A Family Of Tainted Souls

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Elena: I did what I did for good. I don't want any lectures now.
William chuckles: I haven't come to give you any lectures. I didn't say anything when you informed us first about it nor did I say anything afterwards.
Elena: THAT'S THE THING! It seems like I disappointed you and ... I don't want that.
William: No! From where did you get that idea? Even now, I can feel the pride for your deeds. You are very generous Elena. Whatever you did wasn't a mistake. It was maybe a bit emotional over logical but things happen. I would say that you did your work perfectly because you didn't wait for anyone to save you and planned everything in order, eventually getting yourself out  as well as a family who was about to get ruined. I am proud of you.
He gave a warm smile.
Elena couldn't hold it in anymore and sniffed. She moved her face from his point of view and tears rolled down at his words.
William: Darling don't cry. You did good ok? Look here! Its a lovely sunset isn't it?
Elena looked at the sun setting down slowly.
It was indeed a pleasing sight to see after such a success. She looked at William. His scarlet eyes looked so pretty reflecting the fading orange light of the sun.
William: You are supposed to see the sunset.                     
William turned his face towards Elena. Elena was still staring, it's like she was  in a spell.                                      Elena: How do you have such ... such ethereal eyes?    
William: Say what now?    
Elena: No seriously how in the world you got those eyes from???                              William: Why are we talking about my eyes all of a sudden?                                         Elena: Umm don't mind it. Haha ... so uh umm ... what now?                                            William: Wanna go home?      
Elena: I want more to take a walk. You can go home tho.     William: Nah let's just walk around the town together. Then a meal at a bar and then, home. Sounds good?      
Elena smiled: Yup. Oh btw... is this another date?                
William smiled flustered: However you want it.               
Elena: Okey follow my lead. I will show you a place I discovered as a child.                
William : After you, my lady.☺️
_After a long day_
William and Elena entered smiling widely and talking about something.
Lena: See? I told ya.
Louis: Where were you two? Nii san, there is a letter for you. Onne san, there is a package for you too.
Elena: me? Oh... OH! Right! Let me show yall. No, let ME first see whether they gave the right thing.
She rushed to her room and finding the package, tore it open. She looked at the shiny metal thing with adoration.
Elena: See?! Isn't it so pretty?
Lena💀: umm your murderous instincts are showing again.
William: Its pretty, yes.
Louis: 😑 I am done here. I am going to make dinner. 
William: Lemme help you dear brother.
They both went back.
Elena was still looking at the thing. It was just a decorated dagger. Its handle part had a scarlet stone. Just that.
Lena: Why are you so obsessed with red stones suddenly that whatever you see in red stones, you buy it?
Elena: Oh shush! Let me live! And besides, red stones are so pretty!
Lena: yeah pretty in a psychotic way *snorts
Elena: 😍
_Meanwhile_
William: Please Louis 😖😖pleaseeee.
Louis: Nii san, its the 3rd time this week. But whatever you wish for, nii san. ☺️
William smiled brightly. 
Lena coming from nowhere: I have never seen a case where a twin brother is whipped for another twin brother. Also, we have that weird fish thing on our menu tonight. I am tired of it!
She called out to the brothers: I am going out to eat. Don't make dinner for me!
Louis: Alright.
Elena coming downstairs: What's going*Lena going outside*... on?
Anastasia in the background: Albert, stop it will you?! I am in stress from work already!
Albert coming out of their room: Well, don't look for me if I go missing! Ugh, why did I even marry you?
They all heard something crash. Anastasia coming out of the room in tears: WHY DID YOU MARRY ME?! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? DID I BEG YOU TO MARRY ME? YOU ONLY PROMISED ME SUCH LONG LISTS OF SWEET THINGS AND NOW THIS! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MEN LIKE YOU WON'T EVEN BE THE SAME AFTER MARRIAGE AND ALWAYS GO LIKE, " wHy diD I maRrY yOu?" LIKE ITS MY FAULT!!
She was crying bitterly. Elena rushed to comfort her and glared at Albert.
Elena: Come on lets get inside.
Anastasia: NO HE MUST UNDERSTAND AND MAKE A DECISION TODAY ONLY. I - I can't destroy my and his life by ignoring things like this. Its been going on for like months now. Might as well be 1 year. Just tell me Albert if you are not happy with me. We can get a divorce and go on with our lives. If its about the organisation, I can work background. We won't have to work together. But please.. I am tired. I can't continue like this.
Albert was facing the main door and his face was twisting in pain. He stopped his tears not to fall there only and went out. William went after his brother.
Elena: Anastasia, pls. Pls lay down and go to sleep. We can talk about this later ok? For now, you need to rearrange your thoughts. Pls.. take some rest.
Anastasia went wearily to their room. Elena looked at Louis. He was standing with a plate in his plate. His expression was worried.
Louis: *sigh. Truth be told, they do need a break from each other. Its been going too far and next you know, they might start a physical fight.
Elena: Is it that serious?
Louis: Mmhm. I can't understand from where but... they both changed. Their behaviour towards each other. Before marriage, they used to be so in love that we thought, if its like this now, wonder what they will be like after marriage. But things are turning very ugly.
He shakes his head and went back to work.
Elena stood there. She looked outside. At a distance she saw the 2 brothers. One crying and the other holding him.
She thought: its not my place to interfere. Let me just take a round in the library.
_Later_
Elena heard footsteps. She looked up and saw William.
William: I knew you would be here. Listen I need your help.
Elena raised one eyebrow: My help?
William: About Albert nii san and Lady Anastasia.
Elena: Oh.. I don't even know their history. How exactly will I help?
William: Thats why tonight you will go to Anastasia and ask her about the past. I think she will tell you. Report me after that. Alright?
Elena sighed: Ai ai captain.
They both smiled at each other.
_At night_
Elena went to Anastasia 's room. She was staying in a different room now.
Elena knocked on the door.
Anastasia from inside : Who is it?
Elena: Its me! Elena!
Anastasia opening the door: Come on in.
Elena noticed her tired, slouched and haggered self. She was nothing like the graceful lady she had first seen when she joined the group.
Elena: Have you eaten anything?
Anastasia looked out of the window.
Elena sighed. She took Anastasia's hands in her palms.
Elena: Look. I may not know your trouble but I am here to listen. Just let it out. I am here for you. Don't just lock all the pain in your heart.
Anastasia in a slow voice: What will I even say? I want a break from all this. From Albert.
Elena: Don't you 2 love each other? What happened suddenly?
Anastasia: I do love him, still... I am not sure about him anymore. I don't know exactly when. But it did happen. We can't compromise with each other. Before marriage, he was all so mushy and sweet in love. But now we don't even have time for each other. We are becoming distant slowly and its...killing me inside.
She sobbed.
Anastasia: I love him so much Elena. I do. I don't want to separate. But if this goes on, I will be destroying not only my but also his life.
Elena: What made you fall in love with him?
Anastasia: Everything about him. He was just...there.
_Flashback_
12 December, 1961, royal ball
Anastasia (23 yrs) thought: Ugh this all is so boring and they won't even let me eat the food here. Fuck them! Lets eat! Idc!
She was busy taking food in her dress and quietly sneaked outside to eat. She was munching happily on a doughnut when she heard a voice.
?: Oh come on Will! Just for a min! I am suffocated there! I will be back in a min after getting some fresh air.
[15/02, 23:38] Moonlight: *Part 16*
Anastasia quickly turned the other way around because it was a small balcony and just hoped he wouldn't bother her. How wrong she was..
Albert: Oh! Umm do I know you?
Anastasia with a umm awkward smile: Umm Idk.
She was holding the doughnut still.
Albert chuckled: Sneaking in food? My lady, you can go out there and eat to your full. There is no restrictions I think.
Anastasia: Well when it comes to ladies, they are always told they will get overweighted and not be suitable and all that bruh stuff. I am like ' bleh'. But my mommy dearest won't listen and strictly told me not to eat sweets. What does she think of herself? My mom? Yes. She is my mom but not from heart. Hmp! Ok why am I even explaning these to you? Who are you?
Albert blinked and cleared his throat: People call me oldest Lord Moriarty. For you, it can be only 'Albert'.
Anastasia looking suspicious: Umm.. *coughs. That was too much but anyways atleast you aren't like those stupid old counts and dukes. Ok what am I even saying? I just met you.
She gave him a sideye.
Albert😅: Well I can assure you I am not like them. Even if I don't know what you meant. 🙂
Anastasia: Pish posh anyways oh! Mommy dearest is coming. Have to hide! I still have one cookie left!
Albert : You can hide behind the balcony door. Its pretty wide enough to hide you. I will lead her another way.
Anastasia: I am trusting you.
Albert nodded assuringly.
Mrs. Avalor: Where is this daughter of mine wandering off? Ugh how many times have I told her not to leave without telling anyone? But look at her being without any care in the world. Oh! Lord Moriarty, good evening to you.
Albert greeted her back. She asked whether he had seen his daughter to which he denied. Mrs, Avalor didn't even think that Lord Moriarty didn't even knew her daughter so how in the world was he able to tell. Well everyone is stupid here. Ahem.
Anastasia: Is she gone?
Albert: Yeah you can come out now.
Anastasia : Phew! Why do they even bring me here?! Every goddamn time! Fuck this shit, mann!
Albert 😶😶😶😶: You curse a lot.
Anastasia: So what? 🤨
Albert: 😅nothing, I didn't say anything.
He put a finger on his lips.
Anastasia💀: Uhh uh umm you are weird.
Albert: Things I have to hear because I attend the parties. Last time it was worse.
He shivered.
Anastasia: Yep I am totally not staying here.
She went back to the crowd.
Albert: V wild lady she is. Anyways where was I ?
Anastasia quietly slipped back into the crowd and went to her mother's side and shocked the poor lady.
Mrs. Avalor: God! Where were you?! I was searching for you everywhere. Anyways come with me. Let me introduce you to Duke Herbert.
Anastasia thought: Of course she would need me to introduce to some filthy rich people only. I am a thing to be traded for money. God when will I escape from here?
Mrs. Avalor took her to the duke she was talking about.
Duke Herbert: Glad to meet you Lady Anastasia.
Anastasia smiled😊. It didn't reach her eyes and the Duke got the message hopefully.
Anastasia looked around.
Anastasia thought: Huh!? Where did she go? Did she fucking leave me here with this unknown man?
Duke Herbert: Umm looking for something?
Anastasia: My mom! Where did she go?!
Duke Herbert: Oh she left to talk to Mr. Avalor. See? They are there.
Anastasia could see her parents looking sneakily and whispering.
Anastasia thought: They think they can do whatever they want with me? Lets show them.
Duke Herbert: So umm what do you like to do in your free time?😅
Anastasia thought: What kind of a person asks this to another person on first meetings? Totally not my type.
Anastasia cleared her throat: I am a straight forward lady and would like to clear away any misconceptions my mother might have told you. I am not gonna marry till I have a job and you are not my type anyways. I am not interested in talking to anyone. I am not a social person. Please leave me alone. Ok I will go myself.
The poor Duke just blinked. What did he do?
Anastasia went away from there. She went to her parents and gave a sweet smile that clearly told them that this time too, their lovely daughter messed up their gold digging plan.
Well the night passed and with that, the effect of her parents' scoldings. Who cares? She is numb to them. She went to her room at 9 pm. Who cares if they don't give her dinner? She has already eaten delicious things there. Atleast one nice thing came out of that party. She is stuck here! With nothing to do! Like that one tale of Rapunzel. Not exactly lol. Her parents aren't that rich to make a lavish high tower for her. They wanna get rid of her in return of gold? Hah! They are gonna get rid of her but...unfortunately enough the gold will not come. Poor parents.
She slept away the worries.
_Next day_
Anastasia: Will you give me breakfast or will I burn the fucking house?!
Mrs. Avalor: Do whatever you want. I have kept all matches away from your nasty hands darling. And no breakfast. You are only gonna have dinner at night. This is your punishment. Hope its clear to you.
Anastasia: UGH! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID IN MY LIFE TO BE STUCK HERE! FUCK YOU ALL!
Mrs. Avalor: MAINTAIN YOUR LANGUAGE!
Anastasia: Try me.
She went away and her mom as usual sat down with her hands on her head.
Anastasia came out of the castle. Why can't she just run away from that dungeon in the name of a home? Simple, she doesn't have a job that can provide her the money to build a stable life. And she doesn't wanna beg on the streets.
Anastasia thought: Its better than staying here tho. No no what am I thinking? I mustn't lose hope so soon. I have degrees of education and they certainly will not go to waste. I will not let them!
She tried again throughout the day. Afternoon came. She hasn't eaten a thing since yesterday night and she feels weak. She stopped to rest at a bench, placed outside a cafe. Mmm smells nice! Oh how she would love to eat something. Fucking ducks of a parents doesn't even give her allowance and she is 23 already! Ugh she can't sit here much longer. The hunger will increase.
?: Lady Avalor? Is that you?
Anastasia looked up and saw...what is his name again? What is suddenly happening with her memory?!
?: Do you not recognise me? Yesterday, at the royal party....balcony?
Anastasia: I do recognise your face but not your name. Fuck my memory.
?: Its Albert.
Anastasia: Right right yes! ... so?
Albert: Idk you looked umm pretty worn out.
Anastasia: Thank you for your concern. You may go on your way.
Albert: Come on. I thought atleast I was not one of the 'nobles' and in your good book.
Anastasia: Just because you aren't one of the nobles doesn't automatically rise you to my good book. Also why are you even wasting your time here?
Albert: Well.. I have been taught that we should help others in trouble. And you seem to be in trouble miss.
Anastasia: Damn it! Am I really looking like that?
Albert: Ig yes, to me, you are.
Anastasia thought for a min and said: Well I am hungry. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday night. If you wanna help others in need, kindly buy me food so that I do not die. 😊
Albert: Why tho?
Anastasia: Just buy me the food. No questions. Do you ask questions before saving someone from drowning? I hope you are not that stupid.
Albert 😅: Ok ok calm down. Lets go inside.
_Afterwards_
Anastasia: Oof Thank goodness god sent you here to aid me. Otherwise my dead body would be lying here and poor cafe would be losing its customers.
Albert chuckled.
Albert: Well let me drop you home.
Anastasia's mood went south at the word 'home'.
Anastasia: I won't be going home anytime soon.
Albert: Something happened?
Anastasia: Well it's been going on for like ages now, so its nothing new. But this time I am determined to change it. But the main thing is where can I find a job?
She pressed her head with her fingers because  the stress was getting on her head and she was pretty much losing hope. She has trying for so long. But there isn't a single job that will fit her in. Gosh!
Albert: You are looking for a job? Can I see your qualifications?
Anastasia handed him her file.
Albert thought : Impressive. Perfect for a job in the government atleast.
Albert: I might be able to help you tho I am not fully confident.
Anastasia: YOU CAN?!Please please just look into it... which job are you talking about btw?
Albert: Government posts. Will work right?
Anastasia: Yes yes! Gladly! Oh god pls let me have this one chance!
Albert: I will inform you maybe 2 days later. Here. At about 2 pm. Ok?
Anastasia: Okay😭 Thank you so much. I don't know how to show my gratitude properly. I will pay you back when I get my first salary.
Albert: Worry not. I still haven't got you the job. So..
Anastasia: IT DOESN'T MATTER. What matters is that you looked into it. 😭
Albert: Anyways, go home. I guess you have some trouble there but bare for a few days ok?
Anastasia: mmhm.
They both went on their ways.
Anastasia reached her house. She sighed and knocked on the door. 
Mrs. Avalor: Where were you?
Anastasia: Somewhere away from you two🙄.
Mrs. Avalor: Don't use that tone with me, Anastasia. It won't turn out good. The food is ready.
Anastasia without a word sat down at the table.
Mr. Avalor: Soon enough we have to find another suitor and if you do any funny act this time..you will know.
Anastasia frowned and just ate her dinner quietly. She came back to her room and laid down under the covers. She was very tired after walking around the wholw day so, she slept quickly.
_3 days later_
Anastasia was still waiting since yesterday for some news. From that day, she has been. Well for limited time, obviously she isn't gonna wait here all day like they show in those movies where seasons after seasons pass and the person is still sitting the same way like a fucking statue. Nu uh ah.
Albert: I see you are here already.
Anastasia narrowed her eyes and recognized that voice speaking on her back.
Anastasia: My face is in this way and you are talking to my back. Are you blind?
Albert thought: Typical reaction.🥲
Anastasia turned around: Anyways * her eyes suddenly turned like she didn't sarcased him just a moment ago and is eagerly waiting with a gratitude expression* Any news? 😧
Albert: Yup. Well you gotta find it out yourself. I just informed my higher ups about you and your degrees. They want to take an interview. Today itself. So I came to take you along.
Anastasia thought: I have my kitchen knife with me right? *she felt her side pockets and breathed a sigh of relief.
Anastasia: Oh thanks a lot😣 I am ready to go. Pls god just look at me this one time.
Albert: ..... Ahem let's go then.
They both went up the carriage and sat on opposite sides. The journey was a peaceful silence with 2 passengers looking out of the window and maybe or may be not glancing at each other... a few times? Ok many times. They even caught eye contact and just gave an awkward smile. Welp can't help it, can we?
_After a while_
Albert informed Anastasia everything and she was pretty much ready, a bit nervous like normal people. They called her in. At the centre, there sat a man. He looked like a poweful authority.
?: Hello Lady Anastasia Avalor. Welcome. I have received your application files and to say, I am impressed and glad that you have quite the mindset perfect for these jobs.
Anastasia bowed humbly. The man gestured to a chair at the centre. She sat down and the procedure started.
_Afterwards_
?: Hmm quite good. Your results will be sent soon. But I must say even if you do not get work here, you must not lose hope.
Anastasia: Well to say, I have been searching for a work for quite some time now. But not at a place like this since I didn't have connections then. I am glad I could be here. Thank you so much for the encouraging words Mr..
?: Mycroft Holmes. You can call me the government itself and I must warn you, Lady Anastasia, that complications will come even after this. Basically I am talking about your parents. You must stand your ground like you always have.
Anastasia: ....What.... wh-wh- how?
Mycroft: Simple deduction judging from your stiff character and ...very thin figure and...based on what Mr. Albert informed me....it was obvious ... off you go now. As I said, your results will come out and you shall see for yourself.
Anastasia quickly bowed and left the room.
Albert was standing outside.
Albert: How did it go?
Anastasia: Fairly well.
Albert: Oh... well do you wanna eat something?
Anastasia: No no I was starving that time so I begged for food. No need now.
Albert frowned: Don't think of it like that. Aren't we friends?
Anastasia: When did we.... ok fine. Ig. you helped me a lot, Albert. More than a friend actually. I am grateful, really.
Albert just smiled.
Albert: Well? Shall we get that food?
Anastasia nodded in agreement.
They both ate in silence. According to Anastasia, everything is turning out so perfect she is scared that a big storm is going to come, just like Mr. Mycroft had said. Well, can't do anything about it. Its natural. She sighed. After the lunch, Albert dropped her home. She bade him goodbye and went inside.                                                                               _After 2 days_
Anastasia got her letter.....and god knows what she is waiting for. Open it girl! Anastasia's mind threatened her. She tore it open and just stared at the letter. Ok............DID SHE JUST GET ACCEPTED? INTO THE POST OF AN OFFICER IN THE GOVERNMENT????? OMGGG. Ok ok calm down. She thought for a moment and everything just calmed down. She should start packing if she has to leave from here. Well lets goo! Her bag was packed after an hour and she came down. Oh what a wrong step that was...She should  have ran away without informing anyone. Well there was that. The storm. Her parents just screamed at her like she had just done something vvvvv wrong and grave.
Mrs. Avalor: YOU DID WHAT?! I SHOULD HAVE LOCKED YOU INSIDE. I HAVE BEEN PLANNING YRS FOR THIS AND YOU HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND GETTING SOME JOB? HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU? GIRLS ARE MEANT TO STAY HOME AND LOOK AFTER THEIR HUSBANDS. YOU HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THOSE STUPID WORKING LADIES! UGH! YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!
Her mother threw aside her suitcase.  She was trying to run away but her dad had caught her and both of them pushed her inside a dark room downstairs.
Anastasia screamed and banged on the door. She knew her parents were stupid but didn't thought them to be this conservative and crazy. What is she gonna do now?This room doesn't even have any modes of communication! Oh god what mess has she gotten herself into..
_2 days later_
Mycroft: Albert, its been 2 days. She must have received that letter. You go and check once. If you see anything suspicious, give me a whistle. I will be hiding with a police force. I am sure her parents must have done something.
Albert: Ok I will get to work.
They reached Anastasia 's home.
Albert went ahead and knocked while Mycroft hid with his army.
Mrs. Avalor opening the door: Yes? Oh! Lord Moriarty. What brings you here?
Albert: Is Lady Anastasia here? I had promised her a dinner.
Mrs. Avalor: Oh extremely sorry. She didn't inform us anything about it. She has went abroad actually.
Albert:🤨oh really? Well may I come inside? I am really thirsty. Sorry for the disturbance.
Mrs. Avalor: Umm we have kind of a thing going on. Pls accept the water from here. I am extemely sorry for the inconvenience.
She smiled apologetically.
Albert: Uh its okay.
Mrs. Avalor went inside.
Suddenly Albert heard banging of a door and screaming.
?: LET ME OUT OF HERE! ALBERT! I AM HERE! I CAN HEAR YOU! PLEASE! THEY ARE CRAZY! THEY HAVE LOCKED ME! HELP ME!!!!!!!!
Albert rushed towards the voice. He found Mrs. Avalor with a sickening smile.
Mrs. Avalor: Lord Moriarty, please. Its not your matter to interfere. Leave pls.
Albert 😊: Well its a matter of my friend. So yes I can interfere. If not as a friend, as a human. In the name of humanity.
Myrcoft barged in with the others and arrested her parents. They broke the heavy locks on the door and went inside. It was dark and something just moved here and there. They lighted a torch and saw....Anastasia ? But is she even....like her whole body was covered with dirt, her hair shrivelled and she looked like a starving woman. She actually was weakened due to starvation and unhygiene surrounding for 2 whole days. They brought her out into the light. She was shivering so bad. Albert held her tightly and put her into the carriage. She was brought to a hospital.
_After 3 days_
Albert went every day to visit her. She was ok now. But very shaken due to the incident. Never in the world did she imagine her parents would turn out this much psychotic. She merely thought that they were just stupid and if they saw her work and manage herself without any man, maybe their mindset will change. After all they are her parents......right? Oh was she so wrong in judging their characters...
She thanked Albert and Mycroft over 1000 times because if not them, who would have gone to take news of her? After she was all healthy and stable, she was accepted as an officer in the London department and headquarters of the government. When asked if she wants to stay in her old house, she denied. That place was given up for sell. And she rented a room in a house. The landlady was very nice and they both became good friends. She was kind of a grandma figure. She was so happy with her company.....But....unfortunately that had to be snatched away too.