The Villainess' Play

Ch7.

Princess Aryllis and Casmil watch over the scenes playing in front of them.

The first son of the archduke, Aren Athana, the heir of the archduchy, finally meets the young girl.
Five years older than the young princess, he stares at her with confusion and dismay. His dark violet eyes, hair a platinum-violet shade, the young boy stands beside the duchess, the princess in her arms.
The second son excitedly watches the infant sleep, gently poking her puffy cheek. Three years older than the princess, Ade Athana, the archduke's second son, curiously asks his mother questions about the child.
The archduchess maintains her air of elegance, calmly answering the curious questions her sons have.

Casmil and the princess watch, the princess closing her eyes as a deep sigh escapes her lips.
"Is something wrong?" Casmil questions, his eyes panning over to watch her.
"I never expected there'd be a day where my brothers and the duchess would speak about me this much, let alone be near me."
"Does it make you happy?" Casmil chuckles, teasing the princess.
"Not at all. It's revolting. The only one who at least has his head on right, is Aren."
"I assume you get along with him?"
"Far from that." The princess chuckles, looking at the young boy on the waters surface, "He loathed me. He would treat me as if I never existed, pretending I was simply a stranger if we ever ran into each other. Looking at his expression now, he knows the truth."
"Is he sharp enough to notice you're an illegitimate child?"
"He may just be a child now, but I wouldn't put it past his intelligence to not know." Princess Aryllis closes her eyes, pondering to herself.

The one who potentially ignited her greed and possessiveness was Aren.
He was the heir, the future archduke, the one who was respected by all. The hope and pride everyone had for the future archduke was noticeable to the young princess. She could never gain the respect he had, she could never do the things he could, she could never gain attention like he could.
A young child who was unaware of her origins, could only be frustrated by the neglect her parents gave. Watching the archduke and duchess kindly speaking to their sons, only fanned the flames of desire to get attention too. A happy family life was always close enough for her fingertips to touch—but always remained out of reach for the princess.
The duchess was wary and despised looking at the child. Ordering the princess to never show herself unless called for, the princess was ordered to stay in her room, unless permitted to leave.

One day, the estate was bustling with noise. Curiosity fell upon the princess who was four years old and she followed the trail of crates and chests.
Lead into the parlor, the room was filled with dazzling jewels, fabrics, art, and antiques.
The princess enchanted by a golden mirror had reached out to touch it.
A scream rang through the room.
Noticing the princess' presence, the duchess went mad as she began to scream and shout.
The mirror dropped to the princess' feet and cracked, while the princess trembled where she stood. The duchess who grew pale—growing manic each second—began to throw the clothes she was admiring.
Ade began crying, calling out to calm his distressed mother. The maids called for a doctor and did their best to calm her. Yet through the episode the duchess was having, all she screamed were the words;

"Drag her out! Drag her out!"

Aren meeting the young princess' eyes in the chaos, scornfully glared.
Grabbing her wrist, he tried dragging her out the room yet the princess refused to leave.

"If all you want is the mirror then take it. Can't you see what you did to mother?"

Aren's words stung as he grabbed the broken mirror, shoving it into the princess' hands. The princess only grew pale, looking back at her mother. The duchess screaming and crying as she thrashed around in the seat.
Hearing the news of the duchess, the duke ran in the room. Realizing what ignited the duchess' madness, he gave the young girl a cold look as if she was a hindrance.
Dragged back to her room by knights, the princess could only cry. Her palms cut from the broken mirror, she continued to tightly hold it in her hands.