26|| A Lost Sister

Whatever Poppy was saying entered one ear and went out the other. I was zoned out, spoon in hand, staring at a pot of water until I couldn’t see anything anymore.

“Dahlia, Dahlia — are you okay?” Poppy’s voice snapped me back. I blinked, embarrassed, realizing I’d blanked out again. It hadn’t been the first time since last night. I hadn’t slept properly and my body was still shaking from the memory of what had happened last night, from what he’d done.

“We don’t have all the ingredients,” Poppy said, looking worried. “I’ll go buy them.” I gave her a tired sigh and nodded. I was exhausted and not just from lack of sleep but from the weight of everything on my mind.

My body ached me in a way I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t a surprise though, being fucked by a sexy beast will surely take a toll on your body. The way he carried me last night, the roughness of the strength, the way he took me hard and raw. All I wanted now was to lay on my bed and faint.

But then I also felt so proud of myself. Last night wasn’t meaningless. He’d ended up in my pockets eventually. He was now my lover and I could now confidently work on my plan without being too scared. I had a safety net!

I tried not to smile as I ignored the ache on my thighs and back. I felt determined and ready to fight back with everything I had in me.

I wrote down a list of groceries, and gave some money to Poppy. “Buy everything on this. Don’t take long, and if you see anyone who looks like they work under Smite avoid them okay? She’d surely try to do something to mess with us. Be careful.”

Poppy put the money into her apron and winked excitedly. “Of course! I’ll be quick.”

I watched her skip out of the quarters, humming to herself, and a small smile appeared on my lips, though it didn’t last long. I started to feel worried. Somewhere along the way, Poppy had stopped being just a servant. She’d become like a sister more than Coraline ever was. The thought of something happening to her made my chest tighten painfully.

I shook my head, forcing those thoughts away as I turned toward my room. Vowing to myself that I was going to protect her. Anyone that was by my side will always be safe.

I took a deep breath and looked around my room. The space was almost empty now. I’d sold nearly everything. I couldn’t help laughing quietly into my hands, imagining Head Maid Smite’s face when she eventually saw it.

Still, when I opened my purse I started to worry again. Even after selling all I could, and buying a few groceries and small treats, I didn’t have much left.

I needed money. Fast.

My eyes looked around the empty quarters, and instead of sadness, I felt motivated. I wanted to make this place new. To give it life. I’d renovate the rooms, repaint the walls, and replace the broken furniture. I’d turn this forgotten corner of the palace into a real home, something I’d never had before.

I wasn’t going to run away or start over somewhere else. No. I was going to stay right here and prove to everyone that even the most abandoned place could flourish again.

I made a promise to the goddess, I won’t fail. I didn’t care if I played dirty or not.

####

It was only when an hour passed that I realized Poppy still hadn’t come back.

I tried not to worry. Thinking that maybe the market was crowded, maybe she was just taking her time or someone called her and distracted her but the longer I waited, the more I felt something was wrong.

I looked out the window again, hoping to see her familiar red hair running toward me. But I saw nothing.

My chest tightened.

We didn’t have phones as I’d never owned one, and Father used to say there was no need. “No one wants to hear from you, only Coraline,” I had no way to reach Poppy, and ask where she was”

Something just felt wrong.

I locked the door and ran out, calling her name down every path I could find. “Poppy! Poppy!” I didn’t even know where I was going. Everywhere just seemed strange to me but I couldn’t stop calling. “Poppy, where are you?!”

I heard no answer back until.

Until—

“Y… your highness~”

It was quiet. So quiet that I almost thought I’d imagined it. My breath caught in my throat , and I turned toward the sound. “Poppy?”

Then I saw her.

She was lying in the ditch beside the path and her body looked crumpled, her hair and face was covered with blood and her tiny hands were shaking on the dirt. For a moment, my brain refused to understand what I was seeing. Then it hit me all at once, and I screamed.

“Poppy!” I ran down, nearly falling as I knelt beside her. Her eyes tried to open weakly, but she was unsuccessful. “No, no, no! stay with me, Poppy. Look at me, please!” My hands shook as I lifted her head into my lap, wiping the blood from her cheek with trembling fingers.

She tried to smile. “T…they tried to…take the money you gave me,” she whispered, her voice so quiet, I had to lean in to hear her. “I kept them safe for you.”

I was shedding hot tears, I couldn’t even see. “You should have given them the money, it wouldn’t have mattered to me! Your life is more important than that!”

“N…no. You worked hard for the money, D…dahlia I don’t want you to suffer”

“No Poppy,” I choked out, my voice cracking. “You’re bleeding! oh god, there’s so much blood.”

Her lips trembled. “Don’t cry… your highness. You’ll ruin… I’m not worthy to cry for.”

I let out a broken scream that came from my soul and held her tighter. “Just stop talking, please. You’ll be fine, I’ll get help, I’ll—”

Her eyes slowly began to close and I panicked.

“Poppy!” I shook her shoulders gently. “No! Don’t you dare close your eyes. Look at me, please— look at me!”

She smiled faintly, that same mischievous smile she always had when she teased me. “You… made me happy. I’m glad to have met you.”

Then her hand slipped from mine.

“Poppy!”

I don’t even know where I got the strength from. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was love but somehow, I lifted her in my arms. Her blood soaked through my dress but I didn’t care. My legs shook as I started running into the palace and screaming for help.

“Somebody! Please help!”

Everywhere was empty. The guards who were always standing by the doors, the maids who were always sweeping the floors were all gone. Every single one of them.

It was like the whole palace had vanished, leaving only me and her.

By the time I found the clinic, my arms were numb and my throat burned from shouting. I slammed the door open, almost falling to my knees.

“Help me!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “Please, someone— don’t let my sister die!”