The past.
"Don't you have a heart? Look at yourself drenched in blood. Is this how you will continue to live?" asked a platinum blonde man who shielded a woman behind his back.
"A heart?" Adriana muttered, wiping the blood off her lips. "I don't recall having one. But I wish I had one."
"You tried hurting her not just once but thrice," argued the platinum blonde man.
Since when? Adriana wanted to question the man. She was called the villainess, but that was just another title. Not once did she hurt someone. The only ones she was willing to hurt were her own family.
Adriana has done nothing wrong. Not once did she hurt someone.
"But I've never hurt her, or do I want to," Adriana brushed her hair to the back and smirked.
It was the end of her. No one was by her side. No one was willing to believe her. No one in this world would listen to her. No one.
There was one person, but he was no longer alive.
Since no one was willing to listen to her, Adriana allowed the wraith in her to grow. And she turned insane. Which killed her.
"I've done nothing wrong," Adriana cried for the first time. "Tell me. Have you seen me hurt her or anyone? It's alright. I don't care anymore. I just want to end this pain."
And this is the dream Adriana gets every night. A dream that became a nightmare for her.
Back to the present.
Adriana snapped out of her thoughts, hearing a knock by the door. She turned her head and asked whoever to enter. And it was Jocelyn Belladonna, her mother.
"What is that you have come?"
"I-I just want to cheer on my daughter," Jocelyn nervously laughed, trying to stand closer to Adriana but failed.
"Is that so? Thank you."
Now, as she thoughts about it. Something like this happened in the past. When she thought her mother was genuinely cheering for her. But it was all fake.
"Please leave the room. I want to talk to my companion," Adriana told Jocelyn, who frowned and placed her hands on her chest.
"Of course. You're busy preparing. Then good luck."
Cheer on her? Since when did she start to act like a mother? It was stupid. Everything about her was ridiculous. How can someone not know anything?
"It's not like you're rooting for me. Since you want Issac to win. But I'll win this time. For sure," Adriana clenched her fist.
A servant went to inform Adriana that the preparations were done. That the grand test was about to begin.
Adriana walked out of the waiting room, and on the way to the colosseum, she bumped into Issac and Rain.
At the same time, a group of soldiers was carrying a body, and walking behind the soldiers was Raven. He got a towel from a servant and wiped his hands, covered with blood.
"Raven, you did a great job," complimented Adriana, and Raven rushed towards her hoping she would pat his head at least.
"Well, I have one more person to defeat," Raven looked at Rain and smirked at her. He already knew what his twin sister was capable of. And it was impossible for her to defeat him. "Good luck, Rain. I hope you don't meet your end just yet."
"Don't you know I've improved? Don't get your hopes up," growled Rain as she hid behind Issac, who didn't seem to care at all.
"Let's see. I'll beat you up like I did it with Margaret," Raven slit his own neck with his thumb, warning Rain to be careful.
"Well, you'll never know until we fight," Rain said as her voice trembled.
"But first, we should enjoy the match between Issac and Adriana," interrupted Ebony, who shuts her yellow fan.
"Madam Ebony, what are you doing here? Wouldn't it better to enjoy the view up there than be here?" asked Adriana, who saw the corners of her lips rise.
"I'm here to cheer for my son," Ebony walked towards Issac and placed a hand on his shoulder.
But that hand was brushed off by Issac. He looked, instead, glared at Ebony for touching his shoulder.
Everyone in the mansion knew how much Issac hated to be touched by anyone. That included his own birth mother.
Issac walked passed Ebony and bumped her shoulder. It was a sign telling her not to do that again. Ebony turned flustered after being embarrassed in front of the other people.
Raven couldn't help but snort as he tried holding his laughter in. At that moment, he wanted to burst out and embarrass the great Ebony, but Adriana was there.
"Raven, don't you have another match?" Ebony switched the conversation.
"Yes, and I can't wait to see another face disappear from the mansion," Raven looked at Rain and smiled. While she shot a glare at him.
Raven placed his hands behind his head and casually walked to the entrance of the colosseum. He waved his hand, "I hope everyone enjoys the circus."
In the middle of the colosseum, two body figures stood on the opposite side. One was Raven, and the other was Rain.
The battle of the twins is what they call it. Though it wasn't worth the watch since Rain wasn't a good opponent for Raven.
Raven had his hands in his pocket while he watched Rain summon her companion. It was nothing but a small piece of fry for him.
"That's it all you have? A lion?" Mocked Raven.
"Shut your mouth and watch," roared Rain as she ordered her companion to attack Raven, who yawned.
As the lion charged Raven, he pointed his finger, and thin strings flew out under his command, constraining the lion. He walked towards the lion and clenched his fist, and the strings around the lion tightened until the lion died, shattered into pieces.
A rain of blood flew from the skies while Rain stood petrified. Her whole body wouldn't move while Raven slowly made his way toward her.
Anyone would be scared seeing Raven because of what was following him from behind. A marionette.
A lady with blood flowing out of her eyes, but not a single drop of blood fell on the ground. As those blood formed into red strings flowing around Raven's hand.
If Raven points his finger at Rain, then it is game over. But he did not want to end things without saying goodbye to his twin sister.
"How are you feeling?" Raven asked Rain, who clenched her teeth.
"Y-you! How can you just kill him like that!" Rain screamed as her voice sounded louder than usual due to the echo.
"I only did what I'm supposed to do. You're lucky. I haven't touched you. So any last words?" Raven pointed his finger up, and Rain fell onto her knees.
"P-p-please spare my life. I-I can't die just yet. Brother Issac will be alone," begged Rain as she slammed her forehead onto the ground. Not caring if a scar will be left.
"Spare life? That is not the way of a Belladonna," commented Raven as he stepped on her hand while Rain held her voice in. "Also, you should know what kind of person Issac is. He won't care if you die or live."
Raven pointed his finger down and the red strings strangled around Rain's body. All that was left was the scream and cries of Rain. While those who were watching applauded Raven for securing a spot.
"The circus has ended. I hope everyone enjoyed it," smiled Raven.
When he turned his back to see the body of Rain, he frowned and muttered.
"If only you were on the side of sister. I would have spared your life," Raven shut his eyes, saying goodbyes to Rain. "If we're to reincarnate as twins. I promise to get along with you and protect you."
It's unfortunate how broken this family is.
Adriana got off her seat as it was her turn to fight. She pulled on her white leather gloves and took a deep breath. This time she will win.