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When Regan turned back to the compartment, her mother was still sleeping. She hoped they would find a way out of there or if the flight would even end. She didn't know how much time had passed but she was tired as hell.As she sat down on her seat, she couldn't shake the intrusive thoughts about what he had done. She couldn't get over the fact that he had caressed her face."Why? Just why?" she mumbled, feeling her voice break. She couldn't start to cry again, she tried to shove his image and voice away from her mind.Suddenly, Octavia shifted from her place, slowly opening her eyes. She glanced at Regan confusedly, lost in thought for a moment. Then, she turned back into reality and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace."I love you so much," she whispered."I love you too," Regan replied, hugging her mother back with equal love.As they pulled away, Octavia sensed the worry and unease on Regan's face. Her eyes filled with concern and she took her hand in hers, "What happened, my dear? Did he do something?" she asked, her voice low.Regan fought the urge to cry in her mother's arms. But she couldn't do it, not when he could come again and start his game once again. But she couldn't stay without telling her mother either. She felt as if she was going to suffocate if she continued to hold it."He-he....he touched my face and s-said some things. I don't want this anymore." She burst out again in tears and fell on her mother's arms.Her mother held her close, her grip on her tightening, "Oh, my dear. Don't worry. I'll fix that for you. Don't cry. Please, don't. I'll give him a piece of my mind. He won't hurt you again. I swear." She said, her voice soothing and calm as she kept her daughter close. Regan buried her head in her mother's arms, crying once again. She knew she had to hold herself, but she was way too charged now."Thank you, mom," she mumbled through tears. Octavia stroked her hair and her voice was filled with determination, "Don't worry. I'll talk to him."Her mother's words were comforting and Regan was more than grateful for her unwavering love and support. Slowly, she fell asleep in her mother's arms.***She woke up from a slight shake. Her eyes fluttered open and it was her mother. She felt relief spreading over her. She had seen too many nightmares."Sweetie, let's go," Octavia said.Regan rubbed her eyes and yawned. Slowly, she got up from her seat and followed her mother's lead. As they stepped out of the vessel ship, they met with the warm breeze of the place. It was a familiar place, a beautiful place that made Regan suffocate. The sky was dark, painted in shades of red and purple. She glanced around, wondering where he was but she saw only his general, Vlad."Follow me," he said.Regan frowned, not wanting to follow him at all. But her mother had her hand clasped and so they followed Vlad's lead. The scent of the roses filled her nostrils, making her dizzy and their haunting stares were making her cut and ruin them all. They were taunting her with their beauty, mocking her with their perfection. She felt foolish and choiceless."Sweetie, don't worry, we'll get out of this."But Regan only shrugged. How could her mom say this, when they were entering the wolf's den?The castle stood there, intimidating her with its darkness and beauty. It was dark as always with its towering spires reaching up to the sky, casting eerie shadows over the surrounding landscape. Regan felt a shiver run down her spine as she approached, the imposing structure looming over her with its menacing presence. Its beauty was unmeasurable but it was still overshadowed by the sense of foreboding."Where's he?" Regan suddenly asked in her sharp voice, "Or in one of his throne chambers, waiting to gloat on us?"Vlad glanced at her once before looking on the way, "No.""Where's he then?"Vlad's expression remained stoic as he responded, "He's not here at the moment. But he left instructions for you to be taken to your chambers."Regan cursed under her breath, knowing they were being led to some kind of trap. And it was even more strange, the fact that he wasn't showing himself. But then she remembered something, she had told her mother about what he did. Maybe her mother had said something to him?She thought to ask her mom but then changed her mind. She could ask that later.As they reached the set of the grand doors, a wave of unease washed over her, her stomach nervous. She remembered the witches, particularly Vesper. She couldn't stand them. She hated them and they hated her. If not Sirius, they were everything she despised about this place.She glanced at her mother, who had a rather calm expression on her face. She had no idea what awaited them, but she knew she'd rather die than be Sirius's pet or concubine. Because that was what she only thought; that he wanted her as an object.That chilling thought had been nagging there in her mind for so long that she didn't know how much she could continue to hold herself from not telling it to someone. But she was ashamed for it. If she told her mother, her mother would probably ask her why she thinks so. And it was true. Why did she think so? He was even her enemy.Her grip on the sword tightened. The thought that he wanted to use her, made her blood boil and her mind waver in melancholy. She didn't want it to affect her that much, she knew she'd never give him the opportunity to get her in that way, but it made her go and cry her mind out, thinking that he had such intentions towards her.But she had to stay focused and vigilant. She had to protect her mother.Vlad led them to a series of hallways and chambers until they reached a specific part of the castle. There was a set of luxurious doors. She hoped that her and her mother would be in the same room."Here are your chambers. If you need anything-""We don't." Regan snapped at Vlad, menacingly, giving him a death glare.He nodded curtly, his expression unreadable, and he turned to leave. Regan waited until Vlad was out of sight before turning to her mother, her eyes filled with concern. "Mom, I don't want this. I don't want to stay here. It's the third time I'm dragged here."Octavia placed a hand on Regan's shoulder, trying to ease her, "I know, my child. I don't want this either. I don't want us to be at the mercy of our enemy. But I'd do whatever it takes for you to live a good life. Even if it means letting him dictate the plans. You see, I can't lose you again. Even if I was physically alive, I was dead inside without you. I won't let anything happen to you."Regan hugged her mother tightly, not wanting to lose her either. She didn't know what her mother meant by 'letting him dictate the plans' but she trusted her mother's judgement.They stepped behind the doors, meeting with a small hall with only two doors and an ottoman sitting between them."Mom, did you say anything to him?" Regan suddenly asked, the curiosity getting the better of her.Octavia sighed, "Yes, when you were sleeping.""And....what did you say? What did he say?""It doesn't matter, sweetie," Octavia forced a smile. "You don't have to worry about it."She grabbed her daughter's hand and led her to one of the rooms. The room was large with walls covered in beige tapestries. The windows were stained with mosaics of roses that threatened to make Regan dizzy although they weren't even real. The floor was made of surprisingly bright polished wood, knowing that all she had seen so far was dark wood. The rest, was the typical goth rich bedroom with the sophisticated queen sized bed. Regan fought the urge to cry, loving how the room looked and hating it at the same time."Now, go take a bath yourself, change your clothes and sleep. I'll fix it all for you. You don't have to worry, my dear." Octavia said as she kissed her daughter's cheek and led her to the bathroom. She gave her clothes from the wardrobe. It was a long nightgown in red silk. Regan made a confused face, knowing that she really didn't have to wear expensive clothes when she was imprisoned here.She took it anyway.She entered the bathroom and stared at her reflection. She looked terrible, her hair greasy and messy, her eyes red with dark circles. Her clothes disgusted her even more and she took a long, hot bath, her back wound hurting but she couldn't care about it now. Her muscles ached from her journeys and her troubled thoughts. She let them soothe, but she was still restless.After the bath, she changed into the nightgown, feeling the soft and silky fabric on her skin. But it all made her even more embarrassed. The nightgown had long sleeves, it went long down her feet, but its upper part revealed her collarbones and her chest.She frowned as she looked at herself, wondering why her mother gave her to wear this. She had never worn revealing clothes. The dress was like a soothing caress against her skin, but it still made her feel uncomfortable. She went to brush her wet hair, but then decided against it, letting it air dry. She didn't want to take too much time here.She finally exited the bathroom and found her mother sitting on the bed. Her mother had also changed her clothes. She was wearing a blue nightgown that wasn't as revealing as Regan's. She was a queen after all, even though she was in exile."You look very beautiful, sweetie. Are you feeling better now?" Octavia asked, a smile on her face.Regan felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment even in front of her mother. She didn't like how her cleavage was showing. She felt terrible. She didn't even think herself as beautiful. Never did she."Uh, yeah. I'm okay. Thank you," she finally answered, trying to shrug off her unsettling thoughts. "But why did I have to wear this, mom?"Octavia's expression caught a bit off guard, as if not expecting the question, "Because you're a princess, you're beautiful and princesses wear beautiful clothes in their sleep."Regan only nodded, not understanding how her mother was calm and chill when they were both prisoners, being held in the lord's castle. She sat on the bed, watching the shadows of the fireplace dance on the walls, her thoughts still clouded and restless. Octavia brushed the locks away from her daughter's face, her movements gentle and soothing."You know, sweetie, I don't want you to be upset. You're going to be alright. You should try to look at the bright side of things. We may be trapped, but we're together."Regan kissed her mother's hand. "I know, mom. But I can't help it. I just feel so... trapped.""I know, sweetie. I know. But you have to understand that this is just a temporary situation. We'll find a way out here."Octavia's words made Regan feel a little better, but she still couldn't help but feel restless. And as she looked down at her lap, another chilling thought washed over her. What if he showed himself and saw her in this revealing nightgown? The thought made tremble from fear, her heart racing.She thought to ask her mother about it, but a knock on the door snapped them away from their thoughts. Octavia rose from the bed and went to open it. A servant stood there, carrying a tray of food and drinks. The servant said what Regan expected her to say; the lord ordered them to eat. Octavia thanked the servant and took the tray, setting it on the bedside table. She then gestured for Regan to join her on the bed.They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Regan couldn't help but feel self-conscious about the way the nightgown clung to her body and she couldn't shake the unsettling thoughts she had about this whole damn thing. What was even more strange, was her mother that was chill and calm, like this was just another night at the castle. She didn't understand how her mother could be so calm where they were eating their enemy's food, trapped in his castle, prisoners in his kingdom.She couldn't shake the nagging thoughts about him, where was he? What was he doing? Was he looking at her right now? She glanced around the room, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Octavia seemed oblivious to her daughter's unease, and tried to change the subject. She asked her how Regan had found her, and Regan explained all about what had happened and they reassured each other.Finally, after they finished eating, Regan couldn't help but ask, "Mom....what did you say to him, earlier?" her voice was uncertain.Octavia looked at her, pursuing her lips for a moment before answering. "I confronted him about what he did to you and I told him he had crossed the line. Then, he left and let's hope we don't see him again." She tried to reassure Regan, putting her hand on her shoulder, but Regan wasn't entirely convinced.She knew it was strange for him not to show himself, he had always done it. And how could he stay away from gloating? As she looked down at her nightgown, seeing how her cleavage was showing, she couldn't help but feel unsettled. She was slim and flat-chested but still, the nightgown made her feel exposed. She didn't understand why her mother had let her wear it. And why was she acting so calm? It was like they were normal, just mother and daughter, having dinner together.After a while, Octavia wanted to brush her daughter's hair, and Regan was more than willing to let her. She felt safe and protected when her mother was near, and the gentle motion of the brush soothed her. After Octavia finished, Regan looked into the mirror, her red hair hanging loose over her shoulders. However, as her eyes trailed lower, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious about her nightgown again."Mom...I feel...stupid. Wearing this..." she mumbled, tugging at the fabric self-consciously.Octavia turned her daughter to face her, looking into her eyes with a firm expression, "Regan, you're not stupid. You're a princess and the fact that we're prisoners doesn't mean we have to drown in depression. You are beautiful, both inside and out, and there's nothing wrong with wearing something as lovely as this." She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Besides, I'm here with you. Nothing can harm you while I'm here."The words made Regan feel a little better, but she couldn't help the sense of dread. What if he had some sinister plan, what if he'd enter the chamber sneakily and see her in such a revealing nightgown? What would he do? The thought made her want to burst in tears, but she held herself."Mom...I just..." she began, but Octavia silenced her with a gentle kiss on her cheek."Shh, sweetheart. You're safe with me. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you," she assured, her voice as calm and soothing as ever. "Now, why don't you sleep?"Regan nodded, still feeling embarrassed and worried about this all."Mom, will you sleep here?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling. She was afraid to be alone in the room, afraid of what might happen.Octavia smiled, "Of course, I'll sleep with you. I'll be right here, just lean against me." Regan did as her mother said, feeling much safer. As she nestled into her mother's embrace, she felt overly grateful she had found her.Even though they were in danger, finding her mother was the only amazing thing that had happened in that whole mess. Yes, she had lived with aunt Monica before, but it wasn't the same. She had always been lonely and missed her mother."Mom?" she whispered, her voice still shaky. "Where could h-he be?"Octavia sighed, stroking her daughter's hair gently. "I don't know, sweetheart. But don't worry. He's....a lord. He has affairs." Her words were reassuring, but both mother and daughter were scared and uncertain.As Regan lay in her mother's embrace, she couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over her. But then it was replaced by that chilly damn feeling of what would happen if he'd show himself and see her in a damn nightgown. She swallowed hard, trying to push the thought away.But even as she closed her eyes, she could see his own, captivating ones, staring back at her. She remembered in that space ship, where he had been so damn close to her and had touched her face. He had been so close that he could have kissed her right then and there. The thought made her even more alarmed and she started to tremble a little.Octavia noticed and pulled her closer, trying to calm her down. But she felt paranoid and scared like these times where he had haunted her. The familiar fears washed over her and she couldn't help but feel like she was going to suffocate.Slowly, her eyelids felt heavy and she fell into a deep sleep, in her mother's embrace.