Moonspear All around the mulberry bush

"I don't mean life or death. I just don't like to be seen as helpless or stupid, like some damsel in distress." Heldi tried to explain to him, wondering silently if he understood. "I prefer to do things myself, I suppose I like being alone." 

"Do you know what a bastard is?" Her question was softer, the word practically spat from her lips with hatred. It wasn't as if Heldi wanted to be born to her father. It hadn't been like she asked to be raised by her vicious step mother.