Chapter 1
1559 Words
(Esmeray POV)
23 years ago, the Duke and the Duchess of the Dalerin were blessed with beautiful twin girls. As the Duke and the Duchess were known for their charm and beauty, the people were looking forward to seeing the babies.
And they were not at all disappointed.
The twin babies were just as beautiful and charismatic as their parents. Maybe much more.
But what struck me more was how the two of them were strikingly opposite to each other. While the eldest was born with shining silver curly hair and ocean blue mesmerizing eyes, the youngest was gifted with golden locks and vibrant hazel eyes.
They came to be titled the 'Luminous moon' and the 'Shining Sun', a public celebrity known both for holding the name of Dalerin and their beauty.
As they grew up, they were looked up by many young girls as role models and wanted by all suitors. While the eldest was known for being mature and cool, always disciplined and talented in many ways like her father, the younger was the adorable, sweet reckless girl who had the charisma of the mother.
When they turned 15, they were introduced to a 17 year old gentleman named Ethan Pierre Ascorta, the next successor of the noble family known to be the imperial king's commander in chief for generations. He became their most trustful friend.
At the age of 16, the parents came to an agreement to marry the eldest of the two daughters to the gentleman. Esmeray was beyond happy as she always had a crush on the man who would always show kindness and love to her.
From then on, Esmeray was given the burden to study hard and become the duchess she was to be.
It wasn't an easy one.
She was to acquire the position of being the duchess of both her's and her fiancé's dukedom. Being the people pleaser she tried her hardest, studying all kinds of subjects, and trying to get herself more involved in the social world, while her sister enjoyed going out and having fun.
All day she would look out, a bit jealous of her sister who could go out and leisurely sit around.
Her burden even more increased as the future mother in law started to involve in her training sessions, pointing out every flaw and making her work even harder. Even still, she never complained and endured it all inside.
Her fiancé had gone to the war in the south along with the crown prince for 2 years.
On her 18th birthday, a man entered the banquet and asked her to marry him.
At the age of 21, she finally got married to the love of her life. The preparation was done hastily but it was grand as the two dukedoms didn't spare any expense.
Her now husband showed love and kindness to her. He told her he loved her unconditionally and brought her all the things in the world.
At the age of 22, her family had an accident. She was heartbroken when she heard how she lost both her beloved family. Only her traumatized sister was alive.
Esmeray didn't even hesitate as she took her sister in and gave her everything to keep her happy.
The burden of her work had increased as she had to take the position of the Duchess of Dalerin as well. In addition to that, she had noticed how distant her husband had become. He rarely comes back to her at night and when he does, he doesn't even spare a glance.
She would often see him accompanying her sister to places she wished to go.
His excuse? "Ezzy, she is alone and lost. We should pay more attention to her. She is your little sister"
Of course, her sister was alone, but so was she!
She had no option but to accept that excuse. But things started to go more and more out of hand.
It was not only her sister who lost both of her parents! They were her parents too. She also needed someone to support her, tell her she is not alone.
As time went by, she was getting more and more depressed. Her days in the dukedom started to become a nightmare. Everyone has started to point out that she is infertile because she has still not given birth.
Living in the palace became hell. Her in laws and even her own husband started to show no mercy even as she fainted from over work.
On her 23rd birthday, her husband gave her the most shocking surprise ever.
"Ezzy, it was a one night accident, and I... I was drunk"
She stared at her husband helpless and lost.
One night accident? How can he go off with such an excuse? He made love with her sister and made her pregnant!
But Ezzy was silent. She was stupid, helpless, and alone. She only left the room with a void face, her heart breaking into a million pieces.
It was all the more reason for her husband to keep his distance from her.
"Elinor had morning sickness" "Elinor is craving for plums so I went to buy some" "The doctor said I should be near Elinor because it is important for the child to feel, the father's presence"
Soon everyone around started to show interest in the younger twin, ignoring the elder completely. The weight of the whole two kingdoms was on her head as her husband, the duke, was busy with the mistress.
Finally, one day, while she was passing through Elinor's room, she realized the heartbreaking truth. She stood behind the closed door as she listened to the two of them talk.
Everything was planned from the beginning.
How they had been in love even before their engagement.
Why she couldn’t conceive. How her parents died.
How it won't be long before Elinor gets the title of the duchess.
Feeling the last string that held her together break, she barged into the room confronting the two.
The couple who were lying on the bed was shocked by her appearance. At first, they tried to make excuses, but the latter was beyond angry.
She lets out all her emotion, screaming and shouting at the both of them. They tried to shut her down, even went far as to slap her.
"Ethan" Elinor approached the Duke, interlocking her arm to his. She gave her sister a momentary smirk before it turned into the usual innocent look.
Deceiving b***h.
"Ethan, what will we do? She knows about us! Once she leaves she will tell everyone! What will happen to us? What will happen to you! Your name and fame! Your position as the Duke. And.... and our baby! What will happen to it?"
The sly sister started to cry, her fake tears were truly deceiving as they looked so real.
"Don't worry, my love. Nothing will happen to all of us" The Duke looked worried but he tried to reassure the crying woman.
"How can you be so sure!? She will ruin us!"
"I-" he had nothing to say since she is right. Everything would go down the hill.
It was truly a disgusting sight for Esmeray.
"You truly disgust me" she couldn’t help but laugh. "You both... You both will see hell. I will make sure you both see hell."
Esmeray stood up although her knees were shaking. She was acting strong despite the miserable situation she was in. She turned around and grabbed hold of the lock determined to expose everything that happened there.
But just as she turned the lock, she felt a sharp piercing feeling on her chest. She stood still for a second before looking down.
She saw the sharp end of the sword pierce through her body.
She was stabbed from behind.
But she didn't feel the pain as her whole body turned numb. She could hear cries from behind.
She turned to look at the two but fell down on the ground.
Her eyes were blurred but she could see her sister held by my husband.
"Don't look" he said covering her eyes as the latter started to see black spots fill her eyes.
"Pa-pathetic" was the only thing that Esmeray said before she completely fell into a deep never ending slumber.
And thus end the miserable journey of Esmeray Mor Dalerin, the Duchess of Dalerin and Ascorter. The Duchess who was loved and respected by all and who was considered to be wise and strong.
But in reality, she was the opposite. She was stupid and weak. A girl only worth of being laughed at.
And that girl was me.
As the last light in my life started to leave, I couldn’t help but cry helplessly.
It was like I fell into a deep blue sea. As I looked up, I saw a full moon.
Is this the afterlife? Is this where dead people end up going?
It's not fair! It's not fair at all!!
I didn't want to end my life like this! A life filled with nothing but a lie. I didn't want them to live peacefully like the happy family they wanted to be.
I wanted revenge and I wanted to live my life like I wanted.
"Dear moon goddess, please don't end my miserable life like this! Please, if you are really there, please"
- Writer
