[DROP] ?Identity V? Imprisoned [ Hermit x Reader ]

[Y/n] POV

At the dinner table

[Y/n]: Mother, can I have some more ? I'm still so hungry.

Tonight's dinner for me is only mashed potato salad. I want to eat meat, but I ate it yesterday, so I have to wait two more days to eat it.

Madam Boucher: No. If you eat more, you will get fat. If you've finished eating, go back to your room and finish reading the etiquette book.
Mister Boucher: Remember to do all your homework before going to bed, honey.
[Y/n]: Yes, father, mother. Hope you two have a great evening.

I quietly went to my room, jumped straight into bed. Since I was 7, I had to follow my mom's strict diet.
I'm so hungry. I want to sneak down to the kitchen to get something to eat, but if the servants found out, they would definitely tell my mother.
When I heard a knock on the door, I quickly sat down at my desk, opened the etiquette book, and pretended I was reading it.

[Y/n]: Come in !

I pretended to be studying very hard.

Merlin: [Y/n]

I thought it was my mother, but it wasn't. When I turned my head, I saw Merlin. Merlin's father work for my family, he often brings his son to work to help him. Thanks to that, we had the opportunity to get to know each other. My parents didn't want me to be too close to people of a lower status than me, so Merlin and I could only meet in secret.

[Y/n]: Merlin, you shouldn't be here. My mother will come to check on me soon.
Merlin: I know. I just wanted to come give you this.

Merlin took from his pocket half a loaf of bread. As soon as I saw it, my stomach growled.

Merlin: I know you're still hungry. The chef will give me some cookies later, I'll bring it to you if you're still awake by that time.
[Y/n]: Merlin, I can't take this. You also need to eat a lot to work.
Merlin: I've already eaten a lot so there's no need to worry about me. You're the one who needs to eat more. You're still too small. You need to eat a lot to grow up healthy. Just take it, I have to hurry before your mom comes.

Merlin put the bread in my hand and quickly ran away. I followed his back until it was out of sight. Thanks to the bread that he gave me, I felt less hungry.

Merlin is 3 years older than me, he always behaves like a big brother. He knew that I was forced to go on a diet and was always hungry, so he often brought me some food. I really appreciate the little things he does for me. Whenever my parents were away, Merlin would secretly take me outside to play with the kids in the neighborhood. They often play a lot of interesting games. The person who invented those games was a boy named Alva Lorentz. That boy and I soon became very close.

___________________

Madam Boucher: Why can't you do something so simple ?

She said as she swung her whip at my calf. In etiquette class, I constantly made mistakes and was criticized a lot by the teacher. Mother was very angry.

Madam Boucher: Didn't you read the book I told you to ? If you had studied better, you could have done better. Do you know how embarrassed I was when I heard your teacher comment on you ?
[Y/n]: I...I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't do better.
Madam Boucher: If you don't study properly, people will laugh at you. Not only that, they will also say that your parents don't know how to teach you. Do you want your parents to have a bad reputation ?
[Y/n]: No, I would never...
Madam Boucher: Go back to your room and continue studying. Memorize two books of etiquette, I'll check on you later.
[Y/n]: Yes...mother.