Machiavellian III

At that moment Donellan didn't know wether to laugh to cry.

Emille let him know that this was a serious situation and couldn't be brushed off or taken likely. He was well aware of the fact that Donellan often let Sylvia's antics go too quickly and this in turn made Sylia not have any qualms about continuing this toxic behaviour.

He didn't quite understand why Donellan tolerated her so much since he didn't love Sylia. At least not romantically. His love for her was more of a agape kind love in which he cared for her greatly but only platonically, something he had come to realize later. At the time, Donellan wasn't able to differentiate between the two which made him believe that he genuinely loved her when he didn't.

Sylia was most likely aware of this fact and used various tactics in order to convince Donellan that he loved her romantically. Emille had always thought that she was and never truly trusted her. He had the ability to read people and decern the good from the bad due to his experience as a Hunter. He was right on the money.

Donellan was in agreement with Emille for once and knew that he couldn't let this slide. That night he went to talk to her expressing his displeasure with the situation.

Sylia seemed to be apologetic and assured him that nothing like this would happen again but in the back of Donellan's mind, he knew this wouldn't be the last time.

She once again took the herbal medicine and fell pregnant soon after. She was absolutely ecstatic upon hearing the news and Donellan felt conflicted.

He felt betrayed by her actions and could no longer trust her. This was when he started to grow distant with Sylia going on subjugations even when they weren't mandatory. He knew he couldn't be in the same room as her anymore.

His distrust soon turned into resentment and slight disgust and he knew that Sylia would be devastated if she were to come to know his true feelings.

He didn't feel much love for his unborn child either and this made him feel guilty. This went on until the child's birth and when he found out he would be having a son, Donellan felt even more conflicted.

He knew of his responsibilities as a father and would abide by them and he would do everything in his power to protect his child, be he didn't know wether or not he'd be capable of truly loving his son.

This was a big mistake on his part because leaving Sylia alone unattended made her grow more unstable. She started to believe that Donellan would give her more love and attention if he had a son worthy enough of taking over and become his heir.

This was when the abuse began, unbeknownst to everyone.

Donellan wasn't aware of the abuse until after when he found scaring on the little boy's body one day.

This was also around the time when Donellan had sent a shadow knight to watch over his child since he was getting older.

The shadow knight witness the abuse and immediately took action against her stopping Sylia before things got any worse.

This was later reported to Donellan and the anger he felt was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He felt so betrayed by Sylia because she was aware of the abuse he had suffered as a child and now she was committed the same acts against her own child. She argued she was acting in loco parentis* and so she had the right to discipline her child however she saw fit.

Anger consumed every fibre of his being. The aura around was so dark and so suffocating, he sent Sylia into a shock and she died from heart palpitations.

Donellan was surprised and felt so much guilt thinking that he had been the one to kill her, however Emile had conducted an autopsy and stated that her cause of death was the herbal teas that were weakening her energy and causing her to have heart problems.

She would have died sooner or later but it didn't change the fact that she died because of him.

Donellan felt guilt for some time mostly because he truly cherished her at one point in his life. She was his best friend after all.

Donellan paused for a second, composing his thoughts. The look on his eyes showed sadness, longing and regret. Emotions Simuel had never seen before.

He couldn't believe everything he had heard. Sitting there next to his father on top of his bed, there was a moment of silence between them.

"… What, what happened to her body?" He asked hesitantly.

"…. She was buried in our family cemetery. Even though she was undeserving of a proper burial, I did care for her, and she was your mother… thinking back on it, I should've just thrown her in a ditch somewhere." He said chuckling mirthlessly.

The once heavy air turned lighter after hearing his joke.

Simuel was also conflicted. He didn't know what he was supposed to feel. This wasn't his body and his "mother" wasn't his actual mother either. He didn't feel sad about hearing her death but he understood exactly how it felt to be abused. So he was sympathetic towards the real Simuel.

"I-I know I have to right to say this but please allow your father to apologize. I am so sorry that you had to go through all of this. I regret everything."

"This wasn't your fault dad! You didn't know what was going on and mother- not Sylia was a horrible woman. She manipulated and deceived you, you couldn't have known. I am sorry that you had to experience this as well. Although I want to say that I wished you guys had never met, I'd be lying if I did." Simuel said sincerely.

This made Donellan look up, looking at his son with confusion.

"If you hadn't met, I would never be born and I would never get the change to meet you dad. Also, even though I don't want to admit this, but Sylia did bring you some comfort when you were going through a tough time. At least she was good for something."

"Well whatever the case I can promise you this, I will cure you of your illness and promise to give you a better life.

Sylia was the worst kind of person. Gaslighting her husband into believing that they loved each other, manipulating him into doing what she wanted. What a scary person.

He was thankful that she was gone but also grateful that she gave birth to Simuel. He could have this second chance at life and bring happiness to Donellan who deserved the world more than anyone he knew.

That night, they hugged each other to sleep feeling a weight lifted off their shoulders.

Donellan for the first time in a long time slept peacefully.

*In loco parentis means actually in the place of a parent. This is messed up because she is because saying she isn't actually her parent but only acting as like a parent towards Simuel.