Spin-off - Angela

I had always thought the world was beautiful and warm, even on days were it never seemed like the rain would stop. In those days, we would cuddle on one bed, mother, Isabelle and me.

I'd always be in the middle. In an embrace that was so big and warm… and safe.

Innocence is only something a child could have because the longer you spend alive, the more you lose it.

I acknowledged that when my mother died. Not when she fell sick. Not when blood piled on her pillow. When her body was lowered into a deep frightening hole, I realised.

Nothing lasts forever.

That day we lost our mother and our freedom.

"We… are slaves?" I remember my words clearer than day. I had seen nothing but a bleak future. If Isabelle hadn't been by my side, I might've given up completely.

"Only temporarily. The duchess promised to help us," Isabelle told me.

I was innocent enough to believe her back then. The duchess did not care. She made no such promise. But Isabelle worked hard; she did my work when I was too slow or unbothered. She made sure I was fed and well-rested.

She even took the lectures that I was meant to endure.

I owed a lot to her.

But I hadn't truly realised it back then.

Growing up, I noticed the strange stares I got from men. I had also seen how the same men would steer clear of me eventually, especially when Isabelle was next to me.

I would laugh at the sight of, knowing full well she must've told Cain or the duchess and had them reprimanded.

"Cain should leave you alone with how busy you are. If he truly had any mind, he wouldn't bother you," I complained one day, unable to hate how he stole the time I could spend with Isabelle. It was so short already, and I had begun to feel the dregs of loneliness.

"Don't be so loud, Angela. He's the next duke, so we should treat him nicely," Isabelle would scold me.

"I don't want him to be duke! He's probably trying to marry you".

"Don't be silly, Angela. I'm much older than him" she laughed my words off, never acknowledging that she wasn't just older than but an enslaved person. But back then, she didn't mention it much, probably so I wouldn't think of it.

"I doubt he'd care. He threatened to fire me the other day if I kept "acting" ill! He thought I was acting it to keep you away from him!" I had held the usual childish animosity of jealousy towards him.

Isabelle would sigh and ruffle my hair.

"Just a bit longer", she would murmur to herself quietly.

When the duchess died, things changed so drastically that I barely adapted. Isabelle was now always busy, scarcely free. She would be arm deep in work at every moment.

I had seen the broken Cain who kept calling for her and how coldly she treated him.

"Why are you ignoring him?" I had asked a question I never thought I would ever.

"It's for the best. Nobody's going to look out for us anymore, Angela, so please don't make this harder than it already is" her eyes were cold. Colder than I had ever been familiar with.

That was when I decided to live my own life. I ran off to whatever corner would be quiet and still, away from the shouts of kitchen workers.

That was how I met Alex.

He was a stable boy. He hadn't spoken much when I first sat behind the pile of hay. I thought he hadn't cared. It would be later that I realised he hadn't even known I was there, watching him and playing with the stray cats.

But when he noticed me, he would bring sweets and cake each time he came. He wouldn't chat, but he'd place them in my seat.

It was weeks before we finally spoke.

Months before we shared our first kiss.

He was my solace in the cold reality I lived, and he promised me dreams I could never live.

"I'm going to save my money to buy you", he declared.

"That's half a lifetime from now" I would laugh and push him away.

"Then you'll have to be a wrinkly bride", he would joke.

But I knew it pained him that we couldn't proudly be together. His parents would deny me and the duke wouldn't allow it.

That day when Cain called me in, eyes full of calculating plans, was one I both hated and loved. The beginning of my end. The beginning of the life I dreamed of.

Had I known it was at the cost of my sister's freedom, would I have continued?

I stared at the beautiful head of strawberry blonde—the big green eyes that roamed the room curiously. A thumb absently in their mouth as drool escaped their lips.

"How much spit can this child produce?" Cain asked in a curiosity that looked borderline concerned.

I laughed at his question.

"Why not take him for a night and find out?" I was half-joking. I needed sleep.

"Oh, then we can try making another one", Alex laughed, arms teasingly wrapping around me while Cain looked away.

"There are people in this room!" He cleared his throat, eyes glancing towards Isabelle, sleeping in the love seat. It was apparent where his thoughts were.

"So when do you plan to see a little one?" I tease him, enjoying the unfamiliar redness of his cheeks.

Isabelle snorted, clearly awake, as she lifted an eyelid.

"Stop hounding him. He won't let me catch a break," she groaned, and I raised my brows suggestively.

"Oh… how indecent", I laughed.

Adrian had begun latching onto the sofa to support his frail body, hand reaching for Cain's leg, which he grabbed unsteadily.

Cain reached down and plucked him, holding him awkwardly as he looked at his wife with an expression that was burned into my retinas. I could barely contain my shrieks when he held Adrian to himself and said.

"Don't I look like I could be a great father?" He had a pout on his lips. Isabelle laughed and reached over to pinch his cheek.

"Stop that. Otherwise, I might take Adrian back with us to keep you quiet," she warned.

"Please do", Alex spoke up, "we can just make him a sibling to keep ourselves busy".

"Alex", I warned, unable to help a smile as I stared at his warm face.

"Oh no," Cain sighed, "they just won't stop".

"Leave them be", Isabelle chuckled, sitting next to Cain, playing peek a boo with Adrian.

"A goo~"

"Oh, he's soo cute! He looks like Angela," Isabelle squealed.

"I suppose he is cute… but I think a baby with those freckles you have would look much cuter" Cain couldn't help himself.

"That's my baby your talking about", I called over at them. Cain ignored me.

"And your eyes", Isabelle added.

"No, your eyes", Cain protested.

"Your"-

"Please go home already!" Alex laughed.

I had to say we were sick of hearing them describe their perfect child already. They had been at it before, during and right after their wedding.

Cain just laughed haughtily.

"Looks like someone's jealous I've stolen their sister", he smirked.

"You're pushing your luck, young duke".