Cruelness of Love

Chapter One: Love through youth

"Alain! Alain!" Catharina shouted as she rushed to Alain's side as he sat atop a large boulder chucking pebbles at the Stable Head. Alain looked over to his little follower with boredom; his goldenrod hair fell in his disdained, handsome, face. His cat green gem like eyes shone form behind his hair as he looked down at the young girl. In more ways than one.

"What? What do you want, girl?" Alain asked, with a sneer and a snarl, his voice chilling in both a frightening and charming way. Luckily for the Stable Head, Catharina distracted Alain from his target as he let the pebbles fall from his hand.

"Papa is home, Alain." Catharina told him, fully excited as she bounced before the young Master, her cute little, and slightly dirty, hands clasped cupped under her chin. Alain watched the happy and hyper girl with a sigh and an eye roll. And a secret smile. He would never admit it, but he did love this girl, adored and even admired her, her happiness. But his love was a selfish one. He wanted to ruin her, bring her down to his level. Alain knew he was no good, not because someone told him; no one would dare tell the young Master that. His father adored his youngest son, dotted on him even. But Alain knew he was wrong, he was cruel and that was wrong. And he wanted to drag her to his level.

"Tsk, you stupid girl, he's not your father, but mine and big brother's." Alain sneered in her face as he leaped down and bent to her eye level. "You're just a toy he picked up for me to play with, and that is all. Pity is what Father feels for you. The only reason you are here. Stupid girl." Alain scuffed as he stood up, watching her reaction.

"That's fine. I don't care if Papa loves me. I only care what Alain feels. Alain loves me right?" Catharina asked as she looked up with sweet and trusting eyes. Alain stared down at her, with the same disdain look he always wore, for a moment as shock filled him. Then he cracked and fell to his knees as he hugged the girl to him in a tight embraced, a few stray tears falling, not that anyone could, or would ever, see.

"Yes, Kitten. I love you. I'll always love you. No matter what I say in front of others, I love you, my kitten." Alain whispered and his voice shook as did he. Catharina smiled and hugged him back.

"Yay! I'm so happy! I love you too, Al-al!" Catharina cheered and hugged him back as the young Master shook with a mix of emotions. Love and fear were what filled him the most.

Fear. So much fear.

Some years later:

Alain was laying back, lazily on the couch in the living area as he chucked marbles from an old jack-and-marble game at the head butler boredly while Catharina sat on the floor next to him. She had grown to be a beautiful young lady, and Alain was a devilishly handsome young man. Alain's older brother, not as handsome as his younger sibling but still handsome in his own right, sat reading the paper as they all waited for their father, Sir Abraham. Sir Abraham came in with a happiness that was normally missing in the house when the cheerful man was gone. It was a wonder how a cheery, kind, happy man like him had children like his. But he came in the room happy as can be. Catharina rushed and hugged her adopted father as Alain ignored him and his brother, Edmin, looked up with a raised brow.

"Papa! Papa, welcome home! I missed you! Did you bring me a gift?" Catharina asked him as she jumped up and down, excited to see what he had. Sir Abraham always brought home gifts after being a while. Maybe he did it because he felt guilty for being away from home so much and for so long.

"Something better than the last I hope." Alain replied snarky, referring to Catharina. Alain's father ignored his comment except for a harsh look.

"Yes, yes. I have brought you children gifts!" Abraham laughed heartily. "What kind of father would I be if I didn't?"