A Villain's Ever After

Chapter XCVI- Heinzal Versailles

"You are to wed a noble's daughter, you hear me?" father announced.

I shot up to my seat. "What? Are you serious?!"

"Heinzal, it is your duty to wed a daughter of a powerful family to strengthen our kingdom," he hissed. "Yan na nga lang ang silbi mo, rereklamo ka pa?"

I stilled when he said that. His words hit me. Yeah I know. Despite my title, I am not needed— In fact, I'm despised just because I was born... different.

I glanced at my mother, hoping she'd atleast, stand up for me. She carried me in her womb for nine months. So she would.

"Your father is right, Heinzal, no buts." Yet as always... she doesn't.

I dispersed the unnecessary feeling building up my chest and bowed instead, showing respect. "I'm sorry."

My mother sighed in annoyance as she rests back to her seat. "You should have said so—"

Just then, the door of father's office, where we are now, swung open as my brother ran inside, crying. "Ma!"

"My goodness, Vanklov, honey!"

I could clearly see the fear and worry in her face as she ran hysterically to meet my older brother.

"What happened to you?!"

He sniffled. "K-Kinagat ako ng bee ma!"

"W-Where?!" She checked his face and found a small, swoolen sting mark from it, almost the size of a pimple. "Let's get you to a doctor!" She then held his hand so tight and immediately left the office.

I can't help but glance at the bondage wraps from my shoulder down to my arms.

I got it from practicing my affinity. A third degree burn.

But never once did my mother acted the way she did with Vanklov. There never once was a time I saw worry in her pretty face everytime I got hurt.

It was... sickening.

I was three that time while Vanklov's ten.

"Heinzal, behave, understood?" my father warned as we headed for the ballroom.

It was Vanklov's birthday.

"Wag na wag mo akong ipapahiya kung ayaw mong madagdagan 'yang mga sugat mo."

I nodded absent mindedly, like it was an automatic response without me thinking. "Understood, father."

As we entered the hall, there was a commotion. Everyone was in panic.

"What's the matter?" Father's voice boomed around the hall.

"Your majesty! M-My daughter... she's missing!" the middle aged lady spoke.

As it seems, her daughter happened to be the young lady Anastasia Leonhart, my fiancé. Yet I didn't know it back then.

"Heinzal, go and help find her," he commanded like a lord would to his servant.

"Understood father."

I left the hall without knowing what she even looks like.

Ah. Basta batang babae, 'yun na 'yun.

Hindi pa ako nakakalayo nang may biglang humampas sa 'kin ng pamaypay.

"You ingrate!" my mother hissed as she hit me again. "Ayusin mo 'to! Paano nalang kung aatras sila dahil sa kapabayaan mo, ha? Ang sayang!"

I just closed my eyes and endured her every hit.

"Tapos ikaw? Ano nalang ang gagawin namin sa 'yo?" Napasinghap siya sa matinding inis. "Ba't ba kasi nabuhay ka pa?"