𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 [Kny × OC]

4

Yui froze, catching a hushed conversation drifting through the halls. Fear prickled her skin. "...strongest weapons...precious books..." The whispers faded, replaced by another voice. "...strange blessings..."

Curiosity tugged at Yui, but dread coiled in her stomach. More whispers, laced with a hint of disgust. "...divine ability...powerful children..." The words hung heavy in the air, a puzzle she couldn't grasp. What was a golden womb?

Suddenly, a scream shattered the silence. Yui's heart lurched. Rushing outside, she found two maids sprawled on the ground, lifeless eyes staring sightlessly at the moonlit sky. Their throats were raw, crimson stains blooming on their pale skin.

A horrifying realization dawned on Yui. It was Atsuya

"Here," he stood behind them, a bloodstained sword dripping in his hand. "This is what happens when women run their mouths." He addressed Yui, his voice dripping with cruel amusement.

Rage warred with fear in Yui's chest. Atsuya, her step brother, the golden boy adored by everyone, had just murdered two innocent women. Hatred for him flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly extinguished by a fear.

Atsuya smirked, mistaking her silence for weakness. "Useless women like you," he spat, his voice laced with contempt. "Only good for breeding powerful children and some stupid healing ability , huh? Pathetic."

His words cut deep. He saw her only as a trophy, a possession. Every ounce of admiration she received from others fueled his twisted jealousy.

Yui slumped against the cold stone wall, the weight of his cruelty crushing her.  She was trapped, a beautiful bird with clipped wings, unable to escape the monster who called himself her brother.

Yui cradled her stomach, wincing from Atsuya's kick.  His mother, Riye, materialized beside him, her voice dripping with fake concern. 

"There, there, Atsuya," she cooed, stroking his hair.  "We don't want to scar the precious merchandise."  Atsuya swatted her hand away, a petulant child throwing a tantrum. 

"It's not fair!" he whined.  "I have the strength, the skills! Why is she the center of attention? All she has is beauty and some supposed healing ability!"

Ignoring them, Yui pushed herself to her feet, determined to get help for the maids.  Maybe, just maybe, they could be saved.

"Leaving so soon?"  Riye's voice, cold as ice, cut through the air.  Yui flinched, dropping her gaze to the ground.

"I apologize, Oka-san," she mumbled.

"She's not your mother," Atsuya snarled, but Riye silenced him with a smirk.

"Yui," Riye began, her voice laced with cruelty, "being born female in this family is a supposed blessing, but the truth is a curse.  Your mother died young after giving birth to you, a perfect wife meant to serve men.  After you bear a child, you too will meet the same fate.  Your curse is that you shall never find anyone who loves you. No soulmate, no love, just a lonely death."

Yui's mind reeled.  Her mother, spoken of with such disdain?  And this healing ability they kept mentioning – what even is that?  Tears welled up in her eyes, a storm of confusion and fear churning within her.

"Go back to your training," Riye commanded.  "Don't let me see you again until you've mastered everything."

Yui hurried away, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.  Reaching the servants' quarters, she found them strangely indifferent to the news of the maids' deaths.  Death, it seemed, was a frequent visitor in this household, a grim reality they'd learned to accept.