BIRD CAGE

by: sasugariko

NOTES:

11.25.24 11:36 PM

WE ARE ON AO3!

Yes, you read it right! Both Narrow Spaces and Bird Cage will now be available on AO3 under the same pseudonym sasugariko.

HELLO everyone! Has it been a while? It has been a while right since I've started writing this specific story. And I am so glad to say that finally, after days and days of rewriting, fine tuning, and beta reading the chapters, I have finally come back to reupload Bird Cage for a better reading experience!

Some of you might've noticed the difference from the previous version and this version:

There are missing chapters? Not really. I simply merged chapters into one to make things longer. I have also added some new details to the chapters to make things even more enjoyable for you all.

→ Scrapped scenes. If some of you remembered some specific scenes that are no longer here…yes, that was probably deleted and changed with something different and probably better.
→ Added scenes. Yes, there will be some new scenes that are added in the story. Honestly, I think I got a bit carried away and added…um…some new chapters and deleted the others. I don't know how to explain it, but what I'm trying to say is, there might be chapters added that are not in the previous version.

Also, as you read through the new rewrite of Bird Cage, you will realize that there will be newer and longer chapters that actually picked up from where we last stopped at Chapter 25. As you can see, the chapters are now longer! That I am actually happy with because I've been trying to perfect the length since—I have no idea when. There are also some letters from the previous chapters that will be merged with each other. DON'T ask me what merged letters are okay, because I actually have no idea hehe. I didn't even pay attention when I merged them together.

AND! Another thing, I also ask you guys to please, please, be patient with the updates. I know that it would suck to have a story end at a cliffhanger. Trust me, I do! It's just that, I want to put out the chapters slowly so, for now, I'll be uploading the first 5 chapters of the rewrite! Look out for the next chapters, they will be coming out soon though, so you guys don't have to worry.

SO yeah! I'm excited to share the new Bird Cage with you all because I'm actually proud of how this turned out after the rewrite! I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing this! Without further ado~!

PLEASE ENJOY!

WARNING

This story contains character deaths, sexual themes, graphic violence, swearing, trigger themes and psychological themes.

Please read at your own discretion

SYNOPSIS

Following the ascension of the Kozmotis Royal Family to power in the Kingdom of Northuldra, the esteemed first princess, Elsa Ameline di Arendelle, was exiled and subsequently sold to the King's loyal vassal, Viscount Hans Westergard. In her attempts to secure assistance in liberating herself from the oppressive and abusive control of her buyer, she writes letters to her married younger sister. Unfortunately, these desperate letters remain undelivered.

When Anna decides to visit her older sister, she is confronted with a distressing reality. Elsa has been living a life that is starkly different from the one she described in her letters. Although Anna manages to rescue her sister, the damage has already been done—Elsa no longer speaks and is merely a shadow of her former self. Heartbroken over her sister's condition, Anna does everything in her power to help her recover. However, despite Elsa's slow but steady improvement, she continues to refuse to speak to anyone except the esteemed and well-respected Duke of the Empire, Jackson Overland.

Anna, thrilled by her sister's progress, requests the Duke's help with Elsa's recovery. The most vulnerable and bruised part of Elsa only confides in him. The Duke appreciates her company and begins to contemplate his feelings for her. However, he is set to be married in six months, forcing him to choose between fulfilling his duty as a fiancé and doing everything in his power to protect and heal her fractured spirit.

CHAPTER 1

Southern Isles
29th Juno, 391

Dear Anna,

I have spent considerable time thinking about whether to compose a letter to you. Numerous drafts have piled on my desk, collecting dust. My prior attempts to communicate have not succeeded. However, I sincerely hope that this brief letter finds its way to you. I frequently contemplate your life in the Bjorgman mansion. Are you eating well, sleeping well? Are you happy? What do you do during your free time? Do you still run around the gardens like you used to do when we were children? Perhaps not. I am confident that Kristoff is treating you well. The young man has my trust. Knowing that you are being treated delicately in that house will at least fill me with reassurance. I am grateful that he whisked you away to live in happiness.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been if I followed you. Would I have lived in happiness beside you? Would I be granted the same freedom you have now?Perhaps such a thought is immature of me. I am our kingdom's princess—heir. To save our kingdom, such a sacrifice is needed. I'm sure such a sacrifice is needed. But do I really have to suffer in this way? I find this helplessness pathetic when I used to command armies under the Arendelle Royal Name. But look at me now. I laugh just thinking about it.

I apologize for alarming you. But I am desperate. I write this letter to request your help. I can no longer endure the cruelty I am subjected to; I live in constant fear of him. I feel trapped in this house, only ever being allowed to access my room and the gardens, but not without the servants. He intrudes upon my chambers at his discretion and physically assaults me in the presence of the maids, none of whom intervene. He is violent and unpredictable, and to him I am nothing more than just a trophy. A trophy of his rebellion, of his betrayal, and his victory. He is the master, while I am reduced to the status of an exiled princess, relegated to a lowly Viscount's residence.

I am acutely aware of my position within this household. I possess neither authority nor the means to save myself from this distressing position. I'm sorry. I promised I would be there to witness your marriage. I promised to be there and walk you in place of our late father. But I am afraid that I may not be present to witness such a joyous occasion. It is with great sorrow that I acknowledge the possibility of having limited time remaining. The man who holds me captive restricts my movements and observes my actions closely. He views me as a lark and this home is my cage. Despite my attempts to demonstrate submission, he remains distrustful. My letter is subject to scrutiny prior to dispatch; thus, I am compelled to send this message to you clandestinely, through outside help.

I kindly request your assistance, dear sister. I fear for my life at the hands of this man.

Always missing you,
Elsa

The gentle breeze weaved its way through the corridor of the Bjorgman Estate. However, despite the beauty of the day, the atmosphere in the East Wing of the Estate was somber. The once bustling wing remained eerily silent, that even the birds dared not to sing. The servants moved quietly and with caution, making sure that they did not disturb the woman cherished by their mistress.

"Is she inside?" Anna, a woman with strawberry blonde hair and gentle blue eyes, addressing the butler in a subdued tone.

"Yes, madam."

Anna's heart twisted as she gazed at the white door before her. Although she extended her hand to grasp the doorknob, it remained suspended in the air. It seemed as though she wasn't ready to see her sister. She could hear her heart thrumming in her ears, and she swears that the maids might've heard her nervousness. She cast a sidelong glance at the butler, who responded with a reassuring nod, suggesting that there was nothing to be worried about.

She inhaled deeply in an effort to steady her racing heart. Her hands were sweating and her body shook. Was she nervous? Maybe? No—she was. It's been many, many years since she last saw her sister. A little part of her felt ashamed—guilty—for being this late. She should've checked up on her a long time ago rather than trusting what was written on those damned letters. Those damned letters! The woman composed herself, taking another deep breath before bracing herself. She had to be strong, she had to be.

The door felt heavy on her palms, creaking loudly as she pushed it open. At the far end of the room, near the large window, sat a woman whose beauty resembled that of a doll. She possessed straight, platinum blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, complemented by soft blue eyes that, while similar in hue, appeared more distant and unfocused. The white dress she wore showed her petite frame. She appeared delicate, and vulnerable, and…distant. She appeared to be gazing at something outside the window, yet the nature of her focus remained a mystery to those around her.

Anna's heart shook and her body shuddered at the heartbreaking sight in front of her. They said she was okay! They said she was fine! She yelled in her mind, hands clenching as her eyes landed on her sister's body.

Bruises painted her body like a disturbing piece of art, blotches of painful purples, blacks, and sickly yellows seeped through the white of her dress. Jagged streaks of crimson and navy stretch along her arms like lightning branches. Anna winced, her head throbbing with pain as she observed her sister's pitiful state. Her legs had bruises coiled in uneven spirals, the center dark and fading out like a sick gradient of murky greens.

Anna couldn't even fathom how painful it had been for her sister to be in that demonic, sadistic house. The discoloration crept and seeped into the softer parts of her skin—on her neck and collarbones—making it seem like she had been within the embrace of very malevolent shadows. Anna choked out a sob seeing her sister's delicate fingertips. The fingertips that had once touched her face oh-so delicately with warmth, now stained with angry reds and broken nails.

She struggled. She struggled so hard! Anna's stomach churned darkly, and a lump in her throat she can't swallow creeped up. She was rooted in place, not daring to take a single step near her sister. She felt helpless, hurt, and angered at the state of her sister. How could they do this?!

With bravery, Anna stepped forward, holding back tears as her sister's injured face came into view. Her left eye was swollen, a cut to the lip, and an ugly bruise on her right cheek. It was worse than she'd thought.

"Elsa, I'm here." She tried to sound happy, but the strangled sound—whatever that was—that came out of her mouth betrayed her.

Anna had denied it for so long. She believed that Elsa was alright, that she'd be greeted with open arms when she saw her. But that couldn't have been further from the truth. Anna's dream of having a warm reunion with her sister was shattered as soon as she saw Elsa's heavily bruised body. Seeing her sister sitting here unresponsive with a body filled with bruises and injuries, ignited an anger in her heart.

Hans Westergard—this bastard!

Anna took one cautious step toward Elsa. She worried that if she made any sudden movements, her sister might be startled. Slowly, she made another step, and then another, then another, then another, until she was now facing her still unresponsive sister. Anna wanted to cry. But not right here. Not right now. She reached a shaking hand toward her sister's bony ones and squeezed it gently. This very small gesture earned her a reaction. Elsa turned her head; her blue and distant eyes met Anna's. And Anna could hear her very own heart shatter.

"Have you eaten yet, Elsa?" Anna asked, slightly hoping for an answer from her sister. A yes, a nod of the head, a small grunt—anything. Please…please talk to me. Please, anything!

But there was nothing.

Elsa simply turned her head back, looking outside the window, her gaze still ever distant. Anna's expression fell, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Not here. Not now. Don't cry. Not yet.

It was difficult seeing how much Elsa had changed throughout the years that they've been apart. Anna was blinded and naïve to what her elder sister had been going through. She should never have believed what was written in those damned letters!

Anna forced a smile on her face, her lips twitching, her eyes wet with unshed tears. She gave her sister's delicate hand another reassuring squeeze. "I'll be back, Elsa. For now, please rest." She turned around much too quickly and rushed out of her sister's room, tears falling from her eyes as a maid scurried behind her to close the doors.

"So tell me," Anna's voice was low, gazing at the physician. "What's wrong with my sister?"

The physician stepped forward, his hands shaking slightly as he clasped them together. Was he afraid of Anna? She doesn't know why, but that mattered the least. Right now, the words she wanted to hear the most rang in her mind. Hoping—praying—it would be the words he would say.

"Lady Elsa's injuries consist of serious bruises on her neck, torso, back, and legs. I am actively treating them to the best that I can, but we can only rely on the medicine and time for her wounds to truly heal—"

"I know that! Do you think I am blind to the wounds that are painfully visible on my sister's body?!" Anna's voice thundered in the room, her small fist colliding with the table in front of her. She ran a hand through her hair and leaned back on the sofa, massaging her temples with a frown on her face.

"I'm sorry, continue." She raised a hand, urging the physician to go on with his observations.

Awkward air lingered in the room and Anna felt bad. She didn't mean to overreact, but anything—no matter how small—that was related to her older sister made her lose her mind.

"She has minor fractures on her hands, but it seems like the Lady can't feel pain."

Anna's eyes widened, slowly sitting up. "What do you mean?"

"Normally, when someone has a fracture, no matter how minor, just a little graze is extremely painful. But when I checked, the Lady did not feel anything nor did she react strongly to the pain."

What did that mean? Anna's thoughts raced in her head as she gathered every possible reason why. She did think Elsa was too broken to talk to actually talk to anybody…but to the point where she can no longer feel pain? Just what kind of abuse did my sister go through in that demonic house?!

"There is also something wrong with the Lady's mental state. She no longer speaks or responds to anybody. I have yet to find out how to help her, but for now, we just have to wait until she opens up. The trauma has affected her too much to the point where she's closed herself off."

Anna's mouth hung open at the news. No, no, no, no, no. No way. Elsa is broken? Elsa is? Anna couldn't understand. No—she didn't want to understand. Anna didn't want to believe it. The sister she knew who was strong, confident, and brave was relegated to nothing but a shadow of her former self. Anna's heart ached and her mind throbbed. She could feel her breath shorten, as if she were drowning, desperately gasping for air like a fish out of water.

"Wha–what do you suggest we do then?" Anna stood up, eyes locked with the physician's, searching for any semblance of hope, any answer. Anything at all!

But the physician only shook his head. "We can only wait. For now, you have to keep talking to her madam."

Anna fell back onto the sofa with a small thud, her eyes unfocused and breath erratic as she tried to make sense of the news. No…no, no, no, no. As the reality dawned on her, tears fell from her eyes, wetting her cheeks like a waterfall. This was her fault! She shouldn't have trusted those damned letters! If only she visited Elsa much, much earlier. Perhaps there would still be a chance to save her before she was—was like this!

She clenched her fists and sobbed, forgetting the physician in the room. Why did she think her sister would be treated well in a place where their kingdom—their family—fell?! Why was she so naïve, so—so trustful?

Ivywood, North Pacifica
8th Julie, 391

My Beloved Elsa,

I am delighted to hear from you! Thank you so much for your constant letters. While it was unfortunate that you could not attend my wedding, I understand the circumstances that may have prevented your presence. Perhaps the Viscount simply had prior commitments. Such unexpected events occur and I forgive you, as I always will. I love hearing your stories. It truly seems like you are living a dream in the Southern Isles. It gives me so much reassurance that my sister, my beloved sister, is also treated well.

I find myself profoundly missing you. I really do. I have so much to tell you. About the women in society, the power struggle, the people in the mansion, my life. I can't wait to see you soon. But as much as I want to go there as soon as possible, I'm afraid Kristoff and I are still surrounded by work—these grueling tasks to complete in the house. Is this what you've been doing when you were tasked to manage the palace by our dear father? I have some newfound respect for you, sister. Regrettably, although me and Kristoff will do anything to meet you and see you again, we have yet to finish our duties. I promise, once we do, we will clear our schedules for a month and rush to meet you. It's unfortunate that Southern Isles is a month's travel from Ivywood Capital.

As much as I would love to write a longer letter to you, my lovely sister. My assistant has been glaring at me from the corner, urging me to hasten my pace in checking the very important documents needed for the household. However, If you are having a hard time, please do not hesitate to tell me or send me a letter. You know that I will always be by your side and am ready to help you when you are troubled. I love you. I miss you.

Your eager sister,
Anna

Two years had passed since Elsa was rescued from that hell house. But even those had not been without hardship. The first year was incredibly the most challenging and painful one, for Elsa and for Anna herself. It had been a relentless storm, each day was a battle to keep her head above the water. Anna knew it would be difficult, that much was true. It started with the quiet signs—Elsa's long silences and her distant gaze.

There were those nights. Some nights where Anna spent sitting together with Elsa in the dim glow of a lamp. The silence between them was suffocating—it crept around Anna's heart like a shadow. At first, Anna struck conversation, hoping her sister would magically turn around and smile at her. But overtime, Anna learned to just sit there, not speaking but just simply existing.

To Elsa—or at least that's what Anna thinks—sleeping was a luxury. Anna watched as her sister would wake from her nightmares, gasping and shaking, lost in a world of her own pain. Comforting Elsa meant Anna had to stay awake for hours, whispering reassurances in the dark beside her, until exhaustion claimed them both.

When morning came, the wretched and painful cycle began again: the gentle coaxing to eat, the encouragement to step outside, the subtle reminders that Anna was here. That she was fighting with her. That Elsa was still loved. Anna felt helpless, like she was watching her sister drown and not knowing how to swim. She wanted to help Elsa, but her sister sometimes drifted off into a world of her own. As if the weight of it all pressed down on her like a suffocating fog, grasping onto her neck like vice. It was painful seeing her struggle quietly alone, her pain too vast, too deep—too extreme—to be contained in that petite body.

Elsa's progress came in increments, slow but still there—a short walk in her room, a full meal eaten without the coaxing. These tiny victories were enough, celebrated quietly, as if Anna were holding a fragile ember in sweaty and trembling hands.

The second year was much better than the first. There was much more progress to be seen, although she still refused to speak or acknowledge anybody, Elsa started going on walks. It started slow—in her room, down the corridor, and eventually, into the gardens where she strangely enjoyed. Anna's heart trembled slightly at the sight of her sister's small improvements. She arrived in her arms all broken, like a lifeless puppet, devoid of any soul. She watched over her sister by her office window, noticing how slowly she walked through the garden paths, stopping occasionally to touch and observe the petals of roses Anna had requested the gardeners to plant.

The news of Elsa finally taking a step outside for the first time since she was moved into the Bjorgman mansion was shocking and yet well-received. Anna recalled how a maid from the East Wing rushed breathlessly through long, winding corridors to inform her about Elsa's biggest achievement so far. When this reached Anna, she bolted out of her husband's study, through the turns of their very own corridors while Kristoff lagged behind her. She remembered stumbling backwards into Kristoff's arms when she saw her sister's frail body take one shaky, nervous step outside the mansion and onto the garden path.

That memory was etched into her brain, archiving the moment her traumatized sister finally made a move without being told.

"She's doing much better compared to the first time she arrived here." Kristoff stood next to Anna, gazing out the same window as she was, down at his sister-in-law.

"Her recovery might be slow, but I'm glad she's slowly getting better." Anna placed a palm on the window's glass, gazing adoringly at her sister holding a rose. "I wonder what that bastard did to her for her to be this—" Anna stopped herself before she could finish that question.

She was not going to think about it. Not now. That would be a conversation for another time. Every time Anna thinks about what her sister went through for the years she's been in the clutches of that wretched man, her stomach twists into knots and her breath becomes ragged. Had she been any second late, her sister might've never been alive. And just the thought of that made her heart ache—in anguish and in anger. She was not going to lose her only sister. She didn't want to entertain the thought.