An anvil seemed to be pressing down on the ominous clouds that sat - looming - above our dismal group. They were well-trained in the act of grieving, these mourners; they were crying, the sky was crying; they were miserable, as was the weather. I was not. I was happy. I was happy.

A constellation of white was scattered across the dark earth - pale flowers wet with tears and rain. A few anonymous people came to lay more by their side as companions for the journey down. And it would be long journey, which they - and she - would travel on. My darling, my darling, farewell!

It was a good guise I put on: thickly-lain sorrow that could conceal even my euphoric thrill. The tears came, and I was the poor, beautiful brother, watching his sibling depart, and in this role I was offered serious top-hatted nods, solemn smiles and condolences from people I did not know nor wished to.

I had only possessed you in death, hadn't I? No one would know, my sweet and icy sister, that you despised me; that you - the other half of my soul - shunned me too. As far as they were concerned, you belonged to me. All mine, mine, mine.

I looked down again. The grave caged my dear one, preserved her as the woman who had loved and been loved by everyone who knew of her. But I knew her true face: cruel, deceitful, bloodthirsty and cold…so very cold, Alexiel!

Soon - bidding me their sympathies as they did so - the humble mourners departed, perhaps a little less grim-looking than when they arrived, black umbrellas bobbing away into the distance. The coruscating stars of Heaven, that would be shining still behind the sky's grey shroud, could not pierce me here. No divine wrath would strike me down for my sins, so I could weave my illusion of tragedy in undisturbed impunity. I raised a dry silk handkerchief to my face, a motion so heavy with grief that it could evoke pity in stone.

And when I was sure they had all gone, out of eyesight and earshot, I raised my head and allowed a smile.

Sister, my sister, my dear, my only…

You were beautiful. You were perfect. You were everything I could never be.

And I am still ugly...! I am still God's greatest mistake. I am nothing. I am still…I'm still Rosiel.

Rosiel - what a disgusting name. Kill my name, sister. Cut it out, carve my heart, end me. Why didn't you help me...sister?