My Little Araignée

Ch 11 *Questions*

                                        

todays song is cross my heart by Artemas

                              Lilith's POV

"Who would've thought there'd be so many historical books about the Cerberus kingdom?" I mutter, sighing in frustration. I've lost track of time in the library; it must have been hours, and I've found absolutely nothing useful.

"This is such a waste of time. Damn it." I lean back, sinking into the wooden chair, my gaze drifting up to the ceiling. Why does everything have to be so hard? No matter what I do, I never seem to get what I want.

I close my eyes, trying to quiet my thoughts, but only more questions echo in my mind—questions with no answers.

"I wonder what's happening out there?" I whisper, frowning. Do they even care? Why is there no sign of celestial soldiers?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not even the slightest hint that they're looking for me. My shoulders feel unbearably heavy, and my eyes ache from exhaustion. I haven't slept much, but that's hardly new. Even back in the celestial castle, restful sleep was always elusive.

I was never truly wanted. Not there, not anywhere. The place that should've been home always felt like a prison. I knew I never fit in. They had their ways, and I had mine. Where they chose action, I preferred words. When I wanted blue, I got gray. When I craved chocolate, I was forced to like vanilla. Everything, always controlled, with me at its mercy.

But why was there even a war? For all I knew, the four kingdoms had coexisted peacefully—so long as each respected the boundaries of the others. And how could my mother, my real mother, have been from Cerberus?

There are too many questions.

Finally, I let my head fall onto my folded arms, and my mind begins to drift. Little by little, the questions fade, and sleep pulls me under.

Flashback

"You're nothing but a reflection of that wretched woman."

A vase shatters as it's hurled in my direction.

"Mother, stop... She didn't mean any harm; she's just a fool," Stefano's voice cuts through the chaos as he steps between us.

"She's as miserable as that woman was. Stay away from what isn't yours, you pathetic girl."

As Mother storms out, dragging Stefano by the arm, he casts a sharp look back at me. "How can you be so stupid, Lilith?" he whispers, releasing my hand roughly.

"But... I only wanted a cookie," I sob, wiping my eyes.

"Don't you get it, Lilith? You shouldn't want anything."

"But, brother—" I try, only for his voice to cut me off again, colder than before.

"Don't call me that. I am not your brother, Lilith. We don't even share the same mother."