Shield in times of trouble
Sebastian has not been home for a few days, leaving me to my own devices. I mostly spent my time in the library or my room, and today was no different. I lay on my bed, engrossed in a book on ancient magic. It occurred to me that I knew little about the type of magic practiced by the members of the county, but I decided it was a concern for another day. The only magic that truly posed a threat to me was holy magic.
Suddenly, the door to my room swung open, and an enraged Melisa barged in. Confusion washed over me as I struggled to comprehend her actions. Without a moment's hesitation, her hand connected with a forceful blow to my right cheek.
Melisa had slapped me.
"Who the hell do you think you are, you damn bastard!" she shouted, yanking at my hair. The pain seared through me, but I knew better than to retaliate. Engaging in a fight with her would only end in disaster. I could sense her weakness, knowing she possessed only a single affinity compared to my own strength.
"S...sister, what are you doing? That hurts," I whimpered, desperately clutching my hair to alleviate some of the pain.
"What are you going to do, huh, Lilith?" she sneered. "Inez isn't here now; it's just you and me."
My cheek throbbed, and anger surged within me at her audacity. The servants, mere bystanders, watched in silence, their gazes a mix of pity and indifference. I made the conscious choice to endure this torment, knowing that eventually, she would tire herself out.
"Melisa, what the hell are you doing?" a chilling voice cut through the air.
Sebastian's mere presence seemed to quell the turmoil in the room. Melisa's defiance faltered, replaced by a glimmer of apprehension. His piercing gaze bore into her, his voice commanding and laced with a dangerous calmness.
"Release her, Melisa," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
Melisa hesitated, weighing her options for a fleeting moment, before reluctantly letting go of my hair. I stumbled backward, relieved to be freed from her grip. Sebastian's protective stance shielded me from any further harm.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sebastian's voice dripped with disappointment, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Melisa. "Attacking Lilith without cause is a grave offense, even for you."
Melisa's facade wavered, torn between defiance and guilt. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words escaped. The realization of her transgressions, coupled with Sebastian's disapproval, had shattered her anger, leaving behind a cocktail of frustration and shame. An uneasy silence settled in the room, broken only by the shallow breaths we took.
Sebastian's gaze softened slightly, his tone adopting a more compassionate timbre. "I expected better from you, Melisa. We are family, and such actions are beneath us."
Melisa's shoulders slumped, her anger dissipating into the air. She glanced at me, her eyes betraying a flicker of remorse, before wordlessly retreating from the room.
Turning his attention back to me, Sebastian's concern was evident in his features. He gently brushed his thumb against my tear-stained cheek, his touch offering solace and reassurance.
"Are you alright, Lilith?" he asked, his voice brimming with genuine concern.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. "I'll be fine, Sebastian. Thank you for stepping in."
Sebastian's eyes softened, and he pulled me into a comforting embrace. As I nestled into his arms, tears streamed down my cheeks. The stress, the fear, and the overwhelming emotions of the past few weeks finally found release. Sebastian held me tight, offering a sense of safety and protection that I had longed for.
"Lilith, I'm so sorry you had to endure this," he said softly. "I promise you, I won't let anyone harm you again. You're family now, and I'll protect you with all that I have."
His words warmed my heart, and I knew he meant every one of them. In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before. Despite the chaos and secrets that surrounded us, Sebastian's unwavering support gave me the strength to face whatever lay ahead.