Red Tears

Prologue

The world outside Sazula is a spectacle but one's place of birth is just as marvelous and... comforting. In the seven years that I have been away not much has changed in my hometown. I passed by the fields where I used to ride my horse, the lighted lanterns of the marketplace that my once childish eyes admired, and the sakura tree that I used as shade during the day and sometimes nestled in at night.

"The Lady is back! Tell the Master that lady Anya is back!" I giggled at how the guards and the servants frantically ran around. Some rushed to greet me and the others called for my family.

They all gathered near me. I smiled knowingly at some familiar faces, while some new ones tried to steal a glance at the lady they're only seeing now.

"I am home, everyone."

"Anya?" A familiar voice came from behind the servants and upon hearing those words everyone made way to the Lord of the estate. And there I saw my father, tears forming in his aged eyes, as he started walking towards me. "My dear child."

Then I was enclosed in his tight hug.

Ah, I really am back.

Patting my father's back to make him calm, I looked around at the people behind him. I saw my Uncle and his wife, my baby cousin sleeping soundly in her arms, my grandmother who's smiling so brightly at me, and my beloved childhood friend who just came in with his horse. I looked at him with disbelief knowing how he probably rushed here to see me. But... I don't see her anywhere.

"Father?"

He lets go of me to answer, "Yes, daughter?".

"Where is my sister?'', after saying those words, his eyes widened, and then there was silence. I waited for them to answer but they did not. I couldn't understand why in an instant the atmosphere changed. It became heavy somehow. "I mean, even if she is now the Queen, she would at least come to see me, right? I made sure to send word before coming back so that she can make time for my arrival."

Still no one answered. I looked at the servants, the guards, my uncle and aunt, my grandmother, and my father. Yet, they only averted their eyes when they met mine.

"Anya...you see---"

Then my grandmother, who always smiled brightly, started crying. "Ilya... my grandchild Ilya...". She fell to the floor and started calling out the name of my older sister. She wailed as if she was back to being a child. A child who has lost something very important.

"I... I don't...fa...father..." Worried about the sudden outburst from my grandmother, I look to my father for answers, but I have a very bad feeling. I tried to look at everyone again, to see if at least there is one who doesn't have sadness and grief in their faces, but everyone looked away again. Why won't they look at me? Why does everyone look like they are grieving? Why does everyone look like they lost someone?

"No...no..."

Is there no one who will tell me? I panicked. My heart is uneasy. I cannot explain it, but I am filled with anxiety. Then I saw my beloved friends face. He doesn't look like he's grieving, no, his expression, it's different. I instinctively walked towards him. "Kun, tell me. Tell me where my sister is."

"Anya... I... I don't think I have any right to tell you."

I looked at his pained face with disbelief. He looks like he's pitying me. He's clearly worried about me, but why won't he tell me? "W...why? Kun, you're like family to me. Of course you would have the right to tell me. Why would you say that? Now tell me where my sister is? Did she just forget? Did they not allow her to be here? Or is she just very busy? Oh! I know! She must be in our secret tree right? That place where we always played when we were young...", he still didn't answer instead he just looked away. "Co...come now, Kun. Tell me now. Where is she? Where is Ilya?"

Still nothing. "KUN!" this time he finally looked at me. "Why do you look like you're in pain when you look at me? Kun... my dear Kun...please...please tell me...please..." I begged. I just don't understand what is happening. Why won't they just tell me where she is?

"Anya---" See, that is it. That look is exactly why I have this ominous feeling.

"KUN, PLEASE...PLEASE ERASE THIS OMINOUS FEELING THAT I AM FEELING!" I raised my voice at Kun. I was surprised. If only they would just tell me.

"---ead."

I looked back to my father. He finally talked, but I couldn't quite hear. So, I asked him again. "What did you say, Father?"

He sighed heavily, before looking at me, straight in the eyes.

I feel like I won't like what I am about to hear.

"Your older sister Ilya. She is dead."