My System Harem

Chapter 6: Unexpected Gift

The night continued without giving me a chance to breathe. The family who had invited me, my sister, who insisted we celebrate our day together, and my fiancé, who volunteered to pick a gown for me, all walked away while turning their backs. The hall was bustling with people, and yet, I couldn't seem to hear any of them. All I can see is their disappearing backs while leaving me alone. Just what did I come here for?

The clock struck 10, and the party was about to start. I followed a minute later to see Lyra waiting for me in front of a three-layered cake.

"Hurry up, sis. People are waiting." She called, and yet, why don't I feel welcomed? The cake was designed only in accordance to her taste. The people invited were only my parents' acquaintances and Lyra's close friends, alongside those who were at the same university. A lot of familiar faces, and yet, none of them looked at me as warmly as they did with my sister. There are even those who had a questioning look, as if they can't believe we are actually sisters.

I hesitated before taking my steps. We stood close together while the cake was in front of us. But our gowns didn't match. In fact, we looked the total opposite. While she glowed in her blonde hair and white gown, I continued to dim even darker than before. My black, obsidian hair paired with my pale, silver eyes, and a dark gown. I looked the complete opposite, and I bet everyone is comparing us now. They are probably wondering where I had the audacity to come here and ruin Lyra's special day.

"Sis, thank you so much for the gift." Her sudden words brought me back to my senses.

Gift? I haven't given her anything though? I was stuck inside my room that I completely forgot about it. If she didn't mention it, I would have continued to forget. But why is she thanking me? Did I ever give her something? But I just forgot? Or did Darius gift her one and told her that it was from me?

I couldn't set my head as I looked at her with a skeptical look. However, my questions were soon answered when she brought her hand close to my face.

It was a ring. A ring I can't possibly forget. The band was a circle of cold, heavy platinum, worn smooth by time until it felt like a second skin. Its surface caught the dim candle that stood firm above the cake, throwing back a pale, watery silver that seemed to glow from within. At its crown sat a single sapphire, deep as a midnight ocean and held fast by four delicate silver claws. I was dumbfounded.

It was the exact same ring my mother had bequeathed me long ago. But I clearly hid it, so why does she have it? Where did she find that? Did she enter my room when I wasn't there?

Raged by the sight of my stolen ring, I grabbed her hand and forced it out.

"Give it back to me! I never gifted it to you. You theft!"

Lyra struggled as she tried to keep her hands for herself. But I couldn't just give up. I don't care how weak she is, she can't just steal what's mine! That was from my mom, the only thing I have that can remind me of her.

"Stop it, Caelia! It hurts!" She yelled in panic, but I did not let go of her hand and continued to pull the ring out of her fingers. How could she wear my mom's ring? She has the audacity to take it after already stealing my family away from me?

I was about to successfully take it when a hand roughly pushed my shoulders. My head hit the table where the cake was carefully placed. It hurt, my head felt dizzy, and my sight was turning blurry, but I refused to lose consciousness, because I hadn't taken what was mine yet. I looked at the person who stole my ring and the person who shoved me.

Darius? How could you?

However, thinking only worsened the aching in my head. I couldn't even ask a single question, much less wonder why he would do this. He had never once harmed me, despite how many times he acted like I did not matter. Didn't he hear what I said? That ring was mine, and I never gifted it to Lyra, so why is he pushing me? Not her?

"Have you not had enough, Caelia? Now you are even harming your own sister!?" Darius yelled as he scowled at me. Not even an ounce of guilt? When I am his fiancée here? However, as if it was not enough, the wretched family I had always longed to escape from stepped in to play their part.

"Ungrateful brat! It was Lyra who insisted you celebrate your birthday together, and this is how you reciprocate her kindness?" And a slap. As if my head wasn't bleeding enough, even my cheeks turned red from the force. My head's dizziness worsened, but the murmurs did not escape my ears.

"How bold. Instead of thanking her sister, she just went ahead and harmed her?"

"Taking back what she already gave? How pretentious."

"She should definitely be thrown out. She doesn't deserve to even share the same birthday as Lyra."

Ha. See? I'm always the one in the wrong. The one who's causing trouble for only showing my rights. They aren't even going to criticize the hand that shoved me? The palms that slapped me? Or the fingers that wore my ring? Why is it always me?

"That ring is mine." I barely managed to say that from the rising emotions in my throat. I staggered as I supported myself to stand up. Blood was still flowing from my forehead, and my cheeks continued to sting. But it's mine. Even if it's just for once, I'd like to be greedy.

"Give it back to me." I pleaded, but will it even reach their ears? Or will they twist my words again? Before I could think further, Lyra closed the distance between us and whispered in my ears. "Want to hear my gift for you?"

Her smile was nothing like usual. My heart started to beat with the ominous feeling seeping into my skin. It was like the feeling I had when we were driving our way here. But what could be so bad when she's just going to give me a gift?

She stepped backward and stood beside Darius. She smirked as she looked at me.

"Everyone, I have an announcement~" She took Darius's hands as she locked their fingers together. My heart didn't stop beating. In fact, it seems to have worsened. I looked at them with my rising anxiousness as they looked at each other in a way I refused to comprehend. It was such a warm look that anyone who sees them might think they are the ones engaged.

Wait...

Engaged? As if my brain had only started working, I looked at Lyra's white satin gown, and then to Darius's white suit. My eyes then moved towards Lyra's head, where the veil remained stuck on her bun. What came with the realization were words that stopped the beating of my heart.

"We are getting married!"

WHAT????