WLYV 05

Chapter 5 

Don’t Throw a Tantrum Like a Child
February 5, 2024

Since childhood, Illina had grown up believing she was superior to others. Her parents, Brandt and Anne, had always showered her with excessive attention and praise. Because of that, she came to believe that she was someone with special worth.

In high society, Illina skillfully used money to subtly win people’s favor so they would praise her indirectly. She never acted arrogantly or boasted outright. If someone appeared even slightly better than her, she would play the victim to make them feel guilty—or she would manipulate unpopular men to shame them until they stopped appearing in social circles.

That’s why Illina’s nickname wasn’t the flower of society—it was the poison of society.

Her generosity was never emotional or sincere. Every act of kindness had a purpose.

Illina believed that no matter what she did—even if it crossed every line—she would always be forgiven.

Please, Illina. Don’t kill it. I’m begging you.

Laurencia had once knelt before Illina, pleading. But Illina never showed mercy.

Please, save it. Please! It’s my friend. Please… save it.
A bird? Your friend? How ridiculous.

Right before Laurencia’s eyes, the little bird was torn apart and died.

Just moments before, the bird’s wings had been fluttering strong and free in the air—but now they hung lifeless. The pained chirping—those tiny peep sounds—grew fainter and fainter.

Ah… please… Illina…
Oh no. Laurencia, your little friend died too easily.

The small bird that used to come to her window whenever she sang her late mother’s lullaby—her tiny, precious friend—was now rolling lifelessly on the floor like trash.

As she looked into the small bird’s eyes, now growing cold and dull, Laurencia mustered the strength in her trembling arm to reach out and touch it.

Illina watched with delight—and then stepped lightly on the dead bird. The bird’s eyes, emptied of life, reflected nothing but hollowness. Laurencia’s face went pale, and she withdrew her hand.

After that day, Laurencia never again opened her window to sing. She swore she would never make another friend.

Why don’t you sing anymore? Are you scared I’ll kill another one of your friends?

Laurencia wept, haunted by the memory of that horribly dead bird.

You’re such an idiot. How would I know if it was the same bird that flew into your room? I just caught a random one and killed it. Silly girl. But don’t worry—I won’t kill any more birds. You can sing again.
Really?
Really.

Believing Illina’s words, Laurencia began to sing again. Illina kept her promise—at least for a while. Laurencia even felt a flicker of gratitude.

Could you please stop killing animals?
Then why don’t you do it for me? Kill this puppy instead. That should be fair, right?
No…
Pick up the knife. If you don’t, this little dog will suffer for a very long time.

Laurencia shook her head violently.

If this puppy dies in pain, it’ll be all your fault, Laurencia.
Please don’t…
This puppy will suffer because of you.

As Illina laughed, holding the puppy by the scruff of its neck, Laurencia closed her eyes. The sharp, piercing cries of the puppy rang in her ears, making her body tremble.

That cry—it sounded like the dog was begging to be killed quickly, just to end its pain. Or at least, that’s how Laurencia tried to justify it.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…

The puppy’s cries stopped all too soon.

That day—when Illina forced the knife into Laurencia’s hand—was the first time in her life she wept uncontrollably. It wasn’t her body that hurt; it was her heart. The guilt of killing a helpless creature with her own hands haunted her deeply.

After that, whenever Illina starved her or deprived her of sleep, Laurencia pretended that those things hurt her more.

You don’t look that miserable. You know when you look the most miserable? When you’re killing an animal.

Just seeing the kitten in Illina’s arms brought all of it back, as vividly as yesterday. Every time she was forced to take a young life against her will, it tore her apart. She was young, yes—but not without guilt. The pain never faded easily.

“What are you thinking about, Laurencia?”
“That kitten in your arms… it reminded me of something from the past.”

Laurencia’s tone was calm but pointed. The black kitten in Illina’s embrace was enough to conjure memories of all the cruelty Illina had once inflicted.

“Really? You remembered? That’s exactly why I brought the kitten!”

Illina loved to feel powerful—especially when others were frightened. The more someone cried, the more satisfied she felt.

But what she didn’t know was that Laurencia, the girl she used to torment, no longer existed.

“Isn’t this kitten adorable?” Illina asked, studying Laurencia’s face.
“I chose it carefully—it’s the cutest of the litter, only a month old.”

Laurencia stared at the kitten blankly. She knew Illina’s affection was never genuine—just a temporary whim. She could never forget the day Illina had lovingly petted a puppy one moment and then strangled it the next.

“Illina. I don’t like this.”
“What don’t you like? Killing kittens? You’ve done it before when I handed you the knife.”

Illina stopped stroking the kitten and looked at her.

Laurencia sighed softly.

“Illina, you don’t need me to do it for you. If you want to kill something, do it yourself. Stop throwing tantrums like a child.”

Her tone was firm—almost scolding. Illina’s face turned bright red with humiliation. It sounded as though Laurencia were lecturing a spoiled child.

“What did you just say?”
“Honestly, Illina, killing small animals doesn’t move me anymore. Doesn’t it bore you too? Are you still satisfied with that?”

Laurencia’s violet eyes curved like a crescent moon as her hand slowly reached toward the kitten in Illina’s arms.

“There’s no thrill in killing a small, innocent creature that doesn’t even understand its own death… right, Illina?”

She gently lifted the kitten away from Illina’s grasp.

“I’ll do it for you one last time. But next time, don’t bother asking me to kill such pitiful little things again.”

Her voice was sweet—almost tender, as though she were granting mercy.

“What are you talking about! I didn’t bring it for that! Give it back!”
“Illina, don’t you remember? You always brought me animals only when you wanted me to kill them for you. Have you forgotten?”

Laurencia’s smiling violet eyes slowly opened wider, locking directly with Illina’s.

“Think about it, Illina. Did any of the animals you brought into my room ever walk out alive?”

It was true. Illina had always killed them first—sometimes even carefully, to spare Laurencia the worst of the sight—then forced Laurencia to finish them off. And she had laughed at Laurencia’s tears.

“None of them did. You know that.”

The Laurencia standing before her now felt foreign. Normally she would be trembling and crying, begging not to kill the kitten. But not this time. Instead, she spoke as if Illina were just an annoying little sister.

Had she gone mad from all the abuse?

“Illina,” Laurencia said softly, her voice almost excited.
“Instead of killing these tiny, meaningless lives… what do you think it would feel like to kill someone who begs for their life? Wouldn’t that be much more fun?”

Laurencia smiled brightly, leaning in until her eyes met Illina’s. A chill ran down Illina’s spine.

“Don’t you think that would be much more exciting than killing animals?”
“Give me the kitten back.”
“No.”

A radiant smile bloomed across Laurencia’s face, like a flower in full blossom.

Just then—knock, knock. A maid’s voice came from outside, announcing that Prince Luance had arrived at the mansion.

Startled that he had come earlier than usual, Illina grew flustered.

“Do whatever you want—kill it or let it live.”

As the maid knocked again, Illina scowled and left the room.

Once she was gone, Laurencia opened the terrace doors. She carefully set the kitten down on the floor.

The kitten tilted its chin proudly and mewed at her nonstop.

“Why are you crying?”
Meow.
“Do you want me to hold you again?”
Myaa, myaang.

Laurencia sighed softly and picked the kitten back up. It stopped crying, yawned widely, and rubbed its head affectionately against her chest, its little tail flicking lazily.

“You’re completely different now than when you were in Illina’s arms,” Laurencia whispered, stroking its head.

As if understanding, the kitten gazed up at her with shining golden eyes—as though trying to comfort her.