Cruel Beauty

Stress

Author note: firstly I'd like to apologise for keeping you all waiting I am swamped with course work, secondly I'd like to use this chapter to say if you don't like my work you do you, is it perfect ?no of course not I write for fun and because I enjoy the Baroness. Someone had the audacity to find my tiktok and tell me how I SHOULD write the Baroness, how I RUINED the character for myself and others. No one is going to dictate my hobbies to me. Ironically there was another great author a few years back they had lots of baroness one shots that author deleted their work because they were receiving harassment. I've dealt with my fair share of lows this year and I am no stranger to bullying I experienced that in highschool but I can assure you I will not tolerate it. I write to be happy to escape and I hope I make some of you guys happy too. My advice to anyone who takes it upon themselves to enter a strangers life with nothing but nastiness? Stay in your fucking lane. :) Your opinion is not required. xo

With no known destination, the car heads back to Hellman Hall the driver gets out and signals for the butlers to come and help him. After finally having the brains to grab the garden shears from the landscaper's tool box the rope is cut. Victoria pulls from you and throws the door open getting out of the car and shoving the men out of the way. She tightens her wrap around herself as she heads up the stairs to Hellman Hall, you sigh staring after her. You follow her inside to see her fighting anxiously with a bottle of gin trying to get the lid off and when she fails the bottle is smashed into the fireplace. The substance causes a blast of heat and light as it reacts to the flames thankfully no one is near it. 'Victoria.' you walk up behind her putting your hand over hers you can feel the tremor. 'Sh, it's okay.' you whisper. The Baroness closes her eyes releasing a shaky exhale as she grips back on your hand for support. 'Baroness, I was not expecting you back so soon.' John greets. 'Bring tea to my room.' she instructs. Victoria frowns looking up at you, you wink and give her wrist a gentle tug.' She sighs and follows you.

You take her to her room sitting her down in her chair you take her shoes off. She releases a shaky exhale closing her eyes. 'The basement huh?' you offer and her eyes snap open. 'What do you mean? What do you know about that?' she demands anxiously. You remain on your knees beside her and your expression softens. 'I know what he did on your wedding night.' Her face blushes with humiliation that you know about her naivety. About how on what was supposed to be the happiest night of her life she was left chained in the dark. Victoria gets up marching away from you wrapping her arms around herself. 'Oh so it is common knowledge amongst the staff, it happened years before you even arrived it must be a funny joke indeed.' You sigh get up and walk over to her. 'No, John told me if you must know.' The Baroness snorts. 'Of course he did.' You walk up behind her. 'He told me after the girls locked you in the basement that day, you were so terrified and I had not known who the baron was at that point.' When you touch her hips she jumps and looks over her shoulder immediately meeting your lips in a soft gentle kiss. She blinks then relaxes into it slowly kissing you back.' You share a look then a weak smile. 'Your tea Baroness.' John enters, setting down the tray of tea. 'Thank you John.' she reluctantly moves from your arms and goes for tea.

John leaves and you bite the inside of your cheek. 'Be back in a moment love.' you go after him. 'John.' he stops halfway down the hall and turns to you. 'Yn? Does the baroness need something else?' You wave your hand dismissively. 'Not all, I just wanted to speak to you, this...Cruella. Who the hell is she? Why does she have such a hateful vendetta against Victoria, it's starting to take its toll on her.' John remains impassive. 'I have no idea. Probably just some competitor looking to stir up publicity for her brand. Fashion can be a cutthroat industry. I heard that in Paris, the Duchess Ferdinand was left quite distraught when her show was cut short by a mob of angry animal rights protestors, they didn't like her use of fur.' You nod in agreement but there is just something not sitting quite right with you. 'But this doesn't seem to be about fur...it's I can't explain it I just feel something is off.' John clasps his hands behind his back. 'Yn, I am sure there is nothing more to this but you have always been a tad on edge when it comes to her ladyship's safety. It may be a simple case of paranoia causing you to overthink.' You think for a moment it wouldn't be the first time your protectiveness had gone too far. 'Perhaps you are right, thank you, John. For tomorrow send in a dupe car before hers arrives I don't want a repeat of tonight.' John inclines his head and leaves.