To outshine the darkness

Chapter 8

Leonora Vermillion P.O.V.

I've said before that I regretted leaving my house near the border of clover kingdom. But I've never felt it as strongly as now. As soon as we got back from the seabed temple, minions of my father grabbed me. Yami tried to chase me for a while but even he had to give up as he was outnumbered. Father locked me in my room in the Vermillion estate, and through I maid I heard that they were arranging my marriage to Nozel Silva. Everyone was happy about it, except for Leopold and Mereoleona who did everything in their power to stop it, and were severely punished for this. I've never felt more defeated. I sit in a large armchair near a window of my room, staring outside. I don't even look up anymore as I hear the door open. I know I have no chance of running. "Leonora" I look up when I hear my sisters voice. "Fuegoleon would never allow this" I say. "I did everything I could" Mereoleona said. "I know and I'm grateful. But chichiue listens to him" I say. "Even Fuegoleon wouldn't be able to stop this. They want to bring back the Silvamillion lineage." Mereoleona says. "Why do they need me for this? Silva has two daughters, they could've easily use Leopold or Fuegoleon" I say. "Because you ran away. It's the only way you're even of use to them" Mereoleona says. I sigh deeply. "I should've stayed away" I mumble, turning back to my window. Mereoleona walks over.  She drops a crimson lions robe on my lap. "Wear this. If you're a Crimson Lion, Fuegoleon and I can make sure you'll see Yami every once in a while. If Nozel forces you to be in the Silver Eagles he can lock you away" Mereoleona says. "Yami" I groan. "I can't imagine what he must think" I say. "I just came from the back bulls base actually" Mereoleona says. I immediately look at her again. "He's upset but knows there's nothing he can do. He asked me to tell you that he'll wait for you and asks you to write him" she says softly. I bite my lower lip to fight my tears. "Be smart about this Leonora and try to make a deal with Nozel. It's the only way you'll ever have a chance to be with Yami again."  Mereoleona says.

In one last desperate attempt to stop this, I attacked Nozel as soon as he walked into the ballroom of the Vermillion estate with his family. It didn't take him long to subdue me, though everyone could see that I am much much stronger than they expected. All this caused my parents to bow deeply to the Silva Dad, and it's why I'm kneeled in the center of the room with my back toward my dad facing the Silva's. It's why Mereoleona and Leopold arguing my parents behind me, telling him that his planned punishment is too much. Noelle looks at me worried, I know she's here to report to Yami later, and I'm planning to hand her a letter to give to him. "If you don't want to be next I suggest you step aside" Father roars. "Just step aside, Leopold, Mereoleona-neesama. I'm fine. You'll only make it worse" I say keeping my back straight and my head held high. Reluctantly they both step aside, crossed arms as they absolutely don't agree. I see satisfaction on the Silva dad and siblings and utter shock on Noelle. Nozel has the best poker-face, though I do see shock in his eyes. Two maids open up my dress on the back, causing me to cross my arms in front of my chest to prevent my dress to fall down. Even now I still keep my head held high and my back straight. I can hear my dads flaming whip before I can feel it burning on my back. I just clench my jaw and don't give my father the satisfaction to hear my pain. I keep staring Nozel straight in the eyes, as if he's at fault. "You got anything to say, Leonora?" Father demands after the fifth lash. For a moment I don't respond then bow my head. "I humbly apologize." I say. "Please follow us to dinner" mother says, making both my parents, Silva dad and Silva siblings leave the room. As soon as the door close behind them, Leopold and Mereoleona appear on either side of me, grabbing an arm as I lose strength in them. "It's best if you follow them" Mereoleona says as they lift me onto my feet. "I want to help!" Noelle says. "That's kind of you. But even your water magic can't help. There's nothing you can do" Mereoleona says. "We'll see you at dinner, leave this to us" Leopold says, turning us around, purposely let them see my bloody back.

"I'm not an unfair man" Nozel says. "No?" I ask and scoff. "You've always treated Noelle pretty unfairly" I say, taking my cup of tea and leaning back in my chair, without flinching in pain. "What I did to Noelle has always been to protect her" he says. "How is that working out for ya?" I scoff. This annoys Nozel. I glance over to the other side of the room, where my parents having tea with Nozel's father at a different table, though my father is watching me like a hawk. Leopold and Mereoleona are sitting at the table with Nozels other siblings. Noelle keeps peeking over and Mereoleona is obviously annoyed by Noelle's other brother and sister. "How about this" Nozel says, making me look at him. "After you produced one heir, I'll look away whenever you want to spend time with that foreigner" he says. Have sex you mean. "Just one heir?" I ask. "Just one" Nozel says. "But I have to be pregnant and give birth first?" I ask. "Of course" Nozel says. "Why the hell would he wait for that?" I ask annoyed. "Only shows that he doesn't love you" Nozel says, it's obvious he doesn't care. "You don't either" I say. "Said the pot to the kettle" Nozel responds. I chew my lower lip. "Can I stay with the black bulls?" I ask. "No" Nozel says crudely. "I refuse to join the silver eagles" I say. "Then join the crimson lions. I'll allow that" Nozel says. "I'll accept, if you allow me to also rejoin the black bulls after I give birth to an heir" I say. This obviously annoys Nozel but at least he's thinking about it. Then sighs. "Fine" he says. "Do you promise?" I ask. "You'll have my word" he says. I offer him my hand, Nozel takes it brings my hand to his face, pressing his lips softly against my fingers. My parents and his father are obviously very glad we've reached an agreement, and don't waste time and quickly agree to a date. "I'll expect you to hold your end of the agreement" Nozel says. "I will. Reluctantly" I say.