The Goth One

He had to be really clever, he needed that position to get what he wanted, but Princess Celia won't be an easy task, not at all, he needed a plan, urgently.
"I know I'm an idiot! I'm sorry! I was angry, you all kept hiding things and I wanted to-" no she better kept that to herself, "I'm sorry Celia," she knew she messed up big time.

Letting go of her sister she storms around the room running her fingers through her hair. "No, no, spill it out, you got us imprisoned in a foreign realm, you better have a good reason."

"I wanted to see the world ok?!" She told her sister, "I never left home! I only met our forest and our lake, but I was not even allowed to go to the town! I was already imprisoned! Yes, I know that you did it to protect me, but I just wanted to live," She told her with her eyes filling with tears, "I'm sorry, I know I made a mistake, I want to go back home, and now I can't and I dragged you with me, and I'm sorry!" she was fully sobbing now, "I'm sorry, so sorry, I was stupid, I'm an idiot".

The longing to see the wonders of the universe and uncover their secrets had always burned within her. She found herself gazing out the window of their chamber, a glorified prison, towards the breathtaking realm of eternal summers. Her fingers gripped onto the railings as she took in the view that was reminiscent of her childhood home in Olympia. But here, there were no rocky mountains or hills, just a vast, open plain stretching out before her like a canvas waiting to be painted with new adventures and discoveries. The cerulean blue waters sparkled under the golden sun, beckoning her to dive deeper and explore all that this realm had to offer. "I understand." The anger and fear that had been coursing through her body finally shimmered down as she saw her sister's tears. "I've snuck away from home a few times," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. It wasn't difficult for her to slip away unnoticed; after all, she was the one who provided for their family by hunting. Being gone for hours at a time was nothing out of the ordinary for her. "I've ventured to nearby cities, spoken to the residents there. Sometimes I barter goods in exchange for books or other supplies. And yes, I've even drank with them." She swallowed hard, trying to contain the lump in her throat, "yet people cannot be trusted. They lie, they steal, they claim what they want without care." She paused, memories flashing through her mind. "I've been forced to kill to protect myself because they wished to possess me. And I've been hunted out of cities because they feared what they could not control." These were the harsh lessons she had learned early in life. “Natalia isn’t my mother,” Celia's voice trembled as she revealed a long-kept secret, “my mother tricked our father and had him enslaved. She was a cruel drunk, but when she was sober she was like a spider, weaving webs of lies to control her prey. I cannot remember how we escaped, but we did. Thor found us shortly after, and he brought us here to this place where I met our grandmother. Even after she passed, we chose to stay. But Thor eventually left. He left and I was taken by Odin and given to a powerful vampire who hungered for power just as much as he craved blood. It was there that I met my sister, who he used for his own pleasure...until she couldn't take it anymore and took her own life. And I… I snapped. I didn't care about anyone or anything, until Natalia found me in that state. She took me in and cared for me like a true mother. Our father eventually found us too, falling in love with her and starting a family with her...and then you were born." Celia's words hung heavy with pain and regret, revealing the depths of her past trauma.

Lila just hugged her big sister and cried, both did for a moment, "I'm sorry for everything," she said when she calmed down, "You are the bravest person I have ever met, you know that, right?" she told her big sister, "But we can do this together, right?" Celia was always there for her, she will be there for Celia too.

As her little sister looked up at her with admiring eyes, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew she was seen as brave and strong, but in reality, she was an emotional wreck who lashed out at anyone who got too close. The thought of hurting someone outside of her family never has bother her. "I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect you," she told her sister meeting her eyes. “And I need you to do the same for yourself. I can fend for myself if need be. I cannot however worry and see you hurt.”

"I've been training with uncle Thor, he's not that bad, I think," she informed her, "I also know a few combat spells," no... she never stole her parents' spell book and practiced on her own, "But grandfather Odin, he will make me go through some tasks, we thought that they would be more... bloody, but he wants me to organize a gala," and she was nervous about it, how is she pulling this off?!

Of everything she said, what threw herself off the most was the task Odin gave her. "A gala? That's rather simple," says the girl who's only been to a handful of parties, "I used to have to host galas almost every other night when I was taken."

"I know this will sound bad," she offered her sister a sheepish smile, "But thank the gods for that," she said, "I've missed you," and she hugged her again, she never spent so much time away of her sister, she was really missing her.

Hugging her sister she held her close before she began to cry into her shoulder. "I was so scared he had hurt you..." She couldn't lose another sister. "I'm sorry for being anger with you I just don't want you to get hurt."

She held her tightly, "You were right to be mad at me, I acted like an idiot," she tried to comfort her, "May I stay with you tonight?" Lila asked her, she needed her, just like when she was four and she thought there was a ghost under her bed and she ran to sleep with her big sister.

Drying the last of her tears, she gave a slow nod of her head, "Of course." She couldn't sleep without having her sister nearby. Not here anyways. She needs to be in arm reach of her sister to protect her in her sleep. "I'm going to get ready for bed, okay? I haven't bathed since you left."

Lila nodded, and as Celia went to her bathroom, she changed her clothes and waited for her. When she came back, Lila cuddled next to her and fell asleep, for the first time in weeks she had a peaceful night.
A few hours later, someone knocked on Celia's door. Lila was sleeping so deeply that she didn't even notice.

Celia couldn't fall asleep, her body was screaming, "Danger, Danger, threat around the corner!" When she heard the knock at the door she sprang to her feet and got her improvised weapon of a wooded spike she created by destroying the legs of one of the few seats in the room. She threw the door open and aim the spike at the soldier who brought her here. "You're either a have a death wish or an idiot with a death wish."

"Sorry for bothering you princess, but you and I need to talk," He told her as he put his sword back in his sheath, "May I come in?" but she dragged him to Lila's chamber, just next to hers, "Alright, you want the king dead, I want the king dead, so I think we should work together," she was the reason why he has been promoted. Still, she could be the reason why all his hard work would get ruined.

Her eyes burned with malice, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths. "I'll gut you and skin you alive like a fish if you dare to call me princess one more time," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching to make good on her threat, the sharp edge of her nails biting into her palms as she restrained herself. "And how can I trust you? You brought me here and imprisoned me." She spat the last word out like a curse, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized his every move, searching for any sign of deceit. The room felt thick with tension, her body taut with anticipation.

"You can't trust me, just like I don't trust you to act clever and maybe get you and your sister killed," he said offering a smirk, "Odin took everything from me, and I have been working for years to get this close to him, with you, I finally have a chance, but I can't afford you to ruin everything from me," he took a deep breath, "So, I thought that we should work together," and maybe have a better chance to succeed, "I know his routines, I know the castle better than anyone, I know his personal guards, I just need to get closer and the right opportunity," and she would make things easier if she cooperates.

With a fierce flare of her nostrils, she shoved him against the wall, pressing the stake to his throat with enough force to draw blood. Her eyes burned with a mix of determination and rage. "I am neither a child nor an insecure fool. I will kill Odin myself, with or without your help," she hissed, her voice cold and unyielding. "Unlike you, my goals are not bound by duty. You need me alive, but I can leave you here to choke on your own blood and still accomplish my mission." Her resolve was unshakeable; she would not be mocked or belittled.

"Well, good luck with your mission princess, I think it would be pretty entertaining to see you fail," he told her before he left the room, fine, he will also play his own game, he offered her his help, it would have made thinks easier, but now he was back in his original plan.

Celia and Lila spent the rest of the week organizing the gala night, everything was planned, every single minor detail, everything would be perfect. "I understand why you have to wear a corset, you have boobs, but I'm just twelve," Lila said to her sister as she tied up her corset, "This is stupid," the whole thing, "It's been a week, do you think mama and papa are fine?" they should be there by now.

"It's intended to make you seem older than your years," she said, her voice carrying an edge of resignation, "and it’s also a punishment for forcing me to conform to the image of a proper princess." Her hands tightened the strings momentarily, then relaxed them, reflecting her inner turmoil. The gesture was a physical manifestation of her frustration at being forced into a role she despised. "The witches Mother feared have found us. I managed to escape their clutches, but they might have captured them. Father is far too valuable alive, so I’m certain he’s safe. As for mother, father would never allow anything to happen to her, so she must be safe as well."

"As soon as we get out of here, we're going to find them, right?" she asked turning to face her, "We're going to save them," if they were... no, better not to think about that now, they were under a lot of pressure already. That moment Bucky knocked on the door, "My ladies, it's time, the Alfather is waiting for you." Hand in hand they walked to the main hall, where everyone was waiting for them. Odin stood up and walked towards them, placing a hand over their shoulders before introducing them to the rest of the nobility.

Every fiber of her being screamed at her to attack Odin, to snatch Lila, and flee. No one could be trusted—not the naive sheep mingling around her, nor the wolves lurking among them, hungry for prey. But she forced herself to remain calm, her lips curving into a sweet, delicate smile as she dipped into a graceful curtsy. As Odin turned to speak with his royal council, whom he had introduced before departing, she exhaled, her mind racing. She couldn’t leave just yet. Her heart pounded as she made her way to the refreshment table, the bustling scene around her a stark contrast to the storm raging within. The timing had to be perfect. She glanced around—couples were lost in dance, others savoring sugary confections with their partners, the festivities in full swing. She just needed to blend in for a few more moments before making her move. The clock was ticking, and she could feel the weight of every second as she waited for the right moment to escape.

Bucky, just as any responsible guard would, watched every single step Celia took, how she sneaked out of the hall and onto the corridors, as soon as she turned left, he knew where she was going, to the secret passages to Odin's chamber, those were built as an escape route, very safe if the enemy don't know about their existence, but of course she knew. He couldn't help but smirk, she was good, but he had being spying Odin's guards for months, he knew something she didn't, and that was that those passages were heavily guarded, even in royal events.

There were still advantages to exploring the hidden passageways, even if they were under constant surveillance. The first was familiarizing herself with the intricate routes and potential hiding spots, should she ever need them. Her father likely knew these passages like the back of his hand—perhaps he even had a map drawn up? Tomorrow, she would search his old room to see if he left behind anything useful. For now, it was best to turn back before she was discovered. The guards would surely alert Odin if they found her lurking in these forbidden corridors, and she couldn't afford that. 

Just as Celia was about to make her retreat, the sound of approaching footsteps sent her heart racing—she was cornered. Before she could react, a strong hand pulled her into the shadows. It was Bucky, his expression urgent. Without hesitation, he drew her close, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Play along," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. Understanding instantly, Celia wound her arms around his neck, leaning in as if lost in an intimate moment. The guards appeared, their eyes narrowing suspiciously at the sight, but Bucky met their gaze with casual confidence. "Evening, gentlemen," he said smoothly, Celia added a soft, laugh, pretending to be completely absorbed in Bucky. The guards hesitated, but after a tense moment, they moved on, deciding they were harmless. As their footsteps faded, Bucky released his hold slightly, and Celia let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She let out a low laugh before taunting James, "come along, puppy, I can tell you're getting antsy." As she slipped out of the passageway, she was startled to find her uncle standing not fifty feet away. He turned, his sharp gaze settling on the two of them. "Oh, already sneaking off with a boy at your first gala?" he remarked, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You're so much like your father. Don't worry—I’ll leave you two to your mischief."

They made sure Thor was out of sight before Bucky broke the silence, "That was very reckless, even for you princess," He told her using his usual teasing tone, but one could notice the true worry underneath, "You have to be careful, you know better than myself how Odin would react to you sneaking into his chambers," it could risk everything he has done, "We should go back now," and try to find an explanation now that very important people thought he was fooling around with the princess... so many complications, why must he be such a good guy?