A Handmaiden's return
Chapter 5
Cassandra followed Eugene to the meeting table, there she saw Varian, Adira, Hector, Edmund, Catalina, Xavier, Mounty, Willow, and the thugs waiting for them. Varian waited for the two to sit down before he revealed them Corona's map on a table.
"For the last five years, Corona has been conquered by Histruck Empire, now I know what you're going to ask, why didn't we do anything about it during this time" Varian paused as he walked around the room.
"The answer is… we couldn't, we didn't have enough supplies to attack nor enough weapons, the remaining people are weak and slowly dying no need to mention that our princess…Queen is a prisoner in her own castle" Varian answered his own question, Cassandra was feeling terrible for Corona's suffering all this time, she could have done something….
"But now, we might have a chance to do something" Varian turned to look at Cassandra who had a confused look on her face
"Cassandra is the only one who can get Rapunzel out of the castle"
"W-What?" Cassandra questioned
"Cass, Kreston thinks you're an enemy to Corona"
"B-But…"
"Rapunzel told him so, she told him you were banished, she told him you want revenge," Varian told her, Cass had a shocked and saddened look on her face, she thought that she and Raps had made amends did she lie to her too?
"Cass, she did that to protect you, from him, Kreston was after everyone Rapunzel loved, including you and she didn't want him to get you too, so she lied" Varian explained, Cassandra's eyes widened, tears were forming in her eyes, Rapunzel risked her life…. Lied to a Tyrant for her…
"W-What should I do"
"You are the only one who can get into the castle without getting caught, Cass, you have to pretend that you are on his side, it's the only way we can get Rapunzel and his plans out of the castle, besides you are the only person besides Eden and Ian who Rapunzel doesn't think dead," Varian explained, Cassandra's eyes hardened filled with determination, she would do it, there was nothing stopping her from getting Rapunzel out of there, and if this was the only way then she would do it.
"I will do it… for Raps" Cassandra announced, Varian and Eugene smiled,
"So what's the plan, Varian?" Cass questioned the alchemist
"You have to pretend that you are on Kreston's side," Varian told her Cassandra's eyes widened
"WHAT?!" Cassandra yelled, she wanted to murder Kreston where he stands not try and be on his side, what would Rapunzel think?
"Cass, listen to me! This, is the only way we can be close to Rapunzel, you can be close to her, she needs you and Kreston won't even try to arrest you" Varian explained, Cassandra closed her eyes and sighed, if this was the only way to see Raps again…
"Fine, I will do it… But only so I can see her again" Cassandra decided
"Good, here's the plan…."
The next night Varian had tied Cassandra's fists so they could pretend that she was "captured", Stan, who was in the castle and secretly in the rebellion had agreed to take Cass in,
"Cass you need to pretend that you hate Rapunzel… it's the safest way for both of you, if Kreston figures out that you are tricking him, he will realize that Rapunzel lied to him and you, will be a trait-"
"Don't even finish that word I get it!" Cassandra interrupted him. Varian sighed, he knew that this word reminded of her past mistakes, reminded her of someone that it no longer presented her.
"Just be careful"
"I will" Cassandra replied, her voice softened, she allowed Stan to take her in as they were walking inside the quiet kingdom Stan stopped and stared her in the eyes with a serious look on his face.
"Cassandra, I have been inside the castle for years, I was there when they executed the previous King and Queen alongside Eugene, I remember Rapunzel's pained face she was heartbroken, I remember her surrendering herself to him, I remember her slowly losing her hopes, slowly forgetting who she used to be and now, Kreston has done something to her that might be unrepairable, she was so scared when I saw her again, she wanted to see you" Stan paused, Cassandra didn't know what to say why was he telling her this? To make her feel worse?
"What I am trying to say is, don't hurt her further, she needs you, she needs someone to comfort her and assure her that everything will be alright" Stan explained, Cassandra's eyes softened, she smiled.
"Don't worry, I am here to make sure that no one will harm her ever again" Cassandra reassured him. Stan nodded,
After a few minutes Cass and Stan were outside the castle, Cassandra was shocked with how much it had changed, it was no longer colorful, the castle now reminded her the final battle against Zhan tiri, Corona's flag was no longer there either, instead it was the black eagle, the symbol of Histruck Empire. When they arrived at the entrance there were two Histruck guards,
"Soldier! Who is this woman?" One of them asked Stan.
"This used to be the princess's handmaiden, she wants to speak with his majesty" Stan explained
"Ah, Corona's most feared enemy, I am sure Kreston will be pleased to see her bring her to the throne room" The guard smiled, Cassandra felt uncomfortable and ashamed when the guard acknowledged her as the enemy, did Corona really hated her?
Stan and Cass were walking inside the familiar halls, Cassandra felt nostalgic as she passed through familiar rooms, this used to be her home, the place she grew up in.
After a while they finally arrived outside the throne room, Cassandra took a deep breath, she was about to meet the person who ruined so many people's lives, including Rapunzel's, that guy was also responsible for her father's death, she was not forgetting that either, but if it was the only way to see Raps again, she would do anything, even joining him.
The guards went inside to inform Kreston about her arrival, Cassandra and Stan waited for a few minutes before they returned and approved them to go inside.
"Kreston is waiting, don't do anything stupid," A guard told her, Cassandra remembered those words
"And when Rapunzel comes for you, don't try anything stupid"
Cassandra was amazed and disgusted with how much the throne room had changed, in every corner there was a guard staring at a servant who was cleaning the floor or the walls, some of them she knew, others she didn't. What made her be disgusted was the fact that every single guard was holding a wimp and was using it constantly on the servants.
"Well, well, well look who we have here, and I thought I would never have the pleasure of meeting you in person, Cassandra," Kreston told her with a hint of irony in his voice, a guard who was accompanying her with Stan forced her to kneel in front of him. Cassandra examined the man who had brought so much pain in her family's life. He was muscular, had his black hair tied in a ponytail, black eyes and a mustache, Cassandra looked around the throne room, no sigh of Rapunzel which worried her, was she here too late?
"Untie her, she is not a prisoner" Kreston ordered, a guard used a dagger to free Cass's hands from the ropes.
"I've heard that you were banished from this kingdom as their enemy is that true?" Kreston asked,
No…
"Yes," Cassandra bitterly replied, she was staring the man in the eyes as he slowly approached her.
"Then why did you come back?"
"Revenge…" Cassandra coldly answered, her eyes were burning with hatred and determination, Kreston didn't realize they were meant for him but for the kingdom.
"On who?"
On you, for everything you have done to my sister, my friends, and my home I want to see you suffer… you took everything from her, and I will destroy you for that
"On Rapunzel… I want to see her suffer, she took everything from me, I want to destroy her" Cassandra bitterly told him, in her thoughts, she wanted to make him suffer, not Rapunzel.
"Very well, then I am offering you a choice" Kreston spoke
"Which is?"
"Join me, and I will allow you to make the princess of Corona suffer as her last hope of being saved is crushed by your hands" Kreston offered, Cassandra was doing her best not to grab a sword from the guards, and use it to stab him, but she had to hold back… for Raps.
"Deal" She simply replied, a wicked smile was formed in Kreston's face which Cassandra wanted to punch so much.
"Excellent, now, I want you to follow me," Kreston told her, Cassandra had no choice but to follow the tyrant who took a wimp from a guard and wore a belt with different kinds of knives, Cassandra had no idea why he needed those but had a sick feeling on her stomach
She followed Kreston all the way to the dungeons, which had changed too, Cassandra was standing now outside a dark cell she waited for Kreston to light up his torch, the two entered inside and when they did, Cass was shocked with what she saw.
There she was, Rapunzel hanging from the ceiling, barely conscious, her familiar pink dress was torn apart and she had bruises and scars everywhere, her face had red markings and scars as well, and tears were streaming down her face.
Raps… Cassandra wanted to murder Kreston where he stood, for even touching Rapunzel, she wanted to break her chains and pull her into a warm comforting hug she wanted to reassure her that everything would be alright, that she was safe.
Rapunzel saw her, Cassandra stared at her with a blank expression, the last time she saw Raps she was the girl who had everything but now…
"C-Cass?" Rapunzel exclaimed barely audible, hearing her best friend's voice so weak it broke Cassandra's heart.
"She was never your friend princess, and you were never hers, all you did was steal her glory and now, she is here to take your life, she will enjoy seeing you suffer, every time you scream, it will be music to her ears, to our ears"
"You took everything from her… So she will take your last hope and crush it" Kreston finished, Rapunzel's eyes were focused on Cassandra, her nightmare was real, Cass hated her… no one was coming to her rescue.
"I-I trusted you… C-Cass, w-why" those words hit Cassandra like a thousand knives, Rapunzel was staring at her the same way when she had taken the opal.
"SHUT UP!" Kreston yelled as he punched Rapunzel in her guts, Cassandra flinched but tried to hide it. Kreston then picked a knife from his pocket and warmed it up on his torch. Rapunzel glared at it with fear and then turned to Cass who had her eyes widened she had realized what Kreston was planning to do to her.
"C-Cass… p-please, h-h-help" Rapunzel begged her, Cassandra was doing her best to hold on and not break, Rapunzel needed her… and she was forced to watch her suffer unable to help.
"I'm sorry" Cass whispered softly barely audible. Kreston ignored Rapunzel's pleads and he burnt the knife, he then approached Rapunzel slapping her in the face to silence her, he then stabs her on her left side with the burnt knife, Rapunzel screamed in agony, Cassandra couldn't watch it, she closed her eyes, holding back tears,
"ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" She yelled, Kreston immediately stopped, staring at her confused, Rapunzel was gasping from the pain, she was staring at Cass with hope, was she going to help her?
"I want to do it" Cassandra told him coldly, she saw Rapunzel's teary eyes, it was killing her on the inside but she had to earn Kreston's trust. Kreston smiled as he gave the knife to her
"Stab her on the exact same spot," Kreston told her, Cass picked the knife and walked to Rapunzel who was staring at her with teary eyes.
"P-Please C-Cass d-don't…." Rapunzel begged her, Cass was fighting her own tears she was about to harm her best friend… her sister.
"I'm sorry R-Raps please f-forgive me" Cassandra whispered barely audible she closed her eyes and stabbed Rapunzel in the same exact spot, Rapunzel cried in agony, a few tears escaped Cassandra's eyes. After a few seconds she stopped, Rapunzel was finding it hard to breathe, and Cass was blaming herself for that.
"I am going to let you have your fun now," Kreston told her before leaving the cell leaving Cass and Raps alone.
Rapunzel stared at Cass, she wasn't begging her anymore, but she was staring at her with anger, her wound was bleeding, Cass had a blank expression on her face.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You hate me right? THEN END ME! END MY MISERY! P-please" Rapunzel yelled, waiting for Cassandra to end her life. But she never did.
"No…" Cassandra murmured, instead of stabbing Rapunzel she used the knife to free Rapunzel from her chains, Cassandra caught her in the air and pulled her into a tight hug. Rapunzel was confused and shocked when Cassandra buried her face onto her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I-I didn't want to, I'm sorry" Cassandra repeated, again and again, she had a similar break down like the one she had all those years back, Rapunzel finally broke down too in Cassandra's hug, the two women were finally together, Rapunzel had missed her sooo much.
"Y-You don't want to kill me?" Rapunzel questioned once both of them had calmed down.
"No… Raps, I'm not on his side" Cassandra answered
"B-But…"
"I am only faking it… I wanted to get to you" Cassandra explained, Rapunzel wiped her tears, she had missed Cass a lot
"I-It was all a ruse?" She questioned again still afraid that Cass was actually on his side.
Cassandra nodded, she then examined her wounds and touched her new bleeding one made by her.
"I-I'm sorry…. I-I didn't want to hurt you R-Raps…" Cassandra sobbed, she hated seeing Rapunzel so weak.
"Hey, Cass… I-I-It's okay, I-I know you didn't me-"
"BUT I'VE HURT YOU" Cassandra screamed, how could Rapunzel comfort her even after hurting her like this?
"We are even now" Rapunzel formed a weak smile. Cassandra stared at her confused, even?
"Your hand…" Rapunzel pointed at the hand she had burnt all those years ago.
"Raps… You still find ways to brighten people up huh?" Cassandra commented,
"Well, I used to be the sun drop after all" The two girls chuckled but Rapunzel gasped in pain and stared at her newly bleeding wound. Cass pressed it to stop the bleeding. Rapunzel's smile faded she was staring at the ground devastated a few tears came out of her eyes, this, of course, didn't go unnoticed from Cassandra.
"Raps… what's wrong?" Cassandra questioned her, of course, she knew what was wrong, she knew that Rapunzel had lost so many people, she had been tortured for gosh shake!
Rapunzel didn't answer, she just stared at her body her ruined dress her wounds.
"He did this to you…" Cassandra murmured, Rapunzel nodded, Cass saw so much pain in her eyes just how much Kreston had tortured her.
"H-h-he…." Rapunzel stammered tears were streaming down her face, Cassandra gently touched her cheek stroking it.
"He did what?!" Cassandra almost yelled, Rapunzel didn't answer, she just cried silently and pointed her ruined dress, it didn't take long for Cass to realize what he did… he abused Rapunzel sexually… Cassandra's eyes hardened her hands turned into fights.
"IF I GET MY HANDS ON…. I-I SWEAR I WILL…" Cassandra yelled but stopped when she saw Rapunzel's terrified expression the princess backed away in fear and closed her eyes waiting for Cass to slap or hit her.
Cassandra's eyes immediately softened, she realized how broken her best friend was, Rapunzel was so terrified, she was trembling….
"Raps… It's okay, I am not mad at you" Cassandra softly told her, Rapunzel couldn't take it anymore, she was having another breakdown, Cass pulled her close stroking her hair, Rapunzel buried her face on Cassandra's shoulder.
"Shh, It's okay Raps, it's okay, I'm here now, I've got you, you're safe… you're safe" Cass repeated as she stroked Rapunzel's hair, they stayed like this for a few minutes until Rapunzel had finally calmed down, she fell asleep on Cassandra's lap.
"Don't worry Raps… I won't let him hurt you again, I promise"
SISTERS ARE UNITED YAY, wow this chapter broke my heart writing it oh well…. More soon see ya!