-This chapter is written using Isabella's POV-
It's been so ti since soone needed to co and knock on my door to wake
up.
It used to be a habit of mine to step out of bed as late as possible, but recently, I started to enjoy the mornings a little more.
At first, it was out of necessity since a certain group was forcing
to train and study every day.
But I started appreciating it with ti as I got to know them better. Every morning there was sothing I wanted to ask them about, and they were always happy to talk to
and show
new things.
Truly, I'm glad for them.
There were tis when I was so afraid of stepping out that I even thought being locked up was for the better.
I'm not sure what would have beco of
if that went on, but... Because of that, I can precisely understand the frantic knocking on the door.
The person behind it knows very well how much I've changed, and if my guess is right, he's trying to protect said changes.
As usual, he still scares
a little, but I've co to understand him a little better now.
In its own way, he cares.
Although... There might be another explanation for his panic.
Lenard: "... Your last words?"
Miwen: "Hm... Good morning?"
I ended up sleeping in Miwen's bed last night.
I was feeling angry, betrayed, and sick, but... I knew I could importune him about my feelings.
I've beco quite good at it...
However, this ti, he did sothing different.
I told him about how I felt about my father before all of this.
That I thought he loved
since he had had sacrificed his reputation for my sake.
I thought that even though he was cold and distant, since he allowed
to live with his family, brought
to parties in public, and even presented
as his daughter to other families, he must've cared for .
Surely it was just that he couldn't be open about it. He had to reprimand
for the sake of his image even when he knew I wasn't at fault.
Idiot as I was, I fooled myself into believing this was our little secret.
I also told him that I always knew that there was sothing wrong. That my instincts scread he was like the people who saw
as a tool for their own gain.
And also... That I couldn't live without burying these feelings. Discover exclusive tales on empire
Because my father was my last hope.
One unreachable, but precisely because of that, inextinguishable.
I wanted to believe that he was my ally, that if I was on the edge, with no way of turning back... He would save
before the last step.
After I told Miwen all of this, instead of reassuring , he opened up about himself.
As untrustworthy as always, he refused to tell
much about himself, but... He told
about his family.
I didn't understand at first what was the point.
I an... I was envious of him, of course.
Although not present, from his descriptions, it seed like they all genuinely loved each other in his house.
But... There was one thing I noticed.
One person who piqued my interest more than anyone.
His sister, Maya.
His words were gentle, but they carried so much pride when they were about his sister.
Her qualities, her deanor... It was almost tangible.
I could tell he truly loved her.
More than that, he respected and believed in her...
And that... hurt
a little.
After all... She was my complete opposite. Sothing I could never hope to be.
But I think this was the point. He knew I would end up feeling like this, probably because... At so point, he must've felt similarly about himself.
I never thought the two of us could be so similar, but... It was sowhat reassuring to think about it.
As the story went on, Miwen reached a certain event. A situation that made him discover that his sister wasn't as infallible as he believed, or hoped her to be.
Even though he was weaker and worse than her in every aspect, from ability to morality, he could still be of help.
There were things he could do and she could not precisely because of their differences.
Because there were things he could do precisely because he wasn't as good as her.
His story was about the ti she saved the wrong person. A seemingly innocent outcast at the bottom of society, but in truth, soone who might've not been worthy of anyone's effort.
Contrary to Miwen's wishes, his sister, even though able to see just as much as him, decided to extend her hand nonetheless.
It's not as if she was experinting, but rather that she was choosing to believe she was wrong.
Sadly, a mistake.
Thanks to her, this person rose and earned confidence and a place among others.
However, they also started to feel entitled. Mistook her intentions, and once denied, beca angry, vengeful...
They were determined to do everything to get sothing that did not belong to them...
And the only way to stop him from hurting his sister was to undo everything she had done. To reveal the darkness of that person again, and manipulate the situation to throw him once again to the bottom, where no one would give him the ti of the day, and where he wouldn't be able to hurt Miwen's sister no matter how much he tried.
Once I heard this, I began to understand what Miwen was trying to tell . Even if he was quite indirect about it.
When I ca to him, my mind and heart were a complete ss.
Discovering my father's sches left
purposeless, broken, and sick.
Lost and perhaps... Tired of it all...
Ever since the start, Miwen told
he would help
decide the things I wanted to do, that he would help
reach them, but that he wouldn't decide for .
I think I should've paid more attention to his words back then. Or at least take him more seriously...
This ti, instead of telling
about what I could do, he simply showed what he did in my place. How he, even though weaker and lesser, found his purpose in protecting soone he believed in by doing the things she could not.
Idiot.
Instead of supporting
like a good servant, he was trying to inspire
to move forward.
Every ti, he tries to put
in the best position to learn. It was the sa during that ti in the library... Instead of focusing on escaping, he was more worried about teaching
that there are things I can offer that no one else can, even if others and I don't see as much value in it.
And thinking about it... It was the sa during the ga with Marin as well... I thought I had understood what he ant, but when I look back, I think it wasn't simply a lesson about how my misfortune could be used to gain an advantage.
It was also a warning... that soone was already doing that.
I feel stupid for not noticing. And I hate that he doesn't tell
directly.
But I also appreciate it... I feel like I've been held back by these chains all my life, waiting for soone to break them.
However... I feel them eroding now... It's almost as if I'm simply becoming soone strong enough to move despite them.
I'm starting to look forward to the future.
... soone whose every feeling and actions were accounted for...
Maybe after losing everything I thought was so personal to ... I'm starting to enjoy thinking about what can replace them...
I wonder...
Miwen: "Isa, can you help
a little here?"
Isabella: "Hmm... Give
ten more minutes..."
Miwen: "Right. I'll be playing tag with Lenard in the anti then."
Isabella: "Don't die... I need you to wake
up on ti..."
I was already late anyway, might as well make the best out of it.
And while they might not admit it, I think Miwen and my brothers have beco good friends already.
I'm not sure of the details, it's quite possible that Miwen forced Albert and Lenard into the Kingdom, but... Sothing tells
that he managed to convince the two.
There's this slight trust between them.
That if it's to protect , then Miwen's actions will probably be justified by the end.
Or maybe I'm just being a little too optimistic.
Isabella: "You didn't touch ?"
Miwen: "...I did not. From the mont you fell asleep to the mont Lenard woke you up, I kept you in my arms. But that was it. A hug, nothing more. Like I promised."
I don't understand it sotis.
Everyone seems to accept and talk openly about him being a playboy who will lay his hands on anyone, but he never shows that side to .
I an... I was in the most vulnerable position.
ntally, and physically.
I was the one who walked into his room in the middle of the night.
Frankly, by that point, I could hardly bla him if anything happened. I'm old enough to understand the consequences of a girl visiting a boy during nightti.
Yet, his answer is a resounding no.
Like the idea bothers him.
Isabella: "Well... Thank you. I like that I can trust you so much..."
Miwen: "You're welco. Any ti."
Serious and uptight is definitely not my choice of words for him, but... There are tis when he shows such a side and I can't help but feel enthralled by it.
Interested, I an...
Isabella: "Did you know? My brothers have a darker hair color than mine."
Miwen: "It's hard not to notice."
Isabella: "Yeah, well... Albert's is pretty close to my father's, but Lenard's is even darker than his was. I think that's because of Pala. Her hair is a pretty dark black..."
Miwen: "It might be, yes."
I was searching for a topic to talk about while he styled my hair and I landed on one that I was sure would bore him.
However, it apparently wasn't the case.
He seed to be paying a lot of attention to .
I wonder why... I'm not even sure why I chose this of all things to talk about, but...
Without
thinking, my mouth continued to run off on its own...
Isabella: "I think mine is lighter and brighter because of my mother. I don't rember her, but I'm sure her hair was a lighter shade. Maybe even a pretty blonde like your sister's?"
Miwen: "Could be... Isa..."
Isabella: "No, no... It's fine. I was just thinking that this is what she gave , right? And if I can boast a little, I think it's a very pretty color. It's a little vibrant... And I'm sure it would look better on soone else, but... This is mine, right? But... Uh... What do you think? Does it look good on ? Do you think I look pretty? I-"
Miwen: "Isabella. I think your hair is a very pretty color. And I think it suits you too. But if you're that worried about what I think about your appearance, I must say, honestly, that I think you're incredibly beautiful when you're not trying to hold back your tears."
But it's not fair, is it?
I already cried yesterday. For so long...
I took up the ti he could have spent with the girls he loves, and all I did was bother him.
Isn't that all that I've been doing?
Isabella: "...Miwen... Why is it ?"
Miwen: "..."
Isabella: "...Did I do sothing to deserve this? Why is it all the ti? And so much? Why... Does the world hate ?"
Miwen: "..."
I'm being unreasonable...
He should reprimand ...
So why is he not?
Isabella: "...I'm tired..."
It's not about rest...
I'm afraid this is all my life will be, forever.
And if that's the case, maybe it's not worth-
Miwen: "I can forgive you for forgetting about
since your hair is that pretty, but aren't you forgetting about too many people?"
Isabella: "...They follow you, it's-"
Miwen: "They like you, Isa. It's not just about my girls either. Your brothers planned their whole lives to try and take you out of this house. Even though they wanted to believe in their family, they still chose to protect you. The mont I revealed Albris' plans to Pala, she turned her back on years of marriage to protect her family. You included. You have achieved and changed a lot Isabella. You have things to be proud of now. You have people you can count on."
Isabella: "...Then... is it greedy that I want more?"
Miwen: "I don't think so."
Isabella: "...Will you support ?"
Miwen: "That's what I'm here for."
Isabella: "...I need to wipe my tears and think a little before heading downstairs... Do you mind?"
Without
having to utter another word, Miwen went towards the door to leave my room.
But before he could go...
Isabella: "Miwen...!"
Miwen: "Hm?"
Isabella: "Thank you! For being soone I can count on. I swear I'll make you proud."
Miwen: "Pfft. I'll be looking forward to it."
Those words... I dread of saying them to soone else before.
But it doesn't matter now.
Sadly, everything had to collapse before I found my purpose, but...
Maybe now I'm ready to be my own person...
There's no one to control ... Everything I want... They are my own desires now.
I can take everything with peace of mind.
It's only fair... Since I started with nothing.
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