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

Special 2. [Y/n]'s past

I know that my father saw what happened. As always, he just silently passed by. I just walked away crying. As soon as I returned to my room, I immediately sat down at the study desk. Before bedtime, my mother came to check if I had memorized it. Since I still made some small mistakes, mother asked me to stay up late to continue studying, tomorrow morning she will check again. In the middle of the night, my room was still lit. I'm so sleepy, but I have to memorize all this before I go to sleep. Merlin surreptitiously climbed onto the balcony of my room. When I saw him outside, I panicked, wondering how he got up.

[Y/n]: Merlin, why are you here at this late at night ?
Merlin: I just want to check on you. Sit down, I have something for you.

Merlin pulled me into the room, letting me sit on the chair. Then he knelt down, gently lifted my legs, and applied ointment to my calves.

Merlin: I heard that the madam hit you again, so I was a bit worried. It's late, you should go to sleep.
[Y/n]: I can't, I had to memorize two books of etiquette. My mother will check tomorrow morning.
Merlin: It's not good to stay up at night to study. You should get up early tomorrow to study. It will be easier for you to memorize if you study in the morning.
[Y/n]: But...
Merlin: If you're afraid you'll oversleep, I'll come wake you up early tomorrow, okay ?
[Y/n]: ....okay.

I asked Merlin to stay and sleep with me. I used the excuse that I didn't want him to have to climb the balcony again, actually because I wanted to be with him. Merlin accommodated my request. He slept on the sofa, I slept on the bed. At 5 a.m the next morning, Merlin called me up to study, and he went back to the maid's quarters. I was able to memorize the whole thing and pass my mother's test. After breakfast, my mother gave me a very lovely teddy bear. She hugged me tightly.

Madam Boucher: I'm sorry for hitting you yesterday. I was too angry. Can you forgive me ?
[Y/n]: Yes, mother. I'm sorry too, because I didn't do well yesterday.
Madam Boucher: My daughter understands it all too well. I expect a lot from you. This mother only wants what is best for you, so I hope you will forgive me if I make a mistake.
[Y/n]: Yes...mother.

It's always like this.

When I was ten years old, mother made me wear a corset. It makes my body ache. Even though I didn't say it, every time Merlin and I met, he would offer me a massage. His hands are a bit rough, and he has no massage experience. He just asked me where the pain was and would massage there. It helped a lot.

Merlin has a dream of becoming a painter. When he turned 17, he stopped working at my house and joined a famous painter's drawing class. Since the artist's class was in another town, Merlin and I couldn't see each other anymore, but we still exchanged letters regularly. Later, I became a writer. Thanks to my father's help, my books were quickly released and loved by readers.

On the night of my 18th birthday, I got to see Merlin again. He saved up money to come back to celebrate my birthday. We sneaked out of the house and went to the dandelion hill. In the moonlight, Merlin gave me my first kiss. We made a promise to be together forever. It was the happiest night of my life. After that night, I planned to go talk to my parents about me and Merlin. I love Merlin very much, and I'm willing to go through all the ups and downs of life with him. But before I could speak, I heard the breaking news.

Mister Boucher: Congratulations, my daughter ! I've found a very good marriage for you.
[Y/n]: What ?
Mister Boucher: The town's famous inventor, Alva Lorentz has proposed to you. He's a good man, and more importantly, he is very rich. I believe he will bring you happiness.
Madam Boucher: Congratulations, [Y/n] ! You're going to get married !
[Y/n]: Wait, WHAT !? ALVA LORENTZ ???

Of course I know who the famous inventor of the town is. Of course I know who Alva Lorentz is. I just can't believe he proposed to me.

Madam Boucher: Dear, I told you not to shout at the dinner table.
Mister Boucher: Forgive her this time, honey. She must be so excited.
[Y/n]: Father, I can't marry him ! I cannot marry him !
Mister Boucher: Why not ?
[Y/n]: I...I...
Madam Boucher: Are you worried about marrying someone you've never met ? Don't worry, you'll see him tomorrow. The two of you will have plenty of time to get to know each other before getting married.
[Y/n]: No...I...I have...

My body is trembling. This will probably be the first time in my life that I contradict my parents' opinion. I know that I shouldn't disobey my parents, but at the thought of marrying someone I don't love, I just can't stand it.

[Y/n]: I ALREADY HAVE SOMEONE I LOVE !

The words struck my parents like lightning. Even the servants were shocked when they heard it.

Madam Boucher: Wh...what ?
[Y/n]: He's a student of a famous painter. He is very talented, he will definitely go even further in the future. We have loved each other for a long time. Father, mother, please listen to me. Besides him, I don't want to marry anyone else. So...please, please refuse Lord Lorentz's proposal.

I lowered my head, imploring earnestly. I remained in that position for a while.

Mister Boucher: Who is that boy ?

As soon as I heard my father's voice, I felt the pressure. I slowly raised my head. This is the first time I have seen my father so angry.

Mister Boucher: What's that boy's name ? Since when have you two met ? How did you get to know him ? Why have we never heard of this ?

I had a hunch that if I leaked information about Merlin, they would do something bad to him.

[Y/n]: D...does it matters ? What matters is that I love him, and I want to marry him, so I can't agree to this marriage. I have lived according to your wishes ever since I was a child, now I want...

Before I could finish my sentence, my mother slapped me hard. It was so strong that I lost my balance and fell to the floor. I stared at my mother. She stood there, her face full of anger.

Madam Boucher: How dare you....

Not stopping there, she started hitting me with her bare hands, even pulling my hair.

Madam Boucher: I'VE PUT ALL MY HEART INTO TAKING CARE OF YOU, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME ?
[Y/n]: M...MOM, PLEASE ! I'M BEGGING YOU !
Madam Boucher: YOU ARE AN UNGRATEFUL CHILD. YOU DARE TO HAVE AN AFFAIR BEHIND YOUR PARENTS' BACK. HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY YOUR MOTHER ? WE GAVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANTED. WE EVEN SUPPORT YOUR DREAM OF BEING A WRITER. YOU THINK WE PAMPER YOU TOO MUCH SO YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT ?
Mister Boucher: Guards ! Take my daughter back to her room and lock the door !
[Y/n]: Father !?
Mister Boucher: You won't be allowed to eat anything, nor will you be allowed to drink anything. You will be released when you have learned to be more obedient. You WILL marry Sir Lorentz. I will send my men to find the person who made my daughter like this. And when I find him, I'll cut his body into seven parts and bring it to you.
[Y/n]: NO, FATHER ! YOU CAN'T DO THAT ! PLEASE, FOR ONCE, LISTEN TO ME ! FATHER ! MOTHER ! PLEASE !

I could only scream in vain while being dragged away.