They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 2: Her Last Breath

From the dining room, Ebere's voice rang out again, sweet and melodious, masking her cruelty. "But, Mom, she's my sister, and today is her sweet sixteen, too. I know she's always hated me, always trying to hurt me, but I like her," she said with a mock innocence that earned a chorus of approval. "You all continue here. I'll go and give her some cake."

The room erupted into cheers of praise.

"You're too kind, Princess!"

Ebere left the dining room, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she made her way toward the storage room.

From her place beneath the stairs, Nnenna felt her heart sink. 'Cake? Giving cake to someone severely ill?'

She wanted to lock the door, to keep Ebere out, but her body refused to move. She was too weak. Her muscles wouldn't obey her commands. All she could do was listen to the sound of Ebere's approaching footsteps.

The door creaked open. Ebere didn't bother to knock, of course. She stepped inside, closing it firmly behind her, and turned to face Nnenna with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Sister, I brought you some cake. How are you feeling?"

Nnenna stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

In the past, she might have tried to muster the strength to respond, to maintain a facade of civility. But after everything, Ebere's sabotage, her lies, her cruelty, Nnenna refused to waste her energy.

"Don't be like this, sister," Ebere chided, setting the plate of cake down on a small table and pulling up a wooden chair. "It's my birthday, after all."

words dripped with mockery. She tilted her head, studying Nnenna's

seems you won't last much longer," Ebere continued, her voice dropping to a

sweetness giving way to something

every word. "I never liked you. When Father brought you home that year, I could see it in his eyes, the way

so called favored daughter of his fallen sworn brother." She sneered,

stabbing into Nnenna's fading

reclaim that title. Even if you could, I would never let you. Never. You would be dead before it happened, because I will never let

twisted into a cruel smile. "You can die peacefully now... or not. Either way, it

imaginary dust off her dress as if to cleanse herself of Nnenna's presence. "Don't worry, I'll make

"Happy Sweet Sixteen, sister."

of cake onto the stony bed, the icing smearing across the rough surface. Then, without

movements precise. Ebere reached up, scattering her perfectly styled

gown, creating jagged rips along the edges, and added shallow scratches to her face with her fingernails, enough to appear convincing, but not deep enough to leave

her handiwork, she

Something is wrong

as she bolted from the room, tears welling in her eyes as she sprinted toward

made an exception this time. He lifted her into his arms, allowing her to bury her face in

Ebere stammered between gasps, her voice muffled against his tunic. "She suddenly sprang up and... and hurt

irritation flashing across his normally calm face. He hated noise, and the chaos surrounding this situation grated

then, the Queen and King had already barged into the tiny storage room, gasping at the sight before them.