The days passed by slowly enough, with Gao Chen still visiting me each day, my fiancee relishing her power over me as she continued to abuse me.
It was after one such session that she pinned me down after finishing, forcing me to stare at her.
Her dark orange eyes grew hard as she spoke, her melodic voice breaking the silence.
"Yi'er, when your sister arrives, you WILL play the role of a dutiful, and attentive wife. I don't care if you hate me, nor if you want to kill me, but..."
Grabbing a strand of my black hair, she smirked at me as she whispered "If you think I'll let you ruin my hard work to get to where I currently sit, you are poorly mistake, Yi'er. I've earned this spot through my own blood, sweat, and cunning. It is mine, and mine alone. You were but another piece in that plan, as is the baby growing in your womb.
I will NOT let you ruin this for me, so either behave on your own, or I will MAKE you behave, are we clear? This is not something you want to experience, Yi'er. So, will you make an oath to act like my faithful, wonderful wife while your sister is here, or..?"
I trembled; the abuse of the last few hours, paired with the pain of the random blows she sent my way when I didn't do what she wanted made my body ache.
This threat of something new, something I wouldn't want to experience, was scary.
Tears poured from my eyes, and I nodded, my lips moving.
"I... I s-swear to t-the heavens... I, L-Li Yichen, will a-act as G-Gao Chen's wife w-when my sister, Li H-Hui Ling is here t-tomorrow..."
Hearing the sounds of lightning crashing outside, Gao Chen grinned down at me, before her tongue trailed over my tear stained cheek.
"Good girl, Yi'er... besides, tomorrow I can announce that you are pregnant with my child... with that out of the way, you can live a peaceful life again in your corner of my Palace without worry; you'll want for none of your basic needs ever in your long, long life, Yi'er..."
I started sobbing again, her words burrowing into my heart, reaffirming what I already knew to be my fate; left alone in this remote corner of this Palace, to be forgotten, while the woman I was to be 'wed' to added to her Harem and lived life to its fullest...
The opposite of me.
Giving me a deep, sloppy kiss again, she pulled herself off of me and grinned, staring at my stomach.
"Let's just hope the child in your womb takes after me, Yi'er. Maybe that will be your one, and only, accomplishment in this life..."
With that, she pulled on her robe and exited my room, leaving me crying on my bed, sullied again, with less pride than before.
Falling asleep after crying myself unconscious, I awoke the next day, Bao prettying me up for my sister's arrival.
Just like for my 18th birthday two months or so ago, I was turned into a doll, my already pale face covered in white powder and pink blush, while a glossy, yet subdued red was placed on my lips.
Pulling my hair into a bun, the silver pin that I always wore held it in place, while my black headband kept my bangs out of my eyes.
Finally, I was pulled into my newest robe, one that Gao Chen had delivered to me this morning.
A deep black robe with silver accents, it was a lavish piece of clothing, something I had no hopes of ever getting myself.
It had various Inscriptions woven into its wealthy fabric, and it was, according to Bao, considered an Ascendant Grade Treasure, capable of blocking almost everything on and below that level.
It seems that Gao Chen wants to impress my sister with this, tricking her into believing that she wishes to protect me from harm...
Even as she herself causes me more and more harm than anything else in this world.
The robe shrunk and changed to fit my body, and Bao tied it around my waist, before looking me over.
Giving me a nod, she moved towards the door and opened it, waiting for me to exit.
I...
I really didn't want to see my sister.
There were ways I could avoid her, but with the oath I swore yesterday, I didn't want to risk getting struck...
The idea of death petrified me, and even though I despised this life of mine, I would continue on, for my own sake, and maybe...
Maybe for the sake of the child in my stomach.
Perhaps my child would bring me some comfort in this world; maybe they would care for me where no one else did.
With a deep breath, I calmed myself as I stepped out into the cold, empty hallways, making my way towards the main Hall that Gao Chen always resided in, and where we would greet my elder sister.
It had been almost seven years since I had seen her, and I wasn't particularly excited to be reunited with her either; she wasn't mean to me or anything, its just...
We were in two different worlds, both because of our age gap, and the talent gap.
Besides, she never made an effort to talk or play with me when I was younger, instead focusing her attentions on my younger sister when she was born.
Reaching the Hall, I stared at Gao Chen, having to quell my fear, disgust, and anger as I saw those horrible dark orange eyes as they gazed at me.
Approaching her, I gestured for Bao to leave, the Tigress scurrying away and leaving me alone with Gao Chen.
The opulent golden throne that she sat in was on it's own platform, while a second, more subdued silver throne was below it.
"Yi'er greets Gao Chen."
Whispering that line out took all my willpower, and I sat down into the throne after she waved her hand at me, remaining silent.
Fixing my posture, I stared at the large wooden gates that made the entrance of the Shimmering Palace, waiting for my sister to arrive.