Dead Set: Rebirth

Chapter 4

Reina was not going to fall for anyone let alone Dio. She was treated poorly by him ever since he moved into the mansion. The boy had Reina fix his clothes; help him with his studies; and dress him. All chores that gave him the opportunities to harass her. However, this moment was plain awkward. The two children were in the bath tub together. He was not bothering her, but he was affectionate. He had not hurt her nor had he degraded her verbally.

The girl had plans to escape to her room. This boy is confusing her. "Your mother, what was she like?" You say that my mother is similar to her." Reina spoke up causing Dio to stop nipping at her earlobe. His hand still had the bar of soap in his palm and he still scrubbed the girl's stomach. "She was driven to her death by that bastard of a mad man. My mother was a kind woman even after death." Dio explains as he was now honest.

"Your mother must have been a sweet woman." Reina said. She felt bad for the boy. His parents were both dead and he did not admire his father. The man was an abusive alcoholic. He was a greedy old peddler who desired money and wasted it. Dio fell silent and the two finished bathing. Reina quickly dries herself off using the towel and puts her night gown on. She hands her towel to Dio. "Wrap this around your waist and hurry to your room." Reina ordered.

She did not want to get in trouble. Reina reached for her basket to grab it and Dio watched her. The girl snuck out in a hurry and headed downstairs to her room. "I...think he's really troubled." Reina said to herself as she entered the room. The door was shut behind her. "But I am not falling for him. Who knows what he could do." Reina said as she walks over to her bed and falls on it. She lets out a heavy sigh. The bed was comfortable to lay on. A few minutes pass and a knock comes to the door. "Who is it?" Reina asks as she did not feel like moving.

"Ah...It's Jonathan...milady." Jonathan hesitates as he speaks. His voice proved that he was nervous. "Come in." Reina said. Jonathan turns the door knob to open the door. He enters the room, leaving the door ajar. "Are you alright? You never been away from home like this, have you?" Jonathan questions. Reina could never tell him of the bath time she shared with Dio. He would fight him. "I'm fine. However, am I different from most girls?" Reina answers.

Jonathan could not say a word. He was not sure what the girl was trying to point out. "I know you love Erina." Reina said the truth. Jonathan was quiet. His feelings for Erina never faltered. He loved her. "Who do you love Reina?" He asks. Reina did not have an answer. She never thought about loving someone. The idea did not suit her. In her mind, Reina did not need to love someone. "I do not love anyone." Reina answers.

"Dio..." Jonathan speaks as he remembers Dio wanting to make Reina his girlfriend. He knew that Dio would not treat her well. The boy had already gotten her into trouble. He even kept her away from him. The girl continued to work and make shoes. "I think you can love someone. Your heart is strong." Jonathan said with a smile. Reina's face slowly heats up and she smiles weakly. She wanted to cry, but the girl could not. Her body trembles.

Jonathan walks over to her and places his hand on her back. Reina's body stiffens and she turns her head to look at him. "You are a cute girl. Probably the strongest one I know. Erina looks up to you. Even Dio cannot control you." Jonathan explains. Reina cries in silence. She was happy. While Jonathan had his heart set on Erina, but he was Reina's fellow knight.

Dio stood outside the doorway. He leans against the wall. The blonde did not have time to interfere. Not that he wanted to. "So, to get that girl is to make her fall in love with me. Oh, my dear Reina. I'll own you completely. Your body, mind, and heart." Dio smirks as he thought.

All of the children went to sleep. The rain began to pour. Lightning appears with the sounds of thunder following. The wind blew violently. Reina work up with wide eyes and she quickly sat up. She looks out the window to see the wind blowing against the bushes and trees. "Danny? Where's Danny?" Reina gets out of the bed. She could not let the dog stay out in a storm. After she slipped her shoes on, Reina hurried to leave the mansion. The front door was left open and the girl ran around to look for the dog. "Danny!" Reina became more worried as she knew the weather would get only worse.