Josei
The Second Daughter’s Gambit
At the funeral of my father’s lawful wife, he brought home an illegitimate daughter.
The hall was draped in mourning white.
She alone wore pink and red.
My eldest sister’s murderous glare sent her cowering behind Father, her eyes brimming with helpless tears.
He took her hand and said fondly, “Don’t be afraid.
This is your eldest sister.
This will be your home from now on.
In a little while, I’ll bring your mother here too.”
Watching from the side, I laughed to myself.
Where did those two get the nerve?
My eldest sister had already lived this life once!
A Future with You
Times were hard.
I was sold to a wealthy household to be a playmate for its young master, who had a lame leg.
He had a delicate, handsome face, but his health was very poor.
His right leg was disabled, he was always coughing, and sometimes he was too weak even to sit up.
Everyone in the household said he would not live long.
Afraid I would be sent away, I slipped into his room and leaned over the edge of his bed.
“Could you please not die?
If you die, I won’t have a home again.”
He paused, then smiled gently and stroked my head.
“All right.
I’ll see if I can stay alive.”
