Prologue: Slightly Distant Future

Hateful, hateful, and so hateful that I could no longer bear it.

My detestable younger sister, Alyssa.

Unlike me, who was born inherently lacking, she was a childblessed by the gods, born with everything.

Because she was blessed, she was loved by our mother, the servants, and everyone else-while being hated by me.

From childish pranks akin to playful teasing to outright malicious torment that even adults would find appalling.

During her younger years, when she was weaker than me and dared not resist, I poured every ounce of malice I could muster onto her.

And now, that very Alyssa…

“Sister…” …was on top of me.

Despite my frail body, she tactfully avoided putting her weight on me as she climbed on, wrapping herself around me entirely.

Though smaller in stature and with a delicate frame, herpresence brought an inexplicable sense of reassurance and a suffocating grip on my heart.

“From now on, I’ll protect you.”

Chup.

With gentle hands, she brushed aside the bangs covering my eyes, whispering softly as her warm breath brushed against me, followed by repeated kisses.

As my mind grew hazy from the sweetness of her kisses, I tried to recall how our relationship had come to this point, but my feeble mind was quickly swept away, unable to remember anything.

All I could manage to say was:

“We’re… sisters…”

A cliché response.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“If anyone dares to come between us, I’ll get rid of them all.”

“Even if it means straying from the script, we can find happiness.”

Muttering incomprehensible words, she once again sealed my lips.

Even if I wanted to escape, both my wrists were firmly restrained, leaving me unable to move.

“You’re mine, Sister.”

That night, in my bedroom, a crimson rose was broken.