A/N: Trigger warning. This chapter has a rape scene in it. Proceed with caution if you have a sensitivity to the nature of these scenes.
The ball was starting and all the guests had convened in the grand hall. Prince Kotau then entered, with his wife, Princess Taura. She was beautiful, with her blonde locks dressed in her tiara.
Prince Kotau released her and then turned his attention to the top of the stairs.
Prince Zen was in the middle, with Shirayuki and Miko on either side.
"Prince Zen Wisteria and Princess Shirayuki Wisteria, accompanied by the lovely Princess Miko Wisteria of Clarines." The announcer addressed the crowd.
The Clarines royals descended regally and joined the other guests.
Kiki came from the side and watched closely as the first dance was Prince Kotau's.
Prince Kotau offered his hand to Miko and led her to the dance floor. "You are so tense, my dear. You really should relax. The other guests will sense your distress."
"I just have a lot on my mind."
"You are free to speak your mind." Prince Kotau insisted.
"Am I?"
"It won't be good for our treaty to have secrets."
"What is on my mind is personal. The treaty is safe."
"Very well. I won't push it. How are you enjoying our kingdom?" Prince Kotau spun her and then she tensed as her body reconnected with his.
"It's quite lovely. I didn't get the chance to fully appreciate it the last time I was here."
"Then how would you like to be given a personal tour?"
"I don't believe there is time on this trip. We leave early tomorrow morning."
"What a shame. There are many places that I am sure you would enjoy to see. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I am more than happy to extend your accommodations."
"There are many responsibilities waiting for me in Clarines."
"I'm sure there are." Prince Kotau mused.
Once the song was over, the king appeared. The king and queen of Taurialle descended down the stairs and then they stood in front of Zen. He extended his hand to Zen. "I am so pleased that you could make it."
"Thank you very much for extending your invitation." Zen bowed in respect.
"The gratitude should be Kotau's alone." The king addressed.
Zen tensed. "I was afraid of that…" He said under his breath.
"May I extend my hand to your lovely wife? I would feel honoured to have a dance with a beauty as fine as she is." The king held out his hand.
Zen clutched onto Shirayuki's hand, but then he released. "Of course."
The king led Shirayuki to the middle of the room and the queen offered her hand to Zen. Zen took her hand and led her to the middle also.
Shirayuki was so nervous that she ended up watching her feet. It was a bad habit she'd developed when she learned how to dance.
"It helps to keep your eyes on me." The king mused.
"Forgive me." She looked up at the king to not be rude. "I'm more nervous than I realized."
"There is no reason to be nervous around me." He spun her and she ended up locking eyes with Zen, for half a second.
"The peace is still new. I think it is just taking a bit of time to adjust." Shirayuki admitted.
"That is understandable. The war is over and you and I should hope to be friends one day."
"I would like that." Shirayuki smiled.
"Then feel at ease. I won't step on your feet and promise to not be upset if you do."
"I will avoid it regardless." Shirayuki smiled and tried to ease into his arms, as they continued to dance.
Zen was dancing with the queen. "I am pleased that we have made peace and I hope to keep that peace, for a long time to come."
"I am intrigued by your kingdom. The kingdom of Clarines is thriving. I would like to see that influence here." The queen smiled sweetly as Zen turned her again.
"It has seen brighter days, but I do hold pride for my kingdom."
The queen took the lead for a moment, pulling Zen away from the Queen's Rambler Roses. "You don't want to get too close."
"Why? What is wrong with that flower?" Zen became a bit more alert.
"Let's just say it can cause more trouble than it's worth."
"Then I appreciate it. I will remember that. I am curious however. My wife loves all plants. She may want to read up on them later. Would that be alright?"
"Of course, we have several books on it. She could even take one with her if she would like."
"Your kingdom is very beautiful. I wonder just what other kinds it has to offer." Zen spun the queen.
"You are welcome to our library while you are here. It is nice to see you're taking an initiative in learning about Taurialle."
"We are allies. It is good to get further acquainted."
"I couldn't agree more."
The song ended and then Zen reclaimed Shirayuki and danced with her.
Once the royals were finished dancing and Kotau had monopolized most of Miko's time, they all joined at the guest seats. The princess brought over the drinks and handed each of them and their attendants a glass of wine.
"A toast to our alliance!" Prince Kotau held his glass and then he took a sip.
Zen clutched Shirayuki's hand in warning, call it paranoia. Zen and Shirayuki both put their glass to their mouths as if they were drinking too, but they didn't allow any of it to actually enter their mouths. Zen locked eyes with Miko, trying to warn her too.
Miko didn't need a warning, she expressed much caution in every act at this castle.
Late that night, Miko tossed and turned and then she paced. Kiki had managed to fall asleep, but it was a comfort knowing that she was there. Miko couldn't wait until she was safe on the ship, going home.
Miko needed some air or she was going to lose it, but going outside was unnerving. She stepped towards Kiki and shook her. "Kiki! Wake up! I'm going out for some air! Please, wake up, Kiki!" Miko started to panic when she noticed that Kiki was refusing to wake. She didn't feel safe in the room now either.
She decided to go to her father. She needed to inform him of what was going on.
Miko exited the room and headed down the hall, watching close behind her. There didn't seem to be anyone around. She breathed a little easier. The longer alone, the more she felt at ease. She needed this. The fresh air helped her cope.
She got lost, navigating around the castle that she was unfamiliar. It would have been nice if she had accepted the tour. Which room was set up for her parents? Where was she? Could she even find her way back to her room?
After a few moments of walking through the gardens, she felt a pull and she was dragged into a tunnel, that was suddenly blocked off, by bars. "Locked….?" Fear built inside of her. "O-" She tried to call to Obi, but got a hand over her mouth.
Miko slammed her swords handle into the man's chest and she ran as fast as she could to get much distance, after the sword was taken from her, by force. Miko ran down the dark tunnels and was getting more lost in the labyrinth by the minute. She stepped on a trap tile and then an arrow fired towards her head. She managed to duck just in time. She grabbed a lantern and then she saw the face of the man she feared, standing right in front of her. "Kotau! What are you doing?!"
A smirk took over his features. "I have waited a long time for this. I am going to enjoy it."
Miko's eyes grew wider. She gasped and then darted down the tunnel. Every turn she made, there he was.
She ran as fast as she could, but the wrong turns led her to fall into water and put out her light source. Miko quickly pulled herself up and then a hand wrenched on her arm. She bit down and he released her. She ran down another tunnel and ended up in a very large room. There was an altar there and several lanterns lit. There was something important about this room, but Miko didn't know what.
The door slammed behind her and then she saw Prince Kotau standing behind her. Miko backed away from him in fear. "Do you want war that badly?! When my Father finds out about this, that is what will happen!"
Kotau held a dagger in her view, with a menacing look of amusement. "Once I have you, no one ever will again."
Miko trembled. "You wouldn't dare!"
"A war is what I have wanted. You can't strike fear into me." Prince Kotau pulled on Miko's arms and held her.
She pulled his sword from him and then she cut him in the side.
Prince Kotau slammed her body against the walls and restrained her arm, so she couldn't fight back. Like it or not, Prince Kotau was far stronger than Miko. Then he started to frisk her, once he removed the sword from her grasp.
"No! Stop! Let go of me!" Miko cried as she struggled against his firm grip.
Obi silently dropped down from the rafters above and knocked Prince Kotau out with a single blow to the back of the head. "Miko! Are you alright?"
When Prince Kotau dropped to the ground, Miko was released and gathering her nerves as she nearly fell over. She was hyperventilating a little, but trying to catch her breath. "Obi…" Her eyes started to clear and tears formed in them.
Obi supported her. "It's alright now. Let's get you back to your room."
Miko took her sword back and pointed it at Prince Kotau, expecting him to stand up again.
"He'll be out for a while."Obi reassured.
She relaxed her grip on the sword slightly and allowed it to slide to her side. "I don't want to be around him anymore."
"We leave tomorrow morning. Take comfort in that."
"Obi, do you have some rope on you?" Miko smirked more confidently, now that her emotions were settling down.
"Just some small stuff." Obi pulled out a thin braided rope.
"Good enough." Miko then tied up Kotau's hands and around his legs. "That should hold him till we leave."
"Let's not waste anymore time. You should get some sleep."
"I will sleep much better, now that he has been properly restrained." Miko followed Obi out of the tunnels.
Zen was pacing back and forth and couldn't sleep.
Shirayuki couldn't sleep with Zen pacing like that. "Zen, come to bed."
Zen locked eyes with Shirayuki. "I am worried that Kiki will come through this door and tell us that Miko is in danger. I should just go down to her room myself… again..."
There was a knock at the door.
Zen's heart stopped. He rushed to the door in a panic. He whipped it open and then he scowled. "Obi?!" He relaxed slightly after he glanced to see that Miko was with him. "What's going on?"
"In a couple of words, Prince Kotau." Obi answered.
Shirayuki pulled Miko inside the room and Obi followed.
Miko sat down in a chair and her parents gave her their undivided attention. Obi stood out of the way but remained in case they had any questions later.
Zen turned to Miko. "Please tell me." His voice was soft, but also hesitant.
"Prince Kotau… he…" Miko's downcast expression took her eyes to the floor in hesitation..
"Please tell me he didn't…" Zen's eyes watered as he hesitated.
Miko shook her head. "He was going to…"
Zen breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness he didn't…" Then he clenched his fist. "I want to kill that scoundrel for even trying…"
Miko turned to them. "It's worse… when he was done… he was going to kill me…"
He pulled his daughter into a hug and didn't want to let her go. "I'm not leaving your side until we leave this place."
Miko clutched onto Zen and allowed the tears to fall, now that she didn't have to be strong any more.
They stayed like that for several moments until Zen was able to think clearly again.
"I am glad we are leaving tomorrow. I don't want to stay here any longer." Miko admitted.
"I promise, I will never bring you back here." Zen vowed. "Bringing Obi along, that was a good idea. I'm sorry that I doubted it."
"Thank you, Obi." Shirayuki smiled appreciatively.
"It was the least I could do." Obi replied.
"I will retire to my room now." Miko turned to leave.
"No. You will stay here with your mother. I will stand guard." Zen decided firmly.
"Father… I will be alright. You need your sleep too. Prince Kotau can't hurt me now. Besides, I will have Obi."
"I can sleep later. I have stayed up all night on several occasions in the past. You are staying where I can keep an eye on you."
"I love you for it. But I need to do this. I can't live in fear of Prince Kotau. I need to do this for myself."
Zen sighed heavily. "Very well… If you are sure... but if you change your mind, I want you to return here immediately."
"I will. Promise."
Kat arrived at the castle and made her way through the dark halls. She needed to get to Miko and make sure she was alright. She wasn't going to allow anything to happen. She'd given Miko her word that she wouldn't let Prince Kotau anywhere near her. She was going to keep that promise. Kat felt paranoid and tense. The castle looked much more erie in the night. She thought she heard something and spun around. Nothing.
"Get a hold of yourself, Kat…" She mumbled to herself. "You're no help to Miko if you're this jittery."
Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and thrust her into the closest room.
Kat yelped and fought back. She couldn't see who it was and didn't know what their intentions were but she was determined to get away.
"You shouldn't have come back. Now you will pay for your insolence." Prince Kotau's voice was aggressive and furious. But there was another side of malicion.
Kat fought harder as adrenaline coursed through her body. She didn't know what he was going to do but she was going to fight as hard as she could to prevent it.
It didn't take long for him to restrain her effectively. He was far stronger than he looked. He tossed her to the bed and got on top of her. "You still sad about your lost child? Don't worry, I'll give you another one." He taunted.
Kat's face went deathly pale. "No!" She squirmed until she managed to knee him in the gut.
He flinched, but he quickly got a hold of her again. Pushing her down on the bed, flipping her onto her stomach and held her down by the neck. His strength held her there firmly.
"I'm going to kill you, you bastard!" Kat shouted and fought with all her might.
"You will have already lost the fight." He pulled down her pants and then he pulled down his own. He then started to break her spirit. Once he was done, he tossed her to the floor.
Kat just laid there with a numb mind and in physical pain. Tears leaked out of her eyes. She felt like she'd done this to herself.
Prince Kotau pulled up his pants and then he tied her up with the ropes that had previously restrained him. "It's really too bad that your friends don't know you're here. Now no one is going to help you. You are mine." Then he locked the door behind him.
Kat started to panic. It would be a minimum of four days for them to know she was missing and return. And that is if they knew where to look. If they thought she was taken by bandits, then there is no telling when she would be free again, being Prince Kotau's personal plaything.