Scarle returned to her room, her mind was still from everything her brothers had revealed. The walls seemed to close around in her, the dark secrets feel like a burden her heart. She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand, a piece that had been chosen and placed in a position. The idea of possessing some sort of "power" sounded absurd, yet the pressure in their voices had left her shaken. The world she had known, her life before this, now felt real. She closed her eyes, wishing she could erase the memories of what she had just learned, of her brothers' intense presence.
But sleep didn't come easily.
The next morning, Scarle went downstairs cautiously, expecting one of the brothers to push her again. To her surprise, the dining room was empty. She poured herself a glass of water, glancing around, feeling the quietness of the house. It seemed almost peaceful, as though it were holding its breath, waiting for something.
Her eyes were on the large windows that overlooked the garden, where sunlight filter through the trees. The sight reminded her of freedom, of everything she had lost. She felt an ache deep in her chest, longing to escape the confines of this house and the control of her brothers over her.
Lost in thought, she didn't hear Kier approach until he was standing right beside her, his gaze was fixed on the same view outside. His presence was so quiet that it startled her, and she took a step back instinctively.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, his tone calm.
Scarle looked at him, unsure how to respond. There was a strange gentleness in his voice, a softness that reminds everything she knew about him. "It's the only peaceful thing about this place."
Kier's lips gives a smile, though his eyes held a deep sadness she hadn't noticed before. "I suppose you're right. The world beyond these walls must seem very far away from you."
"It does," she replied, she whisper.
They stood in silence for a moment, both of them staring out at the world beyond the glass. Scarle felt an unexpected calm in his presence, as though Kier's usual coldness had soft, revealing a person beneath it. She didn't understand why, but something about this moment feels… different.
"Why did you choose me?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Kier turned to her, his gaze was unreadable. "Because you're special, Scarle. There's something about you that we can't ignore."
"But what does that even mean?" she asked, her voice filled with frustration. "All of this, the secrecy, the control and this so-called power. None of it makes sense to me."
Kier sighed, his expression was thoughtful. "You'll understand in time. But for now, you need to trust us."
Scarle laughed bitterly. "Trust? After everything you've put me through?"
Kier's eyes softened, a little regret crossing his face. "I know it's not easy. But we're not trying to hurt you, Scarle. We're trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" she demanded, feeling a surge of anger in her. "You're the ones who took me away from my life. You're the ones who've kept me here, against my will. How is that protection?"
Kier didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked down, as if he was searching for the right words. "There are… things in this world, forces that you can't even imagine. Our family has been fighting them for generations. And you, Scarle, are part of that fight now."
Scarle felt a jolt in her body. The weight of his words, they were giving hint of something dark and dangerous, something that was beyond her understanding.
Before she could ask more, Daman enters the room, his usual smirk was replaced by a look of curiosity as he glanced them. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes were sharp.
Kier shook his head, stepping back. "No. I was just… explaining things to Scarle."
Daman tilt his head, a hint of amusement returning to his expression. "Explaining things? That doesn't sound like you, Kier."
Kier's gaze remained steady, though Scarle noticed a tension in his posture. "She deserves to know the truth, Daman. Whether you agree with it or not."
Daman shrug, giving Scarle a look that was both challenging and amusing. "Truth can be a dangerous thing, little sister. Sometimes, it's better to keep things… simple."
Scarle glared at him, her anger flare up once more. "I'm not your sister, Daman. And I don't want any part of your twisted family secrets."
Daman chuckled, clearly unbothered by her words. "You may not want it, but that doesn't change the fact that you are a part of it now. You belong here, Scarle. Whether you like it or not."
The weight of his words was like a shadow. She was trapped in this house, bound by these brothers, that seem to give a reason.
Kier placed his hand on her shoulder, his touch was surprisingly gentle. "We're not your enemies, Scarle. We may not be what you want, but we're all you have right now."
Scarle shrug off his hand, stepping back. "I don't need your protection. I don't need any of you."
With that, she turned and walked out of the room, her heart was pounding as she made her way back to her room.
As she closed the door behind her, Scarle took a moment to breathe, to collect her thoughts. She knew that she was in over her head, that her brothers held a power over her that she couldn't ignore. But she also knew that she couldn't let them break her.
She would find a way out, she told herself. She would escape her twisted family and the dark secrets that bound them together. And when she did, she would finally be free. She would uncover every secret they held, every weakness they hid, until she found a way to break free.
No matter how long it took.
To be continued...