Chapter Twenty Three

Mary describes herself as an ingenious, intelligent, and intellectual girl. The child contains a mind like no other. At the age of five, she was reading books and scrolls that had surpassed her sisters. Her mother picked up on it and, she will encourage her to read whenever she has the chance. Mariaisabella would even read for the little bookworm every night. And with her intelligence came her sense of rebellion.

Mary knows about how her destiny was already determined. She will be married off to a much older man and will give birth to his children without a say. However, she never wanted that.

Mary is fascinated with the marks, more specifically, the enchantress herself. She would sneak into the castle's library and plunge deep into books about the marks. However, learning such things is for men, and Mary is not a man.

Her father, Stronzo, believes that all women should only contain enough knowledge to cook and clean. That way, they can be married off to potential business partners. To him, his first and second daughters were already disappointments, so he had one more chance with Mary.

But her ambitions were in the way. The man was getting impatient and demanded that she be married off as soon as possible. Mary was reading when she overheard the staff. They were talking about her accompanying her sisters to the seasonal ball.

This petrified the young girl. Mary knew that her destiny is more than being an object for a man she doesn't love. She was now desperate to find an escape from the weight her father had put on her. So with no other option, the bookworm ran away.

Unfortunately for her, she was immediately found. She was an unescorted girl with a bright mauve dress. Mary stuck out like a sore thumb. Stronzo was alerted by the enforcements about his youngest daughter. Imagine his shock when he got word that his third daughter was arrested for stealing a book.

Stronzo stormed in with a plea that she does not get executed. The book store owner was given a hefty favor and Mary was spared. But her reign of terror was only beginning.

Mary would never forget that day. Stronzo took her to his office and did unspeakable things to her. Cuts, scratches, and bruises littered her body like spots on a dalmatian. The sick torments that her father spat at her were pure saline onto her skin.

The man's cowardice was exposed to Mary like buboes onto his skin. Mary knew that they will not be staying in the castle for that long. The last night in the castle, Mariaisabella crawled into her room to comfort her. It had been a few days since her beating. But her mother Mariaisabella has fresh bruises.

Mary slept soundlessly to the words about the enchantress. And when they stayed in her father's loft, she was happy that Mariaisabella had been planning their escape. And when they all left for their new future, Mary made a promise to herself.

𝕊𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕖𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖.

Dread fills the little bookworm as they ride into the town. All five of them have been travelling for two nights. They have taken breaks and even took refuge from a sympathetic family. The townspeople walk around the carriage without a second glance.

But they don't realize that they will be risking their lives to save their family. Mary sits across from Emeren. His gaze is distant and the artist is a husk of his colourful personality. Mary crawls across the carriage floor and sits beside him.

In an attempt to give him comfort, she holds his charcoal-covered fingers.

"We will rescue them, Emeren. I promise that we will get there in time," Mary reassures. The confidence in her voice breaks the man. Once he releases the first sob, he cannot stop. Fluid rushes out of his nostrils as tears flow freely from his face.

The artist leans his head on Mary's shoulder as he falls apart. As Mary continues giving the man comfort, her gaze lowers to his lap. There she sees a deep, dark display of Maria surrounded by black.

This is when Mary knows that Emery NEEDS Mary to be by her side; the same can be said about Maria.

The carriage slowly stops and Mary looks up. The bookworm moves from her position to look outside, and she is satisfied by the sight.

Mary marvels at the marble mansion. Emerenziano ties the horses as the rest walk up to the entrance. One of the staff notices them and goes to alert the owner. Mary silently hopes that this works. This is because the man is almost as powerful as Strozo and can easily kill them all.

Mary immediately bows in front of the owner of the mansion. Maestro Salvatore stands up at the top of the mansion's steps. His steps are calculated and slow. Every click from his shoes brings fear to the bookworm. That is until he speaks.

"I told you that the next time you come here, that I will kill your father," Maestro's regal voice accompanies the threat. Mary stands up straight and looks up at the aristocratic man.

"That Is why I have come here. That fool took my sisters and my mother," Mary stops talking to wipe her tears. Talking about it makes her sad. But she musters enough strength to continue.

"You were the only person to sympathize with my mother, sir. She trusted you to get rid of him. I have these men that will save her and kill Stronzo. All you have to do is smuggle us inside," Mary's proposition hangs in the air. Stronzo's business partner raises an eyebrow as his mind works.

"Your mother knew about your extraordinary mind. But she didn't tell me about your naivety. But, that wet disgrace took my head maid's only daughter. So I will help you. But first, get clean. You all smell putrid," Maestro announces. Mary and the Stanzolio get some clothes and rush into the mansion. Their excitement is evident.

But it won't last long.