Episode 3

"And my father?."

Eliana barely managed to conceal her grimace of revulsion upon hearing the mention of the man she detested most in this world.

"In his office, daughter. Do you want me to call him?"

~{What? … Of course not, screw that miserable bastard, may he go to hell, him, his wife, and his damn daughter}~

"No."

"Really?" "she asked, genuinely surprised. Avery had always yearned for the Archduke's recognition, seeking his attention like one begging for crumbs of affection."

"Very serious"the young woman replied firmly.

~{She must think I'm crazy, but the crazy one is the original Avery… she was a fool. Seeking attention and affection from a despicable being who does nothing but ignore her}~

"Mother, can we go to the garden for a walk? I need to breathe fresh air… please."

"Of course. Fania, could you prepare some snacks, please?"

"Right away, my lady"the maid replied before retreating with a bow.

Alone, Eliana sighed deeply. She was forbidden from setting foot in the garden. The Archduchess kept her confined inside the mansion, limited to her rooms and the hallways. But for Avery, she was willing to disobey any order. Her daughter's well-being was the most important thing.

But for Avery she is capable of breaking such orders. The well-being of her daughter is by far the most important thing.

Both stood up. The girl intertwined her arm with her mother's and they began to walk.

"What's wrong?" "she asked, noticing a slight tremor in Eliana's body". Are you okay? Are you cold?

"N... no. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Both got up and walked.

~{I think you're lying}~

They continued until they reached the enormous windows that overlooked the garden, the woman stopped her steps, stopping Avery at the same time.

"What's wrong?"Avery inquired, looking at her with concern.

"I… I…"she stammered, unable to take another step.

"It's okay. I'm with you."

Eliana fixed her gaze on her daughter's. In her violet eyes she found tenderness and courage. She felt a pang of pain in her chest: she should be the one protecting and comforting, not the other way around.

With a slight push, Avery encouraged her to move forward.

"Look at how beautiful those flowers are"

"she commented, in a soft tone that managed to persuade her."

Upon exiting to the garden, the sun caressed her face and a gentle breeze ruffled her hair. Tears welled up in her eyes. Eighteen years of confinement, mistreatment, and solitude. A tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered her parents, who had been taken from her.

When Eliana arrived at the mansion, pregnant, the Archduchess couldn't touch her. But after giving birth, her ordeal began. Punishments, humiliations, insults. One day, desperate, she wrote to her parents asking for help.

Two days later, they died. The official version said that bandits had attacked them. But Eliana knew the truth: they were poor, they had nothing worth stealing. The culprit was as clear as day.

Since then, no one would help her. She only had to resist, for the little girl with violet eyes and black hair. Her daughter. Her only reason to keep going.

"It's… it's beautiful"she whispered, observing the pale flower between her fingers.

Avery contemplated her in silence. She seemed like a child admiring the garden for the first time. In the original story, Eliana barely existed. A decorative character, without weight. But now, in front of her, she was real, fragile, alive.

The anger increased inside her upon thinking that her destiny would be to die at Agata's hands.

~{I won't allow it, I swear}~

Fania arrived with a simple tray: a couple of cookies and cake. Little, if one considered that it was the snack of the Archduke's eldest daughter.

"Mother, let's eat."

"Oh, what delicacies!"Eliana exclaimed with an emotion that chilled Avery's heart.

The answer was no. Kaenia, the Archduchess, made sure that she only received leftovers. A detail that the original Avery never knew.

They sat together to eat and converse. Eliana savored each bite as if it were a heavenly delicacy.

"This is glory…"

"It is indeed. Fania, would you like a piece of cake?"

"No, no, miss. I'm not allowed"she said with a shy smile and lowering her head.

"Oh no. Not at all"Avery said decisively. She served a piece on a plate and put it in front of her.

Eliana watched her amused. This new facet of her daughter delighted her. She was no longer the submissive girl from before. Now she was decisive, sweet, alive.

"Take it, Fania. You deserve it. Watching us eat must be torture. Sit here"she indicated, patting the chair next to her.

The young maiden, blushing, accepted. —Okay… although if we're seen, I'll be in trouble.

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."

They laughed. They ate. The atmosphere was warm, almost magical. But the calm was interrupted by the arrival of a blonde woman, tall, with an arrogant posture and arrogant eyes. Kaenia.

"Dear Avery! I have heard about your unfortunate accident. Are you feeling well now?" "she said with a fake smile, her eyes analyzing every detail with contained rage."

"Of course, madam. I am very well. Accompanied by my beloved mother"she said, looking at Eliana, who kept her eyes fixed on the plate, trembling slightly.

~{How much damage have they done to her to make her react this way?}~

"I see… How long has it been since you set foot in the garden, Eliana?" "she asked with venom in her voice."

Katerina was no longer the same. She would no longer kneel before that woman. She took her mother's hand and continued to talk to her, completely ignoring the Archduchess.

Kaenia tried to ask more questions, but only received silence. The indifference was a hard blow. No one had ever treated her like that. She was admired, feared, respected.

The nobles competed for a greeting from her. But this girl… this new Avery… was ignoring her.

Reddened by fury, Kaenia turned around and left. She didn't understand the change. Before, the girl obeyed her even when she insulted her mother. Now, she was another person.

It didn't matter. She would do what it took to make Avery return to being the same as always: submissive, obedient, and without dignity.

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