ℂhapter 2

I wake up in the middle of the night with the sudden urge to drink water. My throat feels dry.

I lift my body up & place my feet on the floor where I slide them into my fluffy slippers. Looking up, I see Cassius is still sound asleep, in his uncomfortable position.

I walk over to the door & open it slightly, hoping that it will make no noise...and I succeed.

When I step outside, I hear some muttering coming from across the hall. Curious by the muffled sound, I stroll towards it. It's coming from Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix' chambers.

There is a slender crack in the door as I notice a light shine through & I see them both sitting on the bed & having what looks like a serious conversation.

My Conscience tells me to eavesdrop so I peek my eyes through the crack. I know it's wrong but it felt as though my feet moved on their own

"Yeah...I think she's being picked on." Uncle Felix tells Aunt Rumia whereas she replies "Our little girl?"

What are they talking about?

"What makes you think such a thing?..." Auntie Rumia asks. "...But to be frank, I have been noticing off patterns about her."

Uncle Felix breathes slowly. "Well...she said something today..."

Aunt Rumia moves in closer due to surprise. "What did she say?..."

I step back before Uncle Felix begins. I think I know what this conversation is about.

"She asked if I regret taking care of her."

I knew it. I shouldn't have said anything. Uncle Felix is always quick to catch on & by that fact, so is Aunt Rumia because she has been noticing the differences in my emotions.

"But how can we regret raising her?" Aunt Rumia shouts but then lowers her voice to not wake anyone. "Cassius & Kathenia are the best things that ever happened to us...aren't they?"

"Yeah, of course." Uncle Felix gently grabs onto her hands. "When I found you again after all those years...my biggest dream was starting a family with you...and now that wish has finally come true..."

He takes in a deep breath. "Kathy may not biologically be ours...but I still care about her as if she is our own."

Aunt Rumia smiles, gripping onto his hands tighter as if a memory is suddenly being thought about. "Yes...That's all I wanted since the moment I first saw you...and i'm pretty sure my father did too..."

They both laugh in sync as Felix chuckles "And I think Rias did too." before she continues.

"I am glad I had the honour of raising Kathenia, along with Cassius. I cherish them both."

I decide to stop listening to the conversation at that. I knew that they cared about me but hearing it is much more different than thinking it. I almost shed tears at their conversation.

I step backwards without hurry, trying not too make any noise but that plan backfires as I accidently step over a sensitive crack which makes a screeching sound.

I gasp as my eyes open wide.

"What was that?!" I hear Uncle Felix shout.

I have no time to stand around. I run to hide behind a wall just in time when Uncle Felix & Aunt Rumia open their door.

"It appears we must be hearing things." Aunt Rumia whispers.

As soon as they walk back into their chambers, I decide to go back to my room & sleep. I don't feel thirsty anymore.

I hope this doesn't change anything. I mean, it was a known fact that no one in this Empire likes me but I always thought it didn't matter because I live with the best people who do care about me.

...

The following day.

"Auntie Rumia, i'm going out to play now!"

Perhaps I will continue my task from yesterday that I didn't get to accomplish.

"Take Cassius with you!" She shouts from the other room.

I was right. Things have changed just overnight when I told Uncle Felix such things. I am usually allowed to go outside on my own as long as I don't go far...but now I have to be accompanied by someone.

At breakfast, Auntie Rumia suggested that the butler escort me whenever I needed to go places but Uncle Felix informed her that it might be too much for a kid to handle.

"We don't want our precious little girl to be tyed around with the butler." He said. "And on that note, it would make the butler who takes care of so many duties in this palace feel a tad bit ridiculous...don't ya think?"

Auntie Rumia sighed as she agreed with him. "I guess you're right...but we can't just let her go out on her own."

They acted as though I was going to get kidnapped when that was never the case to begin with.

They both looked at eachother as if they were speaking telepathically & then both turned over to Cassius. "Why can't Cassius just escort his little sister?" Aunt Rumia suggested & Uncle Felix added "That sounds like a great idea...you guys are already close enough!"

Cassius was not paying attention to the conversation at all. Instead, he was playing with his food in his own little world.

"Cassius?" Aunt Rumia called out to him in a hushed tone & that's when he looked up. "Yes...what is it?"

"We were thinking if you go out with Kathenia rather than letting her go out alone?" Uncle Felix told him.

Cassius glanced at all of us, one by one before taking in a mouthful of pork. "Sure, why not."

He agreed to it so easily. I was in shock.

And so, Cassius has to come with me now.

Cassius didn't mind it at all but it's hard to believe that there was a time where he would whine if it meant he had to hang out with me. He saw me as a burden back then but I think it's because he didn't know how to talk to me or how he should refer to me.

"Cassius, if you're bored, we can go back home..."

I feel guilty that because of my actions, he has to be dragged along with me. Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix are really overprotective.

"What do you mean?" He asks. "I'm having the time of my life!"

I can't tell if he's joking or not. We're literally just walking. We haven't even done anything to be considered "fun" yet.

"Okay...if you say so..." I trail off.

I just hope Cassius doesn't cause any trouble. We're meant to just roam around outside of the palace gates where the village is located. I like observing the markets.

I suddenly stop walking, gently pushing Cassius back.

Ruka stands in front of me but luckily she doesn't see me yet. She looks distracted, surrounded by a group of people. She appears to be telling everyone around her how important her dad is, which is the usual for her. I think that is a part of why everyone obeys her & adores her. Because one wrong move, can lead them to their punishment.

"My father is so powerful!" She brags.

"He sent an old commoner to the Emperor & had him executed!"

"Wow!" All the kids around her say in sync.

One girl speaks up. "What did the commoner do?"

Which was the genuine question.

Ruka rolls her eyes without a care in the world. "Oh, he was just executed for existing."

I can't believe how cruel she is...to treat a human life like this. It's unbelievable.

"But even so, no one can disobey my father!" She tells them with a grin.

Listening to this conversation is not worth it. I have to be on my way.

I don't want Cassius & Ruka to meet. It will cause too much chaos.

"Why'd you stop?" Cassius asks, curiously.

I have to think of a way to turn back & take another route but telling him that directly, will cause him to grow suspicious.

I turn over to him. "Hey! I have an idea!"

"An idea?"

He appears clueless which is a good sign.

I squint my eyes & beam. "Let's play hide & seek!"

This way, will be the easy way out.

"Hide & seek?" He questions.

I feel as though I can see a question mark placed at the top of his head.

"Yeah!" I exclaim. "You hide & I seek!"

I don't give him time to think. I tap on his shoulder & say "Ready? go!"

I run off into another direction to begin counting while he runs off passed me to find a hiding spot.

At least my plan worked. I don't have to run into Ruka & neither does Cassius.

I begin counting until i'm certain that Cassius is at least a little far from the direction of Ruka.

"Ready or not, here I come..." I whisper to myself as I walk through the narrow concrete.

Skipping over the floor to find Cassius, it doesn't take long until I hear giggling coming from within the tall bushes.

"Uhm...Cassius?"

The giggling instantly stops but the bush, located not too far away from me, begins to shake as if a squirrel is collecting acorns in it. Cassius is not very good at this.

"Cassius...I know you're there."

He doesn't respond so instead, I begin to slowly step forward to where he hides, taking a breath for every single step. When I reach near, he jumps up from the bush, covered in leaves & thin branches placed all over his body as he huffs.

"You may have found me but you'll never be able to catch me!"

He begins to run away, straight into the forest. "Mwhahaha!" I faintly hear as he disappears.

"Wait! Cassius!" I call after him.

I lift up my dress & begin to chase him.

He is really taking this little game far too serious.

I run for what feels like ten minutes. I can't help but think I ran passed him but never noticed...but no. That can't be possible. I know that I would have noticed regardless of how quiet he would be.

"Cassius?...Cassius!" I begin to call out but no answer.

Just where has he gone?

The running stops when I reach the end of the woods. I step onto solid ground as I stare at a palace right before my eyes.

How long was I running for?

I begin to glance around at this area. I have no idea where I am. I didn't even know this place existed through the woods until now. The palace is far bigger than the one Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix own...but it looks similar from the outside.

I turn around facing the forest. Maybe I should go back?...

But as I look through the tall trees, I realize that I can't walk back through there. I didn't notice just how scary the forest really is.

Suddenly, it feels so creepy to look at.

Am I lost? Just what is this place that I stand?

The light grows dim as the wind brews through me. A sudden chill goes up my spine.

"Cassius?...This isn't fun anymore!" I shout, nervously. "...Please come out..."

I whisper to myself with a crack in my voice. "I-i'm scared..."

Where has he gone so suddenly? I can't hear him...and I don't sense that he is near.

I feel so alone. I feel like i'm almost going to cry.

How could I wander off into a mysterious place so carelessly?

I begin to gradually take a few steps back & that's when I bump into something so roughly. It almost makes me tumble over.

A thud-like sound is heard & I realize that I didn't bump into an object. I bumped into a person. I can sense that this person is much more older & taller than me. Which means it's not Cassius.

I should really stop walking backwards when frightened, sad or in worry.

I am terrified of turning around...but I know that if I don't, there is no other way out of this.

I cautiously begin to turn around, taking deep breaths. I pray that it was just a wall that I bumped into but even I, a seven year old is smart enough to know that's not true.

When I am turned around, I look at the floor from where the shoes stand & point my head upwards as I quiver in terror.

The sun coveres my eyes for a bit until I can see everything clearly. His face is now seen distinctly.

I almost drop to my knees but it appears I can't move properly.

The man is tall but that might just be because i'm small.

He wears unfamiliar purple hair that flows within the wind...and those bright golden orbs that look just like mine.

A few freckles on his face that can only be seen from a distance, though I have much more on my face...and the dark coloured clothing like he's an evil villain from a book.

The sword he carries with him makes me tremble in fear in my very spot as I take in a large gulp.

He glares down at me without a word. His eyes appear brighter than the sun.

A silenced beat goes through my mind until it finally comes to me.

This man is my biological father.

Silas Wisteria.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***