The Dragon General's Vengeful Return

3

Athena wants to charge at her cousin and for the first time in her life, she wants to fight Pumpkin just to defend her parents’ honour.

Pumpkin is just eight years old, but she insults Athena's parents like they are dirt on the ground.

Pumpkin can see that her words are stiring something inside of Athena, and she is immediately pleased.

“What?! You are mad because I said your mother is a prostitute and your father ran away from you two? What are you going to do about it then? Are you going to hit me?!”

Athena’s hands are folded into fists, but she doesn't move at her. “No, Pumpkin, I won't fight you. That's not the kind of girl that my mother raised.”

“Well, good choice! Because my mother would cut off your hands and feed them to our dogs if you dare to lay a finger on me! Get to cleaning immediately!”

Pumpkin walks to the door, while Athena goes back to cleaning, but just before she leaves, she turns around and gives her cousin one last warning.

“And if you steal any of my stuff today, I am going to show you the evil side of me!”

Bang, she shuts the door, and Athena shudders.

She keeps humming, because singing is the only thing that makes her happy right now.

Yesterday was a day that she won't be forgetting very easily in a long time.

She used to come over daily to clean her cousin's room and do her chores, but something made yesterday to be distinct.

You see, Athena has a ritual that she has kept for many years. She writes short letters to her father and keeps them all under her pillow at home.

Yesterday, she saw a pile of fancy pink papers that her Uncle, John Kent, bought for Pumpkin, and she decided to take one and write a letter to her dad.

She was so engrossed with writing it that she didn't even notice that Pumpkin was returned and was watching her.

Pumpkin took the paper from her, and since she was a dumb child that couldn't read, she forced Athena to read her letter out loud.

Pumpkin fell over with laughter afterwards, taunting Athena because she was caring for a father that she never met.

She insulted the hell out of Athena yesterday and as if to make her even more miserable, she called the head servant and instructed him to make sure that the letter gets delivered to the army that same day.

She did this because she wanted to prove to Athena that her father doesn't care about her, but she has no idea that she has done both Athena and Stephanie a very huge favour…

In two hours, Athena is done and she is ready to go home.

She sighs because she has to inform her Aunt that she is done, before heading out.

She slowly strolls into the living room, and looks around for her Aunt.

She hears Aunt Finna and Pumpkin laughing in the kitchen, so that's where she heads to.

“What do you mean you don't like the cereal, Pumpkin, your dad imported this from overseas!” Aunt Finna frowns.

“I don't like the colours, just throw them away.” Pumpkin rolls her eyes.

Her mother huffs, but she doesn't do anything to correct her spoiled daughter. Instead, she dumps the perfectly fine bowl of cereal in the sink.

Athena can't believe her eyes. All she ate the whole day is a loaf of stale bread that her mother dipped into water to make less awful for her.

Pumpkin bursts out laughing when she sees the hungry look on Athena's face, and this makes Aunt Finna to turn around immediately.

“Oh, Athena. Are you done cleaning your cousin's room?” She asks.

“Yes, Auntie, I made sure that it's sparkling clean before I left.” Athena says with her hands behind her back.

“Great. That means I don't need to inspect it. Off you go, then. See you tomorrow.”

Athena knows that this is her cue to leave, but her legs won't move. Her mouth is still salivating, she knows that she has to ask, even though she knows that she might not get it…

“Auntie, can I have the cereal that Pumpkin doesn't like? I'm sure I will enjoy it, I will share it with my mother–”

Aunt Finna is laughing before Athena is even done speaking. “Absolutely not! Why would I give you something my husband imported for my daughter?! How dare you even ask me for anything?! After I was the one who begged grandfather and grandmother to allow you stay at the house?!”

Well, Athena and Stephanie are banned from entering the Beerson mansion, they are only allowed to sleep in the doghouse, but Athena won't say that…

“Get out of here, you shameless beggar!” Aunt Finna shoos her away. “Your mother hasn't raised you well at all!”

Athena turns around, feeling a lump in her throat. She tells her Aunt and cousin goodnight as she walks to the door.

Her Aunt’s phone rings upstairs, and she hurries to answer it.

As soon as Athena's hand touches the door knob, a swift hand grabs her by the shoulder.

“Hey! Wait! Do you really want that cereal? Then, you can have them. I can't stand the colours and their ugly shapes.” She stuck out her tongue to show her disgust.

Athena blinks her eyes rapidly, she can't believe what she is hearing, or her luck. Is her cousin really giving her something for free? Against the wish of her mother?

“Oh, Pumpkin, I really shouldn't. Auntie said I can't take it, so–”

“Stop being annoying, Athena! It's mine and I say that you can have it!” Before Athena could think, it had been shoved into her hand and Pumpkin pushes her out before Aunt Finna comes back.