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nohrian-skies · 1 year

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TMH Eclipse 1

"Please... please, just let me go home..."

The city of Cheve was quite unlike anything Evangelina had ever seen before. The streets, climate, buildings, and even the people themselves were all so different from what she was used to in Hoshido. But all that wonder and confusion was left behind as she stared up at her father, Sumeragi. Before she could understand what happened, they had been surrounded by a crowd of unfamiliar people, with Ryoma and the others nowhere to be seen. At first, she hadn't thought much of it, but now she was finally picking up on the tension. She still wasn't sure what to make of it, though, and so hung tightly to her father's robe.

Shuffling footsteps diverted her attention. The sound of clinking armor rang through the air, and a broad, towering figure emerged from the crowd. Evangelina peered at him curiously, only for Sumeragi to swiftly nudge her behind him.

"Father...?" She looked up in confusion as he drew his blade. "What's...going on?"

"Stay behind me, Eva!"

The strange man halted a few meters away, and all was silent. Evangelina didn't understand the looks everyone was giving each other, but something was clearly... very wrong...

The next thing she heard was a deep, coarse voice.

"...fire at will."

Following the release of dozens of arrows, Sumeragi cried out and dropped to the ground, choking. Evangelina wasn't immediately sure how to react, but a small gasp escaped her. Her father... seemed to be in a lot of pain. These people hurt him, but she couldn't understand why. Aren't they... the ones Hoshido had come to see? Her father had said it was for a peace conference, and her mother had explained it in very simple terms.

Didn't... the king want Nohr and Hoshido to be friends? Evangelina thought. That's what Mother said… that's why I came here with Father… so why…

"I'm disappointed in you, Sumeragi..." King Garon chuckled cooly, evoking a shudder from Evangelina. "That wasn't even my best trap."

Evangelina flinched as the brutish man finished Sumeragi off, with a single powerful blow from his ax. She shed a few tears, then glanced up to make a terrifying realization. King Garon was now looking straight at her. She inhaled as he began walking in her direction.

Wh... what are you... doing... Evangelina backed away, only for the hulking king to hasten his approach. Growing frantic, Evangelina tripped and fell to the ground, but continued crawling backward until she couldn't anymore. St… stay away… don't come anywhere near me…!

Backed up against a wall with no escape, Evangelina was shaking like a leaf. He observed her for a moment before speaking again, his voice and looming figure making her feel very, very small. "Oh, you poor thing..." She stared up at him as he spoke, her violet eyes glazed over in pure terror. "Orphaned at such a... tender young age..."

Without warning, King Garon reached his hand out to her, and Evangelina recoiled in panic. "N…n-no… leave me alone!"

"You are my child now!"

Garon grabbed her arm with one powerful hand and her waist with the other. Evangelina squeaked. "Let me go! Don't… don't touch me!"

He didn't listen, or show any signs that he even heard her. To Evangelina's dismay, the king lifted her off the ground. She screamed in protest and struggled to escape his grasp, but he was too strong.

"H-h-help…somebody please help!" Evangelina cried out desperately, bawling. She gasped as Garon tightened his hold on her, painfully. "Ahh!!"

"Cease your squirming, or there will be consequences!" King Garon warned.

"You're hurting me," the small princess whimpered. "Ryoma...?"

"And shut your mouth."

"R-Ryoma!!"

"Silence, girl!" Garon squeezed her even harder, causing Evangelina to cough and wheeze.

Evangelina then locked eyes with a blond boy standing nearby, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here. "H-help..." Her voice was weak and shaky. When he didn't respond, she pushed further. "Please..."

Evangelina's pleading gaze seemed to pierce his heart, and he gritted his teeth. "I..."

"Xander." At King Garon's harsh tone, Xander winced and diverted his gaze. "Return to the carriage."

"Father?"

"That's an order."

Xander glanced back at Evangelina. He showed a moment of hesitation and had to close his eyes to force himself to look away. "...yes, Father."

As the prince walked away, two Nohrian soldiers helped Garon bind Evangelina's hands with rope. Then he roughly handed her over to one of them. She froze as she stared into her captor's cruel crimson eyes, searching for the slightest bit of compassion or warmth.

There was none.

"Take her." Garon directed. "Don't let her escape."

"Yes, sir."

Evangelina watched her surroundings pass by as the soldier carried her away from her father's lifeless body. Panic rose in her once again. "N-no…stop…I don't…want to–"

She yelped as the soldier squeezed her arm in retaliation. A moment later, he carelessly threw her into a carriage, and promptly shut the door behind her. Left in a state of shock, it took her a moment to realize she wasn't alone.

Directly across from her, Xander watched quietly. For a moment, all they did was stare at each other, not a word shared between them. It wasn't until Evangelina finally broke down that the silence ended. He allowed her the chance to get it all out before leaning forward. She tensed as his cool hands touched hers.

"Easy... easy..."

It wasn't until Evangelina lifted her head that she stopped crying. The look in Xander's meek crimson eyes was so different from Garon's. He loosened the rope on her wrists and pulled away.

"When they come back... act like you're still tied up," Xander instructed.

Evangelina blinked. "But... I'm not..."

"I know. Keep it a secret. Okay?"

"A-Are you..." Evangelina stammered. "Are you going to let me go?"

Xander frowned. "...I can't."

Her heart sank. "Why... why not?"

"My father..." Xander said with a heavy sigh. "I... I can't defy him. I'm sorry."

Disappointed, Evangelina fell silent again. Xander's expression softened. "...are you hurt at all?"

Evangelina sniffed. "N-no... well, not a lot..."

Wordlessly, Xander took her hands into his. Evangelina flinched instinctively, but his touch was surprisingly gentle, and she soon started to relax. He shook his head as he examined her wrists.

"What is it...?" Evangelina asked, her head tilted slightly.

"A little bruising." Xander sighed. "But no serious injuries, at least..."

Xander caught Evangelina staring at him and shied away from her violet gaze. For a moment, he looked as though he was about to speak, but words never came. She hadn't forgotten about what happened, but she did feel a little less... alone, at least. Something about him drew her in. Maybe because he seemed scared, too.

"Um..." Surprised by the sound of her voice, Xander looked back at her. Evangelina gathered all her courage. "Wha... what's your name?"

Caught off guard, it took him a moment to respond. "...Prince Xander."

"I'm... Evangelina." She laughed half-heartedly. "Or... Princess Evangelina. I always... forget that part. It's, um... nice to meet you?"

"You too... princess."

Evangelina smiled shyly, and Xander smiled back. Then, without warning, the door swung open, startling both of them. One glimpse of Garon, and all the effort Xander had put into calming her down came undone. Shaking, she backed into the corner as the king entered the carriage and sat down next to her. Xander’s entire demeanor changed to one of solemn submission. He wanted to comfort Evangelina so badly, but all he could really do was watch her completely fall apart in front of him as the carriage starts moving.

"N...No! Let... let me go!" Evangelina felt the panic rising within her, and when Garon didn't react, her voice broke. "Wait... wait. You... can't take me..."

Garon grumbled. "What did I say about keeping that mouth shut?"

"Sir, please..." Evangelina sobbed. "I... I wanna g-go home..."

"I said, be SILENT!"

Garon raised a hand, and Evangelina ducked her head with a yelp. His blow fell just short of hitting her. Xander froze, hardly daring to breathe.

"Girl." The king stared her down. "You will do. As you are told."

Evangelina whimpered and shrunk further into the corner, her eyes fixated on King Garon. Trembling, she suddenly realized... he could hurt her at any time if she wanted to. And no one would try to stop him.

"Not one more word out of you. Do you understand?"

The three spent the remainder of the trip in uncomfortable silence. Evangelina was paralyzed with fear, and Xander sat helplessly on the opposite side. As badly as he wanted to comfort her, he knew he couldn't. Not in front of his father. Evangelina, on the other hand, was just completely broken. Nothing could change that.

Her life changed forever that day. It would be many years before she understood just how much.

By the time King Garon and his troops reached Krakenburg, Evangelina had completely shut down. She kept her head low, and wouldn't say a word to anyone. Xander didn't know what to say, but even if he did, he wouldn't have the chance. Immediately, she was rushed through the castle, away from Xander and out of sight. Then, she and her captors entered a cold, dusty room. There were no windows and nothing but an old, creaky bed in the corner. It was hardly welcoming, like something out of a nightmare. Hesitantly, Evangelina turned to face her captors. Garon cast her a stern eye, and she shrank under his harsh gaze. Then, the king's raspy voice broke the silence.

"You will be staying here for the foreseeable future." Clearly worn, Evangelina said nothing, so Garon continued. "And don't get any ideas about trying to escape. I have guards everywhere."

King Garon and his two accompanying soldiers left the room, locking the door behind them. Evangelina shuddered; he was gone, but that didn't mean he wouldn't come back. For all she knew, he could be right behind that door. She paused to take in her surroundings and reflect on her situation. She found herself alone, with no one to turn to. Locked away, miles and miles from home. Yesterday, she woke up surrounded by family. Now, that warmth had been ripped away and replaced with isolation, uncertainty, and fear. How could anyone even begin to process this, much less a small child?

With little else to do, Evangelina slowly wandered over to the bed and climbed under the covers. Then, she allowed the tears to flow freely.

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