Anna

"Mom? Why can't I take off my glove?" I asked, picking at leather covering my right hand. "I know I have a weird birthmark, but why do I have to cover it?"

As Mom was putting a book back into the shelf, she froze at my questions. "Wh-what brought this on, Little Bird?"

I shrugged. "Everyone asks why I always wear gloves. I'm just curious."

She drew in a long breath and sat down next to me on the bed. "I suppose you should know at least a little about it, my love," she sighed. "But what I tell you never leaves this room. You hear me?"

I nodded. "Yes, Mom."

As she began to speak, she hesitated. "I...I still think you're too young... I'm so sorry..." She trembled. "I can't do this. I can't."

With that, she buried her face in her hands and cried. "I'm so sorry..."

"Mom, it's ok." I crawled closer to her, hugging her tight. "I-is the truth behind it really that bad?"

She nodded. "Yes. I promise to tell you when you're older, but not now." She took a deep breath, regaining composure. "But, the least I can tell you is...is about your father."

I tensed. "R-really?"

Her nails dug into her palms. "I've already told you some things about him. Now, I'll tell you the rest," she seethed. "When we found out I was pregnant with you, he changed from the kind and charming man he was into a monster. One day, I was captured by this group called the Grimleal, and he did nothing to stop it. In fact, he orchestrated it. He was their leader."

I gasped. "Wh-what?! Why would he do that?!"

"He is a manipulative liar who is willing to cause as much pain as possible to get what he wants," she shuttered. "He kept me in a cell those nine months. I was constantly watched. Never able to be free. All he wanted was you. In fact, I almost lost my life when he found out I was half Ylissean. He didn't care that I was with child. But, just for a damned experiment, he allowed us to live."

What experiment? Was he an evil scientist? 

"When I gave birth to you, I was the most terrified I've ever been in my life." She held me even closer. "I knew that you fulfilled what he was looking for. He took you away from me. That...that bastard took away my only light..."

She reached for a headkerchief to dry her tears. "He should have killed me right then and there if he'd been smart. That night, I snuck into the room he was holding you and stole you away. I ran from that dark place and immigrated into Ylisse. I knew you would be safe here..."

We sat there in complete silence for a few moments. Mom did all of that...for me...? How could Father be so cruel?! What did he want to do with me?

I let out a breath and said the only thing I could think of. "...I love you, Mom."

"I love you, too, my Little Bird..." she breathed. "You know, I gave you that nickname the day I escaped with you." 

I looked up at her. "Really? Why?"

She smiled. "There was a mother robin nesting near the place we rested. It was so late in the season and yet she had her young. She reminded me of myself." Her hand combed through my hair. "Thus, you became my Little Bird. Not only that, but I named you after a swan. You handled our journey so gracefully; like a swan. The name Anna means graceful, so it was only fitting."

"Thank you, Mom. For going through all of that," I sniffled. "I promise that if I ever meet that man, I will make him pay for all he has done."

Mom giggled. "I'm sure you will, love. But also pray that he never finds you. Ever."

"Yes, Mom."

*****

You will find out in due time, Anna. Just you wait. RIP, me. I have one week left until school. Lord help me. Luckily, I have enough BA written to last me a while so that'll spare me some stress. I just need to focus on HSY again XD. Also, thank you so so so much for 4k reads! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!