The Villainous Family never Surrenders

It's been 3 days! (1)

(Cecilia POV)

I've been here for 3 days and things haven't gotten anything better. No one has come to visit me, there are no other inmates to talk to and I just learned about an hour ago from the guards that my execution is at the end of the week.

'Isn't that fantastic.'

You would think that since I'm the Grand Duke's daughter, my family would try to stop my execution or at least fight against it but I don't think that's going to be the case. If anything my father hates my guts, even after everything I've done to get his attention. My stepmother never liked me in the first place. My step-sister stole just my fiancé and my biological siblings don't talk to me that much.

'I'm pretty sure they hate me.'

I must find a way to escape and get revenge on Aaron and Elizabeth. I can't die before my 18th birthday. That's unacceptable. So far the only thing I have accomplished is slightly sharpening a small rock I found in the cell and folding some leaves into origami swans.

'Maybe if I use the origami swans as a distraction and then stab the guard in the neck with the rock. I'll be able to take the keys to my cell and escape.'

'.........'

'Oh, who am I kidding. That's so stupid. I would get caught immediately after I stab him. But it's so boring in here that I just might have to do it.'

As I contemplated the stupidity of my plan, I heard the door that led to the dungeon start to unlock.

'That's strange, the sun hasn't set yet to bring my dinner why are they here now? But maybe this is my chance.'

When the door opened the guard walked in, nothing unusual. But the person who walked in after him was the surprising part. It was my older brother!

'What is Azrael doing here?'

I never thought Azrael would be the first person to visit me here. He looked different from the last time I saw him. He looked tired. His long white hair was tied in a low ponytail. You could see the eye bags starting to form under his gold eyes. Even though the black suit he was wearing was perfect, he didn't look as put together as he always did.

The guard leads Azrael over to my cell before quickly leaving the dungeon.

Azrael stood in front of my cell, his blank eyes watching my every move.

"What are you doing here Azrael? Are you here to mock me about the situation I've found myself in." My eyes narrowed towards Azrael. I wasn't In the mood to deal with what he wanted to say.

He just continued to stare blankly at me before he sighed heavily. Looking like this conversation took ten years off his life.

"Have you eaten since you got here? You look like your only skin and bones." He finally said after a few seconds.

I was dumbfounded. I never expected that to be the first thing he asked. I don't even know if it's a genuine concern or an insult.

"Of course, I've been eating. They give me bread and soup every day at dinner. I'm fine, thank you very much." It was at that moment that my stupid stomach decided to grumble loudly.

If I was going to be honest I was extremely hungry. I hadn't eaten since the night before and the guards only gave me scraps of bread and soup in a small bowl. They didn't even give me a new dress to change into. I've been wearing the same dress since the ball. I probably look terrible. This was so embarrassing.

Azrael just raised an eyebrow at the sound my stomach made before he sighed once again. He reached into his suit jacket before pulling out a black handkerchief.

"I figured this would happen so I brought you this."

He unwrapped the handkerchief to reveal the most surprising thing in existence.

In the handkerchief was....CHOCOLATE?

I stared at the chocolate in surprise. Why on Earth does Azrael have chocolate with him?

He crouched down and held the black slab in front of me.

"Take it. I brought it for you to eat and no it's not poisoned." He said after seeing my look of suspicion, going so far as to eat a piece of it to prove his point.

I took a bit out of it and almost cried. It had been so long since I'd tasted something so good.

"Don't worry I'm trying to get you out of here."

I stopped eating and looked at Azrael in shock. He was trying to get me out of here, but why?

"I have managed to push your execution date from tomorrow to the end of the week. I have also gotten an audience with the High Court in two days. I'll try to convince them to nullify your execution." He explained as he looked through the small window in my cell.

"Why would you do that? Why are you trying to save me." I am so confused. He's never shown concern for me before so why now?

"Believe it or not, me, Rita and Leonardo don't hate you. We hate our father. The reason we don't speak to you is because we were planning a cope against father. We were afraid that if we brought you into the plan you would tell Father immediately." He sighed for the third time looking slightly guilty and extremely tired.

I felt bad, was I really that desperate for my father's love and affection that my siblings didn't even trust me with their plans?

"Do Rita and Leonardo know about my execution?" I asked trying to hide my face in my knees. Trying to hide my shame and guilt.

"No, Rita is at the northern border and Leonardo went hunting for a dragon scale. But I sent letters to them, letting them know about the situation. Hopefully, they will get them in time." Azrael put his hand gently on my head. He then patted my head gently.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here." He then stood up and straightened his suit. He took the handkerchief that contained the chocolate and burned it using fire magic to hide that he had brought me food. He then scattered the ashes in his hands across the floor.

"Don't do anything stupid. Just wait for me. I'll get you out of here, I promise."

"How do I know you'll keep your promise," I asked, my voice extremely quiet, staring at the chocolate in my hands.

"You are my baby sister and thus one of the only family I have. And I love and protect my family."

I didn't say anything after that.

Azrael's eyes softened before he put on his blank face. He then opened the dungeon door and left.

I sat on the hard ground of my cell. Thinking about the conversation that just occurred.  My hand went to the place Azrael no... my big brother had patted me.

'Huh, Maybe there is someone who cares about me after all.'

(Azrael's POV)

I paid no mind to the guards standing outside the dungeon. The reason I had come to see Cecilia was to see how she was doing. She looked horrible. Her dress was dirty, her usually beautiful orange hair was a mess and she looked like she hadn't eaten in days. She looked so happy when she ate the chocolate that it made me feel guilty for not coming sooner.

'But there is nothing I can do about it, the only thing I can do is try to convince the High Court to cancel Cecilia's execution.'

I exited the palace and got into my carriage that was waiting outside. I can only hope that Rita and Leonardo receive my letters in time. There is only so much I can do with my position.

'But rest assured Cecilia, I won't let you die on my watch. I'll make sure you're alive for your 18th birthday.'