Three Days Later~
In the Eastern Wing of Palace, Esther was sleeping on bed. The books and scrolls were scattered all around the bed. Empress Maria and Emperor Oliver walked into Esther's chamber quietly.
"Esther, child," Empress Maria whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's sleeping face. "Wake up and join us for breakfast."
Esther's eyes fluttered open. Her chest tightened, then swelled with surprise. Her parents' faces weren't filled with contempt or irritation but only warmth. For the first time in years. She obeyed immediately, slipping from bed and dressing with shaking hands. Her heart pounded with hope.
Downstairs, the grand dining hall was lit with soft lamps. The warmth of their glow made the silver cutlery shimmer like fallen stardust. Esther sat down hesitantly.
A full breakfast awaited her. Fresh fruit, warm porridge drizzled with honey, pastries laced with almond cream. The maids served her with polite expressions. Her father even offered her a smile.
Sierra watched quietly. Though she said nothing, her heart was filled with uneasiness.
"We are just acknowledging her," Suzy had whispered earlier. "Big sis has been trying hard. We realized our mistake."
Esther's cheeks flushed with happiness. The day passed like a dream.
They toured the garden. Esther fed the koi fish while her mother laughed softly beside her. Her father taught her how to play chess. Suzy complimented her hair, helped her braid it in a regal style. Even Sierra allowed herself to smile when Esther tripped and giggled.
Esther never noticed that she was being watched closely.
As the sun began to bleed into the horizon, Esther was handed a delicate box. Inside it lay a gown: silk white with layers of translucent fabric and moonlight embroidery. The gems sewn into the hem shimmered like captured tears.
"Esther my dear, you need to change in this outfit." Empress smiled gently while stroking her cheeks.
Esther blinked. She looked at her mother in confused glance.
"Mom, this gown is transparent. It's inappropriate for royal princess to wear. I have better gown than this. I-" Sierra spoke.
"Sierra, dear. This gown is for purification ritual. A priest suggested me that. Esther has lot of bad luck on her. And we must purify her. The ritual needs minimal clothing. She can wrap shawl for now."
Before Sierra could protest again, Suzy pulled her outside. Esther hesitated, but obeyed. She covered herself with a thin shawl and stood quietly as Maria blindfolded her.
.
.
.
The back of the castle was cloaked in darkness. Clouds gathered like silent witnesses in the night sky, hiding even the sliver of moon that tried to peek through. the atmosphere looked gloomy and eerie.
A circle had been drawn upon the ground with red ink that looked ominous. It felt alive. The stones around it had been smeared with black ink, symbols of binding and summoning long forbidden. Esther stood within the circle, blindfolded and trembling.
Sierra watched from the edges. A cold wind brushed her cheeks, and with it, a choking sense of dread. Oliver stood across from her, eyes closed in focus. Suzy's lips moved rapidly, whispering an ancient chant. Maria joined them, the syllables falling like frost on stone.
The wind howled. The skies blackened. The summoning circle lit up with a violent crimson. Esther's knees buckled. Her skin felt as if it were burning. She whimpered, reaching out in blind confusion. Her head was getting heavy and vision blurred.
Sierra realized what's happening. She started running towards Esther while shouting to stop them. Oliver blocked her path and quickly captured her. His face was hard to read.
"Sierra, don't do something ridiculous. This is for the sake of our empire." Oliver snapped.
"For empire?? You are sacrificing Esther to devil? Have you thought of consequences? We don't worship devil. What's wrong with you mom and dad? Let Esther go, please, I beg you. Don't do this mistake. She is one of us. She is our family." She glared at them through tears.
Oliver didn't listen to her pleas and picked her up. He went straight inside the palace and locked her in the room.
"Stay here, Sierra, you are too naive. Sometimes we need to make sacrifices for our empire. You will understand my decision soon."
Then, he ordered the guards to guard the room. He quickly rushed to the ritual place.
Meanwhile, Esther felt a sharp pain in her body. Her vision was getting blurry and her throat was getting dry. She needed water. She begged to let her go. Due to the chanting and pain in her body, she didn't hear the conversation between her elder sister and dad. she was confused what's happening.
Her lips cracked. "Water... I-I don't understand... what is happening?"
"It's okay," Maria cooed, kneeling beside her. "It will all be over soon."
Oliver followed. He smiled down at her with a gentleness that made her chest ache. "We love you, Esther. We're doing this for the future. For the people."
Esther opened her mouth to reply but pain shot through her. A blade slid between her ribs. Blood poured from her mouth. Her vision shattered.
Another stab.
Then another.
Her mom, dad, and younger sister stood above her. Their hands stained in her blood, their faces twisted in calm relief. Each holding a knife.
"Sis, for once you were useful. This is all thanks to you, that we will be prosperous again. Don't worry sis, your efforts won't be in vain. I will open orphanage under your name. Isn't it right mom?" Suzy whispered in soft voice.
Maria nodded. Esther collapsed. She was struggling in pain and betrayal. All of her memories from childhood to this very day flashed infront of her eyes. Memories that were sad, painful.
"Wh...y...? What d-did I do... to deserve..."
Her voice cracked. She coughed violently. Her blood soaked the ceremonial gown and the ritual circle. The sky above her opened like a gaping maw, but no light descended. Only shadows danced. The circle started emitting black fog.
Then—
Silence.
Her heart stopped.
A gust of wind exploded outward. Dark fog coiled around Esther's body, twisting like a serpent. Maria and Oliver shielded their eyes. Suzy trembled. When the fog cleared-
Esther was gone.
In her place were towering chests filled with gold, rubies, and diamonds that glowed like cursed fireflies. Piles upon piles. The sweet scent of blood clung to them like perfume.
"It worked," Oliver whispered, breathless.
"Our empire will be prosperous again. The diseases, natural calamities will vanish" Maria said, voice trembling with awe.
Suzy clasped her hands with a proud smirk.
Above them, the clouds began to part. But instead of light, a single black feather drifted down, landing silently atop the circle's ash.