I apologize if she seems out of character but it is my understanding that she wasn't always like she is now. This is my first time writing for this site so please be nice.

"Eugene, it's all a mask, inside she's [Cassandra's] a big softy."

-Rapunzel, Rapunzel and The Lost Lagoon

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Age- 1 year and 11 months

#1 Afraid of the Dark

It was Cassandra's first night in the castle. Her new dad had left her to sleep a few hours ago, but sleep would not come.

"My room is across the hallway. Are you okay here tonight?" He had asked. She had answered yes, but she was regretting it now. Tearing her blanket off her bed and wrapping it around her shoulders, she – carefully and quietly – opened the door.

Not bothering to knock, she entered her father's room. She could not see much; only the vague outline of a bed and the silhouette of a wardrobe. Pulling herself up into the Captain's bed, she snuggled up to him, basking in his warmth.

The Captain stirred, the early morning light coming through the windows. He felt a weight against his side. Looking down, he spotted the little being that was his child. Running his hand through her dark hair, a smile grew on his face.

He knew then, that whatever happened, the bond between the two of them could not be broken.

"I love you, Cassandra." He whispered softly, passing a chaste kiss on her cheek.

••••~~~~••••

Age-2

#2- I hate Needles

The Captain of the Guards smiled down at his two-year-old daughter. Cassandra was currently clutched to his chest, small snores coming out of her mouth. They had just been to get her first injections, and let's just say the doctor ended up with a broken nose.

"Daddy?" A little voice said. "Can I wear your helmet?"

Big grey eyes stared into blue. "Not yet, Cassandra. When we get back to the castle, then yes, of course you can wear it."

"Daddy? I'm cold!" He noticed her little shoulders shivering and immediately grew concerned. He watched as her eyes began to droop. He quickly realised that she had not been right since they left the doctors office.

"Go back to sleep. We'll be home soon."

When they got back to the Castle, the first thing he did was take her to her room and wrap her in a warm blanket. When he saw a rash beginning on her face, he began to panic. "Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?"

In the typical Cass fashion, she sleepily mumbled; "I stay here, Daddy."

Later that night, while the rest of the castle were having peaceful dreams, the Captain awoke to his door opening. He looked over to see Cassandra standing illuminated in the hallway light

"Cassandra! What are you doing?!" That was the only thing he managed to say before she collapsed forward. He quickly rushed to her side and felt for a pulse. Nothing. He let out a strangled gasping noise before lifting her and bringing her to a medic.

Hours later, Cassandra was lying on a bed. She had had a severe allergic reaction to the metal on the needle they used to inject her, and she would need a lot of bed rest. This would not sit well with the child when she woke up. He held he small hand in his as he sat by her bedside. "I love you so much, honey. I know you haven't lived with me for very long, but I hope that we can stay together for a long time. I had never had a daughter, then you came in and turned my whole world upside down." He gave her a loving kiss.

"Dear God, Cassandra, please be alive."

Each minute felt like agony, each second, he felt more and more that he had lost her. The minute she opened her eyes, was a moment he would never forget.

She looked so pale, so fragile.

"Daddy?" She lisped wearily. "I hate needles."

••••~~~~••••

Age- Six

#3 School

There were not many schools in Corona, but unfortunately, Cassandra was required to go. There was one on the island, and two on the mainland.

As Cassandra stood in front of the mirror, she frowned. She had been forced into a pleated dress - a pleated dress of all things! - and brand new shoes.

"Come on, Cass!" The Captain said from behind her. "It is only for a few hours!"

"Yeah, a few hours of torture!" She mumbled. When he tried to give her the hairbrush, she obstinately crossed her arms and refused to take it. Knowing her tricks, the Captain sighed and turned her around. Brushing her bobbed hair out, he assessed the situation. Knowing Cassandra, she probably had some sort of weapon on her; a dagger or something equally as dangerous.

When he had finished brushing her hair, he looked at her sternly. "Cassandra, I need to you to be good. And I need to know if you have any weapons on you because you cannot take them to school! "

Fishing out a sword from the back of her dress, he took a deep breath. "Cassandra, just try to behave ok?"

"Ok, Dad, I'll try for you."

Cassandra was sat on a chair, for once being quiet but not listening to what the teacher was saying. Rather, she was much more interested in the conversation going on behind her.

"She thinks she knows everything, all because she lives in the castle!" They sniggered.

"Really, she's nothing special!" Cassandra's face burned like the hottest flame.

"She doesn't even have any parents!" This was the last straw for her. Cassandra stood up, growling like an angry kitten. She descended upon the other children with fists and teeth. Soon enough, both girls were rolling around the floor fighting.

Cassandra tried every school in Corona and the same thing happened in each one. Finally, the Captain could take no more. "I am prepared to offer you a deal. If I hire you a private teacher, and you behave and listen to her, you can join in with guard training. Deal?"

Cassandra agreed and you might say it turned out well... If you don't count how many left because they couldn't stand how rude she could be on a bad day.

••••~~~~••••

Age- Ten

#4 Haircut

Cassandra growled as she swiped another waist-length strand of hair off her face. She was sat at the long servants dinner table, with a plate of untouched mutton stew in front of her.

"C'mon! Please?"

"No, Cassandra." The Captain chided.

"But I hate my hair! It gets in my face, and—"

Everybody turned to look at the two. They chuckled quietly, watching the interaction.

"—Not so loud, Cass!"

Before he could say anything else, a servant by the name of Carina intervened. "I think that she should get her hair cut. It would suite her better than it does long - and plus, she's not that kind of girl." Other servants murmured in agreement.

Cassandra looked up at her father, the ten year olds eyes sparkling with mischief.

"...Fine! I'll take you after dinner. Eat your vegetables."

Cassandra fist pumped.

'I can't believe I'm letting her do this!' The Captain thought to himself as Cassandra was lifted into the chair. 'Perhaps I'll let her have a trim.' But one look at his daughter's grinning face put all those thoughts out of his head.

"How long, Sir?" The hairdresser asked. She was tall, with long blonde hair and startlingly dark eyes.

"Well... She's been wanting her hair cut short. What length would be best?"

The hairdresser stood still for a moment, observing the young girl.

"I think a short bob would suite her. Perhaps some layers to add volume."

The Captain agreed and so did Cassandra. They both smiled at each other as a black cape was placed around her shoulders. The hairdresser began to comb out the long black tresses... And much to the captain's annoyance, began snipping.

LATER

The Captain didn't recognise his daughter, but in his eyes, she was beautiful.

••••~~~~••••

Age- Eight

#5 Friend or Foe

Cassandra was disgusted. She was being introduced to people her own age – Ugh, people!– and she was not having fun.

"Cass, why don't you go and play?" Cassandra just looked up at her father, gobsmacked.

"I don't want to." She said simply. The Captain sighed, not in the mood (pun intended) for a fight with his daughter. "Can't you stay with me?"

"Cass, I have work to do. Go out to the grounds, I'll come out later, ok?"

Despite everything, she nodded.

"So, Cassandra," Jane said mockingly, "Who is your mother?"

She stiffened her back slightly. "Don't have a mother, Daddy is all I need."

Jane's twin, Jayden, came over. As did the other three; Carli, William and Annie. Cassandra put her hand on the sword she had shoved down the back of her dress and tried not to let herself be frightened by them. They were all children of castle servants; The Twins belonged to one of Cassandra's favourite maids Carina, Carli and William were adopted by Friedborg – though heavens knew how and why – and then there was Annie. She had been adopted by a member of the royal guard and Cassandra rather liked her.

"Daddy is all I need, Daddy!" Jane imitated.

"If you don't have a mother, then you are nothing. You can never be a castle guard!" Jayden whispered menacingly.

Cassandra lashed out, her fist coming square with his nose. Before the other children could react, she was in top of him, scratching and pulling his hair.

It was Williams turn to torment her.

"Your hair looks stupid. Did daddy cut it off because he was mad at you?"

Before Cassandra could say anything, Annie took hold of the boys collar, holding him ransom. They all scuffled on the ground, getting very dirty very quickly.

As they all stood in front of their parents later, Cassandra mumbled, "This is why I don't have friends."