"Stellar?" My voice faltered in confusion.

She showed up, heaving furiously.

"You damned klutz!" She spat, her hand stiked my face with a sharp crack. Her lips curled into a sneer, "You and that insufferable little rat..."

Her attention snapped to Eleanor, the young maid trembling on her knees. With a cruel grip, Stellar seized her hair and yanked her forward like a lifeless doll.

"Guess what this b*tch did to me!?" Stellar snarled, dragging Eleanor further as the young girl whimpered in pain. "She dared to humiliate me— spilled drinks on me in front of my friends!" Her voice rose to a shrill pitch as her foot stomped violently against the floor.

"Stop!" I cried, my exhaustion weighing heavy on my chest, "Why are you doing this?"

"Why?" Stellar scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain, "Because this little maid of yours thinks she can make a fool out of me!" Her grip on Eleanor's hair tightened, wrenching another cry from the girl's lips. "This rat and you, a useless, pathetic b*tch, really are perfect for each other!"

I tremble, frozen between rage and helplessness. Eleanor's breath grew shallow, her body slumping against Stellar's merciless pull.

"S-Stellar.. please stop." I begged, "She made a mistake. Let her go. That's enough, yeah?"

But my pleas only seemed to spur her further. With a twisted grin, Stellar began tearing through the room knocking over vases and shattering glasses in her wake. Shards littered the floor, sparkling like ice as Eleanor's fragile body was dragged into the chaos.

"Stop... please."

"Stellar Alana Leone..." I murmured weakly, the sharp chill of winter seeping into my bones. My health had been waning since the winter set in, and my body felt like it could give out at any moment.

Still, I forced myself to speak.

"Stop... this, at once." My voice wavered.

For a moment, she stilled. Then came the laughter— low, cruel, and echoing with mockery. It chilled me far more than the frost ever could.

"Ah. Well, aren't you just pitiful?" She hissed, finally releasing Eleanor, who crumpled to the ground in a heap.

I gritted my teeth, clasping my clothes lightly.

"Winter," She began with icy disdain, "you know very well your place in this house, don't you? A lapdog, surviving only because Saint allows it. You don't get to command anyone here. And you espcially don't get to command me."

"You don't get to command anyone in this house. Most importantly, not when I'm the one you're talking with!" She grips my hair.

Her hand shot forward, tangling in my hair. I gasped, struggling against her harsh grip.

"Stellar Leone," I bit out through gritted teeth, "you'll regret this."

She paused, her gaze narrowing as a mocking smirk spread across her face. Silence enveloped the room, broken only by Eleanor's faint sobs. Stellar's eyes flicked to the broken shards gathered around us, glinting with malicious intent.

Without warning, she seized a jagged piece of glass from the floor and turned it over her hand. My breath caught as she brought it closer to my face.

"Let's see," She mused, "Do you think Saint will still love you if this pretty little face gets scarred?"

The glass hovered dangerously close to my cheek as her grin widened. "What do you think? Do you think he'd cry for you? Or may he'd finally see what you are—worthless."

I met her gaze, my body trembling, but my voice steadied with resolve. "Do as you like, Stellar. And when Saint finds out, it won't be me he despises."

Her smirk fell just slightly. But the shard didn't lower.

She beamed.

"Hmm."

"Well, aren't you such a little b*tch?" She hummed, an unpredictable air settling between us.

"I guess you've got some bits of guts left in you, don't ya?" Her eyes gleaming with mockery, "I thought ever since then, you're just a brain-dead b*tch but wow! Guess what?"

She snickered, stepping closer, "I'd have never thought you're a..." She continued, "far more half-witted sl*t more than I credited for?"

With that, Stellar shoved me off balance. She dusted off her pristine attire, rising to her feet.

I could only sigh as my gaze observed my surroundings and the altercation that just transpired earlier. My body felt drained, as though all my vitality had been sapped away.

Before I could recover, pain flared sharply in my shoulder.

“Ah!” I yelped as her pointed heel dug into me, deliberately.

Stellar’s condescending smile burned into my vision as she pressed harder.

"You... really—" I gasped, struggling for air.

“Hm?” She tilted her head, feigning curiosity, before applying more pressure. “What were you saying?”

"..." Silence. I could only look at her blankly.

She rolled her eyes, a bored expression spreading across her face. “Tsk. You’re pathetic.”

Her voice dropped, low and venomous. “Hey. I’m just giving you some advice. You’d better learn your place here.” With one final shove of her heel, she stepped back and smirked.

Satisfied, she turned her back to leave, but her mocking voice cut through the silence once more.

“Oh, right.” She paused, her tone sing-song. “Did I mention Saint’s been away for a very long time?”

"Aren't you curious about what your lover is probably keeping himself busy with?" Her eyes glinted with malicious glee. "Poor thing— you probably didn't know?"

I grimaced lightly.

She faked a gasp, "Oh! My bad! It seems I struck a nerve."

"But," She observed my figure, "I guess ignorance does suit you the best."

Her gaze swept over me like I was nothing. “They say it’s bliss, right? You must’ve been in ecstasy this whole time!”

Her laughter rang out, echoing, as she walked away, leaving me helpless.

I slumped forward, my head heavy with despair, only to snap back to reality as my gaze landed on Eleanor’s unconscious body.

“Eli… Eleanor?” I whispered, crawling to her side.

Her face was pale and blood-streaked, her body motionless as if life had already fled. My hands trembled as I cradled her upper body, shaking her gently.

“Eleanor, wake up,” I pleaded.

But she didn’t respond.

Her face, once warm and lively, was now ghostly white. Memories of our bond flooded my mind—the awkward beginnings, the slow blossoming of a sisterhood in this cold, oppressive house. Eleanor was the first person to reach out to me, the only one who ever made me feel less alone. She was the older sister I had never known but always needed.

Tears blurred my vision as grief overtook me. My body, already weak, finally gave in to the pain. I could not help to prevent my cries.

I cried, clutching my chest harshly.

As I continuously whimpered, my heart burned with extreme pain.

My body could not bear the pain further.

And slowly all turned my vision to dampen.

Thud!

How I wish I could have had more influence and firmly protect myself and those I care for around me...

———

Dawn.

The first sliver of dawn, a pale, hesitant light, pierced through the frost-etched windowpane. My eyes were pierced with the half-dimmed room which held the weight of what felt like a cold winter season.

The sudden warmth from the sunlight made my head crack, pulsing painfully with a relentless rhythm.

Soon, I recognize the muffled sounds of footsteps from outside the room.

Every sound, every movement, amplified the throbbing agony, a constant reminder of the relentless assault on my senses.

The door gently creaked open.

A figure, tall and cloaked in a white coat filled a presence.

I looked up, obviously feeling disoriented.

"You have woken up, Miss." The old doctor addressed, presenting a brief smile.

"Uh. Yes." I managed to croak out, my voice hoarse.

Doctor Basil.

The Leone family's old and trusted advisor and doctor. He had long served as a guardian of the family's health for a few generations.

He approached the bedside table, sitting on the chair near me. His gaze settled on me for a moment, etching a hint of pity.

I lay back, sitting up and avoiding contact with him, tension crippled from my head to my toe.

"...How long—"

"Have you been well?" He asked.

"..."

"I take that as a no?"

"Not exactly, my body may have weakened due to the cold atmosphere." I sighed, "The cold... and accumulated fatigue may have taken a toll on me."

As I continuously spoke, a memory crashed into me like a tidal wave.

“Eli. Eleanor? Where is she?” My voice rose, frantic. How could I have forgotten?

Dr. Basil raised his hands, urging calm. His smile was reassuring but didn’t ease my panic.

“She’s alright, for now,” he said. “Eleanor is recuperating.”

I exhaled shakily, relief washing over me in waves.

"Thank God..."

For a moment, there was a brief silence.

“What happened?” he asked, his tone careful but probing.