She Was Scared

The word 'pregnant' echoed loudly in Arya's ears, prompting her to burst into sarcastic laughter. "Aunt, you always have jokes, but this one is a bit too much," she chuckled.

Her laughter was boisterous, reflecting her amusement at Michelle's words. However, as she observed the seriousness in her aunt's expression, Arya realized that this was no laughing matter.

Michelle let out a soft sigh. "Arya, I'm not joking; you are pregnant with twins," she muttered.

Arya inched closer to her aunt, her jaw dropping in disbelief. Slowly reaching for her stomach, she muttered, "I don't understand... you mean..."

"Yes, Arya, you had a vision of yourself," her aunt interjected.

"But... the old woman called her De-Demonika and said she was the child of prophecy. I'm Arya, not a seer. Why am I the one pregnant?" Arya's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

Michelle smiled reassuringly as she embraced Arya. "You'll be okay, Arya," she murmured, closing her eyes.

“Is that all you have to say? That'll be fine? Are you being serious right now?" Arya exclaimed, moving away from the bed. "All my life, I've been confined to this house. I have no idea what the outside world looks like because my entire existence revolves around this structure and not the world beyond. I feel like a prisoner in my own father's house!" She expressed with a heavy heart.

"We're doing all this to protect you, Arya," Michelle responded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Arya shook her head sadly. "Aunt Michelle, you're my closest friends. You taught me how to read and write, and you educated me on reproduction. So why are you deceiving me?" Her eyes flashed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Lied to you? How?" Michelle's brows furrowed in confusion.

"How can I possibly conceive without any male intimacy? Your explanation doesn't make sense," Arya retorted, spreading her arms.

Michelle sighed, with her shoulder dropping. "Arya, there are many mysteries surrounding your birth, but remember this: you are not ordinary, you are unique," Michelle murmured before leaving the room.

"You're keeping something from me, aren't you?" Arya's voice stopped Michelle in her tracks.

"Just for your own well-being, Arya. Don't delve too deeply into the truth; it may only cause you pain," Michelle softly advised. "And please, don't arouse suspicion from your stepmother or stepsister; they are eager to remove you from this house. Be cautious." With that, she exited the room.

Arya paced restlessly in her small room, feeling overwhelmed by the realization that she was pregnant with two babies. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease about her connection to Demonika and why she was the one carrying the babies instead of her.

After a few minutes, Arya's step sister Peggy entered the room, and saw Arya lost in thought. “Arya, my mother wants to see you.” She yelled out to her.

 Arya, lost in her thoughts, was startled by Peggy's loud voice calling her name.

"I heard you, Peggy," Arya replied, trying to cover up her distraction by nervously scratching her head.

Peggy noticed Arya's edginess, “Are you okay?” She asked, her  gaze fixed on Arya.

 Arya nodded her head, "I'm fine," she muttered with a little smile.

"Okay, don't keep my mother waiting." With that, Peggy exits the room.

Arya's face screwed up in confusion the moment Peggy left her room. 

‘Why the sudden change of attitude?’ Arya thought.

"Arya, don't be fooled by the act. They all hate you," she muttered to herself before exiting her room to go meet her stepmother.

She descended the stairs at a leisurely pace, her mind racing with various thoughts. She pondered what the day held in store for her in this household and how she would endure her father's hurtful words, blaming her for her mother's death and considering her a family curse.

Arya made her way downstairs and found the family gathered around the breakfast table. She approached and prepared to take a seat.

"What do you think you're doing?" Her father's voice boomed, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Mo-mo as-ask me to come down," she stammered nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her nightgown.

"Which mother are you referring to? The one you supposedly killed, or my mother?" Peggy taunted, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Arya was taken aback by Peggy's words, surprised to hear such harsh accusations from her instead of her father. "Peggy, I won't tolerate your insults," she retorted, her voice firm.

“Peggy, don't speak to your older sister in that manner," Michelle reprimanded Peggy promptly.

"Peggy was telling the truth. Arya did kill her mother, a fact known to everyone in this house. So why scold Peggy as if she made a false accusation?" Mara defended her daughter, rolling her eyes and speaking with disdain in her voice.

Arya's heart felt like it was being stabbed with a sharp knife. It was shattered like a piece of ice. Despite trying to become accustomed to the hurtful words thrown at her, her heart continued to ache.

Her father glared at her with hostility, devoid of any love in his eyes. He stood silently as Mara and her daughter hurled insults at Arya, who was sobbing uncontrollably, without making any effort to intervene.

"Arya, go to your room; I will bring you breakfast shortly," Michelle said calmly.

Without hesitation, Arya ran to her room in tears. She collapsed on her bed, not mindful of the babies growing inside her. "Ugh!" she cried out in pain, her heart aching intensely. The pain had become too much to bear.

Michelle quickly followed Arya, entering her room without knocking. "Arya, come on, stop crying," she urged, rushing to her and embracing her warmly.

"I feel like I am cursed," Arya sobbed, clinging tightly to Michelle.

"Do not say that, Arya. You are not cursed; you are a blessing to the family," Michelle scolded gently, a smile on her face.

“Lies!! My father despises me so much that just my presence alone disgusts him to the core. Fathers are supposed to bond with their children, love them, and protect them. But mine chooses to cast me aside and continually accuse me of something I have no knowledge of," Arya shouted, her sobs intensifying as she leaned on Michelle's shoulder, the pain of her father's animosity piercing her heart.

"Your father cares----"

"Stop with the falsehoods, Aunt Michelle. Can't you see the hatred in his eyes? It's palpable. I often envy Peggy. She receives all his love and attention while I am left with none," Arya cried out, pulling away from the embrace.

"Do you want to accompany me to the palace for the new king's coronation?" Michelle suggested, hoping to shift the conversation and lift Arya's spirits.

Arya nodded silently. "But Father won't allow me," she whispered forlornly.

"Unless you ask for his permission," Michelle suggested with a hint of sarcasm.

Arya shook her head. "It's pointless anyway, as he's taking his favorite daughter, Peggy, with him," she said with a sad chuckle.

“Then, I'm sneaking you out to the palace," Michelle revealed.

Arya's eyes widened in surprise. "What if we get caught again? Remember the last time you tried? I was the one who suffered the consequences. He punished me by withholding food for four days, only allowing water."

"Don't worry, I'll take responsibility if we're caught," Michelle reassured her.

"But I'm still afraid," Arya admitted honestly.

"Trust me, I've got everything under control. I'll be back by noon, but for now, let me get you your breakfast." With that, Michelle left the room.