Betrayed by Blood

Chapter 8

TRIGGER WARNING: A BRIEF MENTION OF STILLBORN CHILDREN.

Adrianna's POV:

I follow the mystery man down numerous corridors, keeping track in case I ever get the chance to set myself free.

"Where are we?" I say, my eyes concentrated on the back of the blond man's head. I receive no response.

we continue walking until we reach two large oak doors. The man knocks at the door and immediately they swing open as if a phantom is allowing us in. I look around the beautifully orchestrated library, shelves upon shelves filled with thousands of books from all generations and genres, of all different colours and sizes. I was in awe. The room was sublime.

I continue following the room with my eyes as we walk further into the room before stopping at a polished desk matching the wood of the doors that led us in here. Rosso hangs up his phone before placing it aside, then I feel the air leave my lungs as we make eye contact. A true sensation of mixed emotions rises through me. I can't identify what I'm feeling, a feeling of anger, hatred, disgust, sadness, loneliness, and inspiration all swirl within my brain. I feel over-stimulated, and claustrophobic in my own body.

"Ora puoi andartene." Rosso says to the man who brought me here, he leaves the doors slowly shutting behind him. We wait until we hear the click of an automatic lock before Rosso speaks.

"Sit down Adrianna don't be shy"

I sit in an elegant burgundy leather chair and pull it closer to Ross's desk, cautious to not get too close.

"How are you this morning?" he asks almost awkwardly.

"I'm okay" I reply, not caring for his emotions, or how he feels.

"Not even going to ask me how I feel?" he laughs sarcastically.

I look to the floor, not knowing what to do with myself. I have never in my life felt this vulnerable. I have never felt so unloved by my family or so exploited.

"I asked for you to be brought here today because you need to know the real, brutal story of why you're here. You deserve to know why you were given up, why your father was so okay with it."

"And why you kidnapped me?" I whisper, half to myself, half to the man sitting across from me not taking his eyes off me for a single second.

"Well yes. you must know this isn't how I'd been expecting this to go my entire life, I was kind of grateful your father had tried to call off the wedding. I'm not one for love or marriage. for a pointless lifelong commitment to one person who you will never truly know if they even love you. so I was happy when my father started shouting about how his plans were ruined, and that this ongoing war between our families would never be solved. See my father wasn't doing it to bring peace between our two families, he was doing it to gain a larger empire. but I'm sure you know all about that." he states with such a casual tone it almost makes me forget he's my kidnapper and not my closest friend.

I just stare at him, he knows I knew none of that until he told me just seconds ago. He knows I've been sheltered my entire life by everybody because they all believe I'm too fragile to fend for myself.

"Why did he give me up Rosso?" I utter.

"You were supposed to be a twin, your mother found out and told your father who immediately ran to my father offering what he believed to be a truce. It was never supposed to be specifically you, it was either going to be you or your sister. However, your father thought you and your sister would still be in touch as he believed this would bring an end to the war and a truce that both my father and your father had agreed to. However, during labour, your sister was born first but was born still-born devastating your entire family, yet enthralling ours. Although you weren't the first born daughter you were the first to survive, the first surviving female bought into this world after the truce was made. Your father immediately tried to call off the deal, wanting to keep you and protect you from the world so that he didn't have to lose another daughter. But my father, he's a malicious man, what he wants is what he gets and so he sent letters constantly up until the night before your eighteenth birthday, demanding they still give you up to me. I mustn't lie, the look on that boy's face that you had been dancing with was farcical, he looked like he wanted to murder me for even thinking I could take you with me but here we are. Any questions?"

I take a moment to compose myself attempting to keep in the tears that threaten to spill after finding out I have a sister. I look around the room for a moment as I make up a list of questions I know cannot go unanswered.

"where are we?"

"I cannot tell you principessa"

"Fine. How long am I here for?"

"Until I get bored and you no longer fit my plans for the future of my empire"

ouch.

"What about that portrait of that woman in my room, who is she?"

I see a flicker of emotion and I feel almost proud for hitting a sensitive nerve.

"She was my mother."

"What happened to her"

"My father killed her for trying to side with your mother after she gave birth to you" He spits, the atmosphere growing tense.

"I'm sorry" I whisper.

he doesn't look at me for the first time during this conversation. In an attempt to make it less awkward, I continue talking.

"I want better food delivered. Better drinks, better clothes. I want freedom each day. I'm going insane up there and if that's a part of your plan it's working." I demand.

He sits there finally composed. "I'll see what I can arrange. You can leave now."

"Will I ever get to see my family again?" I ask hopefully.

"Maybe, it all depends on you Principessa. It's all up to you" He says before the man walks back in and escorts me back up to my prison.

Hey guys this is a bit of a longer chapter so I hope you enjoyed it! I'm aware these chapters are a bit boring but it all links later on. I just need a plot of. I hope this chapter was at least a bit more interesting.