Amber gently shut the side gate and strolled along the well-trodden dirt path that meandered around the edges of the almost deserted village. As she passed the homes lining the perimeter, she noticed a girl perched on the porch of a small hut. Dressed in tattered, filthy rags, the outline of her bones was starkly visible beneath her skin. The girl occasionally looked up from her play, where she was engrossed in the company of a corn husk doll.
The girl's hair color and skin tone were obscured by layers of dirt, making it hard to discern her true appearance. Yet, her striking deep blue eyes shone with a profound sadness, as if she had lost all hope; they were undeniably beautiful.
Amber paused before the young girl. "Tell me, are you truly happy with the way things are? Does this life bring you the fulfillment you seek?"
The young girl gazed up at Amber, her eyes growing wide with surprise. She parted her lips to say something, yet no sound emerged.
"Are you unable to speak?" Amber inquired.
The girl gazed at her doll, a rosy hue gradually spreading across her cheeks. She nervously toyed with its edges.
"That works well enough for me, especially since you clearly grasp speech quite effectively. I recommend that you join me. You've clearly experienced a lot in your short life, so I'll be straightforward with you and not patronizing."
The young girl looked up again, locking eyes with Amber before turning to sneak a look at the little hut behind her.
"Are your parents inside?"
The young girl hesitated for a moment, weighing her response, but eventually, she gave a slight nod. "Do you realize that your time is running out? In just a few months, starvation will claim you. You'll be gone before the first snowfall, making it easier for your parents to lay you to rest, as the earth will still be soft."
Amber observed the finger-shaped bruises encircling the girl's neck. "If fortune smiles upon you, you might find a quicker end. Maybe you'll suffocate?" Her voice was eerily casual, as though she were merely discussing the day's forecast.
"The agony of starving to death is said to be excruciating, as the body begins to consume its own tissues in a desperate attempt to survive. The relentless ache of hunger penetrates deep into your bones, making restful sleep nearly unattainable. As your bodily functions gradually cease in a futile bid to conserve energy, the suffering intensifies. I can only imagine that you have a profound understanding of this kind of torment."
The girl's complexion drained of color, and she nervously bit her trembling lower lip, her eyes glistening with the imminent threat of tears.
"A parent's primary responsibility is to nurture, safeguard, and support their child." Amber's gaze fell upon the layers of dirt covering the girl, revealing her frail frame and the outlines of her bones. Bruises marred her legs and arms, and distinct fingerprints marked both sides of her neck.
"Clearly your parents should be fired. I do not know how to talk to a child, I suppose this is probably my version of kindness, but life isn't kind to those who don't fight for themselves."
The girl's lower lip trembled slightly, but then she tightened her jaw, locked eyes with Amber, and nodded affirmatively once more.
"To be perfectly straightforward, I am not extending an offer of love. I have never experienced it, nor do I possess the ability to provide it. There was a moment in my life when I desired it, but that is no longer the case. Love feels like an unnecessary complication and a vulnerability I refuse to embrace. I am not seeking your affection, nor will I take on a parental role. I will not make things easy for you."
"If you choose not to contribute, you will find yourself without sustenance. I refuse to support those who do not pull their weight. In return for your efforts, I will provide you with a safe haven, nourishment, and the opportunity to become stronger than you ever thought possible. As long as you follow my guidance, you will never face punishment, and I will reward your loyalty. You will be under my protection, and I will ensure that you are treated fairly. Join me as my ally, or remain here and face the harsh reality of impending death before the year concludes; the decision is yours."
YOU ARE READING
Cannon Fodder To Villainess
FantasyAmber chose to become a VILLAIN Amber had worked all her life to become a surgeon and had died on her way home from her graduation ceremony. She'd done all of that work for nothing. She hadn't even had her first kiss yet! She was full of regret up u...
