I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 37
Chapter 37
The crippled limb, the constant ache, the relentless abuse, my father’s indifference… which was the cruelest, I couldn’t say. Every night, in the dim attic, I’d soak my pillow with tears.
‘Why bring me here?’
I’d wonder. Why take me in only to treat me like a useless accessory, a constant reminder of something shameful and wrong? I could have starved on the streets.
Even breathing felt like an imposition. I was living proof of a transgression, an embodiment of everything wrong in the world. A b*stard, a cripple, an inconvenience.
Reality was a constant barrage of cuts and blows. To survive, I had to harden myself, bury the soft parts deep inside. The shell of loneliness and resilience grew thicker, harder, each year. Yet, sometimes, a sharp blade would pierce through, striking at the soft, vulnerable core that refused to harden, no matter how much I tried to temper it. It remained a source of weakness, bleeding at the slightest touch.
‘Cripple.’ ‘Don’t touch her, you’ll catch it.’ The whispers, the sneers, the clicking tongues followed me with every limping step. As if I were a disease.
Some recoiled from my touch, even though they knew it wasn’t contagious. There were so many like that. Involuntarily, my toes curled inwards.
Showing my legs was more embarrassing than being in my chemise. What if Cesar found me repulsive too? The heat of the bathroom, or perhaps the shame, intensified the blush on my cheeks.
I glanced at Cesar. He seemed oblivious to my discomfort, his attention focused on the discarded pile of my clothes.
“Don’t sniff those, silly,” I scolded, waving him away. He finally looked up.
“Look, I’m going in.” Carefully, I lifted my chemise, stepped over the edge of the tub, and lowered myself into the warm water. The heat was soothing, easing the ache in my ankle. A soft moan escaped my lips. “Ah, that’s nice.”
I sat on the edge, swirling the water with my feet, sending small splashes onto the floor. Cesar watched, fascinated. I scooped up some water and flicked it at him. “See? It’s not harmful.”
As expected, his interest was piqued. I grabbed a vial of fragrant oil from a nearby basket. The scent of herbs filled the air as I opened it and dripped some into the water. It spread, releasing a sweet, floral aroma. Cesar leaned over, sniffing at the surface.
“What do you think?” He remained absorbed, gazing at the water, making no move to join me. Slowly, I slid down until I was fully submerged, the displaced water sloshing onto the floor.
He flinched back as the water spilled. A playful impulse seized me, and I splashed him again, this time on his face.
His red eyes widened in surprise. Something about his expression sparked a mischievous urge. I splashed him again.
I couldn’t help but giggle at the slight pout that formed on his lips. I reached out and tugged his hand. “Come here.”
With little effort, he was pulled towards me, into the tub, sending another wave of water cascading over the rim.
