15

"Aramus was known for his wrath. His cruelty was second to none. No one lived to tell the tale after seeing him enraged. He made sure of it." — The Lovable Villainess, Character Interview

....

There was no need for questions. Aramus had already made up his mind. There wasn't a need for him to even inquire as to what she was doing for he drew his blade instantly. The sound of metal splitting through the air as all of a sudden a gloved hand covered my gaze.

"Please!" Isabelita exclaimed, her words trembling. I couldn't see her. I could only hear the desperation seeping into his words. The sword wasn't meant for this, the thought of drenching the girl in his arms with blood made him rethink. I wondered what his hesitation was. To see her head go flying wouldn't have been that traumatic, at least that was what I had thought.

Aramus had done his best for the young child that did not emote. She didn't want or need anything except to leave his purview. All she wanted to do was dance away from him, escape as if she wished to flee. He didn't wish to let her go into the cruel world, he was an adult and under his watch somehow, she had been abused.

To see her wander outside of the flame, covered in dirt and more bruises than he had ever seen on a body, he felt his heart clench. He had promised Mina. "I'm sorry," Aramus whispered into my ear, "I don't wish for you to see violence."

Aramus put the blade back into his scabbard.

There was a scream, a terrible wretched scream that caused the doors to burst open. Mina ran inside, her expression haggard as she panted, "Aramus!" She yelled, her eyes wide, scrambling to see what had happened. Instead, she saw Isabelita holding her face, flames running down the entirety of her skull.

Mina sounded worried but once she saw the scene, she took it in. It didn't take her but a second to figure out what had happened.

The smell of burning flesh was present in the room. Aramus cradled the child, blocking her vision with his hand, "You dare?" Aramus boomed, his voice taught as Mina quickly picked up the situation. She grabbed Isebelita, pinning her to the floor. The flame didn't seem to frighten her. I didn't know what was happening.

Isabelita clawed at her face, the fire so hot that it was burning off her skin, her bones, her body. She would be horribly disfigured if not dead.

"I apologize," Mina exclaimed, bowing her head, "It was all due to my neglect."

I wondered what had happened. The screams had stopped the second Mina entered the room. The howling of pain had vanished, "I shall dispose of her in an orderly way."

Aramus didn't respond as all of a sudden, I could see once more. He removed his hand. "This is my fault," he said, groaning. How had he been so stupid? In his haste to try and pull Ceasaria out of the endless loop of nothingness, he had grown sloppy.

To see her waste away made him uncomfortable. Esme had told him to have her do something but with her inability to read she couldn't entertain herself. Aramus had been busy with his paperwork and Cain had been studying for the Academic year loomed over his shoulder. Mina took on the role of the Duchess, overseeing the finances of the household and all other housework tasks.

In his haste, he had made an error. He had tried to find the best coach and ship here instantly. Asking his friend, the one who had saved him during the war, he recommended the young lady that had helped his daughter out—she was a similar age to Ceasaria, so he believed it would bode well. He had forgotten about her social standing.

Ceasaria didn't hold herself to be a noble. Aramus could see. She always remained calm and complacent, yet, she didn't have any confidence. "I'm sorry," he apologized, sitting back down. I was in his lap.

"You didn't do anything," I answered back. That was true.

Aramus shook his head, gently patting my head. The welts were still there from when Isabelita slammed the books on top of my skull. It didn't hurt though. I wonder if he could feel it. He looked troubled. "I stopped it before she beat me," I answered, "I didn't wait."

"She should have never even thought to do that, to begin with."

"Is that why you punished her?"

"It was too light of a punishment."

"Belladonna used to punish me," I answered back. The words fell naturally. I felt the shame rise. That wasn't what I meant to say. I didn't mean to incite pity.

"That was not punishment," Aramus corrected. I knew that I shouldn't call her my mother. I could feel Cain glaring at me already which was why I rectified what I wanted to say. "That was called abuse. Punishment is done when you deserve it."

"So why did she deserve it and I didn't? I took away her ability to sing."

I imagined Belladonna on stage. I remembered her words. How I humiliated her. If it was better if I was never born. It would have been. My punishment was ripping her from the spotlight where she was happiest, where she belonged. There was always a give and a take. I could still see the sapphire necklace that she always liked to wear hanging from her neck.

Aramus looked sad. He looked as if he would weep. "You didn't do anything wrong," he mumbled, gently touching my cheek. "You did nothing to deserve that."

I didn't like believing that. I had realized. If that was true, then that meant that I was beaten for no reason. If I at least did something, then it made sense. Then I was able to rationalize why I was beaten. I was able to at least live.

I must have done something wrong. I shook my head, "The punishment was because I stole her singing potential. I just didn't know it."

"Ceasaria," Aramus said, his voice tender, delicate. He didn't speak like this in the books. He never did. He was brutish, absolutely savage, and yet right now, I could feel the softness in his timbre. The way that he wanted to calm me, "You didn't deserve it. Not at all."

His hands were delicate as he gently wrapped me in an embrace. I don't think I had ever been hugged in my life. I didn't realize it, but I supposed this was true. I had been carried by Cain, but I had never received a hug. I never had felt arms around me.

Aramus had realized he had never spoken to her like this, one on one. This entire time it felt as though there was a wall between them. Perhaps, he needed to be more direct with his words.

"The adults in your life failed you." Aramus knew that all too well.

"You were never supposed to go through that, Ceasaria. You deserve to be loved. I'm sorry that you had to experience such hardships, but you don't need to be an adult anymore. You don't need to be alone."

I blinked, feeling my eyes fill up with tears. I gripped his shirt, "I-I'm afraid." I answered truthfully. I let the tears fall.

"Of what?" He whispered, gently rubbing my back, "There is nothing you need to be afraid of. I am Duke Valentine, not even the Imperial Crown can threaten me."

I let the tears fall, wetting his shirt. I was crying. It had been a while since I had cried. It felt like something had popped inside of me as if I had been keeping everything hidden away out of fear. I was just a coward.