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"The Church had always been Kalypso's safe haven. After her father died, the church took her in and following her late father's will turned her over to the Valentine Duchy." — Chapter Two, The Lovable Villainess.

...

Eden had a very soft touch. His fingers touched the expanse of my back, "Does it hurt?"

Everyone had started to ask me that question. It didn't. Nothing really hurt. I wondered if this hollowness trailed inside me in the book, The Lovabless Villainess. I wondered if there was desperation inside of my heart that pounded so furiously that I felt as though I would be asphyxiated.

"It doesn't," I explained softly, "It doesn't at all."

Eden smiled as if my words were ones he wanted to hear. I didn't look up at the others in the room. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see their faces twisted in pity or perhaps sneering down at me. There was a warm glow, the familiar hum of magic, I felt it pulsating around me. The Church was fine-tuned in healing magic which was why Kalypso had managed to escape her father's carriage accident without any scars.

Yet, she was haunted. I remembered the scene where the Archmage gently kissed her hand. Her flawless skin. There was never any remark on my skin. There wasn't anyone saying anything along those lines of whether I was anything but beautiful. The novel never focused on me or what I wanted; rather it was only a novel for Kalypso.

"It's done," Eden said patting me on the head and reaching into his pocket to pull something out. He plopped something bright into my hand.

"Candy. I'll unwrap it for you. Is that alright?" Cain explained as he picked it up from me to unwrap it. "Ah," he said and I blinked.

"Have you eaten?" Mina inquired.

When was the last time I ate? "Last week," I answered back, "I can have candy though."

I eagerly opened my mouth giving him permission. Cain let me eat it by tossing it in. It tasted sweet like a fruit that I had never tasted before. Mina frowned as she jabbed Aramus in the ribs and he scowled, rubbing his side.

"Your payment will be given by the butler," Aramus answered.

"Would you mind escorting me?" Eden asked, offering a hand to Mina.

Aramus scowled, "I mind."

Mina shoved him aside, "I would love to do so, Eden. Let me see you out." She gave a slight smile to the priest who lit up. I glanced at Cain and I ushered him down.

He bent down and I whispered in his ear, "It tastes good."

"We'll eat a lot. Can I pick you up?" He inquired. He constantly asked for permission to do things. I gave a nod and he picked me up.

Aramus was staring at the doorway where Mina had left him with the Priest. I wondered what their relationship was. I glanced back at Cain and then back at Aramus. Cain was his son but from the way that Mina talked it didn't seem as though that was his mother. I didn't want to pry.

"Father, did you prepare lunch?" Cain inquired. I leaned against him, shifting ever so slightly as I rolled the candy in my mouth. It tasted good. I hadn't had anything sweet in a while. My old life felt so hazy. I was far more acclimated to this body, this past, this life.

"You should bring her back," I stated, "Mina. I want to eat with her too."

Aramus turned around. The scowl that had been set upon his face had vanished and now he looked rather elated at my new idea, "You're so smart," he said as he lifted his hand to pat my hair. I felt myself stiffen ever so slightly. His hand seemed so large in comparison to mine. If he hit me with all the rage that had been festering in his body would it hurt?

Would I finally be able to feel pain?

Cain shifted me away, turning away as Aramus blinked, "You should ask for her consent. That's what Mina said."

The older red-haired male laughed. The scowl vanished as he waited, "May I pat you on the head, Ceasaria?" He inquired.

"Yeah," I answered. It felt nice—to be asked. The autonomy that had been stolen from me. I felt as though Cain was trying to give it back to me, slowly but surely, and place it back in my arms. I hadn't ever felt it before. The ability to dictate what others did to me because I didn't want it. I had simply accepted it beforehand. The idea that I was allowed to detest it or even reject it had never crossed my mind.

Aramus patted me on the head, "Sorry for starving you, Ceasaria." He kept saying my name. It wasn't filled with malice or dislike. I hadn't ever heard anyone calling my name like that. I didn't even remember my mother saying my name with such fondness.

Would this leave?

Would Kalypso rightfully take all of this that was hers? But why was it hers? Why couldn't it be mine? That covetous feeling felt disgusting. These were people. They weren't simply ways for me to address my trauma. They were people.

"Then, let's go," Cain said and after I nodded, he started walking.

The candy was melting in my mouth, "Can I ask you a question?" I inquired.

"Yes," Cain answered.

"Did the Duchess pass away?"

Cain nodded, "I have never met my mother. Just like you."

I paused, "Me? I knew my mother though..." The way that her fingers dug into my arm. How she tossed a satchel of whiskey at my feet. I remembered how the woman who gave birth to me slammed me against the mirror to cause fractals to shatter upon the ground as I writhed in pain. I remembered the way I longed for her touch whether it be abrasive or not—

"You didn't. Father said that person wasn't even human." Cain shook his head, "You didn't have a mother, like me."

"Are you trying to say we're alike?"

"I've heard that's a good way to build a friendship," Cain answered. "I read about it and I thought about the similarities between us. Do you dislike it?" He seemed somewhat hurt, worried almost. I hadn't expected him to have this type of reaction. Oddly enough, I felt a type of kinship with him. Two people that were forsaken in the story that I had read. Two people that would both die.

"Our hair color is similar," I answered back. I felt myself blush ever so slightly, somewhat chagrined by the words that left my lips, "I don't dislike it."

He smiled, brightly. His face lighting up.