ℂhapter 1

"Ha Ha Kathy has no parents!" "Hey everyone, kathy is an orphan!"

"I am not an orphan, my Auntie & Uncle take care of me."

"But they're not your parents!"

...

Here we go again.

Ruka is always picking on me. I wish she would just leave me alone.

Even if I try to stick up for myself...it's everyone against me. People adore her.

"But they take care of me...shouldn't that be important?"

I don't want Uncle Felix or Auntie Rumia to be disappointed in me. I was taught to kill people with kindness...but why does it not work?

"The love of a parent is different!" She laughs. "Your Aunt & Uncle can't fill the holes a parent can."

I almost break into tears. I was raised by my Aunt & Uncle...I always considered that to be enough.

"But i'm happy." I inform her. "They provide for me & that should be sufficient...they've given me everything i've ever wanted & more."

They're almost like parents to me. The only difference is that they didn't birth me.

I don't know my own parents so for me, they're close enough.

"Whatever." She speaks, annoyingly. "How sad that you can't even accept the fact that you were destined to die."

My eyes open wide. "What...?"

"Oh...you didn't know?" she grins. "Well my dad, the Marquess, has told me everything."

She turns around before saying one final sentence. "Well I gotta go home to the parents I have...don't want to be seen talking to an oprhan."

She runs on her way & i'm left by myself with my thoughts.

To be honest, I secretly known that I was suppose to die from birth. Even Aunt & Uncle don't know that i'm aware. They were protecting my feelings...but I knew the full truth all along. Felix & Rumia saved me from the brink of death. My own father didn't hesitate to kill me.

I consider Aunt & Uncle my parent figures because they saved me. All I know now, is i'm not suppose to wander around & accidently run into my father.

I begin to walk back to the palace because Aunt Rumia told me to be back before dinner. I just wanted to collect rocks but then Ruka appeared out of nowhere so I didn't finish the task I came outside for.

Uncle Felix is usually still out at work late hours so I doubt he will be home.

I also secretly know that he works for my father. I don't know the complete story between them but I know that he is loyal to him.

"Where is Auntie Rumia?" I ask the butler who opened the gate for me.

"I believe she is aiding young master, Cassius." He informs me. "The poor master went out to play & fell."

Cassius is quite rebellious. I bet he got into a fight & lied to everyone that he fell & got hurt.

I suddenly hear shouting of pain coming from upstairs. It's Cassius. He has a very low pain tolerance which is why I don't get how he can just get into random fights.

I quickly run upstairs, following the sound of the noise.

I hear the butler faintly yell "Be careful maam."

I reach the room & feel like I walked in at an awkward time.

Aunt Rumia is hovering over Cassius, trying to wipe down all of his injuries while he sits there, shouting in pain.

"Oh...hey sis..." He utters as if he's been drugged out of pain.

Aunt Rumia turns her face over to me while still attempting to pat down Cassius' face. "Oh, Kathenia!...when did you get back?"

"Just now." I respond.

She rises up from Cassius & closes up the first aid kit.

"Good, you're on time!"

She proceeds to exit the room but turns around first. "Come down for dinner, I won't ask again."

I nod as Cassius walks over to me.

"Is father back yet?"

I would have known if he was because Uncle Felix brings in a different atmosphere & I did not feel that aura downstairs.

"No he has not." I shake my head & Cassius sighs in relief. "Phew!...I did not want father to see me like this!"

I almost let out a small laugh.

Uncle Felix is rarely here to witness how chaotic his son can be but it leaves me to wonder how he will react. Will he scold him? Will he go & scold the father of the person whom he got in a fight with? It really is a mystery to me.

"Maybe Uncle Felix will shout at you for being so reckless." I tell him. "Why did you even get into a fight so carelessly?"

Cassius appears to be saddened, looking at the ground.

"You don't get it..." He mutters.

"Get what?"

I don't have the strong will power as Cassius so even if I wanted to get into a fight, I physically can't. I wasn't trained for that scenario.

"This guy..." He whispers, then looks up. "He was saying things about you..."

He rises his eyes directly at me, narrowed. "Bad things."

My mouth opens wide.

He got into a fight...because of me?

I remember just last year. Me & Cassius barely got along. We had seperate interests & he didn't even call me sister...times really have changed.

"What things..." I trail off. "...Was being said?"

A deep breath silences the room before he begins to speak.

"Just stupid useless things." He says, annoyed. "That since you're an orphan, you wouldn't mind being hit on...or that people should be glad that you have no parents because it's easy access for them."

He scoffs, looking to the side. "What a bunch of pricks!"

I almost throw up in my mouth a bit. That is not something a 7 year old should be hearing.

"...And you...stood up for me?" I ask, looking up with a pout in my eyes.

I feel bad that I tried to nag him just now.

Cassius nods his head. "Well duh...no one says such things about MY sister!"

His words make me smile, instantly. Knowing that he calls me sister willingly, is like home to me.

"Besides...you're not even an orphan." He continues. "That would make father & mother meaningless."

He does have a point. Besides, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them.

"You don't have to get into fights for me!" I assure him. "You still have your reputation to think about."

He chuckles & flicks his hair back, modestly. "Well our families reputation will be ruined regardless if people started spreading rumours about you...so i'd like to think I did us a favour."

I giggle at his words. "I think you'll be doing us a favour if you're not late to the dinner table for once."

He appears worked up as if it's a mission for him. "I'll show you."

He rushes out of the door. "I bet I will be there before you are!"

He likes making things a competition but I see it as getting closer to him.

"As if." I respond & run after him.

There's two sets of stairs. One on each side. I run down one direction while Cassius runs down the other. Victory displeases us when we both meet downstairs at the same time.

"Oh, great." Cassius rolls his eyes. "And I almost made it too!"

I pat him on the shoulder. "You wish."

I like having these playful moments with Cassius. It's like everyone else my age loaths me because they see me as an "Orphan".

"Dinner is served." I hear the chef say through the other room.

I hope aunt Rumia is not mad that we're a little late.

"I think you should go in first." Cassius tells me. "You know that whole saying?...ladies go first."

I can tell he's terrified.

"Okay..." I sigh. "I guess I will take one for the team."

I crack open the door slowly until opening it fully. It makes a large screeching sound. Cassius hides behind me as if it would make a difference.

She spots both of us in the doorway but appears calm.

I guess we're just frightened because she has a bit of a temper sometimes.

I begin to tiptoe inside while Cassius follows my every move as if Aunt Rumia didn't spot us already.

"And here I thought I would be eating by myself." She speaks, suddenly in a sarcastic tone.

I stop in my tracks, looking up & Cassius accidently falls behind me from the sudden movement.

"Ow!" He shouts on his way down after bumping into me.

Nice one.

"Auntie Rumia, I am so excited for what's on the menu today!" I try changing the subject.

"Yes, I can't wait to stuff my face!" Cassius says from the floor.

Rumia still appears calm. She always refuses to eat before we get to the table which is why I kind of feel bad. It's mandatory to show up to dinner 5 minutes before the designated time but I was late due to my little conversation with Cassius.

Suddenly, I hear the front door shut, followed by the butler saying "Uh, Master! Welcome back."

"Father!" Cassius shouts, getting up & running outside of the dining hall.

It saved us from a lecture that we were about to recieve from Aunt Rumia.

"Uncle Felix!" I run after Cassius.

I always get so happy when he comes home, especially early.

"Ah, are those my kids?!" He shouts excitedly, bending down when he sees us running towards him.

He picks us up at the same time. Cassius in one arm & I on the other.

"I missed my precious babies." He kisses us on our foreheads.

The warmth of Uncle Felix is the best.

Rumia strolls over, happy but astonished to see him.

"You're home early."

"Yeah..." He responds. "Boss wanted to handle an exectution by himself...so I was let off early."

Wow...

He's trying really hard to hide the fact that he works for my father in front of me.

"But anyway..." He changes the subject. "Who wants to tell me about their day first?!"

Uncle Felix squeezes Cassius & I closer so he can walk over to Auntie Rumia & kiss her on the cheek.

"Father! Let me tell you about my day!" Cassius exclaims.

I'd mention details of mine but I don't want Aunt, Uncle & brother Cassius to be involved in what Ruka said so I remain quiet.

We get seated on the dinner table & everyone goes around talking about their day. I was interested & stayed silent. Especially when Cassius was spreading lies on how he got hurt. I was curious to see what he'd say but then Uncle Felix notices that I haven't said anything yet. I was distracted by everyone elses stories that I didn't come up with a lie myself. Half of my day included being made fun of by Ruka.

"Kathenia, you're awfully quiet." Uncle Felix informs me. "What did you do today?"

I take in a gulp. I feel like so much pressure is on me. Should I lie about my day as well?...no that's not right, especially since Cassius had a reason to lie...I don't.

I begin to panic & just blurt out "I went to go collect rocks."

Well technically, it was not a lie. I get drawn to things so easily so I liked looking at the different types of rocks.

"Oh, are you a fan of rocks?" he asks & I nod.

He then proceeds to say "There's a famous rock montain I should take you guys to."

He looks at Aunt Rumia. "You remember honey, don't you?"

"Yes." She nods. "It wasn't that long ago when we passed by it on our business trip."

"So many different & facinating rocks." Uncle Felix adds. "Kathenia would definately love it."

My eyes sparkle with delight. I am interested in this so called "Rock Montain".

"I want to go!" I shout, arising from my seat & Uncle Felix & Aunt Rumia giggle.

"First, eat your meal...and then we'll talk." Aunt Rumia laughs.

I sit back down in a glum mood & bite into a piece of bread. "Oh, alright."

I feel like my rock phase will slowly drift away. I always find new things to be excited over.

After dinner, Cassius & I both take our baths & get tucked into bed by Uncle Felix.

Normally, Aunt Rumia would be the one whom tucks us in but since Uncle Felix came home early today, he decided to do it.

"Uncle Felix...do you regret taking care of me?" I ask randomly while he tucks me in.

Cassius & I share a room because I used to be afraid of the dark & so he got used to the idea of sharing a room with me. He is currently knocked out & I can hear a little bit of snoring coming from his 8 year old body.

"Why are you suddenly asking me that?" He grows furious. "Did someone say something to you?"

He begins to rise up in anger but I pull his arm back down. "No no...it was just a stupid question...i'm sorry."

He sits back down & sighs. "Well if that's the case..."

He kisses my nose, gently. "I regret a lot of things...but choosing to raise you with Rumia...is not one of them."

He then curls his lip in a tender smile, placing his fingers through my hair & whispers "Now, get some rest."

Uncle Felix shortly leaves afterwards, closing the door gradually behind him.

I feel that I shouldn't have said anything but it can't be helped now.

I turn my head over to Cassius & despite the fact that Uncle Felix already tucked him in, his body appears to be all over the place.

"Goodnight, Cassius." I whisper.

I close my eyes & sleep swiftly follows me after.

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