Ameira's heart raced as she made her way back towards the palace, the thrill of her evening with Liam still coursing through her veins. She knew that slipping away from the ball without her sister's knowledge would undoubtedly invite Salvina's wrath, but in that moment, she found that she simply didn't care.
The weight of her sister's relentless demands and expectations had grown too heavy to bear, and Ameira had seized the opportunity to breathe, to feel alive in a way she hadn't experienced in far too long. The memory of Liam's warm smile, the gentle cadence of his voice, and the genuine interest he had shown in her – it was a balm to her battered spirit.
As she approached the ornate doors leading to the palace's private quarters, Ameira paused, taking a deep, steadying breath. Steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation with Salvina, she pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
The sight that greeted her instantly caused her stomach to drop. There, seated in an ornate chair with a thunderous expression on her face, was her elder sister, Salvina.
"Where the fuck have you been?" Salvina hissed, her voice dripping with barely contained fury.
Ameira flinched, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I... I needed some air, Salvina," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "The ball was–"
"The ball?" Salvina scoffed, rising from her seat and stalking towards Ameira. "You think this is some kind of game, Ameira? That you can simply run off and abandon your duties whenever you feel like it?"
Ameira felt her heart pounding in her chest, her palms growing clammy with dread. "I'm sorry, Salvina," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to–"
"Didn't mean to what?" Salvina spat, her eyes narrowing to slits. "Embarrass me in front of the entire bloody nobility of Ileriyma? Make a mockery of everything I've worked for?"
Ameira felt her cheeks flush with shame, the weight of Salvina's accusations crushing her. "I... I didn't–"
"Didn't what?" Salvina snarled, her bony fingers digging painfully into Ameira's arm. "Think, Ameira? Use your goddamned brain for once in your pathetic life?"
Tears stung Ameira's eyes as she fought the urge to shrink away from her sister's venomous onslaught. "Salvina, please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, I–"
"You're sorry?" Salvina scoffed, her grip tightening. "Do you have any idea how hard I've worked to secure your future, Ameira? How many sacrifices I've made to ensure that you and Thane would have a comfortable life after Mother and Father passed?"
Ameira felt a lump rising in her throat at the mention of their late parents. "I know, Salvina," she murmured, her gaze downcast. "I know you've done so much for us, and I'm grateful, but–"
"But nothing!" Salvina spat, her eyes blazing with rage. "I've given up everything to take care of this goddamned family, and this is how you repay me? By humiliating me and throwing away every opportunity I've worked so hard to create for you?"
Ameira felt the tears spill down her cheeks, her heart aching with a mixture of guilt and resentment. "I... I didn't mean to, Salvina," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I just wanted–"
"You just wanted?" Salvina sneered, her grip tightening until Ameira winced in pain. "You wanted what, Ameira? To throw away your future, to ruin everything I've built for this family?"
Ameira swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I... I just wanted to feel free," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
Salvina let out a harsh, mirthless laugh. "Free?" she scoffed. "You think you deserve freedom, you worthless, selfish girl? After everything I've done for you?"
Ameira flinched, her sister's words cutting her to the core. "Salvina, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, I–"
The crack of Salvina's palm against Ameira's cheek echoed through the room, the force of the blow causing Ameira's head to snap to the side.
"Save your pathetic apologies," Salvina spat, her eyes blazing with fury. "You've disappointed me for the last time, Ameira. From now on, you'll do exactly as I say, or so help me, I'll make your life a living hell."
With that, Salvina turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Ameira trembling and alone, her cheek stinging from the force of the slap.
Ameira sank to the floor, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The weight of Salvina's words, the crushing guilt and resentment that threatened to consume her – it was all too much to bear.
She thought of Liam, of the fleeting moments of freedom and joy she had experienced with him, and felt a fresh wave of despair wash over her. How could she ever hope to break free of Salvina's oppressive control when her sister wielded such power over her, both emotionally and financially?
Hugging her knees to her chest, Ameira allowed the tears to flow freely, her heart aching with the realization that her brief taste of liberation had been nothing more than a cruel mirage. She was trapped, bound by the chains of familial duty and the relentless demands of a sister who seemed to care more about her own ambitions than Ameira's happiness.
As the minutes ticked by, Ameira's sobs grew quieter, replaced by a steely determination that began to take root in the depths of her soul. She may not be able to defy Salvina openly, not without risking the wrath that her sister had so vividly promised.
But perhaps, just perhaps, there was another way – a path that would allow her to maintain the facade of obedience while quietly chipping away at the constraints that bound her. And if that path led her back to the enigmatic Liam, and the promise of unlocking Ileriyma's ancient secrets, then so be it.