Crystal
Looking at her lazily, I was quiet, thinking of what to do next to her. She looked at me, maybe wondering why I was quiet.
"What? Have you suddenly become a mute?" she raised her brow in question and flashed a mischievous grin at me.
It seems she doesn't know what I am capable of.
"Twelve pieces of silver," I spoke, and she scoffed.
"Huh?"
"Pay me back; that's the money used to purchase the shoe," I spoke calmly, but my voice was rather warning.
"So what? This good for nothing,ugly looking shoe," she said, throwing it on the floor and marching over it again and again with her feet.
I looked down at the shoe my brother bought, now stained with black dye and dirty from her feet. I shook my head, gritting my teeth, and looked at her, trying to control my anger.
"Pay me back now, lady... or else yo—"
"Or else what?" she cut in, rolling her eyes at me. Again she picked up the leather bag and tore it open, causing my gown and mask to fall on the floor.
She removed another bottle of dye from her pocket and emptied it on the gown and mask.
I couldn't take it anymore. "Bitch!" I screamed in anger, running toward her while she watched me laughing like a maniac.
Now close to her, I gave her a big blow on her face, causing her to stumble. She frowned, ready to attack, but before she could, I knocked her down and began to deliver several punches to her face, causing her nose and mouth to bleed.
I kept punching her, venting my anger, until someone hugged me from behind, caging my hands to my body.
"Sister, enough!" I heard Luther's voice, and I calmed down. He let me go, and I got up and stared at the lady who was almost unconscious.
"Why did you have to go this far?" Luther asked, looking at me.
"Did you see what she did here? She ruined everything!" I spoke, pointing at the things she destroyed. He looked at them and breathed out heavily. I could tell he was not happy about it.
"Just let it go," he spoke calmly, though his eyes held a deep emotion.
"Let's go get you a new one," Collin spoke, directing the speech to me. I looked at him in surprise.
Was he ready to spend much on me because he loves me? I thought. I opened my mouth, about to reject, but Luther gave me a look.
That meant I shouldn't reject it. What should I do? I don't want to accept it so I won't be indebted to him in any way.
"Thank you for your kindness, Collin," my brother spoke with a little smile.
"Ah... it's nothing," he replied with a light laugh and looked at me. That look was deep and carried a hidden meaning.
He had never looked at me in such a way before. I looked away, and we went back to the cloth store.
*********
Walking back home was quiet since I decided not to say a word, and Luther too. My right hand contained a new leather bag with jewelry and perfume, while my brother's hand was occupied with the new gown, mask, and shoe Collin purchased for me.
To be honest, I wasn't feeling happy about it. His actions were clearly stating that I am his because why will he buy me all these expensive things?
Finally we reached home. I pulled the veil and jacket off my face; fresh air hit my face.
My second brother and third brother welcomed us, taking the things we bought from our hands.
"Sister, you must be tired, have some," Simon, my second brother, spoke, handing me a cup of water. I took it from him, gulping it down.
"Thank you, brother," I said with a smile. He nodded and smiled back.
"How was the shopping?" Austin, my third brother, asked.
"It was good," I replied and got up, about to go to my room.
"What happened to your fist?" Simon spoke in concern, taking my hand and carefully observing it.
"Hey, keep it down," Austin said in a low voice, indicating that Mother should not hear of it. They knew I got into a fight again.
"A lady was trying to make my day sad, but I showed her what a sadist can do," I whispered with a devilish grin, making all my brothers laugh except Luther.
"Come, I'll tend it for you," Austin said, taking my hand from Simon's hand.
"Don't interfere, I will tend it for her," Simon hit Austin's hand off mine and held my hand gently, smiling ear to ear.
"Fighting over your sister again?" came Mother's voice.
I quickly withdrew my hands from Simon's and walked past him, going to my room. I closed the door and sat on the floor.
Letting out a deep sigh, I carefully examined my hand. It wasn't seriously injured just a few bruises.
I got up, applied a healing balm, and lay on my bed. I needed sleep to clear my head.
Closing my eyes, I drifted into a deep slumber.
I didn't know how long I slept before the nightmare began. Everything was blurry; the people in it had no faces. A woman screamed in pain as she gave birth. Her husband and the midwife stood beside her, urging her to push. But when the baby arrived, the midwife's face turned pale.
The child's face glowed with a blinding light, forcing the midwife to stumble back and shield her eyes.
Her voice echoed faintly through the haze:
"You are a monster! You are a curse!"
I jolted awake, panting heavily. My heart pounded as sweat trickled down my forehead.
Mother sat beside me, her face etched with worry. I looked toward the door, wondering when she came in.
"I wasn't here long," she said softly, reading my expression.
"Had a nightmare?" she added.
"Yes, but don't bother about it," I replied weakly. "It's useless."
She exhaled shakily, trying to smile. "Luther told me what happened earlier. Isn't Collin so kind?"
I stayed silent, staring blankly at her.
"Don't give me that look," she said, gripping my hand gently. "Marry Collin. You have my blessing."
I bit my lower lip, saying nothing.
"He cares for you deeply, Crystal," she continued. "He'll treat you better than anyone else. He's the one you'll choose tonight. I'll talk to your father. You can't let him buy all those things for you and then reject him it would be too cruel."
Her words pierced me, but I showed no emotion.
"Besides," she added excitedly, "Collin's father built a new house for him and his bride to be in the capital!"
The capital home to both nobles and the newly rich, though divided by wealth and birthright. I'd heard that Collin's father had gained favor with a powerful merchant and built a business there. He sent money home every month, amassing property and respect.
It didn't surprise me that he'd gift his son a house.
"Mother… I just want peace," I said quietly.
Her face tightened in frustration. "Crystal, stop being stubborn."
I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to speak.
How could I tell her I couldn't marry someone I didn't love?
A gentle knock interrupted us.
"Mother, Crystal, Father seeks your attention," Austin's voice called from outside the door.
"Coming," she replied and stood up. "I'll go first."
After a few minutes, I followed her to my parents' room. As I approached, their voices reached my ears raised and tense.
That was unusual. My parents rarely argued.
Pressing my ear gently against the door, I listened.
"We have to let her marry Collin," my mother insisted. "He's a good man, and he's moving to the capital. She won't have to hide her face anymore!"
"I know," Father replied calmly, "but we must consider her feelings. Luther said she's against the marriage. Let's not force her."
"No!" my mother shouted. "You know she has no intention of marrying anyone soon. And I won't watch her be forced to wed an older man or be killed! You know she isn't… normal. Do you remember what happened nineteen years ago?"
That words echoed in my head as I let out a shaky breath. My parents are hiding something from me.
A mix of betrayal and frustration burned in my chest. What could be so terrible that they've kept it from me all this time?
Am I… some kind of bad omen?
Without thinking twice, I pushed the door open, no knocking. Their eyes widened in shock.
Good. I caught them off guard.
A smirk tugged at my lips. Now let's see what they're hiding.