The following episode is a work of fiction. It explores potentially controversial themes such as Domestic Abuse. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Reader discretion is advised.

Solitary Lady

Chapter 9

Her brother Ricardo was supposed to have this Power. It was only natural for her to be hated because she had taken it away from him. However, she felt her heart sink whenever she was given cold glances.

Diego summoned her several times to yell at her, and Ricardo would look at her as sharply as if she were a splinter in his finger. As for Gabrielle, she began to bully Hillis much more harshly. She thought Hillis was stealing her father’s and brother’s attention away from her. It was not easy to find a way to transfer her Power over to Ricardo.

The longer they were left without a solution, the more anxious Diego and Ricardo grew. What was worse was that the news must have leaked somewhere, seeing as Parvenon began asking questions about Inoaden’s new heir.

Diego was the first to lose his patience. In the end, he made a false announcement about Ricardo’s awakening of the Power and made Hillis his shadow. Hillis was only allowed out of the walls of Inoaden when the family had to show the Power to the public. Even when she did, she had to hide herself so that no one would notice her. Whenever Hillis failed to present her Power to Diego’s satisfaction, he would punish her.

Smack!

“Ah...!”

Hillis was hit with a slap on her cheek as soon as she entered her room. She collapsed to the floor, and a sharp voice came from above her.

“What were you thinking? Losing your Power during the show? How can you still not control it after all this time?”

She tasted blood in her mouth from the slap. Diego beat her quite often now. He usually ordered the maids to whip her, but sometimes, he would lose his temper and take it out on her himself.

“Do you know how many people laughed at him? Do you not care about embarrassing Ricardo in front of everyone? You useless imbecile!”

Hillis braced herself, terrified of receiving another slap from Diego, and hurriedly apologized.

“I-I am sorry. I tried to focus, but I suddenly felt so dizzy. I could not stand properly...”

“Enough with your excuses!”

Every autumn, a harvest festival was hosted by the four prestigious houses. This year, Inoaden was to be the main host. The Power was to be used to announce the beginning of the festival, but Hillis had failed to do so, and Ricardo had been humiliated for it.

“Father, Hillis knows that she has done wrong. I think this is enough.”

Ricardo, who had been standing quietly behind him, tried to stop him.

“Ricardo, do you not see that she keeps making mistakes because you let her off easy and spoil her all the time?”

Hillis looked up at him with teary eyes.

Ricardo was watching her coldly as usual, but Hillis felt grateful toward him for taking her side when he had been humiliated because of her.

“Do not give her a single drop of water until I give my permission.”

Her father eventually stopped his scolding and coldly left the room. Ricardo followed behind him without uttering a word.

Since then, Hillis trained her Power by herself. She had to practice alone every day since Diego did not teach her anything.

I have to work hard so that Ricardo will not be humiliated again.

After some time, Hillis became quite adept at using her Power. On the other hand, Ricardo’s hostile looks began to stab her like a needle. He never used any physical violence on her like Diego, though. He only sometimes watched Hillis as if looking at a thief who had taken something of his.

“Oh, I cannot stand it. I feel suffocated whenever I come home. It’s so gloomy here,” Gabrielle grumbled about the somber atmosphere inside their home. “Hillis, can’t you try to stay inside your room? Father and Ricardo get upset whenever they see you, and that makes me feel anxious.”

“Oh... Right. I shall do as you say. I am sorry.”

Hillis grew more and more intimidated and exhausted as her family continued to give her the cold shoulder. Then one day, Ricardo arrived home late drunk for the first time.

“Ricardo, you’re home quite late.”

Hillis had been waiting alone late into the night, worrying about her brother since she realized he was not back yet. It was the first time he had been out so late, and he reeked of alcohol. He had always been hard on himself when it came to rules and discipline.

He glanced at Hillis with his usual cold eyes and turned to walk away without a reply. Hillis hesitated for a moment and went after him.

“Ricardo... Don’t worry.”

She knew what Ricardo was troubled by these days, so she wanted to comfort him and help him ease his mind.

“Father is looking for a way to give my Power back to you, so I’m sure things will be all right soon.”

Furthermore, she wanted to explain how she felt so that he would not misunderstand her.

“Ricardo... I have never wanted this. You know that, right? This was supposed to be yours.”

Hillis had truly never wanted this Power. She grew up believing that the heir of Inoaden was naturally going to be Ricardo, and she still believed it in the present. She did not want Ricardo to misunderstand her intentions and despise her for it.

Just then, Ricardo stopped in his tracks. He turned around to face her and gave her an icy glare.

“Right... You never wanted it, but the Power that should have been mine chose you instead. And I have just become the fool.”

Hillis could only take a sharp breath at his words.

“Were you waiting for me just to tell me that?”

“N-no, that is not—”

“Are you joking? You’re mocking me now, aren’t you? I did not think you were capable of doing such a thing.”

She had not imagined that he would take her words in such a way, so she was at a loss for what to do. Hillis hastily began to explain herself.

“I’m sorry. I did not mean it like that. I was just hoping you would feel less anxious...”

“Get lost. I do not wish to see your face.”

“Ricardo...”

“Move.”

Ricardo pushed Hillis away as she hurriedly followed after him. He was only trying to push her slightly, but he could not control his strength in his drunken state.

Wham!

“Ah!”

Hillis lost her balance when she was pushed back roughly by Ricardo’s arm. Unfortunately, they had been talking at the edge of the stairs on the second floor.

Ricardo spotted Hillis wobbling backward dangerously. His instincts kicked in and he reached a hand out toward her. Hillis also unconsciously reached out toward him. Fortunately, their hands met, and then... Hillis’ hand, which for a split second had been gripped tightly around Ricardo’s, slipped. Her body began to lean backward again, and her eyes slowly widened. The warmth in her palm disappeared in an instant, leaving behind an icy cold absence. Ricardo’s hand, which had been holding hers a moment ago, was frozen in mid-air. Ricardo stood still like a statue, just watching Hillis tumble down the stairs with a stiff face.

Why...?

Hillis thought to herself while she was falling. Was it because it had been such a sudden accident? Or was it because she still did not understand what situation she was in? Or... Was it because she had believed that Ricardo would help her? Her Power did not protect her when she was in such danger.

Thud!

When the moment passed after what seemed like an eternity, deep red blood splattered everywhere. Hillis hit her head on the edge of the stairs and tumbled down helplessly. She felt an agonizing pain, like every bone in her body was breaking and her limbs were being twisted. She could not even let out a scream.

At last, Hillis toppled down to the first floor, sprawled out like a puppet with its strings cut away. A puddle of dark red blood began to spread from her head. Ricardo stood at the top of the stairs, watching her silently as her body twitched. That was the last thing she could remember from this life.