Sarah, a Doll like Lilibeth but, with long, pretty, black hair and bright blue eyes while Joseph is an orphan raised by the Dollhouse to be the guardian of the house.
There are about 50 of them in total that are responsible to keep the manor maintained and guarding the Dolls. She once heard him say raising the boys would be cheaper labor compare to hiring guardians from outside.
While the Dolls were raised with luxury, the boys would be raised in harsh conditions of working at her age. Cutting woods, cleaning, building, all the heavy-duty jobs Aryan would prepare for them and most importantly, making sure the boys would stay far away from the girls until they reach a certain age to be his right and left hand.
Relationships between the boys and girls are strictly forbidden and if caught, the consequences would be fatal.
Yes.
Fatal and from the condition of Sarah and Joseph bruised and bloodied faced, Aryan red fingers with small cuts and heaving chest. Dark gaze and gritting teeth, Lili begins to tremble in her spot.
Few guards stood around them. Including Felix and Evan who grins at them. Both wearing g black button-up t-shirt with long sleeves rolled up and black trousers.
They were huge and strong, perfect to be Aryan bodyguards including having mean streaks that all the Dolls hated them for.
Joseph and Sarah kneel, eyes looking down in fear but their hands were holding each other's, and Lili see how the situation does affect her grandmother.
"Do you really think that you two can fuck with me like this? Hiding, fucking, and planning to flee thinking I don't know shit about what's going on in my house? You are mocking me, little ones ."
Aryan kicked Joseph down so hard, that he slam to the floor groaning while Sarah screamed for him. Trying g to hold him but Felix holds her back. Causing her to cry and scream Josephine's name
Lilibeth was horrified.
Why aren't they helping the two? Why are they just staring at them without doing anything?
Joseph was very hurt.
If only she can do something but just the sight of Aryan made her feet freeze to the ground.
Joseph got up, one hand over his stomach and he spits on Aryan's shoe. A gasp came ouT from everyone's mouth in the room but Lili and Felix hit his head hard enough Joseph's head shook forward.
Aryan's face reddening, the exposed part that is and he pushes forward, standing near to Joseph and pulling his hair.
"This bitch here don't leave this place for free, boy. No Dolls leave this place for free. She doesn't get to live her life like a queen and pay nothing for it."
He sneered at Sarah who was crying the whole time and held around her waist by Felix.
"I'm sure that washed-up pussy of hers is still sellable. Could've gotten me more with your big tits but even a grand will do. You see how much you have dropped, girl? Rather than a wife or a daughter, you'll be someone's bitch and you have no one to blame other than yourself."
Joseph chuckled which sounds almost painful and panting.
"You think I fear you, Ringmaster? You think I give a crap what you do to me?" He says sarcastically.
"You are an animal. A beast, a demon that thinks you can control everything here. News flash, we are all living things. Your order doesn't work on me and I rather die than serve you or allow you to Auction Sarah. We will leave again and soon, all the Dolls and The Boys will follow through. I got caught today? No worries. I'll find a way again. You can go to hell for all I care."
Aryan burst into sarcastic laughter. "Really? Well, if that's what you wish for, I will happily oblige."
Aryan took out a Glock and without any warning, shot Joseph directly in his temples twice. He couldn't even scream nor had the chance to but Sarah?
She became hysterical as the shock of losing her lovely overwhelms her. She screams like a woman's possessed and Felix throws her down just so she could crawl over to Joseph.
My grandmother and all the other men stood outside and watch Sarah hugging a corpse whose brain matter has splattered on the carpeted floor and on some of them.
All eyes but Sarah turn to Lili and she gasped.
"Sweetheart?" Lady says in shock while Aryan didn't get to wipe his shirt clean when he too realise who their company was.
Lilibeth was so caught up in that moment that she didn't realize that she had screamed too. Fear made her cover her face. Chills travel down to every nerve in her body and she continues to cry with fear.
How could they be so cruel?
She wanted to run but even her feet were betraying her.
Lilibeth couldn't stop crying and as she can feel the eyes of everyone staring deep into her, Lilibeth tried to run to Lady but Felix suddenly stood in front of her, blocking her way.
She turns to her grandmother with tear-stained cheeks and whimpers, "Lady..."
Lady's eyes widen.
Limping to Lilibeth as fast as she could, she stood in front of Katrina and hugs her tightly to her chest. Also hiding the view from her despite Lili already seeing the worst part of it.
Slowly caressing her hair and her back to calm her cries. Lady aches seeing her precious angel cry like this.
Aryan angrily stares at Evan who backed away slowly.
"You didn't even notice her, you fucking idiot?"
Evan pales and shook his head.
Aryan shoved him away and approach the granddaughter and grandmother duo.
He even took a deep breath and comb back his heart which made his yellow strand stained by blood.
He knelt and clasped his hand. Smiling, he says to Lilibeth, " I'm so, so, sorry for what you have seen, Lilibeth. You're not supposed to see that but since you did, this is what we call 'discipline', little one."
Lilibeth hides her face in the crook of Lady's shoulder. Refuse to look at him but Aryan still continues.
"Sarah and Joseph made a mistake and rather than be sorry about it, they say mean things to me. Surely you would understand that I have to punish him. This is what adults do."
Lilibeth's left eye was visible when she stared at him. Her almost golden pupil stare at him with utmost fear but, rather than keeping her silent, she spoke in a low voice.
" Monster."
Aryan who tried to smile after noticing Lilibeth froze in his spot. His smile slowly disappears and her words were no different than Lilibeth just slapping him.
His precious Lilibeth feared him and think he was a...
Lady got up from there and point to her cane on the couch.
"Grab me that, will you boys? I'm afraid it's time for Lilibeth and me to go to bed."
None of the hoys move but when Aryan nodded to Evan, he immediately ran to the cane and gave it to her.
Lady keeps Lili hidden under her arm burying her face in Lady's waist. Lady takes the cane and walks out of the room with her granddaughter.
...
"Why grandma? Why are they so cruel?"
Lilibeth hiccupped as she spoke. Lady sits next to her in her teddy bear-filled bed and brushes her curls behind her ear. Pulling her fur, pink covers over her body, Lady answered her.
"It is what this Aryan do, sweetheart. Yes, his methods are cruel but the Dolls and the boys were warned. It's the ultimate law that anyone who hides secrets from the Ringmaster would be... punished."
She said to him, "Then, they will punish us too, right?"
Lady's brow fell when he asked, "What do you mean, sweetheart?"
She cried, "You said we will leave this place one day. That we will stay far away from this manor. Aryan said that no Dolls can leave this place for free. If I'm not getting auctioned and we were to leave, what if he hurt us like_"
"No! I will never allow anyone to harm you. I'll protect you will all my life and I will kill anyone that dare to lay a hand on you! Do you understand that, sweetheart? Even if it's Aryan, I would never allow anyone to hurt you."
Lilibeth nodded as she cried in his arms. After a few moments, her cries stop and Lady laid her down on her bed.
" You won't be Auctioned, sweetheart. You will grow to be a beautiful, succesful woman who will make all your decisions on your own. No one, not even me will shape you or tell you what you will be in the future. You are free because no blood of mine belongs to Aryan or the Dollhouse or anyone else. You make your future and if you need my help to do it, I am only a step away. Okay?"
Lilibeth nodded.
She wiped Lilibeth tears dry and caress her smooth cheek. Lili then asked, "How does my father look like, grandma?"
Lady froze. Anger flickers in her eye but she tried to relax and answered.
"I don't know, sweetheart. I have never seen him before but I ugh... I'm sure he loved you very much."
Lilibeth smiled and asked again, "How did my mother look like?"
This warmth her heart as she says, "She was a very beautiful woman. She has the longest, curliest blonde hair that I have ever seen and her smile is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Until I meet you, sweetheart but, they sure look so much like you."
Excitements fill her, "Really?"
"Of course, sweetheart."
Lady kissed her forehead and whispered gently to her ears, "Good night, sweetheart. I will join you later. I love you very much".
Before Lady left the door, he heard her moan sleepily.
"Good night, grandma. I love you too."