This love is like a curse (16)
Thalia looked warily at the boy, who was looking up at her with a clear, penetrating gaze.
- What are you doing here?
“I ran away from the palace to meet my older sister,” the boy answered so cheerfully that it seemed almost impudent.
Thalia grimaced. Her little brother Astros, who had just turned six, was a real thorn in her side.
Although they had the same parents, their situations were as different as heaven and earth. This naive boy was the legitimate son of the emperor and empress, born in wedlock, while she was nothing more than the dirty fruit of adultery.
Thalia watched as Astros was showered with blessings from all sides during his baptism, and jealousy tore through her like a dagger pierced her chest. How can you hate so much a tiny lump of flesh that can’t even open its eyes properly?
Senevier, subtly perceiving her feelings, never allowed the “useless eldest daughter” to get close to her precious son.
Because of this, Thalia could only see her brother at official events. For the first time since his baptism, he stood so close to her.
She frowned and glanced around the room.
- Did you come alone? If mom finds out...
- I'm not alone. “I came with Behrens,” the boy said this clearly and turned, pointing to the shadow in the corridor. Only then did Thalia notice a man dressed in black standing in the shadows.
Once upon a time, this man with the face of a ghost guarded her. Now his black eyes warned: if she dared to harm Astros, he would instantly intervene.
Bitterness rose in my throat. His dark eyes seemed to say: “You will never be important to anyone.”
Hiding her distorted emotions, Thalia asked coldly:
- Why did you come?
- I heard that my sister was leaving soon on a long journey... so I decided...
- Am I leaving? “Talia interrupted him, her voice becoming harsh.
The boy hesitated, as if afraid of her reaction, and then carefully continued:
“Mother Empress said that the elder sister will join the pilgrimage...
Thalia stared at her brother in shock, and then suddenly burst out into rude laughter. The Astros winced and took a step back. Even this innocent child seemed to think she was crazy.
Clutching her stomach with laughter, Thalia leaned over to her brother and asked in a feignedly affectionate voice:
“What else did Mother Empress tell you?”
The Astros hesitated for a long time. It seemed that he finally realized that he had ruined her mood greatly. But this was not the kind of child who would let fear hold back his words.
“She said that perhaps my sister would get married soon.” Some Count Serian filed a request for marriage...
He spoke calmly, but fell silent when he saw how her face changed. It acquired an expression that made your blood run cold. The man, who had previously been silently watching, stood between them. Was he afraid that she would lose her mind and hurt her brother in anger?
Thalia pretended not to notice the guard and continued to look straight at her brother's innocent face.
- So you came to congratulate me? Wanted to say goodbye because finally big sister would leave the palace and stop annoying everyone?
It seemed that even this little child felt how poisonous her words were. His shoulders shook.
He objected with an offended expression:
- If the older sister gets married, we will see each other even less often... I just wanted to talk. We are brother and sister,” there was timid hope in his voice. “I always dreamed that we would be closer, like the first older sister with our older brother.” But if my sister gets married, such an opportunity may not arise... that's why I came.
Talia looked indifferently into his large, expectant eyes.
Because of this boy, she became a completely worthless creature. The Empress, the Emperor and their beautiful, intelligent son are a perfect picture.
And she is just an ugly stain that you want to erase. The brighter the Astros shone, the deeper the darkness became, engulfing her. The way she envied this child was painfully humiliating. In fact, even looking at him was unbearable.
Thalia laughed mercilessly, looking at the boy, whose eyes shone with naive hopes.
“Do you want me, like the first princess, to bend over backwards to put my brother on the throne?” Do you want me to throw myself into the fire for your sake?
“That’s not what I meant at all...!”
- Don't bother yourself. Our mother has already planned everything: how to use me for your benefit. My marriage probably only works because it's good for you. So, brother, leave your naive dreams.
The Astros were clearly not prepared for such open hostility. His confused face clearly said: this child grew up in greenhouse conditions under reliable protection. He probably doesn't even know what it's like to spend a night in fear. And perhaps this meeting will be his first real wound.
Talia curled her lips into a cold smile.
“I have not the slightest desire to be your loving and devoted sister.” Because I hate you as much as I hate the twins.
Tears sparkled in the boy's eyes from shock. But Thalia added mercilessly:
- If you understand, get out.
Astros pressed his lips together, fighting back tears, and without hesitation, he turned around and walked out into the empty hallway. The man in black followed him silently.
Talia locked the door and went back to the window. The sky, which had recently been blue, was now tinged with lavender.
The workers, who had previously been fussily moving things, left the estate one after another. And the knights were probably already in their homes.
Out of habit, Thalia raised her finger to her lips - and immediately winced in pain. Dark red blood oozed from the cut skin between the nail and the pad. As soon as she saw this, the poison that had been accumulating in her heart rose to her very throat.
With the last of her strength she held back a scream that was ready to burst out, then she abruptly tore her cloak off the hanger and threw it over her light silk dress. Without saying a word, without taking a single maid with her, Thalia left the small palace.