45

Delphina was just sobbing while enduring the feelings of shame and the pain rapidly washing over her. "Why did you do this to me?" she muttered with difficulty.

"Swallow them before I lose my temper," Aaronio warned.

With a sniffle, she downed both pills and rose to her feet after feeling that most of the pain was gone. 

"Retribution isn't far from you," she said with bitterness and slowly began taking shaky steps to the door.

But in seconds, her stepbrother was already before her.

He grabbed her by the throat. "What did you say?"

She grabbed his hand, desperately wanting him to let go as she was running out of air.

He did as she wanted; he let go.

But it was too early to feel relief. Without a heads-up, he started attacking Delphina, landing precise and brutal blows. Delphina screamed in pain, pleading for mercy, but Aaronio simply chuckled with his eyes filled with cruel enjoyment.

In the end, he came to a halt, leaving Delphina on the floor broken and battered. 

"You've pissed me off. For that, you will be going to the forest, Delphina. If you survive, you must. I repeat! You must return with the fruit, or I will ensure you are never allowed back into this kingdom. I will declare you a wanted criminal. You will be killed on sight by any other paranormal being who sees you. Of course, they could have fun with your body before you depart for the fun ride to hell," He said with spite.

Delphina was aware it was unwise to oppose Aaronio; she nodded silently, aware that she was left with no option. 

"Now, return to my sister's chambers."

She got up, clenching her teeth, and started limping, heading for the door.

Only for a hand to pull her back to receive a punch in the jaw, causing her to fall to the ground.

"You will tell no one of what happened in here, you hear me?"

"I..."

"Do you hear me?" He snarled as he pressed his foot against her throat.

Delphina had trouble breathing, causing her vision to become blurry. She needed to get away, but at the moment, she was powerlessly stuck with this hellish existence of a stepbrother.

"You know what, I will use this on you," he took out a strange pill, coated it with his spit and then forced her to swallow it.

"With this, I'll be more assured. You can only return if you survive in the forest with the fruit, and you will be unable to say anything regarding today."

He fed her another healing pill, which made her look like nothing happened to her.

"Get lost!" he ordered without looking at her.

She quickly rushed out, fearing he might change his mind and violate her again.

Outside the room, she saw her stepmother.

"My dear daughter," the latter said, causing her to almost trip. This bitch!

"Are you alright?" the latter was now in front of her.

"I... Yes, I am," she replied, her face cast downwards. 

"That's good. Because there's something I want you to get me as well. But before that, why don't you accompany me to Aaronio's room?"

Delphina quickly shook her head; the horrible memory of her stepbrother forcefully popping her cherry was still very fresh. She would rather die.

"I..."

"Forget it," Kaylina gave a dismissive wave.

"Okay, madam."

"You can leave."

Delphina bowed and thanked her stepmum before turning to leave, only for Kaylina to trip her.

"That's for defying me, fool. Now, run along,"

Delphine struggled in pain, and as she tried to stand up, Kaylina kicked her leg again, causing her to fall.

 "Make sure to bring back the Eternal Youth Fruit for me. I've heard it's great for keeping a young look." She said with her face filled with pride, in contrast to Delphina's pale look.

It was rumoured that the tree only produced limited fruits every five years. Not only that, it was toxic to touch, and only highly skilled experts would risk dealing with it.

'This was basically asking her to die,' she thought in despair. Everyone in the home wanted her dead. To them, she was a waste of food and space. She shouldn't have been born.

"Don't forget. Coz if you return without that fruit, I will feed you to my pet vulture. You don't even have much meat, but I'm sure he could manage your carcass," she shrugged as if she wasn't saying something sinister.

"S-sure, I'll not forget," She nodded, understanding that it was wiser not to defy Kaylina.

"That being said, go to your room and transform into a proper elf. Wear the best you have." 

"Yes, madam," 

With a scoff, Kaylina headed into her son's room.

Delphina managed to stand, gritting her teeth, and she limped towards her room, wiping off tears with the back of her hand severally.

Some minutes later, she was in her stepsister's room, wearing the best dress she had.

It was long, faded and short.

"So I can be sure you're really embarking on this fun journey, you'll be using a portal that will drop you at the right place. Mum has gladly volunteered to reduce the stress on you. You should be thanking me at this point," Alviranana said mercilessly.

Though she was extremely unwilling in her heart, Delphina knelt and thanked Alvirana.

"Stand up," the latter said, and Delphina expressed her gratitude as well.

Two guards were already outside the chamber at this point.

"Take her away," said Alvirana after her maid handed Delphina a bag made from cloth. There was nothing in the bag, so she was being sent to the forest without any food. Great!

Delphine was ultimately escorted out by the guards with her heart pounding in fear. The guards forced her ahead with their harsh and unyielding hands.

"Make sure to bring back the fruit, Delphina," the sound of Kaylina's voice reverberated within her thoughts.

Delphina gave a nod even though she was aware that she was being sent to her demise. A portal was conjured by Kaylina and she exhaled while internally hyping herself up.

It was her first time stepping through a portal. 

"Stop dallying," Kaylina urged, and a guard pushed a startled Delphina into the portal, which immediately closed.