Chapter 785: Daughter (Patreon)

Titania walked into the study and found her father sitting next to the fireplace, sipping tea. Across from him sat a stranger, chatting merrily while eating a slice of cake. The stranger turned at the sound of the door and Titania froze in recognition.

Sidus smiled. “Hello, Titania. It’s lovely to see you again.”

“W-What’s he doing here!?” Titania stumbled back and gripped her mother’s

 skirt.

Lydira extracted her daughter’s hand off her before answering in a calm and succinct voice. “Lord Sidus is our esteemed guest.”

Titania’s father, Argin, clicked his tongue. “Show some respect, child.”

“He tried to kill me!” Titania pointed an accusing finger at Sidus.

Her parents stared at Titania with a calm, unbelieving expression.

“I-It’s true. I’m not lying!” Titania stammered.

“I’m quite certain you are. Now behave yourself, lest you wish to find yourself in the oubliette again,” Lydira said.

Titania paled at her mother’s words. Terror filled her body at the thought of the utter darkness and what came with it.  “No! No, please, no. I’m sorry, I’ll behave, I promise,” she whimpered.

Lydira didn’t look convinced, but she was appeased nonetheless.

“Please, my friends, no need to be angry with your daughter. She is simply confused. Apologies, child. It seems you and I got off on the wrong foot.” Sidus smiled at the child, but she seemed no less afraid. Whatever words her mother had said to her had frightened her beyond a few words of reassurance. Sidus nodded in understanding and stood to his feet. He towered over the others, his full height reaching a little over 3 meters. He walked over to Titania, and offered her his hand. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Titania Clarus. I have many names, but you may call me Sidus.”

Titania looked at his hand as if it were a viper that would strike her at any moment.

“Ahem.” Argin glared at her.

Titania reluctantly grabbed Sidus’ hand. Her small fingers only managed to grip around one of his fingers. His skin was cool to the touch, almost cold. It reminded her of Stryg.

“I do apologize if I scared you. It was never my intention to do so,” Sidus said.

“You killed Lena. And the merchants. And Nibbles,” Titania said.

“Titania,” Lydira frowned.

“No, it’s fine.” Sidus raised his hand in a placating gesture before turning back to Titania. “Yes, I can see you were fond of the mortals,” he chuckled. “It’s understandable. You are so young. The mortals must appear so similar to people in your eyes.”

“They are people,” Titania said.

“No. They aren’t. We are people. They are something—lesser.” Sidus crouched down to be more at eye level to her, but he was still a giant next to her. “Tell me, are insects people?”

“No?” Titania said. The answer seemed obvious, but somehow the way he asked the question made her doubt herself.

“No, of course not. They are unintelligent, short-lived creatures. When they fly around your home, you swat them out of the air. When you walk outside, you do not stare at the ground to avoid stepping on them. No, we do not bother ourselves with an insect’s life. For there are so many as to be almost infinite in nature. And as vast as their numbers are, so is their insignificance,” Sidus said.

“But they’re not insects. They feel things like you and me,” Titania said.

“So do chickens. Does that mean chickens are people? Should the butcher hold back his blade in favor of the chicken’s feelings?”

“N-No?”

“Precisely. Mortals are much the same. Loud, ignorant, annoying, and most importantly, inconsequential. And much like when a fly slips into your home, actual people like you and me, have to deal with them. That’s what I was doing when we first met. Dealing with pests.”

“But they were kind people. Lena gave me food and a brand new cloak. She was nice to me,” Titania mumbled.

“There it is again, people. No, child, they weren’t people. Just animals, pests to be dealt with. But I do understand having—feelings for such creatures. I’ve cared for a cat or two in the past. I am sorry if I made you upset with my actions. I was only trying to protect you.”

“Protect me? Protect me from what?” 

Sidus looked at her as if it was obvious. “Your kidnappers, of course.”

“What? I wasn’t kidnapped,” Titania frowned.

“Of course, you were. Your caravan was on its way to meet me, but you never made it to our meeting point.”

Titania’s eyes went round. “Wait. You were the merchant we were supposed to meet?”

“Indeed.” Sidus nodded.

“Lord Sidus’ master has been our family’s greatest patron for many centuries. All of our negotiations happen through Sidus. As your mother said earlier, he is our esteemed guest. So, show some manners, child,” Argin said.

“I’m sorry,” Titania mumbled.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’ve been through so much already. After your caravan was attacked and you were kidnapped by my brother, I went in search of you. That is when we first met at that caravan campsite. You can imagine my anger at finding the kidnappers eating and drinking around their fires with not a worry on their minds. I dealt with them without mercy, but I was unable to save you from my brother. And for that I do truly and deeply apologize.” Sidus bowed his head.

“You were trying to save me?” Titania looked at him skeptically.

“Of course. After all, you were the whole reason I came to the Aurous Realm,” Sidus said.

“Me? Why?” Titania furrowed her brow.

Sidus glanced at her parents, somewhat confused. “You haven’t told her?”

“I was about to,” Lydira said in her ever-calm voice. “Titania.”

“Yes, mother?” She straightened up as her mother’s gaze settled on her.

“There was no weapon on your caravan. The only cargo was you,” Lydira said.

“What? I don’t… I don’t get it,” Titania laughed awkwardly.

Her mother didn’t share her amusement. “I have made a deal with Sidus’ master. You are to be given to their Order.”

“Wait, you sold me?” Titania said.

“If it is easier for you to understand our deal in such layman’s terms, then, yes. I sold you,” Lydira said as if she were speaking about the weather.

A sickening feeling twisted Titania’s stomach. She shook her head, auburn locks splashing across her face. “You’re lying. You’re lying…” But there was no deceit in her mother’s eyes, only a cold countenance.

“Father?” Titania glanced at her Argin, who seemed bored and eager to get on with it more than anything.

“You are making a show, Titania. Comport yourself,” Lydira said.

“Why would you sell me?” Tears burned down her face and a lump formed in her throat. “What was so valuable that you had to give me up?”

“Something more valuable than any mounds of gold could ever buy. One day you’ll understand. Stop crying, child. This is not the end. Your time in the Order will do you good,” Lydira said.

“But I’m your daughter! How could you sell me!?”

“Daughter?” Lydira savoured the word. “You forget yourself. I may have laid the egg from which you hatched, but you are as much a daughter to me as a statue is to a sculptor. I made you, abomination of my loins. And like a sculptor, I have carved you into what I envisioned. Now it is time to sell you for what you are worth.”

“You… Y-You’re lying. This is all some sort of trick,” Titania sniffed. “You’re lying!” she screamed in a high-pitched voice.

“She is not,” Argin said. “Why is it do you think that we always kept you in the castle? Why our true children never cared to interact with you? Because they believed you wouldn’t last like so many before. You are not the first child experiment, rather, you are the last in a long line of failures.”

“The other experiments may have all died, but where they failed, you miraculously succeeded. You should be proud of that,” Lydira said.

“No…” Titania stumbled backwards. “You’re all lying,” she whimpered, desperately hoping this was all some sort of nightmare.

“You didn’t have to say all of that.” Sidus stared at her parents in disgust. 

“I have no interest in lying,” Lydira said.

“She’s a child. What harm would there be in showing some discretion?” Sidus said.

“Why bother? She will be dead soon enough. Your Order will see to that themselves,” Argin shrugged.

“What?” Titania stiffened.

Lydira sent Argin a death glare. “There are certain things we do not speak aloud.”

“Apologies, my lady,” Argin bowed his head, anxiously.

Lydira sighed and looked at Titania, who was cowering in the corner of the study. “Come now, child. Crying will do you no good.”

“Please, I’ll do anything,” Titania mumbled through her tears. She stumbled over to her mother and gripped her skirt as tightly as she could. “I’ll be good, I promise. I’ll study hard. I’ll be the perfect daughter. Just don’t give me away. Please.”

“I already told you, Titania. You are not my daughter,” Lydira said apathetically.

“Please, please, please,” Titania cried.

“Enough.” Lydira slapped her across the face with the back of her hand. Titania reeled from the blow and crashed into the floor with a hard thud. Blood dripped from her nose as her cheek quickly began to swell. “Again, you forget yourself, child. I warned you what would happen. Guards!”

“N-No,” Titania struggled to sit up. Fear filled her eyes as she heard the marching footsteps of the guards. “Don’t send me down there. I’m scared of the dark,” she whispered.

“Always with the incessant irrational fear.” Lydira wiped the blood from her fingertips with a handkerchief. She didn’t even bother looking at the guards as they arrived. “Take the girl to the oubliette.”

“No. Stop! Please!” Titania cried out as the guards ignored her and grabbed her by the arms.

“Apologies for the spectacle, Lord Sidus. I’m sure she’ll be compliant by morning,” Lydira said.

“This could have all been avoided had you two had an ounce of tact.” Sidus shook his head as Titania was dragged away, kicking and screaming.

“You disagree with our methods?” Lydira asked.

“What could possibly make you think that? I mean, I thought my father was a poor excuse for a parent, but you two clearly are something else. Well done,” Sidus scoffed.

“Careful, Sidus. You are in my house,” Lydira said. Argin stood to his feet and growled a deep, unnatural rumble at their guest.

“You do not frighten me, lizard,” Sidus said flatly to Argin.

“But you would do well to fear me, or have you forgotten what I am?” Lydira stared up at him, amber eyes alight with power. “I am one of the last of the dragon lords. I was there when Unildyr invaded this planet and when the world was Sundered. Your father was not even a twinkle in Aleirune’s eye while I battled wars and monsters that would leave you quivering in the dark.”

“Well, you know what they say about the dark. Stars shine brightest in the darkest of nights,” Sidus smirked.

Lydira growled, her yellow wings manifesting and unfurling across her back. “Do not test me, child.”

“Do not bother with the empty threats. We both are well aware that you would never jeopardize your partnership with my master, lizard queen,” Sidus said.

Lydira narrowed her eyes. “You may mock us behind the safety of your master’s protection, but know this; If it wasn’t for my callousness, our experiments would have never reached this far and your master would never have possessed their precious prize. Remember that, when you bring Titania back to your Order,” Lydira said.

“Hm. I’ll make sure to give them your regards.” Sidus walked out of the room.

~~~

The guards opened the trapdoor in the deepest of the dungeon cells, revealing a dark pit below. Titania’s words had devolved into primal screams, her voice raw as she struggled against the guards to no avail. They lifted the ten-year-old child and tossed her into the pit without an ounce of empathy.

Titania fell hard onto her back, knocking the wind out of her. The air was cold, yet humid down here. The smooth stone floor was damp. The walls were cramped and barely large enough to lie down in for a child. The small opening of light at the top was her only connection to the world of the living. The last thing she saw was a guard’s helmet as he slammed the trapdoor shut.

Darkness swallowed up her world. Titania cried and curled into a fetal position as terror seeped into her every pore. She closed her eyes and tried her best to not hear it. No one had ever believed her, not her parents, her instructors, nor even the guards. For when they had checked, nothing was to be found. Yet as the seconds passed by, she heard it. A quiet breathing that was not her own. 

Slowly, Titania opened her eyes. A pair of scarlet eyes that burned like fire gazed back at her from the darkness. Titania shut her eyes tightly and whimpered in silence as fear choked her.