prisoner of pearlwood

[William deGrey]

MARINETTE:
Every inch of her ached. She knew, even without Helene here to check them, that there were bruises blossoming like hideous flowers across her cheekbone from the first blow, along with her throat, her wrists, her sides… Anywhere he had been able to reach as he reminded her who she was and where she belonged was now covered in bruises. She couldn't help imagining that the wounds were soul-deep; she pictured her very essence bruised and battered. She had known her happiness couldn't last, but that didn't make it any easier to let go; she wished desperately that she had never opened that door. But it was too late.

She caught herself staring into her bucket of soapy water and shook herself free of her thoughts. She couldn't afford that kind of distraction. He kept returning, whenever he remembered she was there, to add an extra bruise to the growing bouquet. He'd started drinking that evening, and she didn't think he'd stopped. The familiar smell of his favorite drink made her sick to her stomach, stronger than even the soap she was using to scrub the floors.

A pounding at the front door made her flinch so hard she almost knocked over her pail. She looked from it to the study where Father had been, hesitating. The pounding came again. She rose slowly to her feet, drying her hands on her already dingy apron, and took a few wavering steps toward the study. Her father swept out of it with a radiant grin on his face, as if it were Yule all over again for him. She couldn't imagine who he'd be expecting that would create such glee, but the smile alone was enough to fill her with dread.

"Open the door, Marinette," he instructed, voice low and dangerous despite the width of his grin.

She hurried to do as he said, pulled the door sharply open, and was automatically stepping out of the way of her father's guests when she saw who it was, and froze. Her eyes widened, for just a moment, before shame and fear took hold again. Helene and William!

She had hoped Helene would realize something was wrong in spite of the note she'd been forced to leave, but she hadn't even dreamed that William would get involved too. Somehow that made her both brilliantly happy that he had come, and horribly ashamed that he would see her this way. She would have preferred for him to remember her always as the glowing woman from the Yule Ball, not the cowering wretch she was now.

As for Helene, she doubted that any of this would surprise her. She knew Davide's temper as well as anyone. But why had she come here in the first place? Helene must know that the law was what it was, and that their time in paradise was over. Marinette had always been on borrowed time. She was just grateful she'd managed to enjoy the time she had before it was over.

Marinette dropped her gaze to the floor and stepped neatly aside just as Davide reached the doorway. His eyebrows rose when he saw Helene wasn't alone, but he didn't falter: he beamed smoothly at his "visitors" and gestured into the foyer.

"Do come in. I've been expecting you, daughter. Although... I hadn't expected this particular companion." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but the wide smile remained. "Welcome to Pearlwood, your grace. I hope you'll forgive the help, she's still learning her place." He gestured at Marinette, who flinched.

"Make us some tea. We'll take it in my study."

Marinette didn't dare look up. "Yes, sir," she answered with a quick bow before turning to go without ever lifting her gaze from her feet.

It wasn't until she was leaving the room that she was able to look back, and the longing was clear on her face for a moment before she vanished further into the house.

Davide's grin seemed to have too many teeth.

"Obedient, isn't she? Quite an improvement from the last time we met." He laughed. "But come in, I'm sure you've got something you'd like to say."

He gestured for them to follow him to the study.


HELENE:
She was panicking. A cold dread had settled in on Helene as she had realized Marinette was in fact, not with William. She hadn’t said word at all yesterday about coming home, and that morning Helene had gone to the castle to at least check in on her, and to speak with William about Mari’s birthday plans only to find...She hadn’t come. Given the Hewitts arrival the other night at Hewitt House- which she was going to promptly rename as soon as she was able, Helene knew without a doubt what had happened.

Father had come to collect his property back. She’d hesitated, almost not telling William a thing, and running off into the wolf’s den on her own with Darragh and Angus. But Wesley... That sweet impossible man had made things seem possible again. Had given her hope, that things would be okay. She didn’t have to face things on her own. After a moment of hesitation, she’d caved. Telling William that their father must have taken Marinette, and that it was urgent that they get to her immediately.

And on the ride over? Helene told him everything he would need to know. The abuse, both physical and mental, that they had endured at the hands of the man they were supposed to call father. The moment they were at the door, cold hearted rage flooded into her veins among the panic. If anything...if anything had happened to Marinette… She was a woman of her word. She banged on the door as loudly as she could. Having half a mind to just waltz right in as it had been her home. She’d give it a few more moments, but if there was still no response- The door was pulled open, and Helene blinked for a moment. Relief flooded over her for a moment at seeing Marinette at least standing upright, but her eyes did not miss the blossoming bruise across her cheek bone and Helene knew it was not the only one. Her hands tightened into fist at her side, and her dark gaze narrowed in on the handprints beginning to form on her sister's neck and throat. Her blood went cold. She should have come sooner, but she wasn’t going to dwell on that right now. What mattered was she was there for her now. Big sister would take care of everything.

Where was Angus with the chef knife when she needed him?

Helene didn’t even look at her father as he acknowledged her. Unbridled rage was beginning to consume her and she didn’t take her eyes off of Marinette. She stepped into the house of her childhood and kept the demons at bay, except for the one that seemed to possess her in that moment. Helene couldn’t take her eyes off of Marinette. Not until she disappeared. “How did she get the bruises.” Was the first thing she said. Her voice low, a startling calm despite the murderous energy coming off of her in waves. Slowly her head turned to stare at her father. Her feet were rooted in place, and she was not moving anywhere. Will knew now. She didn’t have to hide, didn’t have to put up the mask she always wore. No, she could finally be who she really was, and her father was going to realize she was more like him in more ways than one. “How’s your nose doing Father? I heard you’d taken quite a fall. You should be careful, you are getting older.” Her voice was sweet like honey, but the smile she gave him was one of a viper.


WILLIAM:
William had known what the sisters dealt with...but he certainly hadn't known the extent of it, even if his mind had wandered there quite a few times in his silence, wondering what more he could possibly do to help. Yet, there he had sat, with his stomach twisting into knots as Helene told him everything. Every horrifying thing she and Marinette went through since they were young. Now, he was about to possibly see it firsthand and he was inwardly panicking that he wouldn't be able to stop it. He should have known something was wrong the moment Mari hadn't shown up for Olivia's lessons. He should have done something that very day.

He tried to get Helene to promise she would keep herself together, no matter what they walked into. If she lost herself to the anger she was more than justified to feel, it might make a bigger mess of this. Davide Roquefort didn't seem the type to answer kindly to someone getting in his face, and Will could only assume that a daughter challenging him would do very little to change his mind on anything. Although, the intent wasn't to change his mind, per say, but they'd have to appeal to the other side of him.

The man was a conniving prick, so conniving and backed into a corner he would get.

The moment that door opened, the moment he saw her, William barely recognized the flaring of anger in his chest. Although he immediately looked at her with those concerned eyes, he was clenching his jaws so hard that they began to hurt. He wanted to tell her that it was alright, that he was here. Helene was here. They would figure something out. Will barely realized that his hand was shaking at his side, fingers curling into his palm.

Finally, dark eyes slowly turned their attention to Davide, finding the man's smile to be both sickening and anger inducing. Still, William looked rather calm as he stepped inside yet went no further. And that was when Helene opened her mouth and he had to refrain from sighing. He could not blame her, but he prayed she did not completely forget herself.

'Obedient, isn't she?' As if he hadn't sympathized with Helene's feelings and anger before, he certainly was even more so now. "Marinette, wait." He broke his eyes from Davide to look at her, a glimmer of hope somewhere in those dark depths. "Please." Slowly drawing in a deep breath, he regarded the baron once more, hands folding comfortably in front of him. "There will be no need for tea. This will not take long."

William took a few steps closer, his chin lifting just an inch. "Your daughter had obligations at the castle that you, my lord, have taken her from." He did not mention the obvious bruises all over Marinette's skin. He didn't berate him for it like Helene had. Right now, he was letting Davide think they were on the same level until William forced him to his knees.


MARINETTE:
Thank whatever god may be watching for her sister and for William. Whether this ended how they wanted or not, she was already fighting off tears of sheer gratitude. She'd believed him so easily, that she was worthless, that no one would come for her. He was wrong. And even as she obeyed his cold orders like a servant rather than a nobleman's daughter, that thought bolstered her, kept her from shattering entirely. She was partially through the dark hall when William's voice called after her. "Wait," stopped her feet, and "please" had her turning tentatively back with small, cautious steps into the foyer.

She finally raised her head, looking at her rescuers with the sun streaming in behind them like a cold winter halo. What wouldn't take long…? Surely her father's legal rights weren't so easily dismantled? She was his property, wasn't she? Her confusion won out over her panic as she drifted closer, trying to understand.


DAVIDE:
Davide blatantly ignored Helene's question about the bruises--he knew it required no answer. Her comment about his nose, however, caused his jaw to clench for a moment before his smile returned. "I'm quite well, thank you. I've even been told it adds to my roughish charms. Perhaps I ought to be thanking your... banister… for the improvements."

He turned his attention to William as the man stepped forward, and his smile quickly faded when the younger man told his daughter to wait. What right had he to override her father's instructions? His face was just as blank as the others', but the slight twitch of his eyebrow gave away his irritation.

"My daughter had no authority to make any arrangements of her own, your grace. I certainly apologize for any trouble she may have caused you, and I assure you, I won't allow her to do so again." Davide's voice was smooth, and accompanied by a slight bow of his head before his sly smile began to return. "She's been forming some rather... unbecoming habits as of late. I'm just sorry you had to come into contact with that."


HELENE:
The taste of blood filled Helene’s mouth and she quickly realized it was from biting her own tongue. Had William not been there, she would have come in swinging. Literally, and figuratively. She’d warned him. If he ever so much as laid a finger on her sister she would kill him. She’d killed before already, why not add already to the list? And just like her husband, she would not lose any sleep over the death of Davide Roquefort.

Helene’s hands were clenched at her sides, as she glared at her father. A small voice reminding her to let William handle this. He was the sane one in that moment. Anything that came out of Helene’s mouth would do nothing but cause more harm, and they’d been harmed enough. Instead she focused her attention on Marinette while she tried to force the demon away. To put that anger she felt away into a little box. She had to keep her cool. To keep calm. Marinette needed her calm.

As her sister reappeared and came back in, Helene was moving towards her. Not caring if her father tried to stop her or anything. She met Marinette halfway, reaching for her hands quickly and bringing them up to her lips. Placing quick kisses on the back of her hands, while she held them close. “Marinette,” Helene said quietly enough that only she would hear. “My darling sweet girl, it’s over.” Helene smiled softly at her. “We don’t have to be afraid any more.” She said. “We’re safe. We’ll be safe.” She told her urgently, ever so quietly, before she was pulling her into a gentle embrace. “Our Guardian Angels have finally arrived.” She whispered in her ear. “We just have to trust them. Believe in them.” She pulled back, gently running a hand over the cheek that wasn’t bruised, before she placed another quick kiss to the back of her sister's hand. Giving it a squeeze.

"She's been forming some rather... unbecoming habits as of late. I'm just sorry you had to come into contact with that." Helene’s teeth grinded together and she slowly turned around, standing in front of Marinette like a shield. Her gaze was murderous as she held tight to her sisters hand. The look on her face said she was nearing a breaking point as some of that rage came flooding back. She could tell him where he could stick his unbecoming habits. Her eyes flickered for a moment to William, and then back to her father.


WILLIAM:
His heart was pounding, and he wasn't sure if it was from extreme anger or maybe fear. Fear of failing as he stood there in front of Davide Roquefort. Fear of being unable to do as he promised. Despite it all, he didn't waver as he watched Helene rush to her sister's side from the corner of his eye, keeping his focus on their father. William was quick to note the slight irritation, and already Davide was letting it slide away.

Then he was speaking and Will let his own irritation blatantly show.

"Do not apologize to me again." Oh no, it wasn't said kindly. It wasn't a way of accepting his so-called apology and waving it away in a friendly gesture like all was forgotten. His voice was unusually stern and deep, and it was warning him that he did not want to hear it. Certainly the baron didn't think that Will believed any of it, did he? Neither mattered at this point. "It was under my authority. My request."

The deGrey name was powerful in Tresteria. They were of royal blood, of Demarais blood, and it wasn't something anyone forgot, nor was it something that William ever felt the need to flaunt. Anne wanted everyone to know, she wanted her sons to be remembered for it, and he'd never cared or needed it before. Not until now. And right now he was going to wield that power and crush this son-of-a-bitch under his heel.

"Tell me..." he began, approaching one more step yet kept a somewhat respectful distance. His voice was still deep but eerily calm. "Do you drink a lot? There is quite the chance that you could find yourself lost in the middle of the woods. Beaten, bruised, without your tongue..." Will tilted his head slightly, studying this man before him. Yes, it was a threat. He was telling Davide right now that he could bring death to his doorstep, and no matter how much he tried to point a blaming finger, it would do little.

He took one step closer. "And should you still have your tongue, who do you think the court would believe? A drunken gambler with barely any social standing...or a deGrey of respectable status?" Challenge it, Davide. I dare you to. "I have what you so crave, Lord Roquefort, and what you will never truly have. And that is power and money." Stomp and grind beneath the heel.

"Now, I can be accommodating and appease you a little. Marinette is to become governess to my daughter. And for your understanding and cooperation, you will receive twenty shillings bi-weekly." For now. He could have simply threatened him, taken Mari and left, but it was best to try and avoid any kind of retaliation for as long as possible.


MARINETTE:
Helene met her in the middle, but even as she wilted into her sister’s arms, she couldn’t look away from the two men--two polar opposites facing each other in the makeshift spotlight of the winter sun. She held tight to Helene’s hand, clutching it as if it were a lifeline. She only half-heard her sister’s murmured promises that it was over, that the deGreys were going to be their guardian angels. Was that it, then, an angel and a demon, staring each other down in the dim foyer? Could she really be free of this?

Even when Helene turned to try and shield her, Marinette found herself clutching her sister’s arm and looking over her shoulder so that she could see. She needed to see this.

Her father spewed his same oily lies, smooth and dark, making her the problem. She was disobedient and forward, she had presumed to act alone. Will’s face changed to an expression she didn’t think she’d ever seen on him. With Margery there had been quiet forbearance, resignation. This carried no such generosity. He allowed no room for Davide to wriggle free, to trample him as he trampled his daughters.

He took a step closer, and his voice was suddenly low and dangerous as he hinted at what could so easily happen to a reckless drunk and a gambling addict. Another step, and he made it clear that Davide was nothing in comparison. Marinette’s breath caught in her throat, and her nails were surely digging painfully into her sister’s arm by now, but she was unaware of anything but the two men.

She thought surely that was it, but suddenly William was returning, if only slightly, to what she knew of him--generosity that she simply didn’t understand. He was purchasing her freedom with threats and with coins, but why? How could he so easily step in and help these two women who had only known him for a month? Something he’d said during the chase echoed in her memory. “...not many people would stick up for others like this, my lady.” Not many...but both of them had. She wondered if he truly knew how grateful she was.


DAVIDE:
Dark brows nearly met in his confusion--the challenge of women was met with sneers, but he rarely faced opposition from anyone he considered an actual threat. When he did, it was typically over gambling debts, and those he knew how to handle. This was something new. He listened to William with what began as wary consideration, and quickly devolved into shock. While his mouth remained steady, his eyebrows climbed further upward with each sentence.

At “who do you think the court would believe?” his expression darkened to a strange cross between a toddler whose favorite toy has just been taken away, and cold blooded murder. But he knew better than to argue. At least, not directly. Clearly he could not rely on camaraderie to carry his argument. He’d try another tactic. His expression became pathetic, pleading.

“Certainly, your grace, I wouldn’t presume to believe that anyone would take my word over yours. However, surely you can have some pity on a man such as myself, left without my wife and only my younger daughter to care for me. Perhaps my own foibles are to blame, but my resources are limited and Marinette is both my only company and my only remaining help. Your offer is quite generous, but surely you understand my reluctance to part with my only remaining family.” He gestured out towards the girls as if he would draw them into a hug, but when he caught sight of Helene he quickly turned back to William and dropped his arms. “To ease my burden, perhaps you might consider...30 shillings bi-weekly?”


HELENE:
Roguish eyes watched the devil himself and one of the avenging angels that the Roquefort sisters had been blessed with. They narrowed slightly, flickering back and forth between William and Davide, and in the next few moments of William speaking, she quickly realized that it was the quiet brother you had to look out for. In those moments, William deGrey had quickly become her 2nd favorite deGrey. Winning all the brownie points with his casual threats to her father. She knew she liked him from the moment they met.

She nearly applauded William as he stood there, making his threats and offering Marinette her safe out. If Mari hadn’t of been clinging to her, she might have. As it was she couldn’t peel her eyes away from the two men, looking back and forth between the two. Like Marinette, she was almost in a trance, in mild awe that anyone was daring to stand up to her father. It had been two weeks ago since she’d stood up to him for the first time in her life, and at that moment she truly thought the tables were finally turning. They were finally going to have someone believe them. Believe that their father truly was a monster. Excitement was rushing through Helene, and she squeezed Mari’s hand reassuringly. Not minding in the slightest her sister had a death grip on her.

The words that Davide Roquefort was spewing now, the lies he was beginning to say, brought out that rage again. Helene began to take a step forward, only held back in that moment from how hard Mari was holding to her. How dare he?! How dare he use them, how dare he mention her. He didn’t have the right. Didn’t have the right to mention his wife when he was the reason she was gone. “Don’t. You. Dare. Speak. Of. Her.” Helene said the words with such a calm, she nearly scared herself with the hatred, and venom that dripped with her tone. Her eyes mirrored her fathers on that day he’d come to the house. Murderous and holding promise. “Who’s fault is it you're without a wife? Who’s fault is it we’re left without a mother?” Her tone was getting quieter and quieter, before she was seeing nothing but red. He wanted to use Marinette, wield her around like a weapon to try and persuade William to give him more money. The man was digging his own grave. Making his situation worse. William was the wrong deGrey to be speaking about only children and no longer having a wife to. It wasn’t an excuse. It wasn't an excuse to be a horrible monster. They were in the room with the opposite spectrums of single father hood, and Helene knew which one she’d wished they had.

She was letting go of Marinette’s hand, struggling to walk forward. Reaching to pry her sisters hands off of her. “Tell him!” She yelled suddenly at her father. William knew enough already, it was time he knew how Katherine Roquefort really died. “How you held me up above there,” She pointed up at the top of the stairs, casually walking forward. “Threatening to push me over for getting in the way of your beating Mari. Mother trying to stop you.” She said, her hatred growing with each step. “How you pushed her down those stairs in your drunken stupor. The days she suffered afterwards. Tell dear William, Father.” She came to a halt within arms reach of Davide. “How you murdered our mother, and are the reason you're wife-less.” she sneered.


WILLIAM:
Well, Davide was a bit more conniving than he had anticipated. William walked straight into this house with a very good idea on what they were about to face...but he was still a little unprepared. He knew most of the situation, but he certainly hadn't known all of it. Soon, William was about to understand exactly the type of man Lord Roquefort was. And it was vile.

Still, the duke wasn't backing down. He'd faced treacherous men in foreign courts just as bad as him before, all lies and deceit and fake smiles. He could do this. For them if nothing else. Right now, William found it a safe bet that the baron wouldn't be foolish enough to try and strike him, since that would bring down a whole rain of problems he wouldn't be prepared for.

He felt his upper lip curl just slightly at Davide's sudden change of attitude, and Will was of half a mind to interrupt him midway through the nonsense. But he was glad he hadn't, because although Helene was suddenly marching forward to throw her venomous words right back in her father's face, there was something she said that changed everything. And the bastard had the audacity to request more money from him?

'Who’s fault is it you're without a wife? Who’s fault is it we’re left without a mother?'

There was this moment, a brief flicker of something dark and dangerous in William's eyes. It was when he had seen red, felt this incredible rage begin to rise up inside his chest that just needed to spill forth in a scream. Yet, he remained standing there eerily calm, an arm shooting out as if ready to hold Helene back from approaching her father any closer. He was definitely struggling now. William deGrey did not anger easily, but that angry desperation in Helene's voice, the bruises all over Marinette's skin, the way this man forced her to be this broken, fragile thing that she was not was making it impossible to remain calm.

His opposite hand rose so that fingers could smooth down that finely trimmed goatee in thought, as if he was trying to find a way to come down from this rage and to a more sensible level. But was there really one of those at this point?

"To care for you?" Will's voice finally broke the air in a steady tone when Helene was done. "And what of your care for her? Tell me, Lord Roquefort..." He dared one more step closer, feeling his jaws hurting again from clenching them so tightly. "Is that what it entails? Does your love for your daughter require that you mar her skin and beat her down?!" Now, his voice was steadily rising, and he didn't care if the entire household heard him. It was the only thing he could do besides trying to break the man's nose, something Helene was certainly keen on doing again if he didn't get the sisters out of there. "Do not stand here in front of me and stammer out your lies, sir! I lost my wife. I have my daughter, and I don't find the need to raise a hand because of some ridiculous desire to feel powerful! And here we are, baron-” He made sure to emphasize that title. “With me still at the top and you beneath my boot. Imagine that."

He felt his hand shaking again, his face turning a little towards Helene but he didn't take his eyes off of Davide. "Take your sister and leave," he told her firmly. William would certainly follow, but he wouldn't budge until both of them were out of there. He didn't trust the man not to try anything, but Will also wasn't done. His next words were for the baron once more, his voice dropping again as if he was attempting to control himself. "Now, you get nothing but your pathetic life, my lord. And do not fucking test me." It wasn't technically legal, he realized, taking an unwed daughter from her father. By Tresterian law, Marinette was Davide's until she procured a husband, but if his threat against the man kept him quiet long enough, Will would deal with the consequences of it later.


MARINETTE:
Everything was swimming, and it wasn't until she lifted a hand to her face she realized she was weeping. How had it all come to this? How could their own father be this cruel? He was selling her like cattle, trying to barter for more, when he was the very one who said she was worth less than nothing.

Mari tried desperately to hold her sister back, but once Helene was free, she wondered if she had been holding onto her to stop her, or to hold herself up. Each syllable from her sister's lips added more to the weight on her shoulders and she followed her sister's movement to look up at the balcony, remembering how she'd screamed when Father dangled Helene over the edge. She'd gone to Maman for help, to try and save her sister….and it had led to her mother's death instead. She sank slowly to her knees, feeling as if she were falling into murky water.

Was it her fault or was it Father? Was she worthless or was she treasured? Was she alive or was this hell?

And what had broken her broke William's patience too, and she knew why: he had loved his wife, did love his daughter. He knew what it was to care for them, and whatever Davide may feel for his children, it was not love. His sick imitation of it was an insult to every true parent.

She was proud of him, for a moment, although she wasn't sure why. She had no right, really, but the feeling was there nonetheless, the one shining thing in this haunted place. He knew who he was, when it was called on. He was not so weak as he might have imagined.

But when it passed, all she felt was the immense weight of her exhaustion. She had been through so much in such a short time all she could do was cry harder.


DAVIDE:
Davide nearly snarled when his daughter rounded on him, but he quickly hid it beneath a distressed expression and looked to William as if he might rescue him instead. When he saw the other man's face, however, he knew he was lost. His mask fell away and his rage showed clear in his sharp blue eyes. His lips curled into the snarl of a cornered dog, but he said nothing. Nothing would have cured this, and he knew it.

When William told Helene to get her sister, Davide's gaze snapped to Marinette as if he had only just recalled she were even there. When he saw her, staring into nothing with tears streaming down her face, he threw back his head and laughed.

"Good luck, William deGrey."


HELENE:
Whatever Face Helene was still trying to save, or remembering her manners was quickly slipping. Whatever control she had over herself she was losing as she looked at satan himself. Helene could barely hear anything that William was saying, so focused on the hatred that nearly consumed her as she stared at her father. A roaring of blood rushing in her ears was the only sound she could hear and the incredible urge to do something. To make him suffer, like he had made her and Marinette suffer.

Pay back was going to be a bitch.

“Take your sister and leave.” William’s firm voice broke through her mind suddenly. She looked at him, not realizing how painfully she was clenching her jaw or the fact her own eyes had glossed over with unshed tears. It seemed to break her trance however, and she looked behind her to see Marinette a heap on the floor. A broken girl who had been so beaten, so traumatized, for a brief moment Helene wondered if her sister thought she was dreaming. “Mari,” She whispered quietly, concern in her voice, as she took a few steps towards her until she heard his laughter.

It was like nails on a chalkboard to Helene, and it hit just the right nerves. “Good luck, William deGrey.” She didn’t have to look behind her to know who he was laughing at. He knew what he had done, and he was taking his pleasure in knowing his daughters would be ruined forever. They were broken, unable to be rebuilt thanks to the damage he’d done. Scarred for life. How wrong was he going to be however. Laugh now you sick bastard, you won’t be laughing for long. Was her sudden thought, before whatever restraint she had left went away.

She didn’t realize how fast she could move, but in the next second, Helene’s fist would slam into her father’s jaw. All control now gone as she put every ounce of strength into the hit. She could hear footsteps suddenly rushing in, and didn’t have to look to know Darragh and Angus had rushed in. Her ever faithful servants. Darragh seemed primed and at the ready to get between her and Davide should he need to step in. “Pardon me Father,” Helene Huffed quietly. “You had a bug on your face.” She straightened and adjusted herself before she marched over to Mari, placing her hands under her armpits, she heaved her sister up, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten my promise either. I think it is you, who needs the luck.” Helene all but growled. She gave her attention to Mari then. “You need to walk dearest, can you manage?” she asked quietly.


WILLIAM:
'Good luck, William deGrey.'

There was something about that man saying his name, the laughter that spilled forth that set him further on edge. Will looked as though he was about to speak but no words fell from his tongue. There was no point to it anymore. There was no need. Helene would get Marinette out the door and they could leave.

But Helene had other plans, it would seem. Her resolve cracked, she was overridden with anger and William couldn't stop her. She was like a viper, baring her fangs and striking out like lightning, and he could do absolutely nothing about it. Her servants were rushing in then, perhaps to guard their mistress and he was half tempted to ask them to step away. If one of them laid a hand on Davide, they could not be protected. Not easily. A commoner striking a lord, no matter what reason? It wouldn’t stand in court, no matter how vile he was.

Everything was a sudden blur, but Helene was finally going to Marinette to help her to her feet. "Leave him. Let's go," he tried to urge Angus and Darragh before he finally turned his back to the baron. The longer they lingered, the worse it could be. It was already bad, it was already possible that all of this would come crashing down on their heads but he wasn't thinking about the consequences anymore. He couldn't. Marinette wouldn't have to walk because William was carefully drawing her from her sister's arms to hoist her up into his own, carrying her towards the door.

His heart was pounding, he could feel it trying to break straight through his chest but he kept the frantic emotions off his face. William couldn't falter now. He wouldn’t.


ANGUS:
It might not seem it by his impassive face and sharp posture, but Angus was livid. He absolutely considered committing murder then and there. It would be so simple to snatch up one of the ugly clocks on the mantle and bash the fucker’s head in. He was surprised their lady hadn’t done that in the first place. But when William told them to leave, he froze and looked to Helene for guidance. Since she was leaving, he did too, although he kept his eye on Davide the whole way out.


MARINETTE:
Marinette raised her head to look at her sister, but it was as if she wasn’t seeing her at all. Everything around her seemed to move through a thick fog, and she couldn’t quite understand what was happening, no matter how much she tried. Heavy sobs still shook her narrow frame, and she wasn’t quite in control of her breathing. She knew she should stand, like Helene seemed to be moving her to do, but her body wouldn’t obey.

She was so focused on trying to do that, getting more and more agitated, which only made matters worse, that she didn’t notice William until his arms were sliding around her. She actually managed to get one decent breath in her surprise. Her conscious mind struggled to tell her she could walk, that she didn’t need this, that it was too much, but she was too tired to listen. She dropped her head listlessly onto his shoulder and put her arms around his neck. He was warm… She sighed, relaxing into his arms, and let her eyes fall closed. Whatever else happened now, she was safe.


DAVIDE:
He wasn’t prepared for the blow to his face--how could he be? The woman had struck as fast as a whip, and the blow carried more force than her size might imply. His head snapped to the side, and he caught himself on the side table. For a moment he was deadly silent as the others moved around him. As they neared the door, he spit a mouthful of blood onto the floor near their feet, and laughed again as the door slammed behind them.


HELENE:
Helene struggled to get Mari up on her feet, it was like lifting dead weight, and her sister was far taller then she was. She was thankful for William in more ways than one in that moment when he swooped in to scoop the fair, yet still broken, Princess Mari up off her feet. The adrenaline that flooded through her the moment she’d stepped into this prison, was still urging her forward. Giving her a strength she didn’t know she needed, and she quickly followed after William. Darragh and Angus right behind her.

She dared to glance behind her at her Father one last time, her steps slowing as she watched him spat on the blood on the floor, and her dark eyes narrowed. She hoped he realized she was no longer going to bend to him. To stay quiet and act the perfect daughter. She was done. She was fighting back, and she had a promise to keep. The question was...how would she do it this time. His laughter was grating on her nerves again, and she almost turned to go back in and give him a piece of her mind, only Darragh was taking her gently by the elbow, while his other hand was at the small of her back. “Another day, Mi’Lady.” He whispered, this time forcibly, but still gently pushing her along. “I think Lady Marinette needs your attention more now then that creature.” She heard him say. He was right. She knew he was right, but there was a part of her that wanted that man to pay. To suffer. To receive a beating like the ones he’d given her and her sister. But…. Mari. She was a mess, and Darragh was right. She needed her. “Thank you Darragh.” She whispered, as she hurried forward, this time to catch up with William and Marinette to get the carriage door open. Not caring if it was supposed to be Angus and Darragh’s job. The moment the two were inside, she climbed up after them and closed the door.

As fast as it had come, the Adrenaline was suddenly leaving her body and her hands were shaking. She’d hit him again. Unable to control herself. Helene quickly realized it was dangerous for her to even be near the man. What would she do to him if left alone? She didn’t have to think too hard as the two would literally try to kill the other. The realization frightened her, and she suddenly realized how tired she was. There were more important things to deal with at the moment, and Helene reached for Marinette. Her dark eyes flickering up to William. “William I-” What could she say? I’m sorry for losing myself in there? For possibly making the situation worse? She was grateful to him however. So grateful for him and his brother she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to repay them for what they had done for her and Mari. He’d stuck his neck out for them, and because of that, he’d made a friend for life in the ways of Helene Hewitt. Nae, soon to be Helene deGrey. But that was a secret that could be told at a later time.

“Thank you.” She whispered. Her eyes would show how much gratitude she had for him, as well as a quiet apology for making things worse. They would have to discuss what happened in that house at a later point. Right now, they had Marinette to deal with.


WILLIAM:
William was surprised that he was able to waltz out of there without looking back, but his hands might have still been shaking if he wasn't holding onto Marinette. He was beyond frustrated and angry, he was overly concerned with what would happen next but he wouldn't dare voice it. Her head upon his shoulder managed to ease the tension somewhat yet it was also enough to make his pace quicken, the need to get her as far away from this damn house as possible became greater. He hoped Angus or Darragh would ensure that Helene left and didn't try anything else, but she was already rushing ahead to get the door to the carriage open.

"Hey, let's get you in, hmm?" he quietly spoke to Mari after mouthing a quick thank you to her sister. He felt the woman's arms tighten around his neck for but a second as he tried to lower her down, and he hesitated. After contemplating for only a moment, William managed to step up into the carriage with her still cradled against his chest, sitting down near the window so that she could stretch out if she so desired. Propriety be damned, she clearly needed the comfort right now, and if he could provide it, he realized he was more than happy to. He also quietly realized that the warmth of her was bringing him down from that angered high, calming him down as much as he possibly could in this situation. William would feel a lot better once the carriage began to move.

Still in slight disbelief over what had happened, his eyes dropped to Marinette's face as a hand tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, finding the bruises and marks that made his heart ache. He should have done more. He knew what Davide had done and what was possibly still doing. Why didn't he do something sooner? As he heard Helene's voice, that dark gaze flickered up to her. He couldn't do much of anything, just like her own sister couldn't. It was the damn world in which they lived in.

It was impossible to hide the worry from his features, his worry over everything. This wasn't over, not yet, and they all probably knew it. For now, though, he prayed both sisters could at least come up for air. He'd have to think of something else.

Finally, William nodded at her thanks, not knowing what to say.


MARINETTE:
As William moved, walking towards the carriage, Marinette focused on the rhythm of his steps. Breath in, step, step, breath out, step, step. In… Out…

She was almost breathing normally, only interrupted by a few involuntary gasps, when he tried to set her down. Without thinking she tightened her arms to resist. She wasn’t even sure why--if it was because she didn’t think her legs would hold, or if she just wanted to stay this close to him. Perhaps both. She trusted William absolutely, and after the last twenty-four hours with her father, she wasn’t ready to let go of something that made her feel this much safer.

In the carriage, she kept her eyes closed, still trying to focus on her breathing--she’d lost her rhythm trying to puzzle out her feelings about being held and started to hyperventilate again. She took a shuddering breath as her sister rubbed her shoulder, forced herself to hold it and count to three, then slowly exhaled through her nose. She’d had plenty of practice, through the years, in bringing herself back from one of these attacks. Even so, something about this was different. She still felt distant and strange, even as her body began to relax, little by little.

William’s light touch, pushing the hair out of her face and behind her ear, seemed to send out a little ripple of warmth that had her relaxing the rest of the way against his chest, and she allowed her legs to slide out farther on the seat. She was a little afraid to open her eyes--since the ball, she found that if she got too close, or looked too long at his eyes, she’d remember when he’d lifted and twirled her, how flustered they both had gotten. Distant as she was, though, even that fizzy mix of fear and elation was muted.

She let her eyes flutter open, and couldn’t help smiling softly at William. He looked so worried, even now. Didn’t he know she would be alright? She almost told him she’d had worse, the same way she always did to Lini--but then she realized that wasn’t entirely true. This was everything, everywhere. Even her scalp ached from when she’d tried to run and he caught her by the hair. She’d keep that part to herself. The others were worried enough already.

“I’m alright, I promise,” she murmured. “I’m ju--” her breathing hitched and her brows flickered downward in her frustration. “I’m just so tired.”


HELENE:
Well this was...curious…. Helene realized, as she watched William and Marinette. She was of course worried about her sister, so she was hovering a bit, but she was quickly realizing she didn’t need to. She was safe in the arms of her guardian angel, who was tucking her hair behind her ear, with such a tenderness, Helene wondered if William even knew he was doing it.

She leaned back slowly, an eyebrow raising slightly up her brow as she watched Marinette looking at him, and him her, and Helene curled her lips in, to bite down on them gently so she didn’t start grinning like a fool. When had this happened? Did the two even realize? Helene didn’t think they did, and she watched quietly as Marientte calmed down more from her panic attack.

Helene smiled softly at her sister, reaching out to rub her shoulder gently again. “We’ll get you home and take care of you dear.” She said gently. “And then you never have to be this tired again.” She told her. She didn’t know how they’d do it, but they’d make sure Marinette never went back to their father again. He would be dealt with. If they needed evidence of his abuse, they could document the bruises Marinette had, and Helene would show her own scars as evidence. Their father would never touch them again.

Helene’s smile began to slowly brighten as she leaned back in her seat and sighed. Looking out the window. “Everything is going to be just fine.” She said, thinking out loud to herself quietly. She folded her hand in her lap, glancing down to see she’d split a bit of the skin on her knuckles on her left hand from where she’d punched her father. Ooops. She thought, wondering how she was going to be able to explain that to Wesley later. She’d have to tell him, and if not her, then William. Either way she had the feeling he was not going to be happy, but she also knew out of the deGrey’s, William was probably the best one to have been there today. William might have been one of the quiet brothers, but he showed that you did not have to be loud to prove you were just as, if not more, dangerous.

Her eyes flickered to Mari and Will now, quietly observing in curiosity as to how the two of them interacted.


WILLIAM:
William couldn't seem to calm down his heart, no matter how much he tried. His mind was still buzzing with thoughts, still worried of what his interference would do. He knew he had to, but he flat out took her from Davide. He blatantly threatened the man...and the scary thing was, it wasn't just talk. If William had to, he'd follow through with it because he knew he must. Because he knew the man deserved it regardless. He just didn't want it to come to that. Still, he wouldn't be surprised if Helene tried something, which also made him worried.

Leaning his head back, he drew in a slow and deep breath as he attempted to slow his crazed thoughts, attempting to rid himself of the adrenaline that was still pumping through his veins. It was buzzing in his ears and he wouldn't stop until they were far enough away from Pearlwood. The air left his lungs in a gentle sigh as the carriage began to finally move; Marinette's voice making his gaze drop back down to her.

The smile that curled a corner of his mouth was faint, but it still managed to be sincere. Helene was soothing her, and all he could do was try to keep her as comfortable as possible; his thumb idly brushing random patterns along her arm in thought, like it was second nature to do so. He would have claimed it was to keep her calm, but it was actually helping him to remain so. William slowly nodded along with Helene's words, "Everything will be. I promise." No matter what it took. He was a part of this now, more than ever, and he'd make sure neither of them had to deal with Lord Roquefort again. "Just sleep. We'll be here to watch over you," he said quietly, struggling to mask the influx of emotions suddenly washing over his face.

When those dark eyes managed to pry themselves from Marinette, he was looking at Helene with a sudden realization. She said "home", and they couldn't go home. Not yet. "You should probably avoid going back to your house for a little while," William advised. "It...might not be safe right now." He didn't think he had to elaborate on that. "You can stay at the castle, or I have a home just outside the city." He and Olivia didn't stay there very often, but it wasn't empty and collecting dust like- "Or Wesley's by the port," he added in absent thought. But that was further from the castle, and he wasn't sure he liked that idea.

And why? Because Mari would be too far...from him?


MARINETTE:
Marinette glanced at her sister, and her smile widened slightly at the idea of going “home.” Maybe it really could be a home, now. She hadn’t had a place that truly felt like home since the day their mother had passed. Even these last few months, she’d been holding her breath the whole time, waiting for--well, waiting for this--for her father to show up and crush all her pretty little dreams in his fist.

But he’d been completely powerless against the combination of Helene and William already, hadn’t he? He hadn’t even bothered to argue, to threaten William with the law. She’d never been able to see her father as small before, as cowardly...but that was what he was, wasn’t it? A small, pathetic man, who took his anger out on his own family to make himself feel powerful.

And then William was joining in, telling her to sleep. Again her instincts drove her to argue: she couldn’t rest, there were things to do and worry about. She needed to take care of herself, she couldn’t rely on them to save her all the time. She wasn’t allowed to be a damsel in distress, a burden, a waste. But the little circles of William’s thumb on her arm, the promises from both of them that everything would be alright...She was too exhausted to resist. The fact that she hadn’t slept at all the night before, along with the sheer relief of being here where she finally, finally, felt safe, combined to weigh down her head, her limbs, and slowly, her eyelids. She sighed and let her head drop back onto his shoulder, and her eyes fell closed.

“Just...wake me if you need me…” she murmured softly. But the two of them were already talking. Something about going to the castle? She wasn’t sure she cared where they ended up as long as they didn’t leave her alone. But she wasn’t alone. And that was the thought that lulled her to sleep.


HELENE:
Helene nodded in quiet agreement that Mari should sleep if she was tired. Between her and William everything would be taken care of, and her sister wouldn’t have to worry about anything. She could rest and everything would be fine. It would be. It had to be. She glanced up as William began to speak to her, as Mari settled in and finally closed her eyes. Letting sleep take her.

There was a brief moment of surprise as she realized she couldn’t go home, but she understood. Better say than sorry, her only worry was tracking Wesley down so he wouldn’t panic if he ever returned to Hewitt House to find her absent. She didn’t want to alarm him anymore then she already had. “I think the castle would be just fine.” Helene said gently, smiling at him. “Safety in numbers.” She responded. Davide would be an idiot to try anything with the amount of people that stayed at the Castle, but there was a certain appeal to him not knowing about where to find the girls. And hearing Wesley had a place by the port? “He does?” she said curiously. Her interest clearly piqued. Her dark eyes flickered to Mari for a moment, wondering how much her sister would protest if she stayed at the castle while Helene stayed at Wesley’s place by the port.

As she looked at Mari, she noted something then on her sleeve. There was something under it that was bulging against the fabric slightly and she frowned. Looking up at her sister's sleeping face she leaned forward, gently lifting up her sister's arm, and pulled it gently towards her. She could feel the splint before she even saw it. Knowing what one felt like. A dark shadow crossed over her face as she slowly pulled the sleeve up, revealing the pieces of wood holding her arm in place with several pieces of torn cloth. “William…” Helene said quietly. Her eyes staring at Mari’s arm as she held it gently between her hands. “He’s not to lay a finger on her again.” She said. Her voice was quiet, eerily calm, before her eyes turned up to look at the man. “Or I will kill him. And that is a promise.” She said with quiet conviction.


WILLIAM:
William still struggled to calm his nerves, feeling his heart still beating rapidly against his chest. Marinette's presence, the fact that she was safe, was helping...but he was still recalling everything that had happened. Any time he looked down at her he would see those bruises, somehow knowing there were more that he couldn't see. It made him sick, it made him wish there was a better and easier way to protect both of these women from the man who should have been taking care of them. Any small thought that he himself was ever a bad father was quickly thrown aside, because no, he was nothing like Davide Roquefort. Sure, Will made mistakes, but even he knew that Olivia had a good life. He made sure of it. That was what a good father did, they at least tried.

Looking back up to Helene, he tried to offer a light smile and nodded his head in response. Yes, safety in numbers, so to speak. But it also meant they could probably get the protection of the queen if she were to hear about this. That would mean Mari would have to share her scars, both women might have to share their stories, and Will understood if they weren’t up for that. He figured he would mention this a little later once Marinette had been able to rest.

Dark eyes dropped as Helene leaned in, drawing up her sister’s sleeve a little to show the makeshift splint. He found himself clenching his jaws again, because once more it began to hurt. She would find that he was already looking at her when her attention shifted back to him, the look in his eyes coming a bit close to the one she wore. “I’ll do whatever I can, Helene. Trust me.” William paused to make sure he calmed himself and not say any more. Regardless of the fact that he believed Helene’s threat, that didn’t mean he was going to say the same. Even if he was thinking about it. “How much...does my brother know?” He meant Wesley, of course, but he didn’t have to say it. He wasn’t blind- he knew what had been going on even before Yule. What concerned him now, however, was if Wes knew...was Will going to have to also handle reeling his brother in on top of this all?


MARINETTE:
Marinette didn’t wake despite her sister taking her arm. But after she’d lifted the sleeve, Marinette frowned and shifted in her sleep, taking her arm back and curling more tightly against William before her breathing settled into a steady rhythm.