The Madness of Duke Venomania

Chapter Two: She's Been Taken

*Kachess POV*

I had just returned to the estate after a long day of searching for signs of the missing women with my father and a few other men from the village, ready to head inside and bathe the stresses of the day away, when I noticed something on the steps leading to our front door... What on earth? Is it a traveller? No, Seri would have immediately let them inside and ensured their comfort. A begger? No, again, Seri would've brought some food and a blanket to the person before sending them on their way... So who could it be? Even from this distance I could tell it wasn't my sister, the person was too small and plainly dressed... Then I noticed the messy blonde hair that I could recognise anywhere, and I quickly rushed to the boys side, taking notice of the loud, heavy sobs escaping his throat as he remained curled up on the steps. Hearing my advancements he looked up excitedly as if someone had just offered him a treat if he stopped crying, until he saw who I was and his face not only filled with sadness, it filled with fear as well. THIS concerned me, why on earth would he fear me?

"Callen what's the matter? Is it Rindo? Did you hear anything?" I asked him, crouching on the steps in front of him so I was at eye level. He sniffed loudly and shook his head, burying his face in hands and breaking off into a fit of wordless sobs, though I swear I heard him whimper "my fault" during his meltdown. "Your fault? Rindo's dissappearance was in no way your fault! Don't you dare blame yourself for that!" I stated, firmly, but not roughly, gripping his upper arms as I stared at him, even though his face was still hidden by his hands. He shook his head viciously, his body trembling as he lifted his tearstained face to look at me, the expression on his face screaming self-hatred and guilt. What he said next I struggled to hear but I could make it out...

"N-Not R-R-Rindo-o..." He stuttered softly, choking on a sob as he went to bury his face into his hands again, had I not grabbed him by the wrists and pulled his hands away from his face.

"What happened Callen?" I asked him, deeply worried about not only Callen, but also about what could've reduced him to this state... His normally bright, cheerful blue eyes were now red and glassy looking from his crying, and his face was red and puffy, indicating that he'd been crying for quite awhile before I'd shown up. "Callen... Please... Tell me what's wrong so I can help..."

"...Taken." He whispered, his body jerking from a sob, and I got a chill from what I prayed he wasn't about to say...

"W-Who was taken Callen?" I asked, praying that he wasn't about to say what I thought he was.

"...Tried... Go b-back... W-Wouldn't listen... Ta-aken..." He cried, his breathing becoming ragged from how hard he was now crying. Please God, if you exist please tell me she wasn't taken... Please! My heartbeat began to quicken as I unwillingly began to think of a reason why Callen would be sitting on the steps outside alone in tears if she wasn't taken... But I didn't want to believe it, I refused to!

"Wh-Who was taken Callen..." I whispered through clenched teeth, unable to look up at him as I felt the tears brim my eyes... It can't be her, anyone but her! Please God, let this be a dream! Don't let it be true!

"... Seramaini..." He whimpered with a loud sniff. My body went cold, like my blood had turned into ice and my heart felt like it had stopped dead in my chest... No... Not her... Not Seri... Please don't let this be real, don't let this be true! Not my sister!

My face suddenly felt wet and I pulled my hands from Callen's wrists, raising a hand to my face and realised that I was crying... But I didn't care, how could I? My little sister was taken in the middle of the day from the village...

"H-How did it happen?" I asked softly, swallowing a sob.

"I-I saw her walking through the square a-and tried to g-get her to go back to the h-house, b-but she wouldn't listen... There was a crying child and she s-sang to her to calm her down... A crowd h-had gathered and I was pushed awa-away from her... I-I lost sight of her a-and when I came back all I foun-nd was this..." He stuttered and hiccupped, reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out a charm coated chain, the charms covered with faces that made the cast of a story I knew all too well, and my heart shattered at the sight of the bracelet. I would know that bracelet anywhere... Since I was the one who bought it for her in Paris last year...

"Mother please?" Seri pleaded, staring longingly at the bracelet on display in the shop window that she had her hands pressed eagerly against. Such an adorable sight, my little sister pleading for something so simple yet beautiful, just like herself. Mother, however, had a different opinion on the matter.

"Certainly not! You are a Baroness! The only jewelry deserving enough to be on you are those of high grade, made for nobles such as ourselves! And stop embarassing me with your childish actions! You are a young lady Seramaini, act like one!" She replied, lightly waving her fan in her face despite the chilly air, making her decision final. Seri sighed disappointedly and lightly nodded her head, lightly trailing her lace-gloved hand over the polished glass before turning away from her un-owned treasure and walking to mother's side.

"Mother might have told her no, but she didn't tell me no." I said to myself as I walked into the shop, asking the owner for the bracelet and quickly purchased it, slipping the gift into my pocket and returned to my fathers side while mother was distracted by a man selling flowers. Father immediately placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me, whispering something so low that I could barely hear.

"You are a good brother, Kachess."

"... Thank you Father... But I had a great teacher." I replied with a smile as I stared at my sister, who was gently playing with the petals of a deep blue rose that the florist had given her. She smiled at me widely, running over to me and handing me the rose.

"For you big brother!" She cried with a wide smile on her face, cradling the rose in her hands. I smiled at her generosity and gently grabbed the rose from her hands, checking the stem for any thorns before brushing her hair behind her right ear, tucking the rose with it. She looked at me confused, and slightly upset, pouting at my actions. "That rose was for you Kachie, did you not want it?"

"Of course I did Seri, I just thought it would look far more beautiful if you were wearing it." I replied honestly, gently lifting her right hand in mine and pulling the bracelet from my pocket.

"Kachie... What are you-" She broke off mid-sentence as I wrapped the bracelet around her right wrist,clipping it on. "Kachess... How did you-"

"If I couldn't do this much for my little sister, what kind of big brother would I be?" I asked her, clipping the bracelet and dropped her hand, only to have her immediately wrap her arms around me and hug me tightly. (A/N Anyone know what Kachess said originated from?)

"Still an amazing one... Thank you Kachie, I love it! It's beautiful!" She cried, smiling up at me with so much happiness that I couldn't help but return the hug.

"Children, it's time to go. Come along." Mother called, not bothering to look in our direction as she latched herself to Father's arm and the two began to walk away. With a grin I looked down at Seri, who was smiling widely up at me while playing with the bracelets charms with her other hand.

"Shall we, My Lady?" I asked jokingly, bowing and holding a hand out to her, causing her to giggle.

"We shall, kind Sir." She replied, curtsying and lightly placing her small hand in my own...

Never in my life had I seen her so happy as she was on that day...

Tears were streaming from my eyes as I gently took the bracelet from Callen, holding it tightly in my fist and pressing it hard against my chest, trying to smother the agonising pain that my heart was now feeling. A loud sob escaped my lips as I heard several sets of footsteps approach me from behind.

"Hello Callen, what brings you he- What's happened?" My father asked, even though I knew that he knew what I was about to say just by the look on his face...

Looking down at the bracelet I held in my hand, I clenched it tightly in my fist, clamping my eyes shut; unable to look at my father as I choked out the words I never in my life thought I would have to say...

"Seramaini... She's been taken..."

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I know, it's short and kind of a filler chapter, but I promise the next one WILL be better.

I'll update ASAP! Love you!

Pic of Seramaini's bracelet on the side!