When the Villaness Becomes the Hero

Prologue

Waking up I realized something was terribly wrong. My body would not move when I tried and I was looking at a carousel. Am I a baby?! I felt tears starting to form as I accepted reality. "Oh look! Little Lady is awake!" I heard someone whisper in excitement. A kind man's face appeared over my crib and smiled. "My darling Melissa, how Papa loves you." Papa said allowing me to take one his fingers in my hand. Wait, Melissa as in Melissa Vanhelsing?! From there my thoughts began to swirl and I knew that I would not be the villain. I will live a happy live and fall in love...with someone other than Lord Wright! I vowed and giggled as my Papa lifted me up. He played with me until I felt a presence that made me feel uneasy. Mother. I knew in an instant as even Papa grew sober. "I am pleased to see you playing with our daughter but I must admit I am rather disappointed in myself for not producing an heir to inherit your position." She said not even sparing me a glance. "It matters not, there is still time for that. We should enjoy the small moments my dear, they vanish before we know it." Papa said hugging me to him. I felt secure in his arms and loved sighing happily. "So be it, the next time I will not fail." My mother vowed and swept from the room. "Your mother loves you in her own way Melissa, please know that." Papa whispered and once more played with me causing me to squeal in delight.

    Before I realized it, it was my 10th birthday. Mother never grew closer to me and seemed to grow more bitter with each still born child. Unless necessary I never went near her as she tended to find nothing but faults. For my age, I am quite bright having advanced education I am ahead of most children my age. I also excelled at the finer arts but Mother always found an error that I needed to fix. I accepted these silently knowing that if I tried to talk back it would end badly. After all, in the game the main reason Melissa turned evil was because of her mother. Shaking the thought I heard the door open to the study. "Hello daughter." Papa said coming in with a smile. "Papa! How happy I am to see you!" I said greeting him properly and Papa frowned. "What is wrong Papa? Did I do it wrong?" I asked suddenly thinking over my greeting. "Not at all but I am still disappointed. Where is my hug?" Papa asked sulking and I giggled running to him. "That is better!" Papa said pleased. "Papa, was your journey home pleasant?" I asked taking in his cologne. "It was, I brought a few things and also a visitor. You will meet him tonight, so please make him feel like he is at home." Papa said gently. "Of course Papa!" I promised.

    The day passed quickly and I found myself growing uneasy. I hope nothing goes wrong at dinner tonight. I thought to myself as I dressed with Harriet's help. "Thank you Harriet, excellent job as usual." I said pleased with the outcome. "I am glad you like it Melissa." Harriet said. Being my age we became quick friends and even had things in common. "Well I am off Harriet, I am not sure when I will come up to bed. So if it comes to eleven please go to bed." I said. "Alright, have fun!" Harriet said waving me off. "It's mother your talking about. It won't be fun." I said softly leaving the safety of my room. I made it downstairs and noticed that the guests seat was placed right next to mine. Fresh conversation! I thought excited. Just then the entrance opened and the butler coughed. "May I introduce Lord Christopher Vanhelsing." He announced and in stepped a boy about the same age as me. Oh Christopher, how could I have forgotten about your arrival? Worry not! I will not allow you to be hurt by mother! I vowed quietly. In the game, Chris was abused by my mother daily as well as me and that caused him to be rather recluse as well as cryptic and nasty. "Pleased to meet you I am Lady Melissa Vanhelsing, and this is my mother Lady Sophie Vanhelsing." I said motioning towards the seat next to me. He will not know any of the needed etiquette procedures. I must use caution as not to attract mothers attention while showing him the right thing to do. I determined keeping my smile in place.

    We sat down and the first course was brought out when I noticed mothers smile. I shuddered and peeked at our guest realizing why she looked amused. I lightly tapped his leg with my foot causing him to send me a confused look. Making a motion, he caught my meaning out of the corner of his eye smiling gratefully as he fixed his posture. I then discreetly pointed to the silverware needed for the first course and felt pleased as we ate. This continued through dinner and mother seemed to become more and more furious. "He is much more refined than you implied James." She said looking displeased and I held my breath. "Indeed what a pleasant surprise. Melissa dear I have some news to impart." Papa said seriously and mother flinched. "Yes Papa?" I asked already knowing what he was going to say. "How would you feel if I said that we have adopted your cousin?" Papa asked hedging and I could sense Christopher's eyes on me. "I would say that is wonderful Papa! I have always wanted a brother!" I said and inwardly cringed. I will pay for this later. I knew in that moment but did not allow it to affect my happiness in the moment. "I am glad to hear it because as of today he is part of our family." Papa said and smiled watching as I turned towards Christopher. "Since we are family as of right now, I must insist you call me Missy. I will not allow you to go by formalities." I said genuinely. "Then please call me Chris, I have always longed for a sister as well. I am glad it is you Missy." Chris said sounding just as genuine. With the meal finished we all chatted in the drawing room until finally it was time for bed. "Melissa, please stay a moment." Mother said and my blood ran cold. Please do not leave me alone with her. I begged silently as the door shut and Mother locked it.

    I swallowed nervously backing up instinctively. "What did you wish to speak of mother?" I forced myself to ask glad I sounded normal. "Do not pretend to be innocent child, you know what you did and said!" Mother said in a low voice turning slowly and I began to grow more scared. "Mother, there is nothing wrong with helping him! He is a member of our family now!" I defended myself and noticed mother flinched. Wrong thing to say, I will have to find a way to ensure Chris never finds out about mothers true nature. I will also need to pry a promise out of Harriet. I thought as I already knew what was coming and it was only going to get worse.