The castle was in an uproar after they'd realized the bride was nowhere to be found. It was a shock to everyone, everyone except the groom and bride's closest friends.

They sat around the round table made two years ago for their private council. It had been made the week after Katerina's disappearance.

"It's straight out of a novel, a runaway bride, searching for true love!" Sofia exclaimed with a sigh, gaining an exasperated look from her brother, Nicol.

"This isn't one of your novels, Sofia." Mary groaned as well. "Remember, this is a strategy meeting, not our book club!"

"Oh yes, of course." Sofia blushed, shrinking in her seat. "It's just… Maria was so nervous for the wedding, I wouldn't be surprised if she ran away, if only for few moments."

"No. She wouldn't, not my Maria."

They turned to the prince with matching looks of annoyance. Now that Maria agreed to marry him, Gerudo took every chance to remind them that he'd won.

"Then what do you suggest happened, Prince Gerudo?" Keith muttered, hand on his head in thought.

"She must've been kidnapped." Gerudo explained with a dramatic air. That was the only reasonable thing he could think of. Maria wouldn't risk running away with her mother on the line. Though she seemed nervous as reported to the prince by her maids, there was no sign of her bolting from the aile.

"Kidnapped?!" Mary gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "Who would do such a thing?!"

The prince glared around the room at his rivals in distrust with a cold smile. "Perhaps someone who couldn't cope with her plans of marriage…"

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?!" Alan grunted in disbelief, standing up. "None of us would even dream of stealing Maria against her will!"

"Not all of us." Keith muttered under his breath, glaring at Gerudo.

"Yes! Big brother would never!" Sofia cried earnestly.

"Maria would've told Sophia and I if she had feelings for anyone." Mary added on. "She made no mention-"

"Are you suggesting my bride doesn't love me, dear sister?" Gerudo asked, feeling slightly more powerful when she flinched at the word 'sister'. She was his sister in law, yes, but she hated being reminded of that fact.

"Enough."

They turned to see Nicol had finally decided to add to the conversation, just in the nick of time. "… Gerudo, even if we desperately wanted to… none of us would be foolish enough to steal your bride-to-be."

Maria found herself clenching and twisting her dress nervously as the carriage bumped along the rocky road. She glanced out the window to find the same dark and creepy forest that had been there for about an hour now.

"Are you alright?" The woman glanced up and was surprised to see Katerina looking concerned. "Do you feel sick? Want me to stop the carriage? Sorry, I thought it'd be better if you got the whole tour of the island before we arrived…"

"Ah, no." Maria muttered, feeling a blush coming on. "I was just thinking… I must've made everyone worried, disappearing like that."

"You've been captured by the villainess of your world and you're here still thinking about the others." Katerina smiled. "Indulge yourself, Maria. Tell me how you feel."

"How I feel…?" Maria asked in confusion. Since when did Katerina Claes care about her feelings? Usually she'd be the one asking someone if they wanted to talk, not the other way around.

Katerina waited for an answer until she couldn't hold back a giggle. "You're scared, aren't you? You're worried about what I have planned for you!"

"Ah, no-!" Maria didn't want to admit it but she was spot on.

"Hehe, look at you getting all defensive. I thought the protagonist always knew what to do, even if the villainess got in their way."

They rode in an awkward silence the rest of the way round the island until they finally made it to the castle.

It was a relief to Maria… until she actually saw it.

It looked straight out of one of Sofia's novels, like it belonged to some evil king or vampire lord. The castle was dark and gloomy with many high towers, grand doors and stained-glass windows. Despite its old appearance, the castle was clear of ivy and brambles as if the people living there still wanted it to look nice. Or maybe they just liked pruning, Maria couldn't tell.

As the carriage creaked across the stone bridge, Maria felt her apprehension grow. Even Sorcié's palace felt warmer and more inviting than this place, and Maria had certainly not wanted to live there.

"It's really pretty inside!" Katerina suddenly said, as if noticing her worry. "Come on, I'll show you!"

Maria found herself being dragged out of the carriage and through the castle gates that swiftly shut behind them. She was surprised to see the entryway was bright and warm with candles lining the walls. She glanced over to see many paintings of Katerina's family throughout the years. They started with Katerina smirking proudly in front of her mother and father but transitioned into much happier ones once Keith joined the family.

"Look at this one!" Katerina suddenly said, pulling her over. "Look at Keith, isn't he so cute?"

It was a painting of the siblings together, Keith looking like a blushing mess while a young Katerina hugged him. It must've been torture to stay like that for so long, at least for Keith.

"Oh, you have to meet everyone!" Katerina realized.

Meet everyone? Hadn't Katerina been living alone all this time?

She came into a luxurious throne room decorated with dark blue curtains and a comfortable-looking throne that looked more like a fancied beanbag chair for the villainess' comfort.

Waiting for them was a line of people that had been expecting them.

"First things first, this is Anne! She's the head of the castle staff and my personal maid." Katerina introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Miss Campbell." The maid curtseyed and it finally clicked where Maria had seen her from: she'd been Katerina's caretaker at school as well. She even was so bold as to try and calm Katerina when she got too upset or harsh on Maria. It never helped, only resulting in a berading from Katerina, but it was the thought that counted.

The rest of the staff she didn't know but Katerina was pleased to introduce her to each member.

"And here's Tom and his wife Marjorie! Tom's the gardener."

Maria gave a small nod to them both, confused as to why the castle would even need a garden when Katerina could simply conjure up anything she'd like with her magic.

"This is Constance and her daughter, Rose. They're my best cook and baker!"

"We're your only cook and baker, my lady." The younger of the two reminded her with a laugh.

"Mmhm, that's why you're the best!" Katerina declared happily, oblivious to why it would make much difference if she had a thousand people working in the kitchen.

"It's so good to have a new face around here, Miss Campbell." The older woman tried to curtsey but was shaky due to her age.

"Ah, I said don't do that!" Katerina gasped. She and Maria were at the woman's side before her daughter could even begin to help her up.

The two looked at each other in surprise that the other had the same idea. Maria blushed and quickly turned to the woman.

"It's wonderful to meet you, madam, but please, don't exert yourself on my account." Maria smiled gently.

Katerina watched for a moment as Maria carefully checked the woman was alright and softly said hello to Rose as well. She really was beautiful, inside and out.

Maria turned to see her staring and flushed.

"That's everyone!" Katerina suddenly clapped. "If you need anything at all, be sure to ask them!"

As the staff went back to their duties, Maria couldn't help but wonder why she'd taken the time to introduce her to anyone, wasn't she a prisoner here? "I wouldn't want to trouble anyone with traveling down to the dungeon just to see me…"

"Dungeon?" Katerina blinked in surprise. "I mean, we do have one but… Oh! Oh no, did you think I was putting you down there?!"

"Well, I-"

"I may have kidnapped you but that doesn't mean I'm going to treat you terribly!" Katerina cried, clasping Maria's hands into hers. "I made you a room! Well, Anne made your bed and organized your clothes but I helped pick everything else for it!"

"That's… sweet…" Maria whispered, blinking in surprise. It reminded her of a similar experience that had taken place not long after her first year in school. She'd been kidnapped then too but still treated kindly despite it. She'd even made a new friend in Sora during that encounter, the one who planned it all. She wondered what he'd say if he knew Katerina had beaten him at terrifying her.

"I'll show you your room!" Katerina grinned then, linking her arm in hers.

Maria didn't know why she was treating her so sweetly. The Katerina she knew wouldn't let her anywhere near her place of residence, claiming she might get it dirty with her peasant hands. Was this some kind of trick or had Katerina actually changed?

She was surprised to find she wasn't led to any tower or attic as she expected. Then again, that might be just because of the many novels Sofia had gushed on about where the protagonist was held captive.

The door swung open to reveal a beautiful room with a large bed and a vanity covered in pretty things like jewelry and perfumes. It even had a loft balcony that led to a view of the gardens. The room had a rosy glow to it since it was decorated with soft pink curtains and pretty pink and white flowers, the kind Maria liked to put in her hair.

"Do you like it?"

"It's… beautiful." Maria answered, a hand to her mouth as she took it all in.

Katerina seemed pleased by this answer as she guided her over to the vanity and wardrobe. "Look, I picked out some dresses for you!"

Maria opened the closet and found many beautiful soft pastel dresses, most of them pink and white. Some seemed fit for a princess while others looked like regular dresses Maria would've worn to work under her robes.

"Well, it's getting late now." Katerina yawned, nodding out the window. "If you want to go to bed, I won't stop you, I'm pretty sleepy myself…"

Maria noticed the sun had indeed set, she'd completely lost track of time. Escape plans would have to wait til the morning.

"Alright… Um, thank you." She whispered, giving a small smile to the villainess. She had to get back to Sorcié as soon as possible to ensure her mother's safety but she wouldn't be ungrateful for such a lovely room and kind treatment, if it wasn't all a trick.

"You're welcome." Katerina smiled before turning away.

Maria gently took off the tiara and began unwinding the strings of flowers from her hair before noticing Katerina looking at her from the mirror. She turned to her. Was there something else?

"It's just… nice having you here." Katerina explained with a sigh. She suddenly smirked, her entire attitude changing as she gave a laugh. "I bet your friends are missing their protagonist terribly…! Just wait till they learn that you're allllll mine to do with as I please~"

Maria frowned as the door clicked shut, feeling tears come to her eyes. Why'd she even let herself get comfortable? Feel even remotely safe?

No matter how sweet and kind, Katerina was still the villainess of this story. It'd be best not to forget that.