Chapter 8
In the evening when the sun went down, the whole family sat in a small hut where the yellow light shone. On the table, there was a pretty cake covered with cream of various colors to suit Rosha’s taste, and on top of the cake, of course, candles equal to Rosha’s age were placed. Of course it was a happy day for her, but she wasn’t feeling it.
“Congratulations on the birthday of our two dear sisters, Rosha and Lily!”
Dane deliberately screamed loudly and set off firecrackers. Their mother hurriedly cut the cake, and put it in front of Rosha.
“Our Rosha, happy birthday. And the youngest, Lily, happy birthday to you too!”
Knowing that Rosha was not in a good mood, the whole family paid more attention to her. Nevertheless, Rosha’s mood did not show any signs of improvement. Eventually, her father whispered in her ear so that Lily couldn’t hear it.
“There are only three presents for Lily, but four for you. It’s a secret from Lily. Understand?”
Couldn’t they have two separate parties instead of giving her an extra present? Rosha was upset that she had to have a joint birthday party with her sister every year just because their birthdays were a day apart. She didn’t ask for a younger sibling. Once a year, she just wanted to be the happiest child but she couldn’t be the main character even on her own birthday.
“Sister, sister!”
As she turned her head to the feeling of the hem pulling, Lily smiled brightly and looked up at Rosha.
“Why?” Lily, who asked bluntly, had not noticed her sister’s sadness. Then, Lily still smiled and handed something to Rosha’s hand.
“It’s a gift from Lily!”
What Lily gave was a weaved bracelet made of dandelions.
“Happy birthday, sister!”
Somehow, as soon as she received the bracelet, Rosha’s displeasure doubled. She was embarrassed for not preparing a gift for Lily, and she hated it when it seemed like she was the only one in this family who had become a bad person. Eventually, Rosha did something she shouldn’t do. She threw the bracelet on the floor.
“Rosha! What is this girl doing?!”
Her parents raised their voice. But Rosha just went up the stairs past Lily who was crying. Her father was angry, and her mother grabbed by the wrist.
“Rosha, apologize to Lily. You were wrong to throw away your sister’s gift.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“What’s wrong with you every time?”
“My mother and father love Lily more than me!”
“Is that why you are so dissatisfied?”
“That’s it…….”
Rosha, who was expressing her sadness, paused for a moment. Something was wrong. Suddenly the grip on her wrist got stronger.
“You survived alone.”
“Ugh…!”
When Rosha raised her head, her mother’s neck was tilted to the side, as if it had been broken by someone.
“Rosha, Rosha.…”
Her father was holding his head in his hands, and it spoke.
“Are you happy that you survived alone?”
“Ah, ah…”
It wasn’t just her father that spoke, but there was Dane.
“If it was me who went looking for Polly that day, it wouldn’t be me who died, it would be you!”
Dane with a bloody stomach spoke with resentment.
“Sister…”
And the last time Rosha looked at Lily, everything in the world turned black. In the dark, only her and Lily were left.
“When are you going to find me? Sister, I’m so scared……. Bad people bother me. It hurts, I’m hungry, I’m cold, I’m lonely.”
“Lily, Lily…!”
Lily got farther away. Rosha ran after her, but wasn’t able to catch Lily, who was getting farther away at a fast pace.
“Wait a minute! Don’t go, Lily!”
When Lily became a distant white light in the dark, she left a last word to Rosha.
“Don’t forget me….”
*****
“Oh!”
Rosha woke up from a dream and was soaked in sweat. She raised her upper body and put her hand over her fast beating heart. It was a nightmare after a long time. It was a dream she had once dreamed about when she stopped looking for Lily, and when she was less reminded about her family.
She sat up, saw the wolf cub approaching her, and held it quietly. When she felt its warmth, she felt a little better.
“Don’t forget me….”
But those words will continue to bother Rosha for the time being. She got out of bed and pulled back the curtains. It was late in the afternoon. It was the beginning of her happy birthday. But Rosha started the day feeling a little depressed.
****
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It didn’t take much time to get ready because Rosha chose all the accessories and a dress for the party with Gisele the day before. It was an off shoulders A-line dress that came down to her ankles. The dress, naturally gradient from dark purple to light purple, and from the upper body to the bottom, was girlish and lovely suited Rosha’s age. Her hair was braided, rolled up to one side, and decorated with some flowers. Finished up with pearl earrings that weren’t flashy, Rosha was escorted by Noah and headed to the spacious hall where the party was held.
“Rosha, are you here?”
“Happy birthday, Rosha!”
Upon entering alone, numerous Rostelier brothers approached Rosha once to say their greetings and congratulated her. There were so many people and she felt embarrassed without knowing.
“Huh? Her ears are red again.”
Everyone’s attention was focused on Rosha’s ears when someone pointed out. Of course, Noah, who was an escort next to her, was included.
“Cute Rosha, are you shy?”
“Yes, I’m embarrassed.”
Mischievously, Noah shouted loudly so that everyone at the party could hear him.
“Everyone don’t look at Rosha’s red ears! Don’t embarrass our youngest.”
At this moment, Rosha prayed earnestly to God. ‘Please let me hit Noah once before this life ends……’
Noah laughed for a long time at Rosha, who was embarrassed and wanting to die, and then pretended to sooth her belatedly and look into her eyes.
“It’s your birthday, so smile. Oh, and it’s a little late ..…” Noah, bowing his head, whispered in Rosha’s ear. “Happy Birthday.”
Noah tapped on Rosha’s shoulder a couple of times and disappeared among the other brothers. While Rosha was congratulated by the brothers, the music began. Of course, she received the most requests for dance because she was the main character of her birthday, but she refused all and hid in the corner. But because the protagonist of the birthday wasn’t supposed to be in the corner, she was dragged out by Noah and forced to dance with five partners. In a hall all decorated with gold, Rocha was exhausted and drank over five non-alcoholic cocktails. As usual, all the gifts she received from her brothers piled up in her private room, but today she felt tired and couldn’t even open the presents.
“Giselle, did all the brothers attend the party?”
“Everyone attended this time without fail. Oh, except for the one you hated.”
Fortunately, the deeper the night, the more matured the party atmosphere, so the brothers’ interest was not focused on Rosha as much as in the beginning. Rosha was desperate for the outside wind.
“Well, Giselle…”
“You’re not going to say you’re going to your room and rest, are you?”
At the point of keen Giselle, Rosha rolled her eyes and begged with a timid voice.
“‘l will just get some air on the terrace and come back. If Noah asks where I am, say I’ll be back soon, so don’t you pretend not to know.. “
Giselle sighed and nodded with an expression that couldn’t be helped.
“It’s a party for you, so you have to come back soon. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
With Giselle’s permission, Rosha couldn’t come out to the terrace fast enough and get the outside wind.
“Sigh…..” she felt a little better when the heat that was spinning around her body while dancing and dealing with people was relieved by the night breeze. It was then. Ding-Ding-Ding- A bell rang to announce the hour. Now her birthday has passed, and it was Lily’s birthday.
‘How will Lily spend her birthday?’
There were so many people who had congratulated her, and Lily could have a happy birthday too. With that hope, Rosha reached out to the garden. She did a hand gesture, then numerous flowers in the garden flew into the air and tied together at her fingertips. Just as Lily made her a flower bracelet, she made a flower necklace for Lily, although she couldn’t give it to her. Knowing it was impossible, Rosha whispered, burying her face in the flower necklace, hoping her voice could reach her little sister.
“Happy birthday, Lily.”
[Happy birthday, sister!]
She fell into the old longing. However, her time alone was quickly disturbed by someone.The flower necklace she made was torn in an attack sent by someone. All the flowers fell to the floor in pieces. As she looked at the direction the attack came from, a tall person walked out of the dark.
“Kashin…..”
The man with black hair and red eyes stared at Rosha in anger with arrogant eyes.
****