Chương 17: 16

"Kalypso couldn't believe it. Ceasaria looked more beautiful than she had ever imagined." — Chapter One, Lovable Villainess.

...

"Did you make her cry?" Cain asked as the male gently pressed something cold against my puffy eyes. He was accusatory towards his own father. His expression souring as he fussed over me. Cain had burst in mere seconds after my waterworks and then quickly ran towards me, asking if I was alright to which I tearfully nodded.

How humiliating. I didn't mean to cause a scene. I knew better than to do so.

"I didn't make her cry," Aramus shot back, sighing and running his hands through his hair. He looked worried, if I knew what that meant. No one had shown worry towards me.

"You did, though," Cain pouted, "If Father ever makes you cry again, you should just hit him. He can take it."

"Or you can tattle," Mina said, pouring some warm tea for me to drink, "Cain and I would love an excuse to hit him."

"You know," Aramus said, sighing as he pressed his fingers against his nose bridge, "I didn't do anything wrong. I did my best," he sighed, "Nevermind. I do deserve to be hit."

"You have done many things wrong," Cain said, gently patting around my eyes, "Are you still upset?" He questioned. He looked disgruntled.

I shook my head, "I'm alright now. I was just a bit emotional."

"You should hit father," Cain said beckoning the red-headed male to follow his call.

Aramus sighed and despite the look on his face, he kneeled down waiting for me to hit him. "I don't want to hit him," I answered back, gently placing my hand on his head. "He doesn't deserve punishment."

The Duke smiled at me, gently taking my hand and squeezing it, "That is right. Just as you don't deserve to be punished." He placed a soft kiss atop my hand and I could feel the warmness flood my system.

"She doesn't need a teacher," Cain shot back, "I can teach her everything! She needs a friend! A playmate!" He had read about this in the books that he had borrowed. Children socialized with those around them were much happier—"It would help." He puffed out his chest, somewhat proud.

Mina placed a hand against her chin, "A playmate might do well. You had many during your youth." She remembered tediously looking after the young children that wished to be his childhood friend, "That's how you got to know the Marquise's son, right?"

Cain nodded.

"A girl around your age," Aramus mumbled, sitting on the floor.

"Duke, please sit on a chair," Mina said, gesturing to the chair.

Aramus smiled, "Aramus."

"Aramus," Mina exhaled, "Please sit on the chair." She seemed to know which battles to lose to win the war. I couldn't help but smile slightly at seeing them.

Cain poked my cheek, "You're smiling."

I blinked, "I suppose I am."

Aramus finally sat down on the couch, his expression was kind. The deaths of the two people around me must have turned him into the cold-hearted Duke that I was familiar with. I felt the urge to tell them, that they would die, but I wasn't sure even if I was right. The more I thought about it, the more perplexed I got. How could they die? They seemed strong enough.

"I know a child, her name is Kalypso—"

"NO!" I said, my voice rising, as I hastily gripped the air, fingers digging into the palm of my hand. "N-No, not her," I stuttered out.

Aramus looked surprised. This was the only time that the young girl had ever shown emotion. She always looked so empty, always adhering to what Aramus said. This time she had darted to life. He gazed at Mina and she nodded, it was time to do some research on his dear old friend, "Alright. Then, why don't we just take you to the Capital for a bit? You can see if anyone meets your fancy, and you can meet your friend as well, Cain. Take a break from studying."

"A trip?" I asked, "Shouldn't we learn magic soon?"

"It'll be short. I have some things to talk to the Emperor about anyways. We'll leave in two weeks' time, and I'm sure by then your body will be strong enough to start learning magic."

Mina smiled, "That means you must eat well. Has your stomach been faring better?"

I nodded, "Can I ask a question?"

Aramus nodded, "Of course."

"Why me?" I questioned. I felt awfully small while asking the question. I didn't realize that I wanted to know the answer, that I had started to open myself up to this small patchwork family. I didn't have that before. I didn't have a mother, a father, or even a brother and now, these people were willing to fill in the roles that hadn't been there before.

But why?

There must have been an awful number of orphans that needed families. There must have been so many people that deserved this role more than I did. Was it because of my magic? If so, then I didn't want it. I didn't want to be used. I knew that the only reason that I had been brought here was because of my magical abilities and Kalypso's eclipsed mine. The interest that had been given to me was quickly taken by the villainess. It all fell into place for her while I got to sink into the shadows.

I felt as though I would be tossed aside if I couldn't fulfill a role. I didn't want to be here simply because of pity. I didn't want to get used to their love if they would give it to someone else. But, then I realized something so foolish. Mina and Cain could have never given their love to Kalypso because they didn't exist. When the Lovable Villainess started these two weren't there.

"Why you, what?" Cain questioned.

"Why do you want to adopt me? Is it for my magic?"

I felt as though I deserved an answer for this.

bình luận bình luận của 2

Bình chọn

GỬI QUÀ TẶNG

Load failed, please RETRY