Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 557: The truth [2]

She was like poison... 

A subtle but lethal poison that gradually consumed a person from within.

That's how Rose would describe her sister. 

The closer she became to her, the more wrong she found in her. How could a person be so caring, and yet so uncaring? 

'...No, it's more like, how can someone not be like her when put in the same situation as her.' 

Their parents... 

They weren't the best of parents. 

They were the typical parents who only cared about achievements and image. The better one of them performed, the greater their face. 

...Because of how outstanding her sister was, they didn't particularly pay much attention to her. 

Rose was never jealous of their lack of attention. 

After all, she saw how they were with her sister. 

"You've managed to rank first, but that's not enough. The gap between you and the second place has shrunk. You won't be served tonight's dinner." 

"I heard that you've gone out to hang out with friends. No wonder your grades have started to slip." 

"I will be taking you out of the Academy's dormitory. From now on, I'll personally have you return to the estate every weekend." 

She was like a doll. 

A doll that their parents could freely control to make themselves look better. But it wasn't like they didn't love her. 

They were just... 

Greedy. 

But what made things even worse wasn't their greed.

No, it was her smile. 

In spite of the harsh treatment she received, she always maintained that smile of hers. Was it a shield, hiding her true emotions, or was she simply the kind of person who always smiled, no matter the circumstances?

Rose didn't know back then. 

After all, even she struggled to see through her sister's smile. Even so, she didn't care. She enjoyed spending time and bonding with her sister. 

Especially with how often she laughed at her jokes. 

Nobody laughed at her jokes. 

All was good.

Life was simple, and Rose wished for it to continue until they both turned old.