Mellic/Asna POV
I thought I had finally escaped that annoying person, but here they are, trailing behind me. Why do I always attract weirdos? That's what I can't understand, because I'm not weird at all. Yna, on the other hand, is definitely odd and crazy. I ignored it and quickened my pace.
In my hurry, I didn't notice the people in front of me, and I bumped into someone again.
"Are you okay, Princess!?" I heard a familiar voice—wasn't it a woman I bumped into? I saw Yna being helped by Levi.
"Princess Asna? What are you doing here?" Leo asked, glaring at me. Instead of answering, I stood up and dusted off my clothes.
"I'm asking you, Princess Asna—" he stopped when I gave him a cold look.
"Why would I tell you? If I want to roam the entire empire, you have no right to interfere with what I do. And also, it's strange. How dare a lowly commoner like you speak to me so impudently?" His glare darkened.
"Princess Asna, please don't be ru*de to Sir Leo—" I rolled my eyes at Yna's antics.
"I wasn't talking to you, so sh*ut up! I don't want to hear your opinion." I dismissed her with a disgusted look and turned my attention back to Sir Leo, whose ears were red with anger.
"Even though you're a royal knight, remember your background. You're still a lowly person without a title, so know your place." I walked past them, feeling their hostile gazes. But who cares? I don't care what they think of me.
I walked away, but I was so heated that I didn't realize I had gotten lost. When did I lose my way? Wait, I need to—
What is this place? How did I end up here? I found myself in front of a large building—probably some kind of den. What the heck!
Why did karma hit me so fast? I wasn't wrong! Sir Leo should act according to his status. He's a commoner, yet he talks to me as if I'm not human too? All I did was tell him to stay in his place. This is ridiculous!
I punched the concrete wall in frustration, feeling my knuckles bleed.
"Miss, are you alone?" I turned around to see five men surrounding me. They looked like some kind of thieves or perverts.
"No! I'm with someone," I said, pretending to load my shotgun. But they didn't seem the least bit alarmed—probably because they didn't recognize the weapon.
"Want to come with us?" said Ogre 1.
"Don't be shy. We'll make you feel good," said Ogre 2.
They started getting closer, and I began stepping back. I was about to fire my weapon just to scare them, but then Sir Leo suddenly arrived.
I saw him slice off Ogre 2's arm with his sword. They all ran away. My legs began to shake as I saw the severed arm in front of me. I tried not to throw up, but I couldn't hold it back. I looked up at Sir Leo.
"What are you staring at?" I snapped at him.
"I didn't know you were afraid of blo*od, Princess Asna—"
"So what?" I replied harshly.
"I just wanted to help you, Princess. I thought you needed assistance—"
"Shut up! I don't need your help! Stay away from me!" I tried to stand, but my legs were still shaky.
To my surprise, he picked me up…
"Punch me if you want, but I'm just trying to help."
Why is he suddenly being kind? Did he hit his head on the way here?
"Take me to my carriage," I demanded.
"Where is your carriage?" Wait! Where did I park it again? I can't remember. How stupid of me! I tried to think, but suddenly, everything went black because of these idiots!
"I think I forgot… And can you put me down?" He set me down, and I took a step back. How am I supposed to find it?
"Would you like some help—" I cut him off.
"Stop! I don't need your help—" I paused when I recognized a familiar figure.
"Xyn?" I called out, seeing him not too far away.
I walked over and called his name again. This time, he turned and smiled, looking a bit anxious.
'What's he doing here?' He hugged me tightly.
"I'm glad you're safe."
"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to come or follow me?" I scolded, though secretly I was glad he showed up, allowing me to get away from Sir Leo's presence.
"I just wanted to make sure you were safe," he smiled. So this is what it feels like to have someone worry about you? Tsk! Annoying.
I had siblings in my past life, but we never cared for each other—it was every person for themselves.
"Let's go home, Asna. I want to make the most of the time I have with you, even if it's just for a day, to feel like a brother to you again, because soon, you'll be gone," he said with a hint of sadness.
"Yes, I want to leave this family," I simply said.
"Yeah, you haven't changed your mind. But I wish you happiness, sister. I'm here for you, even if I failed to protect you this time. I'm always ready to help you," he looked at me, and I replied.
"No need. This time, I won't rely on you, brother. Because this ends here."
I remember the days of my past life as stupid and useless. I learned not to trust anyone but myself.
"From now on, I don't want to trust anybody."
**Flashback**
**Mellic/Asna's PoV**
I grew up with my mom's family. At that time, I hadn't met my dad because they told me he had died a long time ago. I don't know why, but I felt like I didn't belong in this family. Why? Because I experienced getting sick without anyone caring for me; they acted like they were just waiting for me to die.
We have a lot of maids in this mansion, but they all serve only my grandma and grandpa's favorite grandchildren. They hate me because they say I'm the reason my mother died and that I'm the child of a criminal.
They humiliate me in front of many people, so I feel like I've lost all self-respect. I no longer care what others think of me because they don't understand me anyway. I was anti-social before I met Sally.
"You did a great job, Aiza and Dominic. It's no wonder you inherited the excellence of this family." I just stayed in the corner, away from them, because they didn't want to see me.
You know that feeling when you're eating at the same table, and they make you feel like you don't belong? When I planned to run away from that hellish mansion, they didn't let me. They even said:
"Leave? YOU'RE NOT LEAVING THIS MANSION. YOU'LL ROT HERE!! I WANT YOU TO PAY FOR KI*LLING MY CHILD!!" Imagine being told that. Would you still want to stay after being treated like that?
I was locked up in a dark room. They didn't deny me food in the mansion, but they treated me worse than an animal. I desperately wanted to leave this place because I couldn't bear the pain I felt every time I heard hurtful words from my family. I've wasted so many tears until I finally grew tired and lost all emotion in my eyes.
"Mellic! I want you to do this for Dominic! Don't even think of giving him the wrong answers on his homework! You know what your punishment will be!" They threw Dominic's homework, one of my favorite cousins, at me. The thick book hit my left eye, causing a bruise.
"Yes, Grandpa," I replied and left.
From then on, I got used to my surroundings. I got used to being humiliated in front of others, to having no one love me… Without realizing it, I completely changed. I no longer cared about what anyone thought of me.
I used to love them when I was a child, hoping that one day my family would accept me, but it turned out to be just a dream. I learned to laugh because I grew tired of crying every day.
So I chose to trust only myself. Then the day came when my dad came and took me from my grandparents by force.
I went with him, and he sent me to school. He apologized for not taking me sooner, as he didn't know my mother was pregnant. I just nodded, maybe because I didn't feel like calling him "dad."
He fulfilled his responsibilities as my father to the point that I regretted not even thanking him, even though he came late into my life.
I lived with my cousin at my grandparents' house, so I thought of them as siblings, but I guess that was just me. After that, I made friends, but they eventually left when they learned my dad was a mafia member.
I got even angrier when I found out I had three siblings and learned that I was a mistake my mom and dad made. My father's children hated me too because I was the child born out of wedlock.
That's when I decided to leave and forget everything. Why was I even born if this was the life I'd lead? I felt no different from the dead. During those days, I wished I wouldn't wake up anymore because I was so tired.
I kept walking, just going straight ahead, my eyes lifeless, waiting to die on that road. My vision grew blurry until I saw a big vehicle approaching me.
I smiled at that moment and lay down, closing my eyes to ensure that I would die this time because if I hesitated, the driver might see me and get involved.
I waited for the big truck to run me over, but I wondered why it was taking so long. Sound funny, right?
"Dad! There's a girl lying here," I heard a voice say. Just hearing Sally's voice brought me a strange sense of calm.
"What are you doing? Why are you lying there?" she asked. I ignored her and closed my eyes.
"Hey, answer me," she pressed.
"I want to die, so just go on and ignore me," I said flatly.
"What!? You're going to make us killers? What kind of reason is that? Are you crazy!? Get up; I'm taking you to our house," she insisted.
"No… Leave me here. You don't need to worry about what I do. I don't know you, so it's better if you don't get involved," I replied.
I felt myself lifted into the air as her father carried me as if I weighed nothing.
"You shouldn't die! You need to live, no matter what!" From that day, I didn't know why, but I felt so at ease with Sally.
I miss you, Sally. I wish I had at least thanked you before I disappeared. I was harsh with you, but you have no idea how much I loved you as my sister.
"Asna, are you crying?" I snapped back to reality, seeing Xyn's concerned face as I wiped away my tears.
"Shut up. It's none of your business," I muttered, but Xyn just smiled and ruffled my hair.
"Okay, just relax." I didn't reply, but I kind of liked the way he patted my head. No! I didn't like it at all.
"Take your hands off me!"
"Okay," he said, laughing softly, but I just ignored him. Annoying.
We arrived at the mansion, and I asked the maids, whom Violet had hired, to prepare everything. I went to prepare Grand Duke's medicine myself.
Finally, I finished everything, exhausted from the journey and unable to sleep well in the carriage because of my surroundings. I went to my old chamber, where I first saw him. I lay down and, without realizing it, fell asleep.
"Asna... Asna... Asna... Asna..." I heard a whisper in my ear.
Wait, was that Venom's voice? I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Noticing the petals scattered around, I thought, 'Where am I?'
I got up from the bed and saw a door, noticing the torches lighting up this creepy chamber. My anxiety spiked as I tried the doorknob, but it wouldn't open.
Chills ran down my spine as I sensed someone behind me. *Did someone kidnap me?*
I couldn't quite see the face of the man behind me, but why did his voice sound like Venom's?
"Hello, my Eve." Suddenly, the entire room lit up, and there he was, Venom, standing right in front of me.
"Venom!?" I gasped, seeing him so close.
"Yes, Asna." He stepped closer, smelling my hair. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. *Why is Venom here in front of me? Please, if this is a dream, wake me up now!*
"Do you miss me?" I was too stunned to speak; my mind was struggling to process the situation.
"I see... You still haven't changed, but even so, I still love you, Asna."
The next thing I knew, I woke up with a loud thud as I hit the floor.
"Ouch! What kind of dream was that!?"
I climbed back into bed, thinking maybe my conscience was haunting me because of what I did to Venom. But wasn't it the right thing to do? I tried to sleep again, but sleep wouldn't come!
I decided to go to the library and read, but Venom's image kept invading my mind, and I couldn't focus on anything.
"Please, leave me alone," I whispered, frustrated. I sighed, realizing that no matter how hard I tried, his image wouldn't go away.
I got up absentmindedly and did a cartwheel, hoping it would clear my head. When that didn't work, I tried banging my head against a bookshelf, yelping from the pain.
"AHHHHHHH! Why won't you leave me alone!?"
"What's going on, Asna? Why are you yelling?" I was startled to see Xyn, Violet, some helpers, and the Grand Duke's doctor at the library door.
"Are you alright, Asna?" Xyn asked, concerned.
"Kyaaah! Asna, why is there blo*od on your forehead? Have you lost your mind and started hurting yourself?" I touched my forehead and saw blo*od on my hand.
"Oh, it's nothing! You can all go back to whatever you were doing—"
"Tie her up; Asna doesn't seem well," Xyn ordered. Knights surrounded me, tying me up.
"Huh? What are you doing? Hey, why are you tying me up!?" They took me back to my chamber.
"I'll look after Asna, Xyn. Go check on Father." Violet stopped me from speaking as if I'd gone mad.
"Don't worry, sister… I know you're tired, so I'm here for you," she said, grabbing some supplies from a box to treat my forehead.
Do they think I'm losing my mind? Excuse me, I'm perfectly sane!
Secretly, I took the dagger I always carried and started cutting the ropes.
I grinned at Violet once I was free, then kicked her over.
"Kyaaah!" she screamed as she fell into her chair. I quickly leapt off the balcony, not realizing how high up it was.
I heard a crack in my bones, but it was worth it to escape and forget about that wretched Venom! Limping, I made my way into the bushes and hid.
Damn you, Violet, I cursed mentally. They're the ones who are crazy, not me! I wandered to the lake, sitting under a tree, out of breath.
What on earth made me remember that guy? Maybe I just need to avoid seeing him again. I must be worn out from everything happening, but why him?
I messed up my hair in frustration, accidentally hitting my forehead. It hurt, and I wouldn't be surprised if it swelled into a bump.