Chapter 3

“Who hired you?!” I screamed out as I was tied down with ropes and blindfolded. I could hear the men laugh as they lay their eyes on me.

I felt dirty; shivers went down my spine – I just knew they were looking at me differently.

“Boss said we could have our fun with her before we kill her,” one man remarked while they all laughed in glee. They were anticipating what they’d do to me.

I tried to beg and beg; I hung my head low – “My dignity, at least preserve it for me before I die.”

They refused to listen to me – I screamed for help constantly as they laid their hands on my body – do I deserve to live like this? What did I do wrong for them to treat me like this?

“Mom! Mom!” I screamed out as I tried to kick them away. I cried and I cried – nobody was there as they ripped me out of the last bit of purity I had.

“Did you have to do this?” I felt tears roll down my eyes. I couldn’t stop crying.

That’s when I felt a hand grab me, my vision is blurred with tears. The only thing I saw was his blonde hair being illuminated by the moon’s light. When my tears dripped down my face – I saw his blue eyes gleaming as he holds onto me tightly.

“Why… did you save me?” I croaked out as I felt him embrace me – his warmth spreading as my cold body desperately clung onto him.

“Miss? Mi-! Miss!” I heard his voice – I didn’t want to separate from him, this warmth is the only thing keeping me alive.

“Miss!” One last shout and he has brought me back to safety. I looked around to see it was already morning.

“Wa-Walter,” I stutter as I sigh in relief – that dream confirmed what I was confused about. Walter is my benefactor – I don’t care whether he was a spy or an enemy of my family.

It would even be better if he was an enemy of Berpolt – I can be assured that he is on my stepmother’s side.

“Are you okay, miss?” He asks and I nod my head. I hold my head as I try to stabilize myself.

“You need to drink medicine,” Walter said as he offered me medicine. I accepted it and was about to put it in my mouth when he stopped me.

“U-Uh, this isn’t the right medicine! Here!” He exclaimed and gave me a different one.

I nodded, simply putting it in my mouth, and drank the water as fast as I could – I couldn’t think of anything else; my head was becoming heavier.

“By the way, miss? “ He called out to me – I hummed in response.

“The President’s wife is here to see you,” he said, and my hands started sweating. This woman is the source of all the misfortune in my life.

She was probably the one to order those men – but I can’t be too sure; it could also be my brothers. Either way, they are all the same.

“Let her in,” I said; it’s not like I have any choice anyway. If I reject her here right now – her anger will only be fuelled by this.

She finally enters and I put on a smiling face, “Mother! I’m so glad to see you here - I was getting bored all by myself – Virgo wanted to play with you~.”

I almost barfed – but it was a perfect act. I could tell by the smirk she put on; it was evident – Griselda got convinced by it.

“I’m glad to see you’re all and well, my only daughter,” she said – her words may seem innocent, but they’re far from that. She might have been cursing me with those words.

“Thank you, mother!” I beamed childishly as I saw her sitting across from me on the couch.

“Are you not coming to greet your mother?” She asks and I pause for a second while I look at my legs.

“Oh! I nearly forgot you were crippled,” she laughed out loud and my smile stayed on. “It’s fine mother, I don’t feel too bad about it!” I exclaimed.

“Are you sure?” Her words were of mockery – I have gotten used to it all these years.

“As long as I can marry the guy I like, I’ll be the happiest person in the world,” I stay smiling as I see Walter in my peripheral vision – fixing the flowers she brought.

They brought so many flowers, with condolence messages at that. At this rate, they’re not even hiding their hatred for me anymore.

“Oh? Who is that?” She asks warily – I know she’s thinking of another person. Don’t worry though, I’ve never planned my future with that guy anyway.

“Walter,” I point to Walter – I pretended to be flustered as I look at Walter’s reaction.

“Huh?” I felt shocked as I saw the lack of reaction from him – eventually, he faced us with a big smile on his face.

“What is it, Miss?” He asked cheerfully and I shook my head – I seem to be hallucinating more and more these days.

“Well,” I saw the woman snicker – “This bitch has finally gone senile,” I knew what she was thinking, her face says it all.

“Are you willing to do anything for your miss, Walter?” She asked Walter with a concerned face, all while she hid her intentions through sheep’s clothing.

“Anything for the Miss!” He exclaimed and I look at him – he seems like he’s easy to read but why can’t I predict him?

“Ha! Good news indeed,” she snickered as she hid her sinister smile behind those wrinkly hands. She knew I outshine all her sons, this is the main reason she’s so wary of me.

My father has previously recognized me – I thought I finally get a place in this family. Those are all wishful and naive thinking.

“Are you going to marry your Miss then?” She asks Walter and I look at Walter to see his face flush. “Ho-How can I possibly wish for that?” He hid his face.

“Don’t worry, boy. We’re going to let it happen – as soon as possible,” she smirked and Walter looked at her confused.

“Anyway, I’ll be going now – make sure to get closer with your Miss,” she reminded Walter and he just nodded while escorting him out.

Walter closed the door and I got a glimpse of his expressionless face – “Ugh,” I hit my head, this must be another one of my hallucinations.

A while later, Walter came back with a giddy expression, “Miss, the madam told me something exciting!”

I smile and ask him to come closer, “What did she say?”

“She said we’re going to get married next week!”