The Criswell's Curse

Amanda’s arms pushed the door open, entering her chambers before shoving Lanna, one of her personal maids, straight onto the floor. The young woman’s face contorted as she felt a current of pain travel through her wrist.

“Leave. I want to be alone.” Amanda ordered, forcing the maids to exit the room reluctantly. The noble lady didn’t notice the disgust look on her servant’s face as they closed the door, otherwise she would’ve gouged their eyes out.

Why...!? The girl’s graceful self shattered as her teeth bit off her nails, once again.

Amanda hated Ophelia more than anyone else in this world. But how couldn’t she?

When their mother got pregnant, Amanda stopped being her little ray of sunshine and all her parent’s love was delivered to a baby who hadn’t even been born! It was as if, after Lilith heard the good news, Amanda’s existence was completely nullified. They forgot her birthday, her celebrations, her parties. They forgot her!

But it got worse. After that brat arrived in the world, her mother left to live with God. The person she loved the most abandoned her, and all of that for what? For an annoying rat that cried, pooped and yelled all day. For a baby that drove her father mad and scared away most of the servants.

One would think that was enough, that she couldn’t take anything else away, but the truth couldn’t be so far-fetched. As Ophelia became older, Amanda would hear the maids talk amongst each other.

“Lady Amanda is a beauty but her sister... say what you may, but she’s truly stunning.”

“Indeed, it’s such a shame she’s cursed...”

Ophelia had taken everything from her. She couldn’t be forgiven, no matter how much she begged or how much she prayed.

Sometimes, Amanda would have dreams, peaceful memories of her life before that girl and, other times, nightmares. She would stab her sister repeatedly until she could no longer breathe. That terrified her, not because of how cruel and gruesome it was, but because she would do it with a pleased smile on her face.

Those psychopathic desires came to a halt when she overheard her father talk with one of his closest aides. Her little sister was going to be wed to Terrel Wharton, the worst of the worse. Everyone knew about his wicked habits and that was why, even though he was 25, he was still unmarried.

A pure heart that had become tainted with the sins of jealousy and regret. That was what Amanda had.

The disgust she felt toward her sister was somewhere between pure hatred and unconditional love. Her wishes were none other than to see Ophelia suffering with her own two eyes. Seeing her drown in despair, beg on her knees, and unwillingly obey someone else’s commands gave her great satisfaction, allowing Amanda to find a clear path of misdeeds in her perverted life.

Of course, even though she didn’t realize it, the negative feelings lingering in her heart were just a silly act that prevented her from digging out the harsh truth.

How dare she... Amanda’s hatred guided thoughts ran wild in her mind. In them, Ophelia was grinning at her proudly, as if she had won their inexistent war. Someone needs to show her where she truly belongs...

Her fists tightened around the arm of the chair as some veins slightly popped out. She was pissed and struggling to find a battlefield, a place she would have the upper hand. Suddenly, father’s words came to mind. The ball...! That’s it!

Like lightbulbs, ideas popped in her head, one after the other. Her naïve sister never went to any social events since their father didn’t allow her presence to be seen outside of the estate. Ophelia was bound to attend Lady Catherine’s ball, especially now that she had all apparent freedom in the world.

“That’s where I’ll ruin her...” A bright smile appeared on Amanda’s blooded lips, her voice seductively low. It was only after she summoned her maids back to the room that her posture became one of a ruler, of a superior being. “Buy me the prettiest and most expensive dress you can find! I’ll be going to a ball!”

Her mind was set and, as she proudly grinned from ear to ear, her slender fingers grabbing a beautiful cup of herbal tea. That girl would regret treating her like this. Amanda would make sure of it.