-WARNING, A Heavy Topic Such As Abuse Is Mentioned-

"Look at me," Alyssa said, her voice cold and harsh.

"You're a worthless child, you know that? Nothing but a burden to me and your father"

Rosalind's body trembled more, her eyes filling with tears.

She didn't dare look away from Alyssa, her chin still clutched in the older woman's painful grip.

But even so, she didn't speak. She just knelt there, silently taking the abuse.

Alyssa scowled, her grip tightening on Rosalind's chin. "You're such a weakling," she spat.

"You never fight back, you never say anything. You just crawl around like a pathetic little mouse, waiting to be stomped on"

The pain in Rosalind's eyes was heartbreaking. She winced as Alyssa's grip tightened, her body instinctively trying to pull back, but she held her firmly in place.

Tears escaped her eyes, rolling down her cheeks silently.

"Pathetic," Alyssa sneered, releasing Rosalind's chin and instead grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back.

"Why do you have to be so weak? Why can't you be more like me? Strong and ambitious"

Rosalind let out a cry of pain as her hair was pulled, her neck bending at an awkward angle.

Her fear was palpable, so overwhelming that Yuto could almost feel it radiating off of her in waves.

Alyssa leaned closer, her face inches from Rosalind's, her grip on the girl's hair still firm, holding her in place.

"You'll always be a failure," Alyssa hissed, her voice low and venomous.

"A burden. An embarrassment. I wish you had died with your mother"

The pain in Rosalind's eyes seemed to deepen further, her body trembling even more violently now.

She looked on the verge of breaking, but whether it was from the pain or the crushing weight of Alyssa's words, Yuto couldn't tell.

"You're weak," Alyssa spat again, releasing Rosalind's hair and pushing her away.

Rosalind fell back, landing hard on her backside, her lip quivering from the pain and humiliation.

Alyssa's lips curled into a cruel smile, watching Rosalind on the floor, her chest heaving and her face pale.

"That's where you belong, child," she said, her voice cold and cruel.

"On the floor, beneath my feet"

["I can do anything, I hate this, I do not want to see this"]

As soon as Alyssa was about to bring down her foot, Yuto felt the words he had been holding back, come out in full force.

"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU FUCKING MONSTER!"

Yuto's voice echoed through the memory, the pain and anger in his voice obvious.

Rosalind, still on the floor, flinched at the sudden outburst, her eyes going wide.

Alyssa, for her part, spun around, her face filled with surprise and annoyance.

"Who said that?" she demanded, her voice harsh and cold.

["I may be a passing thought, a spectator viewing this memory but I won't stand and do nothing"]

Yuto stood in the memory, his eyes fixed on Alyssa, the anger and protectiveness radiating off him.

Despite being an onlooker in this memory, his voice had drawn Alyssa's attention, and now she was staring at him, her eyes narrowed in confusion and disbelief.

Alyssa's eyes darted back and forth between Yuto and Rosalind, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance.

"Who are you?" she demanded again, her voice harsh.

"How dare a mere commoner command me to stop?"

Yuto didn't back down, his gaze fixed on Alyssa. "I don't care who you are or what you think you are," he said, his voice cold and firm.

"I won't stand here and watch as you abuse a defenseless child"

Alyssa's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing further. "Defenseless?" she sneered, her voice dripping with scorn.

"This child is weak. Pathetic. She deserves to be put in her place. To be taught a lesson"

Yuto clenched his fists, his body tensing. "Teaching a lesson is one thing," he said, his voice hardening.

"But what you're doing is abuse. You're treating her like trash like she's not even human. It's disgusting"

Alyssa's expression hardened further, her eyes filled with malice. She took a step closer, her body language aggressive and hostile.

"Who do you think you are, to judge me and my methods? I am Rosalind's stepmother. I have the authority and right to discipline her as I see fit"

"No, you are just a sick freak that thinks it's okay to abuse a child, you fucking monster"

Alyssa let out a chuckle, she looked at Rosalind and back at Yuto, and her chuckle became a burst of laughter, as her body shook violently.

["I-is it just me or is she getting bigger?"]

Alyssa's voice became more distorted, her body morphing into something unholy.

"Bloody hell, you are a monster"

Yuto's eyes widened as Alyssa suddenly began to change, her form distorting and twisting into something not human.

Her body grew larger, her limbs elongating and distorting, her fingers transforming into wicked claws.

Her face contorted, her eyes glowing with an unholy light, and her mouth twisted into a monstrous grin, revealing razor-sharp fangs.

The once-human woman was now transformed into a terrifying beast, standing tall above Yuto.

Yuto took a step back, his heart thumping in his chest, his mind filled with the horror of what he was witnessing.

Rosalind, still on the floor, let out a small squeak of fear, her eyes going wide.

"Shit, ROSALIND GET OUT OF HERE!" Yuto grabbed the sword off the wall as a giant hand slammed him to the floor

Rosalind, shaking with fear, stumbled to her feet, her eyes darting between Yuto and the monstrous beast that once was Alyssa.

Yuto grunted as he hit the ground, the wind knocked out of him. He struggled to his feet, gripping the sword tightly in his hand.

The sword glowed softly, its magic responding to his desperation.

"Don't touch her you fucking monster!"

The beast let out a guttural roar, its voice deep and demonic.

It seemed to be enraged further by Yuto's words, its eyes narrowing with malice.

It raised a ginormous hand, intending to strike Yuto again.

But Yuto was faster. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming blow. He swung the sword in a wide arc, the magic contained within the blade surging forth, and cutting a deep gash into the creature's side.

The beast roared in pain, its body shuddering. It turned on Yuto, its gaze filled with hatred.

Its other hand came swinging down, attempting to smash Yuto into the floor.

["This is how she sees Alyssa. It's terrifying!"]

Yuto dodged the blow again, rolling to the side. He was quick on his feet, using the speed and agility provided to him by the system.

He quickly retaliated with another slash at the beast's side, the sword cutting another deep gash into its flesh.

Yuto darted around the room, trying to find anything he could use to end the fight but then he saw that Rosalind was not moving, shaking in fear.

Her legs had given out due to her fear of going against Alyssa.

Yuto's mind was torn, his concern for Rosalind clear. But he couldn't afford to waste focus.

The beast was closing in again, its rage growing with each cut inflicted

He took a glance at Rosalind, his heart clenching at the sight of her fear. But he had no time to help her now.

He had to keep the beast preoccupied, stall till he found a way to beat it.

Yuto's heart skipped a beat as the beast lunged forward, its massive hand descending towards Rosalind.

"N-no get AWAY FROM HER!"

He dropped his guard for a split second, lunging towards Rosalind, his mind screaming at him to get her out of there.

His fingers just managed to grab a hold of her thin arm, yanking her away just as the beast's hand crashed down where she had been mere moments before

Yuto stumbled back, holding onto Rosalind. She was shaking like a leaf, her eyes wide with terror.

It roared again, clearly frustrated at having missed its target. The whole room shook with the beast's rage.

"Rose, are you scared of that thing?"

The fear in Rosalind's eyes answered Yuto's question more than words ever could. Her body trembled against his, her breaths coming out in short, panicked gasps.

But there was a hint of determination in her face, a flicker that told him she was trying to be brave.

"I used to be scared of those monsters too you know"

Rosalind's eyes flicked up to meet Yuto's, surprise and disbelief etched on her face.

The fear seemed to lessen a little, replaced by a hint of curiosity.

He carefully placed her down as he pointed his sword at the beast, "You know Rosalind, I think you're stronger than that thing"

Rosalind's eyes widened again, this time filled with confusion. She looked between Yuto and the monstrous beast, her young mind struggling to process Yuto's words.

"Stronger... than that?" she whispered, her voice quivering slightly.

Yuto nodded, his eyes still fixed on the creature. "Stronger," he confirmed.

"You're strong, Rosalind. Deep down inside, you're much stronger than you realize"

Rosalind's lips trembled, her eyes filling with unshed tears. The fear was still there, but it was mixed with a glimmer of hope now, a hint that perhaps what Yuto said was true.

"And I'll show you that the thing in front of us is nothing more than a pathetic excuse of a human, who has no control over who you are!"

Yuto's voice was firm, his determination clear. He raised the sword again, the blade held tight in his grip.

The beast roared once more, sensing Yuto's confidence and preparing to attack

Rosalind watched, her eyes wide, her body tensing in anticipation.

She was still scared, that was obvious, but Yuto's words had lit a spark within her.

A spark of courage, of defiance against the terror that had been inflicted upon her

Yuto leaped forward, charging toward the beast.

He ducked and dodged as it swatted at him, its monstrous form lumbering and slow.

He slashed at its legs, the magic in the blade cutting through its flesh as if it were butter.

The beast roared again, pain and frustration mingling in the sound. It tried to grab Yuto, but he was too quick, too agile.

He moved with precision and finesse, his mind focused solely on evading its flailing limbs and delivering painful blows.

"You see, she has no right to say you are weak. She has no right to deny your existence. You are stronger!"

Rosalind was watching, her small form shaking as she witnessed Yuto's onslaught.

His words, echoing in her ears, spoke to something deep within her.

She had always thought of herself as weak, helpless, a burden. But someone was telling her, showing her, that she was strong. Capable.

The beast was faltering, its movements growing slower and less coordinated. But it wasn't giving up.

It let out a bellow, the sound echoing off the room's walls.

It lunged once more at Yuto, its arms outstretched, its intent to crush him clear.

"And I promise you that it only takes one step, one step of courage to fight back"

Yuto spoke as he dodged again, his voice strong and sure.

Rosalind was listening, her eyes focused on Yuto, his words sinking in.

Her mind was conflicted, her fear warring with the courage his words were trying to instill in her.

Yuto continued to evade the beast, his movements smooth and fluid.

He had the creature on the back foot now, its strength and size no longer enough to overcome his speed and skill.

"Say it with me, Rosalind, I am strong!"

Rosalind's lips moved silently, repeating the words in a whisper. "I-I am strong..."

Her voice was small and hesitant, but there was a hint of conviction there, a flicker of belief.

"I exist!"

"I... exist..." Rosalind repeated, her voice a little louder this time.

The words felt foreign, strange in her mouth. But there was a part of her that was starting to believe them.

"I am a person, I have feelings!"

"I am... a person..." Rosalind's voice was growing stronger now, her words coming out more firmly. "I... have feelings..."

She was starting to believe. Starting to understand what he was trying to do, if one cannot take that step alone, then one needs someone to help push them onto the right path.

"Now who are you?"

Rosalind's eyes widened as Yuto asked his question. A moment of confusion and uncertainty

Who was she? A child, a burden, a weakness? That's what she had always thought. That's what had been drilled into her by Alyssa.

But Yuto's words and actions tell her something very different. They told her that she was so much more than that.

"I'm... I'm Rosalind Akira," she said, her voice growing more confident and determined.

"I'm strong... I exist... I am a person... with feelings"

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Yuto smiled, his heart swelling with pride. His words were sinking in, Rosalind was starting to believe in herself.

"That's right," he encouraged, keeping his attention on the beast.

"You're Rosalind. And you're strong. Stronger than anything in this room"

The beast lunged again, its movements becoming more frantic, more desperate.

It was wounded, both physically and mentally. Yuto dodged again, his eyes staying fixed on Rosalind.

"Now tell me," he called, jumping out of the way of a flailing claw. "What is the most important thing in the world?"

Rosalind's mind was working swiftly now. "The most important..." she repeated, the words clicking together. "Family? Friends? Love?"

"Yes," Yuto said, a smirk on his lip as he evaded another blow from the beast.

"Love is powerful. It's what makes us human. What gives us our strength"

"Love yourself, care for yourself, because you are important Rosalind"

Rosalind's eyes welled up with tears, the words hitting her like a truck. Love herself? Care for herself?

The idea was so foreign, but with every word Yuto spoke, it was beginning to make sense, to sink in.

Yuto jumped back to where Rosalind was, patting her head with a bright smile, "You can do it"

Rosalind looked up at Yuto, her eyes still filled with tears.

She was scared, still scared for Yuto, for herself. But there was something there, a flicker of determination.

"I... can do it...?" she repeated, her voice a whisper. She was beginning to believe. To believe in herself, in her strength

"Grab the sword with me, because we are taking down that thing together"

Rosalind felt her pulse quicken as Yuto held out the sword, inviting her to take it.

Fear and doubt were still there, still trying to hold her back.

But the courage, the newfound belief in herself that Yuto had inspired, was stronger.

She reached out, her small hand wrapping around the sword's hilt, her fingers intertwining with Yuto's

Together, they lifted the sword, the magic within the blade surging to life, the light surrounding them growing brighter.

The beast, sensing the shift in the air, roared in anger, its eyes narrowing as it focused on Rosalind and Yuto.

But Yuto wasn't backing down, and neither was Rosalind. They stood together, their eyes fixed on the monster, "Now say it with me, goodnight you fucking monster!"

["Not a good idea to swear in front of a kid, but I'm mad as hell"]

Rosalind's eyes widened at Yuto's swearing, a hint of shock on her face.

But then, a small giggle escaped her, and she repeated the words, her voice gaining strength.

"Good...night you... monster!"

Yuto let out a chuckle, surprised but elated at Rosalind's reaction. Her courage was growing, her spirit coming to life.

The beast roared again, its form shaking as it prepared to charge.

Yuto readied himself, gripping the sword tight, the magic within the blade growing hot.

Rosalind stood beside him, her small hand still on the sword's hilt, her eyes unwavering.

Yuto tensed up, his body shifting into a fighting stance. "Heavenly Martial Art First Form: Judgment!"

The giant sword enveloped by light, struck the beast through the chest as it howled in pain, its body shuddering as Yuto's blade burrowed deep into its flesh.

It stumbled, flailing wildly, but Yuto was already moving, stepping back out of reach.

Rosalind watched in amazement, her eyes wide.

For the first time in her life, she saw that a monster like that could be defeated.

That she could stand against something so fearsome

"You see, it's nothing more than a pathetic human. You are strong Rosalind"

Rosalind's heart soared, the words echoing in her mind.

She was strong.

She was no longer a defenseless, weak child. She was capable of so much more.

A small smile crept onto her lips. She was beginning to believe.

To believe in herself

Yuto smiled, pride and admiration filling his chest. Rosalind was overcoming her fear, her courage growing by the second.

But the fight wasn't over yet. The beast was still standing, furious and hurt.

"Rosalind, can you turn around and close your eyes and ears for me"

Rosalind blinked in surprise but did as she was told. She turned away from the beast, closing her eyes tight and covering her ears.

[ Seven Sins Art, First Form: Wrath ]

Yuto struck the beast through the head and soon it was engulfed in flames, the black fire consuming it with an eerie light.

It let out a final, pained howl, a cry of defeat and horror. The heat grew intense, the air filling with the stench of burnt flesh.

Rosalind felt the heat on her back, her eyes still tightly shut, her ears still covered. She knew what had happened, even without seeing it.

"Rosalind, it's over"

Rosalind lowered her hands, her eyes slowly opening. The room was silent now, the beast nothing but a pile of smoldering ash.

She turned to Yuto, her heart full. "It... it's over?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly

Yuto nodded a small smile on his face. "It's over," he confirmed. "You did it. You were brave, stronger than you ever thought possible"

Rosalind's eyes welled up with tears, the reality of it all hitting her.

But these were not tears of fear or sadness.

They were tears of relief, of happiness, of triumph. She had done it. She had stood up to her worst fears, and she had won.

She ran forward, her small frame wrapping around Yuto, her arms around his waist in a tight hug.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

Yuto was surprised for a moment, but he quickly returned the hug, resting his hand on Rosalind's head.

"You have nothing to thank me for," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth.

"You did it all by yourself, Rosalind"

Rosalind pulled back slightly, looking up at Yuto with tear-filled eyes.

"I... I did," she said, her voice filled with a sense of wonder. For the first time, she truly believed it, deep in her heart.

"I am strong"

Yuto felt the light enveloping him, a subtle pull, a sense of being tugged back. He looked down at Rosalind, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he had to leave.

"Rosalind..." he began, his voice steady but filled with sadness.

"I... I have to go now... But I want you to remember something, okay?"

Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes wide and questioning. "What...?"

Yuto knelt so he was eye-to-eye with her. "Remember that you are strong," he said, his voice firm but soft. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Stay strong, Rosalind"

"I...I will..." Rosalind's voice was small, but it was filled with a firmness now, a resolve that was new to her

The light was growing stronger, pulling at Yuto, trying to drag him back to the present.

"Good..." Yuto said, his voice fading slightly as he was pulled further and further away.

He managed a final smile, his thoughts filled with hope for Rosalind's future.

"Promise me you'll keep believing in yourself, Rosalind. Promise me you won't let anyone make you think that you are less"

"I... I promise..."

Rosalind's voice was barely a whisper now, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and acceptance.

Yuto's form began to fade, the light taking him back to the present.

And in that final moment, as he vanished from Rosalind's sight, Yuto knew that he had done more than just save her from a monster.

He had given her something she had never had before - the courage to stand up for herself, to believe in her strength.

-Rosalind's Room-

"Ah, I'm back"

Yuto groaned as he materialized back in Rosalind's small room, the familiar surroundings of the present world jolting him back to reality.

He took a deep breath, the scenes from Rosalind's memory still vivid in his mind.

"She'll be all right," Yuto muttered to himself, his voice soft but firm.

He knew it deep in his heart, Rosalind's spirit had changed. She was no longer the timid, fragile child she had been before

"System, how long do I have before I'm sent back to my body?"

<- System ->

[ 15 Minutes ]

Yuto nodded at the reply. "15 minutes, huh..."

"Before I'm sent back, I'm going to give the queen a piece of my mind"

He got up quickly put on a dress and ran out of the room to where Alyssa was located, "The family must be having lunch about now"

Yuto kept running, the halls of the castle almost empty as he moved through them.

He knew he didn't have a lot of time, each second ticking away as he approached the dining room.

He halted in front of the closed door, taking a deep breath. He could hear voices from within, the sound of silverware clinking against expensive plates.

Pushing open the door, he stepped into the room, his jaw set, his eyes hard.

Alyssa's startled face looked up, her eyes growing wide as she saw who had interrupted their lunch.

"Claudia, Father, I have an announcement to make"

The dining room fell silent, all eyes turning towards Yuto. Claudia's face was a mix of surprise and curiosity, her father's expression more stern.

"What is it, Rosalind?" Claudia asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern

"What announcement?"

Yuto took a deep breath. "I have a secret that I've been holding in," he began, his voice steady and firm.

The room was still, the only sound was the soft breathing of the people present. Claudia and their father stared at Yuto expectantly, their eyes showing a mix of curiosity and unease.

"My stepmother, Alyssa, must know what I'm talking about"

Alyssa's face paled as Yuto spoke, her eyes widening slightly. She seemed to shrink in her chair, her hand clutching at the tablecloth.

"You know what I'm talking about, don't you?" Yuto's voice was cold, his gaze fixed on Alyssa

The others in the room exchanged confused glances, their attention now fully on the exchange between Yuto and Alyssa

"You fucking monster"

The room fell silent again at Yuto's words, the harshness of his tone sending a chill through the air. The king seemed taken aback, shock clear on his face.

Alyssa was frozen in her seat, her hand trembling against the tablecloth. She looked like a cornered animal, her usual haughty demeanor crumbled.

"You and I both know the truth," Yuto continued, his eyes boring into Alyssa's. "You've been terrorizing me since day one, treating me like a worthless servant, a scapegoat for your frustrations"

"Father, I have never felt safe in my own home, because she made it her mission to make me miserable"

The king frowned, his features darkening as Yuto's words sank in. He shot a sideways glance at Alyssa, disbelief and anger in his eyes.

Alyssa sat in her seat, her pale face stark against the bright white of the tablecloth. For the first time, she looked truly vulnerable, her usual sharpness and arrogance stripped away.

"Did you think I'd just take it forever?" Yuto pressed on, stepping closer to Alyssa. "That I'd remain silent while you continuously treat me like garbage? No. I've had enough"

<- System ->

[ 2 minutes ]

Yuto's heart skipped a beat at the System's warning. He had so much more to say, so many more grievances to air. But time was running short.

He turned to Claudia and the king, his expression softening slightly. "Please," he said, his voice low. "Please understand, this is not a lie. Alyssa has been cruel, malicious, since the very beginning"

The king's face was a storm of emotions - disbelief, anger, confusion. He looked at Alyssa, then back at Yuto, trying to process what he was hearing.

"Is this... true, Alyssa?" he asked, his voice heavy with disappointment, a hint of threat underlying his words

Alyssa remained silent, her head lowered, her fingers gripping the tablecloth like it was her lifeline. Her silence was all the confirmation the room needed.

"You have nothing to say for yourself?" Yuto said, his voice quieter now, laced with bitterness

"After everything you've done, you have no explanation? No excuse?"

Alyssa's silence hung heavily in the air. The atmosphere in the room was charged with anger, disappointment, and disbelief. Only the soft clinking of silverware against plates broke the heavy silence.

<- System ->

[ Now sending back to the original body ]

Yuto's heart clenched as the System's message echoed in his mind. Time was up

"Wait-" Yuto felt a sudden shift as if the world was being torn away from him. The last thing he saw was the shocked faces of the people in the dining room before everything went dark.

"Rosalind!" The king and Claudia shouted trying to catch him, ["Hah, see Rosalind, you have people that care about you"]

-Night-

As Rosalind regained consciousness, she found herself back in her room, her body slumped against a wall. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog of the transition.

"What... happened?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.