too much already, and she was tired of all the fights, she was tired of all the calculations and plans and second guessing, she just wanted to give in, to lose herself and let the spread arms catch her.

“My sister!” she whispered softly, her tears reciprocating those of her sister’s, heavy and unstopping, making Nara laugh and sob at the same time, her smile growing bigger as she spread her arms and took the remaining step, engulfing her sister, her youngest sibling, and the lost member of the family into a tight hug, Sara’s arms were quick to close on Nara as well, both of them sobbing like little girls as they both felt the bond of sisterhood, the one that was always there, hidden under all the lies and fears, grew stronger and thicker, Eren took a small step back from Sara when he didn’t detect any danger nor malice towards her, giving his fair lady the space she needed to savor that moment, the one she dreamt about all her life, she was finally being accepted by one of her family members, the sister she loved more than anything.

Only that she didn’t glance his way, not even once!

What if she was no longer lonely enough to want him? what if the small void he was occupying was now filled and he no longer had a spot in her heart?

“I…”

“You are Sara, my little sister! All this time you were by my side, guiding and protecting me, and I was so stupid and blind not to see why, I just took it for granted, thinking that it was your duty for I was a princess, but I was wrong, my status never mattered, not to you at least, you were there for me because it was me, your sister!”

“You are, you are my sister!” Sara sobbed out, no longer holding back her feelings, she let the dam break, shedding off her defenses, only to allow the light and warmth in, her eyes cried happy tears as she hugged her sister more, her fists clutching to the princess’ gown.

“So, you lied to us!” Sara flinched and broke the hug after the sudden accusation followed by the low warning growl of her demon who didn’t leave her side for once, looking up at her brother who walked to stand by Nara’s side, she gulped and took a step back, remembering the fact that it wasn’t just about her sister…

It was surreal, and she wanted to believe that she was lifted above a pink cloud, where everything turned right just like that, but things were never that easy, not for her at least.

“We can worry about that later though, you both need rest, and you must be cold!” Henry ignored his friend’s menacing growl, mostly because he didn’t plan to harm the girl in anyway, why harm her? he thought, the blood didn’t matter, but she was family, she always had what it took to be one, and acted like a member of the family, in her own ways, she always provided them with her selfless and unconditional love and support, hiding her true identity and acting like a servant just to keep them all safe, he couldn’t believe that someone was that selfless, and someone like that couldn’t be bad, even without the blood, she was family.

Taking off his own cloak, Henry slowly placed it on the girl’s shoulders, almost chuckling at the way she looked, she wasn’t the Dahlia he knew, this little girl looked so scared and stiff with anticipation, and that only made him wonder about how much she craved their approval and acknowledgment of her as a sister, and that made him wonder just how lonely she was.

“I am sorry I didn’t realize it earlier.” Henry said with a soft smile and far more composed expression than Nara’s, nevertheless, it was truthful and honest, the brotherly affection was there and he couldn’t deny it, it was faint and small as he wasn’t someone with much emotions to spare to begin with, but it was something. “and I am sorry for everything else, I was a bad big brother to you, but I will make sure it all changes!” Henry said and then hugged his sister, not bothering to fight the warmth that spread across his heart, the girl had suffered a lot, and even when he still had his doubts, he didn’t want her to suffer another rejection, she deserved acceptance by her own family members, she deserved her chance, and she deserved love.

Two years ago, his heart ached for her, for the fate she faced, he believed she died and always carried that small guilt with him, but she wasn’t dead, she was alive and in front of him, giving him another chance to be the brother he was wished to be.

It was what he wanted to do, what he thought was the right thing to do, and what his mother would have wanted him to do.

“My sister!” Henry said in the girl’s ears, feeling her sob on his chest, what a poor thing, he thought as he caressed her hair, what a bruised and scared heart was hiding behind that strong façade of Dahlia.

“This is a bad place to be in, Let us go home now!” Henry released the girl from his hug but kept his arms around her, Eren was looking at them and not saying a word, knowing his friend and the way he loved the hybrid girl, he knew he must be happy for her, but his eyes were clouded with something, fear!

Was he afraid that they were going to hurt her? Henry asked, making a mental note to talk to his friend later on and reassure him, as well as give him some well deserved punches for lying to him all that time.

“Home?”

“It is your home too, Da…I mean Sara.” Henry said while wrapping his other arm around Nara who was standing in front of them, her cheeks flushed and a few of the tears still stuck on her lashes, nevertheless, the smile on her face was anything but sad, if anything, it was radiant and happy like the sun itself.

“Is this what you wanted to make right?” Henry asked as he urged both of his sisters to start walking towards the royal carriage that just arrived, they all needed rest, him included.

“Yes, brother, that night Sara protected me from the demoness who wanted to take me, I was surprised by her powers and she ran away!”

“I see, well, we will talk later about both of your recklessness, it is becoming a real problem!” Henry said in a tone of a big brother as he helped both his sisters into the carriage, noticing how Sara turned to the shadows’ lord with a complicated expression on her face.

“Aren’t you coming, Eren?”

“I must check on my empire first, but I will make a quick visit later, we still have many things to discuss.” Eren waived his hand, hiding away the strange yet bitter feeling, he didn’t have any right to feel what he was feeling! Jealous of her family, she was happy, and was finally getting what she always wanted, what does it matter if he wasn’t a part of that happiness?

Sara looked at him for a bit more before she was urged inside the carriage, something wasn’t right, not just with her demon, but also with her, her happiness suddenly felt incomplete, the shadows slipped off her body and return to their lord, and even with the cloak wrapped around her, she felt cold and exposed, even as she sat inside the carriage with her sister by her side, holding her hand and asking her non stop while Henry, who looked as if he didn’t sleep in days sat across them and watched them with a happy smile plastered on his face.

It was all too perfect, but it was missing something, Sara thought before drifting off to sleep.

……….

“You couldn’t wait before getting into the bath, could you?” Nara said with a surprised smile as she walked on her sister’s bathroom, unlike Sara who was already in her tub rubbing her skin harshly, Nara was still in the same gown, maybe because unlike her, there were many that waited for her return and were there to great her.

“I had to, I feel dirty!” Sara answered with a small smile, her eyes taking in her sister, surprisingly, Sara was resisting the fatigue perfectly, meeting the nobles and reassuring them about her safety, and expressing her apologies for making them all worried for her.

“Why?”

“He touched me!” Sara released a bitter sigh and got busy with cleaning herself again, he was dead, she reassured herself, just like the priest who tried to rape her in the tower, Eren killed them both for her.

“Well then give me this!” Nara didn’t know what to say, that she was sorry? It wasn’t enough, instead, she took the washcloth from her sister’s hand and did the cleaning, words were just words, she thought, and words had a very narrow rage of effect, instead, actions spoke louder, and she chose to help her sister with anything she could, cleaning her body from the traces of the vile man, and making her feel safe and home.

It felt nice, having a little sister!

“Are you planning to peel my skin off?” Sara said jokingly, when Nara took her time to rub the skin thoughtfully, it wasn’t like her to make jokes, but the awkward atmosphere and silence wasn’t comfortable for neither of them.

“How did you know?”

“I overheard the shadows’ lord and the ice queen talking, that day when you talked to the people after your poisoning, I couldn’t believe it at first, so…I checked!” Nara admitted while lowering her eyes, feeling guilty for all the doubts she had and for lying instead of facing Sara with the truth that same day, for it would have spared them both a lot of pain and misunderstandings.

“You checked?”

“Yes, the birthmark on your lower back, I have one too, and so does Henry and Nicholas, our father had it, and so did all his fathers, it is rumored to be a gift from Gods, so we, the Yorens, can always know who is our blood!”

“I didn’t know about this!” Sara looked at her sister with raised eyebrows, remembering the day she came into her bathroom for the first time and helped her shower, “What are you going to check now?”

“This time, it is only to check on you, I promise.” Nara laughed awkwardly as she pulled out a bottle from her pocket, Sara stared at the little thing curiously, wondering what it was.

“I think it is about time you stop hiding, Sara!”

“I…I am not sure I am ready for that!” Sara slowly ripped her eyes from the bottle to meet Nara’s warm and encouraging gaze, it was something that she wanted, especially after the storm she created, to make peace with every part of her, and accept herself, her past, her pain, her truth, and her future, but as she stared at the bottle, she felt as if things were moving too quick for her, it was all so sudden.

“it is who you are, and you should accept it!” with one last encouraging smile encouraging smile which was followed by Sara’s hesitant nod, Nara poured the thick liquid in her palms and rubbed it a little before applying it on Sara’s head, and in a matter of seconds, the white foam turned into a black one as the black dye was wearing off the silver locks.

“Those things you heard, Sara, you believe that it wasn’t me, right?”

“I do, and it is not the first time someone tried to do something similar to me honestly, I should have known better!” Sara said with a sigh, remembering all the other times, and the strangeness of each situation, the first time her sister said something strange about how should she knew her place and the damn alliance, Eren told her that same day that the Gods were targeting her emotions, showing illusions that would break her heart and leave her vulnerable, and it worked.

“The demons?”

“No, the Gods!” Nara hummed with a frown while rinsing the black foam off the beautiful silver threads, the eyebrows too, and gasped as she looked at the girl she saw in her brother’s coronation.

“It was you!”

“Kind of, I did change a lot since that night!” Sara said with a distant look on her face, remembering that fateful night when her entire life was turned upside down.

It felt like forever!

“I met the queen that day!” Nara’s fingers froze and Sara felt it, turning to look her sister on the face, she went on, “Even though I was the daughter of the woman who took away her husband and caused her a lot of pain, she still protected me from the priests, and stayed with father in his last days, I am sorry, Nara, I was very late for both of them and couldn’t save them, by the time I arrived to the shack they were both dead, she wanted you to know that she loved you, all of you, more than anything, and that she trusted you to make the right choices about the kingdom and each other!”

“How do you know all of this?” Nara asked with a ghost of a smile, barely holding back her tears.

“she left me a letter.”

“Can I see it?”

“I am sorry Nara” Sara shook her head apologetically while stepping out of the bathtub “I burned it, I was afraid and lost and just so shattered, I didn’t want anyone to know that I was alive, so I burned it!”

“Don’t apologize, it was yours, you were free to do whatever you wanted with it, now here.” Nara said with a sad smile as she helped Sara into a warm robe. “Now, you are all clean!”

“And you are not!” Sara said apologetically as she pointed at her sister’s fingers and gown.

“Oh, worry not about me, the maids are already waiting to give me a well needed bath, by the way, Henry ordered to prepare a wing for you in the royal section, so be ready to move!”

“What? I don’t need a full wing; I am fine here!”

“Of course, you are!” Nara rolled her eyes before looking back at her sister with serious eyes “You are a royal, Sara, a princess, you should take your place as one, and be treated like one!” seeing the hesitation in the pure eyes, Nara went on,” This is just a wing, Sara, don’t worry, as for the other things, such as your royal status, it shall be discussed with you fully, Henry is just trying to make you feel at home, and to make it up for all the time you spent away from us.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean by why? Because you are family, it is enough reason.” Nara answered mockingly before her expressions turned sad, “You are more of a family than he ever was.”

“Are you okay?”

“No!” Nara said with a sad smile, tears returning to her eyes as she stared at her sister who didn’t waste any time in collecting her in her arms right when she was about to shatter, “He was my twin, but it didn’t matter to him, Sara, he hurt me, and allowed others to hurt me, and now, he is dead, I killed him!” Nara sobbed, but before Sara could say anything, she finished “And I don’t regret it, not with what he was going to do to you!”

The sisters hugged each other for a bit more, none of them feeling the need to say anything, and didn’t break the hug until someone knocked on the door.

“His Majesty said that you might be hungry!” The maid bowed gently as she revealed a chart filled with food, making both princesses drool over all the deliciously looking plates stuffed on it.

“I am going to help her with it!”

“But a similar chart was sent to your room, Your Highness!”

“So? I might eat that one too with how hungry I feel!” Nara sent away the maid after taking the chart from her, her delicate fingers picking one of the strawberries and throwing it inside her mouth.

Strawberries, Eren loved strawberries.

…….

Sara stood in front of her large mirror, after their dinner, her sister left her to rest while she went to do the same, taking off her robe, she stared at her body, there was no trace of the black left in her hair as it was all silver, just like it used to be, it was also slightly longer, maybe because of the way her whole body was regenerating.

Looking down at her body, she noticed that the wounds were gone, something triggered her healing while she was overwhelmed by the emotional events of the day, was it the God who spoke to her before? Or was it…

It had to be him, Sara smiled at the realization and then picked up the small bottle of her jasmine perfume but quickly put it back and picked the one made of strawberries and roses, carefully, she put some of it on her wrists, behind her ears, and on her neck, before she smiled at the mirror and went back inside her room.