Melancholy

23

"You are back!" I said as the door opened behind me. With great difficulty I stood up from my place on the ground near the stove. I am 8 months pregnant now and I can't even stand now because of huge I got.

I stayed here with Matilda as I didn't have anywhere else to go and also with time I have forgiven her. She was apologetic and I respect that. But I don't think I can ever forgive my Clara, my real mother. She did wrong with both me and Ares. Now I realize why she would love me so much. I always felt a connection with her before.

"Yeah I sold a lot today" she smiled happily.

"Good then, the food is ready!" I informed and she nodded. She walked inside the bathroom to freshen up while I set the table. I sat when I was done, she came to sit beside me but looked nervous.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Uhmm.. nothing" she said and start eating without meeting my gaze.

"Matilda!" I called her knowing something is wrong.

"It's nothing Nora... I am just tired" she said and as she was done she stood up and went towards her bed to sleep. I let it go and stood up. I washed the dishes and then walked outside to get the fresh air. It's night but because of the full moon it wasn't dark.

I start walking around the cottage while talking to my baby. That's something I do alot when I am alone. It helps me get my mind off of other things and ... from him. It would be a lie if I say that I don't miss him because I do. Nothing was his fault, yet I gave him the punishment. But it was better!

"I miss your father.. he is a nice man. If he was here he would be so happy to know about you. He would love you too but.. maybe it's not in out fate to live as a happy family. But don't worry I would love you alot, your mother would do everything for you. That's my promise!" I smiled while caressing my belly, the baby kicked and I giggled.

But as I was busy with my baby I felt like someone's watching me. I looked around but there was no one. I got scared and turn around to go inside. I only took few steps and stopped when I heard a branch snapped behind me. I gulped and prepared to run as fast as I can but every thought left my kind when I heard a voice.

"Why?.. why did you leave me?" He asked and my body went still. I put my both hands on my belly in a protective stance.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I slowly turned towards him. His eyes were red and he looked angry. His eyes went to my belly and he chuckled menacingly.

"Oh what we have there!" He mocked.

"Eugene what are you doing here?" I asked trying to not show him how scared I am more like for my unborn child. The person infront of me is not the man from few months ago. This man here looks crazy.

"Nothing much!" He said and take a step towards me whole I took one back.

"Just want to take revenge for the humiliation I faced!" He shrugged nonchalantly and pulled out a sword from his belt. I took few steps back.

"Tsk tsk" he tsked and I stopped.

"Don't you dare move, I want it to be slow and painful. You know what I felt that day when you told me to leave?" He growled angrily.

"I felt humiliated, I had to face my father's wrath. He said he was right that I am a useless piece of shit. You proved him right, I never came to tou. You did!" He barked loudly.

"First you came to me and ask me to marry you and then you... you left me for that bastard Ares... but " he starts laughing maniacally.

"Look at you now... rotting here... looks like karma is real." He said with a smirk and was close to me. He grabbed my face roughly.

"You are not even a royal blood, at least I have Royal blood in my veins. So now who is worthless" he asked me. I remembered how I humiliated him.

"How did you find me?" I asked him.

"I came in the city for some work and there I saw you few days ago but then I lost sight of you. After asking from people around the marker I got to know you live with the old lady and then I followed her here." He said and left me with a jerk.

"You know I think I change my mind, I won't kill you. You are already getting punished" he smirked as he looked at me.

"But.." He added while smiling that nasty smile of his. I can't believe I ever found him good looking.

"Sleep with for a night and I would spare your and your child life" he said and I wanted to kill him for what he said but I am powerless right now. I can't aggravate him which could result in him harming my baby. Manwhore! I cursed him.

"Eugene please don't do this!" I pleaded for the sake of my child. If I was alone I would have never pleaded him. I would rather die than let him touch me.

"Come on Leonora, just a night and both of yours life will be spared." He offered.

"No" I said and took a step back.

"So you chose fight?" He asked and then jumped on me. He tackled me on the ground, I tried to push him away but couldn't as he put his whole weight on me. I thrashed in him arms, I scratched him on his face. I screamed for help, but no one came. Where is Matilda?

"Stop!" Matilda shouted from behind and I sighed in relief. When we looked on her direction, she was holding a sword in her hand aiming at Eugene. He chuckled at her but she slashed his arm due to which he moved away from me. I put distance between him as much as I can.

"You old bitch!" He growled at her and aimed at her with his sword. She stopped the attack and fought back with him. This goes on for a while, both of them were injured. I was surprised how good Matilda was fighting but she was losing her energy which meant Eugene has upper hand. I stood up and looked around. No one lives close to us so there would be no one to help us. I saw a huge stone on the side, I picked it up and was about to aim at Eugene but stopped halfway when I saw him pushing his sword inside her. With a loud cry she fell on her back with the words still inside her. Tears blurred my vision and I did what I should do. With his back towards me I aimed the atone at his head. It hit him hardly, he clutched the back of his head, his fingers turning red and then he fell down.

"Your father was right, you really are a piece of shit" I yelled at him and then ran towards Matilda who was taking her last breaths.

"Matilda, please dont die on me.. please.. please" I pleaded. She opened her eyes and smiled lightly at me.

"Please forgive .. me for what..  I did!" She said.

"I already have fogiven you... please don't leave me.." I was crying hysterically.

"Don't hate me for what I did... I did it because I know tou don't belong here. You belong to Edinburgh where your heart is.." she said while panting.

"What ..what are you talking about?" I asked her.

"I sent a letter to Ares... he would be here soon to take you... please don't fight it... whatever happen it wasn't you or his fault... you and your child need him. Don't punish him for what we did!" With that she closed her eyes. I sat there with her head on my lap the whole night not able to move.

I was in a state of shock from which I got out when I heard bird chirping nearby. The sun was rising, an indication that the awful night has gone but... Matilda... she is gone forever!

"Leonora!" A soft voice said and I looked up.