"She is my sister!" Someone's voice cut into the room. "Let me in!"
There was a groan and the sound of someone stumbling in.
Belladonna held her head, blinking as Aniya barged in, with Arlo placed against her chest, one hand on his back to hold him in place.
"You are awake! You are fine." She heaved a sigh of relief and Belladonna frowned, standing up to her feet, fighting against the swaying floor to hold her ground. She could feel the headache banging in her head when she stood up and she pressed her hand against her forehead to find it wrapped in a bandage.
What happened?
The guard rushed in, apologizing to Belladonna, as they attempted to drag Aniya back outside but Belladonna stopped them.
"I told you I was her sister." She mumbled to the guards who were left with no choice but to leave the room. Then she walked closer to Belladonna who was standing by the side of the bed.
"I was so scared when I found out what happened. I was--" she paused, sniffling. "Lytio deserves whatever punishment it is that the Dragon King will give you him. This is just cruelty."
He did not have his way with her.
She remembered that clearly.
General Anok had rescued her before he would even do that.
That reminded her
Where was Anok?
Why were the guards at her door different?
"Death will not be enough."
Belladonna frowned and started heading to the door but Aniya stood in her way.
"You should rest. I will take care of you." Then she smiled, that gentle smile that was usually filled with innocence and kindness. "Little Arlo was really worried about his Aunt."
That shifted her attention to Arlo, it was the first time she was paying him any real attention after Aniya had barged in. She brushed her hand over his soft hair, taking note of the blue shirt his mother had worn for him.
That was her gift to him.
It looked good.
"You should make him pay for what he did to you. Don't be merciful to him because he is my husband, even I understand your need to punish him. How can one stab one's host in the back like that, his own family? " She hissed. "Even if he has to pay with his life, I will understand."
Belladonna remembered everything and she was angry.
She felt like ripping him into shreds and yanking his bones out for what he did to her.
His sick idea and his obsession with the thought that he could just take her and everything would be alright.
His desperation to get things done even when she clearly did not consent to it.
It filled her with disgust and hatred for him.
Not even after she had caught him with her sister did she hate him this much.
But her hatred for him wasn't complete and she couldn't help but think back to the words he had said while he was attacking her.
Something about taking responsibility even when one wasn't guilty.
Belladonna frowned, staring at Aniya as she took into account her weeping state. She didn't seem as distraught about her husband's situation as she was trying her best to appear.
What could be the reason why she was so comfortable with the idea?
One part of her believed that it was because Lytio had become violent to her, abusive, but some words flashed back to her slowly that made her see things differently.
So differently, she could have never expected it.
The words he had said in the ballroom.
"If you look from this direction, we almost look like brothers."
Aniya had told him not to say that, that people would misinterpret and he had responded with, "Misinterpret it to mean what? I'm just saying my son and I look so alike, we almost look like brothers."
What about the words he had said when he had attacked her in the bathroom?
"I thought if she had a child, it would be mine."
Belladonna gulped, looking at Arlo differently, her eyes sharp with observation, before her gaze moved to Aniya who's good innocently in front of her, her eyes able to convince anyone of any cause she was fighting for.
"You want me to kill your husband for you." She whispered, taking in the information slowly, like she, herself was just realizing this as she spoke of it.
Aniya blinked, a shadow of a smile playing on her lips, her eyes wide with nativity.
"What?" Her voice was quiet.
"You want me to get rid of him for you." Belladonna's voice was firm this time, almost certain of what she was saying.
Aniya let out a shocked gasp.
"I would never."
Belladonna's gaze moved between Arlo and Aniya. "That child isn't his, is he?"
She shook her head, her brows almost knitting into a line. "Don't believe Lytio's blabber. He jokes too much. I have told him people will misinterpret it several times but he just won't list---"
"It is the truth though, that Arlo isn't his son."
Her stance became defensive.
"Why? because I gave birth to him earlier than many children would be given birth to?" She patted her baby's back. "Arlo is just a special boy. There is nothing wrong with the process. You are overthinking it, Elder sister."
"It's been six months." Belladonna frowned, trying hard to remember and be sure of what she was saying. The memory felt a little distant but she was certain of it. "You've been pregnant and you have conceived a healthy child between those six months."
The smile disappeared from her face, only to reappear in seconds.
"And who would be his father if not Lytio? He is the only man I have ever been with. You saw it."
"That is a lie. You have been with his father too."
That was a wild guess but to see how her sister's eyes had welled up with tears to confirm it, made it seem like the floor had shifted underneath her feet.