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When Regan turned back to the compartment, her mother was still sleeping. She hoped they would find a way out of there or if the flight would even end. She didn't know how much time had passed but she was exhausted, every muscle aching and burning.

As she sat down on her seat, she couldn't shake the intrusive thoughts about what he had done. She couldn't get over the fact that he had caressed her face.

"Why? Just why?" she questioned, feeling her voice break. She couldn't start to cry again, she tried to shove his image and voice away from her mind.

Suddenly, Octavia shifted from her place, slowly opening her eyes. She glanced at Regan confusedly, lost in thought for a moment. Then, she turned back into reality and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.

"I love you so much," she whispered, her voice filled with love, her arms wrapped around her tightly.

"I love you too," Regan replied, her voice barely able to keep from trembling, her eyes slamming shut to keep the tears from forming once more.

But Octavia could feel her unease, pulling back slightly, her eyes flashing with concern and worry. She took her hand in hers, "Yloria, what happened?" she asked frantically, "Did he do something?"

Regan hugged her mother once more, losing the fight against the tears. "M-mom," she stammered, her chest shaking slightly, "H-he, to-touched my face and said....said some things," she said between sobs.

Octavia held her daughter, her arms around her tightening, "What a brute," she said bitterly, her jaw clenching, "Don't cry, my dear," she said soothingly, her hand through her hair gently, "I'll show him what it means to hurt you. He won't do that again, I swear."

Regan buried her head in her mother's shoulder, his icy eyes reappearing in her mind, his hand on her cheek both terrifying and exhilarating. "Thank y-you, mom," she mumbled, feeling a surge of gratefulness withing her soul. Her mother's scent was like home, wrapping around her heart with a comforting love.

"Don't worry, dear," Octavia assured, kissing her daughter's cheek. "He won't get away with it," she said, her voice filled with conviction. Her words, the exhaustion, the flood of emotion, lulled Regan into a sleep that she hadn't had for so long.

***

She woke up from a slight shake. Her eyes fluttered open and it was her mother. She felt relief spreading over her. She had seen too many nightmares.

"Sweetie, let's go," Octavia said pushing her daughter's bangs from her forehead.

Regan rubbed her eyes and yawned. Slowly, she got up from her seat and followed her mother's lead. As they stepped out of the vessel ship, they met with the warm breeze of the place. It was a familiar place, a beautiful place that made Regan suffocate. The sky was dark, an ominous canvas of dark red and purple. She looked around, wondering where he was but she saw only his general, Vlad.

"Follow me," he said flatly.

Regan frowned, not wanting to follow him at all. But her mother had her hand clasped and so they followed Vlad's lead. The scent of the roses filled her nostrils, making her dizzy, their haunting stares daring her to cut and ruin them all. Their sick beauty, their perfection was a taunt, but she had to ignore that for now.

"Sweetie, don't worry," her mother said, squeezing Regan's hand assuringly, "We'll find a way out."

Regan just nodded, each step feeling like she had agreed to an unwanted, silent contract with him. How would they even leave now that they were entering the wolf's den

The castle stood on its grace, greeting her back with the strong dark walls, and the spiked towers that cast eerie shadows over the surrounding land. The peaks of the castle were shrouded in a dark mist, reminding her of what could await her there. 

Regan felt a shiver run down her spine as she approached, the imposing structure looming over her with its menacing presence.

"Where's he?" she asked, her voice way too sharp for the liking, "Or is he in one of his throne chambers, waiting to gloat on us?"

Vlad glanced at her once before looking on the way, "No," he replied tersely.

"Where's he then?"

Vlad's expression remained stoic as he responded, "He's not here at the moment. But he left instructions for you to be taken to your chambers."

Regan cursed under her breath, knowing they were being led to some kind of trap. And it was even more strange, the fact that he wasn't showing himself. But then she remembered something, she had told her mother about what he did. Maybe her mother had said something to him?

She thought to ask her but then changed her mind. She could ask that later.

As they reached the set of the grand doors, a wave of unease washed over her, the knot in her stomach intensifying. She remembered Vesper. She couldn't stand her and her sisters. She hated them and they hated her. If not Sirius, they were everything she despised about this place.

She glanced at her mother, who had a rather calm expression on her face. She had no idea what awaited them, but she knew she'd rather die than be Sirius's pet or concubine. Because that was what she only thought; that he wanted her as an object. 

That chilling thought had been nagging there in her mind for so long that she didn't know how much she could continue to hold herself from not telling it to someone. But she was ashamed for it. If she told her mother, her mother would probably ask her why she thought so. And it was true. Why did she think so? He was even her enemy. But it was justified. Maybe he'd use that way to break her. After all, he should know by now that she was terrified of such things.

The thought that he wanted to use her, break her for her body, made her blood boil with a mix of rage and sadness. Was that what she saw her for? She didn't want it to affect her that much, knowing she'd never give him the opportunity to get her in that way, but it made her go and cry her mind out, thinking that he had such intentions towards her.

But she had to stay focused and vigilant. She had to protect her mother.

Vlad led them to a series of hallways and chambers until they reached a specific part of the castle. There was a set of luxurious doors. She hoped that her and her mother would be in the same room.

"Here are your chambers. If you need anything-"

"We don't," Regan cut him off, giving him a death glare.

He nodded curtly, his expression unreadable, and turned to leave. Regan waited until Vlad was out of sight before turning to her mother, her eyes filled with concern. "Mom, I don't want this. I don't want to stay here. It's the third time I'm dragged here."

Octavia placed a hand on Regan's shoulder, trying to ease her, "I know, my sweetie. I don't want this either. I don't want us to be at the mercy of our enemy. But I'd do whatever it takes for you to live a good life. Even if it means letting him dictate the plans. You see, I can't lose you again. Even if I was physically alive, I was dead inside without you. I won't let anything happen to you."

Regan hugged her mother tightly, not wanting to lose her either. She didn't know what her mother meant by 'letting him dictate the plans' but she trusted her mother's judgement.

They stepped behind the doors, meeting with a small hall with only two doors and an ottoman sitting between them.

"Mom, did you say anything to him?" Regan suddenly asked, the curiosity getting the better of her.

Octavia sighed, "Yes, when you were sleeping."

"And....what did you say? What did he say?"

"It doesn't matter, sweetie," Octavia forced a smile. "You don't have to worry about it."

She grabbed her daughter's hand and led her to one of the rooms. The room was large with walls covered in beige tapestries. The windows were curtained with rich nylon fabrics, their glass stained with mosaics of roses that threatened to make Regan dizzy although it wasn't even real. The floor was made of surprisingly bright, polished wood, knowing that all she had seen so far was dark wood. The rest, was the typical goth rich bedroom with the sophisticated four poster bed. Regan fought the urge to cry, loving how the room looked and hating it at the same time.

"Now, go take a bath yourself, change your clothes and sleep. I'll fix it all for you. You don't have to worry, my dear." Octavia said as she kissed her daughter's hand and led her to the bathroom. She handled her some clothes and undergarments from the wardrobe. It was a long nightgown in red silk. Regan's features changed with a blend of confusion, but she didn't refuse.

She just took it.

She entered the bathroom and stared at her reflection. She looked terrible, her hair messy, her eyes red with dark circles. She remembered when Sirius had brushed her hair and the thought made her shudder. Her clothes disgusted her even more and she took a long, hot bath, her back wound hurting but she couldn't care about it now. Her muscles ached from her journeys and her troubled thoughts. She let them soothe, but she was still restless.

After the bath, she changed into the nightgown, feeling the soft and silky fabric on her skin. But it all made her even more embarrassed. The nightgown had long sleeves, it went long down her feet, but its upper part revealed her chest. 

She frowned as she looked at herself, wondering why her mother gave her to wear this. She had never worn revealing clothes except when she had gone to the beach. Even there, embarrassing things had happened. 

The dress was like a soothing caress against her skin, but it still made her feel uncomfortable. It covered her legs at least. She went to brush her wet hair, but then decided against it, letting it air dry. She didn't want to take too much time here.

She finally exited the bathroom and found her mother sitting on the bed. Octavia had also changed her clothes. She was wearing a blue nightgown that wasn't as revealing as Regan's. She was a queen after all, even though she was in exile.

"You look very beautiful, sweetie. Are you feeling better now?" Octavia asked, a smile on her face.

Blood rushed to Regan's cheeks even in front of her mother. She didn't like how her cleavage was showing. She felt terrible. She didn't even think herself as beautiful. Never did she.

"Uh, yeah. I'm okay. Thank you," she finally answered, trying to shrug off her unsettling thoughts. "But why did I have to wear this, mom?"

Octavia's expression caught a bit off guard, as if not expecting the question, "Because you're beautiful, you're a princess and princesses wear beautiful clothes in their sleep."

Regan only nodded, not understanding how her mother was calm and composed when they were both prisoners, being held in a demon lord's castle. She sat on the bed, watching the shadows of the fireplace dance on the walls, her thoughts still clouded and restless. Octavia brushed the locks away from her daughter's face, her movements gentle and soothing.

"You know, sweetie, I don't want you to be upset. You're going to be alright. You should try to look at the bright side of things. We may be trapped, but we're together." 

Regan kissed her mother's hand. "I know, mom. But I can't help it. I just feel so... trapped."

"I know, sweetie. I know. But you have to understand that this is just a temporary situation. We'll find a way out here."

Octavia's words made Regan feel a little better, but she still couldn't help but feel restless. And as she looked down at her lap, another chilling thought washed over her. What if he showed himself and saw her in this revealing nightgown? The thought made her tremble from fear, her heart racing.

She thought to ask her mother about it, but a knock on the door snapped them away from their thoughts. Octavia rose from the bed and went to open it. A servant stood there, carrying a tray of food and drinks. The servant said what Regan expected her to say; the lord ordered them to eat. Octavia thanked the servant and took the tray, setting it on the bedside table. She then gestured for Regan to join her on the bed.

They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Regan couldn't help but feel self-conscious about the way the nightgown clung to her body and she couldn't shake the unsettling thoughts, the uneasy knot in her stomach.

What was even more strange, her mother all collected, her voice and words measures, as if this was just another night at the castle. She didn't understand how it could be, when they were eating their enemy's food, trapped in his castle, prisoners in his kingdom.

The questions about his whereabouts were a constant nag at the back of her head. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he looking at her right now? She glanced around the room, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Octavia seemed oblivious to her daughter's unease, and tried to change the subject. She began to tell her about her life, the grief after the war, and the ache in her soul after her daughter went missing. 

But she never did mention her father, and Regan didn't bother to ask. She told her mother her own story once again, more detailed this time, and they hugged and reassured each other.

Finally, after they finished eating, Regan couldn't help but ask, "Mom....what did you say to him, earlier?" her voice was uncertain.

Octavia looked at her, pursuing her lips for a moment before answering. "I confronted him about what he did to you and I told him he had crossed the line. Then, he left and let's hope we don't see him again." She tried to comfort Regan, putting her hand on her shoulder, but Regan wasn't entirely convinced.

It was strange for him not to show himself, he had always done it. And how could he stay away from gloating? As she looked down at her nightgown, seeing how her cleavage was showing, she couldn't help but feel unsettled. She was slim and flat-chested but still, the nightgown made her feel exposed. She didn't understand why her mother had let her wear it. And the air, so calm and quiet, yet tinged with something unsettling. But it was still like they were just a mother and a daughter, wrapped in their comforting embrace, having dinner together. 

After a while, Octavia wanted to brush her daughter's hair, and Regan was more than willing to let her. She felt safe and protected when her mother was near, and the gentle motion of the brush soothed her. After Octavia finished, Regan looked into the mirror, her red hair hanging loose over her shoulders. However, as her eyes trailed lower, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious about her nightgown again.

"Mom...I feel...stupid. Wearing this..." she mumbled, tugging at the fabric self-consciously.

Octavia turned her daughter to face her, looking into her eyes with a firm expression, "Ylor, you're not stupid. You're a princess and the fact that we're prisoners doesn't mean we have to drown in depression. You are beautiful, both inside and out, and there's nothing wrong with wearing something as lovely as this." She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Besides, I'm here with you. Nothing can harm you while I'm here."

The words made Regan feel a little better, but she couldn't help the sense of dread. What if he had some sinister plan, what if he'd enter the chamber sneakily and see her in such a revealing nightgown? What would he do? Would he touch her inappropriately? The thought made her want to burst in tears, but she held herself.

"Mom...I just..." she began, but Octavia silenced her with a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Shh, sweetheart. You're safe with me. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you," she assured, her voice as calm and soothing as ever. "Now, why don't you sleep?"

Regan nodded, still feeling embarrassed and worried about this all.

"Mom, will you sleep here?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling. She was afraid to be alone in the room, afraid of what might happen. 

Octavia smiled, "Of course, I'll sleep with you. I'll be right here, just lean against me." Regan did as her mother said, feeling much safer. As she nestled into her mother's embrace, she felt overly grateful she had found her.

Even though they were in danger, finding her mother was the only amazing thing that had happened in that whole complex web of shadows. Yes, she had lived with aunt Monica before, but it wasn't the same. She had always been lonely and longed for the unconditional love of a mother, and now she couldn't get enough of the affection she had been starved of her life.

"Mom?" she whispered, her voice still shaky. "Where could h-he be?"

Octavia sighed, stroking her daughter's hair gently. "I don't know, sweetheart. But don't worry. He's....a lord. He has affairs, state matters to take care of." Her words were reassuring, but Regan could hear the slight unsureness in her mother's voice. And she didn't know how much she believed these words, at least not more than her own version of the story; him in the bed with some woman. The thought sent a wave of disgust through her.

The minutes ticked by, and Regan yawned, nestling herself tighter in her mother's embrace. The exhaustion was not letting her eyelids open, but the dread that had settled in her stomach was. A voice told her to go and change before it was too late, but she didn't know what her mother would think, and she didn't want to break her hold.

So instead, she slammed her eyes shut, and even as she did, she saw his own, mesmerizing ones, staring back at her. How close he had been in that space ship or whatever it was, so close he could've kissed her right then and there. The thought made her even more alarmed and she started to tremble a little.

Octavia noticed and pulled her closer, stroking her hair to calm her down. But Regan felt paranoid and scared like these times where he had haunted her. The weight in her chest was too much and she couldn't he

lp but feel like she was going to suffocate, pulling the blanket slightly lower.

Slowly, the exhaustion won, and she feel into a deep sleep, in her mother's arms.