There is a small divide shaped by position, experience, and an assortment of factors between elder sisters and younger sisters that simply cannot be overcome, no matter how ardently one wishes. The elder sister will always have the burden of having to smoothen the path for the younger, and the younger one will always grow up in the shadow of the elder. It is of no surprise then, that there would always be some sort of resentment between both parties.
And Aelis had several reasons to resent her sister, despite the strong love the Damarans had for each other. Her sister was dotted upon by not just her parents but the entire staff. Everyone walked on eggshells so as not to upset dear little Orsha. And Aelis had no patience for it. This was one of the reasons, she wasn't particularly in favor of Orsha coming with her to the dukedom, another of her mother's preposterous schemes.
"That woman is shameless," Aelis muttered, loosely braiding her hair as she got ready for the day. She had not slept very well, and her shoulders felt rather sore. Right as she changed out of her bedclothes, a wail set off in the hallway outside her room. She didn't have to wonder who it was.
"WAUGHHHHHH!"
Doesn't her throat hurt yet?
Aelis muttered a curse to herself as she swung the doors open locking her eyes with the teary-eyed monster from hell. "What is it?"
Orsha, her sister, was still dressed in travel clothes. Her hat was askew and Aelis could see a dribble of snot on her face. You'd never guess that this crybaby was thirteen. The weeks at Klein had given Orsha a growth spurt, making her seem older than she was and that tended to make her actions seem even more childish. Her brown hair was trailing down to her waist decorated in ribbons and bows. And she was still throwing tantrums like a child.
"Mama told me," Orsha made a face like she was going to cry again, "That you didn't want me in your palace!"
"Palace?"
What in the world was her mother doing? Why would you babble in front of a kid that Aelis didn't want her around?
"Mama said that you'll be living in a beautiful palace..." Orsha's face streamed with tears. "And I wanted to," she sniffed, "I wanted t-to be a p-part of thaaaaaaaat!" and she wailed yet again.
Aelis didn't really feel up to confronting her mother.
She pretty much intrinsically understood what her mother was trying to do.
If Orsha lived with Aelis, she would have access to better connections, and a better world, and all of the money that was needed would be borne by Aelis, in turn, her husband, not her parents. A very underhanded way of making her responsible for her sister - especially monetarily.
And Aelis decided it would be better to pretend she was not aware of this scheme, in order to save face.
"You are coming to the dukedom, okay? Just let me finalize everything with the Duke."
Orsha blinked and in a moment stopped crying. Did this girl take acting classes? She could bring herself to start wailing with real tears at the drop of a hat.
"Can I get my own horse?"
"Don't push it," Aelis warned.
Orsha laughed, "Well maybe next year!"
This girl.
Aelis would have to find her a new governess. She doubted her old one would want to come all the way east. She would also have to plan out her coming-out party in a few years - but that can wait. The first thing she would need to do was write to the Duke. He would have to make arrangements for her, and while she was sure his estate would be large enough - she somewhat hoped that he would reject her plea.
Aelis wrote out a quick note and rang the bell.
She would also have to look into hiring her own ladies in-waiting there. And as Orsha grew up, she would have to start making plans for her suitors. Goodness, there was no end to the responsibilities then?
Aelis wondered briefly if she should fight with her mother over this matter, but bit her lip suppressing the thought. It was tempting, but she knew her mother would win the battle anyway. Just the thought of the emotional drama and guilt-tripping that her mother would bring along gave her the chills. It would be wiser for her to cut her losses and try to make the best of this situation. If she tried hard enough she could make sure her sister remained far away from her in more than one capacity.
Passing on the note to the footman, she stretched her limbs deciding to get started for the day. There were meetings with the tailor, seamstress & hat maker scheduled today.