“Why have you returned, my dearest sister?”

Venus was prepared to run at that very moment - to run and never look back. This plan of hers is not worth risking everything over, after all. However, as she looked around looking for possible escape routes, she noticed a single gleam from a window about a mile away and regained her composure.

“There’s no escaping, is there?” she asked.

“No. I never intended to let you escape again. Please, take a seat.”

Venus obeyed, not wanting to risk her life any more than she already is.

“That was quite infuriating, you know? That flare you let out on the night of the Opening Ceremony would have been disastrous had it not been for my quick thinking. The empire is already on hot enough waters as it is - any sign of weakness will be pounced on by the other great powers faster than even light.”

“So, what do you want from me then?”

“What I want from you has not changed in the slightest in your absence, Athena. So you can either accept that offer I made years ago, or die here. Father would not be so kind as to let you back in after such display of ingratitude. I, however, am not father. I am willing to forgive you for your transgressions and welcome you back to our family. So accept my offer, dearest sister, and I will make sure you will lead a happy life.”

“There’s no ‘life’ waiting for me in this hell, Charles. I already know what life awaits me if I take you up on your deal, and I’d rather die before I let that happen.”

“Does your life hold no value for you, sister? That you would throw you away on a whim?”

“No, Charles. It’s because I value my life that I will forever refuse your deal.”

“THEN YOU ARE FOOLISH!” he said, slamming his fist in anger against the desk. “YOU ARE AS FOOLISH AS MOTHER!”

“I see that you haven’t changed, Charles.” She stood up from her chair, glanced a look at him, then began to walk out.

“You will die if you cross that door,” Charles said in a more somber tone.

Venus took a deep breath, as if trying her best to remain cold and calm, before finally replying. “I doubt it. You can’t marry a corpse, after all.” She then closed the door, and left the building in silence.

***

It was an exhausting day for Venus Marigold. She felt weak as she entered her room, slowly trudging through the wide living area until she reached her bed where, upon reaching it, she instantly collapsed into a sobbing mess.

Tears ran down her eyes uncontrollably, her breathing noticeably shortened and gradually became more labored, and she can feel the entirety of her body going numb as she just kept on crying for what seemed like hours. It all came to an end, though, as she heard a singular ping from her HLD. It was a message from Louis. A message from Louis that read:

Hey, you seemed kinda down earlier. Everything okay?

It was a short message and, if she knows him right - which is highly likely - then he took hours composing it and more mustering up the courage to send it. And although the tears did not stop falling from her eyes, she smiled a gentle smile, knowing that there’s at least one person in this world that truly cares for her.

‘I’m fine,’ she replied. ‘Thank you.’

She knows that Louis has seen her message, although it’ll likely take her a couple more hours before she gets a reply, so she decided to send a quick follow up.

‘Hey, would you like to go somewhere tomorrow?’ she asked.

Although she can’t see or hear him do anything on the other side of the screen, she knows that his heart likely skipped a beat as he read her message.

The tears have now stopped, and though she knows she probably won’t get a reply until a few more minutes or even an hour, it will come and she will wait for it, no matter how long it takes, for it is the one respite she can partake in in this stormy seas.