East Kingdom, Present Day
3 Days Ago...
Ravenna's heels clicked against the floor making a sharp, attention-grabbing sound as the sorceress walked toward the room that belonged to her younger sister, two soldiers followed obediently behind her with an unconscious Freya in their arms, as soon as they reached the Queen's chamber, the blonde woman opened the door and ordered the men to lay Freya's body on the bed, and they did just that.
– Alright, you're dismissed, get out of here. – Ravenna said to the two men.
As soon as the soldiers left the room and closed the door, just as the sorceress had ordered, Ravenna walked over to the bed where Freya was, she sat down beside her sister and caressed her face while looking at her with a serious expression.
– After all this time, you decided to challenge me... – she shook her head as if the younger one could see her – All of this because of that insolent girl ? I'm disappointed in you, Freya. – the sorceress opened a malicious smile – I think I'll have to remind you of the price people pay when they disappoint me. – Ravenna said bringing her mouth close to Freya's ear.
Ravenna whispered a phrase in Latin against her sister's ear, those words carried a lot of magic and certainly later, when the Queen woke up, she would discover the effects of the spell her older sister had just cast on her, after doing what she had planned, the sorceress got up from the bed and walked out of the room, once she was outside the chamber, Ravenna turned to the door and smiled before proclaiming one more spell, this time to prevent Freya from leaving the room until she herself decided she could.
2 Days Ago, Royal Chamber
A few hours passed until Freya finally woke up, the Queen opened her eyes slowly still feeling dizzy from the hard blow she had received to her head, she glanced around the place and frowned confused upon noticing she was in her own room, as she remembered the last events before her fainting, Freya got up from the bed quickly, she was desperate, Camilly wasn't there, and if she wasn't there, it meant Ravenna had caught her, and the Queen couldn't allow that, couldn't let her sister hurt her little Lioness.
Freya walked quickly to the door of her room, but as soon as she touched the handle, her body was thrown far away by a magical energy that covered all the walls and doors of the room, the Queen still on the floor because of the magic that had flung her away, looked around the room, it didn't take long for her to realize there was a spell preventing her from leaving that chamber.
– It can't be... – she whispered to herself as she got up from the floor – No... No... I have to get out of here ! – Freya shouted while using her ice powers to hit the door, it didn't take long for her to realize it was useless, her power hadn't even managed to scratch the wood of the door, everything that came into contact with it was simply expelled by Ravenna's spell.
Slowly Freya lowered her arm and realized what was happening, memories of recent events took over her mind at that moment, the Queen sat back down on her bed and hid her face in her hands, she had challenged Ravenna, had tried to attack her and now she was paying for it, and worst of all, Camilly was too.
– No... – Freya whispered feeling her chest fill with anguish just imagining the things her sister would do to Camilly – What I... – the Queen's sentence was interrupted as a baby's cry echoed through the room.
Freya felt her heart stop for seconds, soon a lump formed in her throat and her eyes welled up, she knew that cry, no matter how much time passed, she could never forget it, the Queen removed her hands from her own face and slowly lifted her head.
What Freya saw next simply paralyzed her, there was a crib in the huge room, a white crib she still remembered very well, and right there next to the furniture was a man, one she never thought she would see again, it was her old love, the person who had broken her heart so deeply, the Queen's eyes widened as she realized there was a torch in the prince's hands.
– No ! – Freya shouted lunging at him and soon passing right through him as if he were just a shadow, the Queen tried to hold him but it was impossible, her hands simply went through him and he didn't even seem to notice her presence.
The Queen felt desperation completely take over her, in an impulsive act she tried to grab the child from inside the crib, but again the same thing happened, she couldn't hold onto either of them, all she could do at that moment was watch, Freya took a few steps back while shaking her head, her mind was a mess, she didn't know why she was seeing that scene, but she knew what would happen next.
Freya brought her hands to her face and covered her own eyes while closing them, soon the baby's cry grew louder, her heart raced and she couldn't avoid it anymore, when the Queen's blue eyes opened again, she saw the man set the crib on fire, a scream full of agony came from her mouth and she fell to her knees on the floor, tears began to stream down her face with the same intensity as years ago.
– No... No... – Freya whispered repeatedly as she sat on the floor and hugged her own legs, soon the fire disappeared and the crib began to regenerate, the flame of the torch the man held lit again and he returned to the position he was in before, everything started again, the crying, the flames, the ashes.
The Queen tried to avoid looking in the direction where the images kept repeating, but even as she tried she could still hear the sound of wood crackling as it burned in the fire and the loud cry full of fear from her baby, it was cruel, it was insensitive and monstrous.
– Please... Please... Make it stop ! – Freya shouted covering her ears and closing her eyes tightly, she was sitting on the bed rocking back and forth in a nervous tic.
All of that lasted for a few more hours until the images finally disappeared, at that moment Freya found herself sitting on her bed while keeping her ears covered and eyes tightly shut, when the Queen noticed the crying sound had stopped, she hesitantly opened her eyes, a deep sigh escaped through her lips as she noticed she was the only person in that room.
– What was that ? – she asked herself as she got up from the bed, Freya looked around the room repeatedly to make sure there was nothing out of the ordinary there, she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
The Queen took a deep breath feeling her head throb with pain, that had been very suspicious and strange, she went to her bed and let her body rest on the soft mattress, Freya sighed and closed her eyes feeling her strength slowly fade away, then after a few minutes, she fell into a deep sleep.
1 Day Ago, Royal Chamber
The next day, Freya was awakened by a loud, shrill cry, she opened her eyes abruptly and sat up in bed startled, her sleepy eyes soon spotted the white crib in front of her bed along with the prince holding the torch.
– Not again. – Freya whimpered lying back down and covering her own face with the pillow, soon the baby cried even louder, the Queen sighed and threw the pillow back on the bed before getting up and walking quickly to the other side of the crib, thus ending up face to face with the man who was once her first love.
Freya stared at him intently, a feeling of repulsion took over her upon seeing that face that had been tormenting her mind for so long, she didn't remember much of his blue eyes and slightly wavy black hair, it really had been a long time since the Queen had last seen him, before killing him, of course.
– How could you do this to our daughter, Daniel... – she shook her head while looking at him with an expression of anger and sadness – She was just a baby, how could you look into her little eyes and set fire to this damned crib ! – the Queen shouted at the man who just stared at the baby inside the crib, this irritated the woman even more, the temperature of her body kept dropping, some sparks, mists and snowflakes emanated from her – You're a mons... – Freya fell silent as tears began to stream down the prince's face.
The Queen frowned while staring at him, many tears were running down Daniel's face at that moment, but his expression remained neutral and empty, Freya walked to the other side of the crib and positioned herself beside the man, she followed his gaze and soon noticed he was looking directly at the little girl in the crib, the ice woman felt a pain in her heart caused by the feeling of loss and longing, at that moment she sought to admire every small detail of that beautiful baby, the lovely light blue eyes that were almost identical to Freya's stood out thanks to her pale skin and her night-black hair, a painful tear ran down the Queen's face, she finally had the chance to see her daughter's face one last time.
Freya turned to the man and looked intently at his face still bathed in thick, painful tears, she slowly brought one of her hands and touched his face, she didn't even care that her hand passed through him, she just remembered all the moments they had spent together, the Queen smiled slightly and withdrew her hand again.
That wasn't real, they were no longer in this world, Daniel and her daughter were already dead, it was time to let them go.
– I forgive you, Daniel. – she whispered as she positioned herself on the other side of the crib, standing face to face with the prince – I don't know what really happened on that dark day, maybe I'll never truly know, but I can no longer carry only this painful memory of you two... – the Queen shifted her gaze to the little girl – I think I'm ready to let you go, to move on. – Freya said with a sad smile on her face – Don't worry about me, I'm not alone anymore, incredibly enough, I found someone who can love even who I am now... – she felt her heart race, this always happened when she thought of the brown-eyed girl – You would like her, she's... A rare jewel. – the Queen sighed letting a small smile escape, then she looked one last time at Daniel and the baby and took a few steps back away from them – It's time to start over... Goodbye. – Freya said looking at them tenderly.
Right after the Queen's words, the image of Daniel bringing the torch close to the crib froze, slowly it began to disintegrate right before Freya's eyes, she had the impression of seeing Daniel's eyes close and a smile open on his face before his image completely disappeared and the room was empty again.
Freya brought her hand to the necklace around her neck and held the moon pendant firmly, her heart filled with anguish remembering that it had been two days since she'd had any news of Camilly, two days she'd been locked in that room because of her sister's spell, all the Queen wondered at that moment was, where was her little Lioness ?
_
On the other side of the Castle in the Royal Hall, Ravenna watched everything that happened inside Freya's room through the magic of the golden mirror, the sorceress had an indignant expression on her face as she watched her sister move away from the crib and make all the images disappear.
– How is this possible ?! – the sorceress asked irritated as she paced back and forth – She got rid of my hallucination ? How did she figure out my illusion spell ? Damn it ! – Ravenna shouted furiously as she threw her wine glass at one of the walls, shattering it into pieces.
– Your sister didn't figure out the illusion spell, majesty. – the deep voice came from the mirror in a calm, serious tone, Ravenna stopped walking and turned to the mirror, she raised one of her eyebrows.
– What happened then ? I'm starting to get irritated with all this. – she grumbled – I've been torturing that girl for two days and she remains insolent and cheeky, she doesn't seem to care about the wounds I open on her body, today she spat blood in my face, so I dislocated her shoulder and left her tied up in the dungeon, you'll see, tomorrow she'll be kneeling at my feet. – the sorceress smiled maliciously but soon became serious again – And when I think everything is resolved regarding Freya, she manages to get rid of the hallucinations I made ? This is unacceptable ! – Ravenna said convinced of her words.
– Freya didn't manage to nullify the illusion spell, majesty. – the mirror uttered drawing Ravenna's attention again – The spell is intact, but it seems, judging by recent events, that the memory of Daniel and her daughter is no longer what most torments Freya's mind nowadays, I think not even your sister herself had realized this until now, and that's why the hallucinations only disappeared now. – the mirror spoke.
– How can this happen ? Since when are Daniel and the baby not what most matters and torments Freya ? – Ravenna asked confused, usually they were the people she used to emotionally blackmail Freya.
– In recent years many things have changed, your sister despite keeping herself distant from everyone, let herself be affected by that young girl, she infiltrated so deeply into Freya that she ended up becoming her weakness now. – the mirror said.
– This is disappointing. – Ravenna said with disgust in her voice – But I'll use this new weakness of Freya to my advantage, if I can affect and scare her enough, she won't try to face me again, and thus I'll take this kingdom and soon after do the same with Snow White's. – the sorceress said with a malicious smile on her lips – Soon everyone will be bowing before the new Queen, Ravenna.
_
Freya used her powers to throw ice spikes and spears against the doors and walls of the room trying to get out of that place, but Ravenna's spell remained as strong as on the first day, so her escape was still an impossible dream at that moment, the Queen sighed frustrated and ran her hands through her own hair, soon she felt her hand come into contact with the crown on her head.
– What's the use of wearing this crown if now I'm nothing but a simple prisoner in my own room ? – the Queen grumbled to herself as she let out a sigh.
Freya sat back down on her bed and held the pendant of her necklace between her hands, there wasn't much she could do at that moment and that frustrated her, but at least she wouldn't have to deal with the hallucinations of Daniel and her daughter anymore, certainly nothing could be worse than having to see that again, she thought.
The moment Freya thought such words, a sharp scream from a voice familiar to her echoed through the room, the Queen widened her eyes frightened and lifted her head looking forward, her heart lurched as her eyes fell upon the image of Camilly, the girl was standing right in front of her, staring at her with a sad and dull look, she was half-naked from the waist up and kept her arms above her head, even though there was nothing holding them, it was as if the girl were tied up.
Freya slowly released the necklace pendant and let her arms fall onto her lap, she was speechless, her heart raced thanks to the strong bad feeling that took hold of her at that moment, then a small cut opened on the girl's face causing a little blood to run down her cheek, the Queen frowned confused and frightened, would this be another hallucination ? But how could that be possible ? She didn't have memories like this.
Suddenly a large cut began to open on Camilly's abdomen, Freya saw the girl's face contort in pain, she got up from the bed and quickly approached the younger one, when her eyes fell upon the lion mark on the brunette's collarbone she realized this was real, this was really Camilly.
– No, no, no... What's happening ?! – the Queen shouted desperately as she tried to touch Camilly, her hands passed through her, just like with Daniel and her daughter – Why can't I touch her ? – Freya asked herself not understanding what was happening.
She understood not being able to touch Daniel and her daughter, they had already died, but Camilly was still alive, wasn't she ? The Queen asked herself mentally.
– You're alive, aren't you ? – she stared at the girl who still kept her eyes closed while the cut on her abdomen opened even more, the Queen brought her hand close to her face and tried to touch her again – You have to be alive... – Freya whispered feeling her voice become shaky.
A suffocating sensation took hold of her, her chest was filled with a heavy feeling that made her feel impotent and small, the uncertainty, Freya didn't know where Camilly was, didn't know what they were doing to her and didn't even know if she was still alive, that feeling was disturbing, the Queen had never felt so fragile in her entire life, after all, what was this ? Why did she feel this way ?
Freya stepped back a few steps and sat on the floor in an isolated corner of the room, she hugged her own legs and felt her whole body tremble when the first screams from Camilly began to echo through the room, the Queen didn't have the courage to see what was happening, so she turned her face to the side trying to avoid her gaze falling upon the image in front of her, when she did, her gaze met a worn-out t-shirt that was lost under the bed.
Freya leaned her body and grabbed the t-shirt, it didn't take long for her to recognize the piece of clothing, it was the shirt Camilly wore to sleep, and because of the girl's habit of throwing clothes all over the room when taking them off, the piece ended up under the bed, the Queen hated this messy side of the younger one, but at that moment, as she hugged her own body and brought the t-shirt to her nose to smell Camilly's sweet perfume, Freya was devastated by one of the worst feelings anyone could have, longing.
– I miss you... I really miss you... – Freya whispered alone while listening to Camilly's disturbing screams spread throughout the room, a thick, heavy tear ran down her face, she wanted her little Lioness back.
Present Day, Royal Chamber
The next day, Freya was awakened from her trance by the sound of the bedroom door opening, she stopped rocking her body back and forth, a nervous gesture caused by the psychological torture of having to listen to Camilly scream in pain all night, and lifted her head, soon she came face to face with a female silhouette right at the door, the Queen curled up a little more and looked around the room, Camilly's image was no longer there.
– Your punishment is over, little sister. – Ravenna said drawing her sister's gaze back to herself.
– P-Punishment ? – Freya asked frightened as she watched Ravenna walk toward her and crouch down right in front of her.
– Yes little sister, did you think your rebellion in trying to attack me would go unpunished ? – the sorceress clicked her tongue and shook her head – I was still very gentle with your punishment, everything that happened to you these past days isn't even half of what I'm capable of doing. – Ravenna said opening a malicious smile.
– How can you do this... I-I'm your sister. – Freya said feeling her heart break, she felt betrayed, as if the world had just collapsed on her.
– Exactly. – the blonde caressed Freya's face and smiled sadistically – You were acting pathetically, letting yourself be affected by some random girl, I'm so disappointed in you. – the sorceress looked at her with disgust – After everything I've done for you, Freya, I raised you, gave you a home, I was the only person who truly loved you, and you try to stab me in the back ? – Ravenna held her sister's chin firmly and made her face her – I'll forgive you this time, after all this was the first time you've faced me in your entire life and I think now you know you're not capable of defeating me. – her expression became serious making Freya's insides tremble – But if this happens again, I'll make sure to have you watch me cut every part of your lovely little kitten's body, understand ? – the sorceress asked in a dark tone.
– I understand... – Freya whispered frightened by her older sister's words, she knew Ravenna was capable of doing what she said, so she wouldn't risk it, she couldn't do that, seeing Camilly die would be too much for her.
– Great. – Ravenna smiled cheerfully before getting up and walking toward the door – Get up off that floor and come with me to the royal hall, I have a surprise for you. – she said.
Freya swallowed hard and got up with some difficulty, after all she was tired, she hadn't slept properly for two nights, before walking toward her sister, the Queen remembered the t-shirt that was still in her hand, she looked at the piece one last time and left it on the bed, then she walked over to Ravenna.
The two began walking toward the Royal Hall, Freya kept her head down and mouth shut throughout the journey, when they arrived at the desired place, Ravenna opened the doors of the hall and ordered Freya to enter first, so the younger one did, the ice woman walked to the altar of the royal throne and stood there, still with a vacant, lost look.
Then some footsteps were heard inside the hall, Freya lifted her head and looked in shock at the three people coming toward her, two of these people were soldiers while the other was Camilly, the girl was practically being carried by the men, the Queen felt her heart tighten upon noticing the fragile state her little Lioness was in.
When Camilly's gaze fell upon the ice woman, the girl felt like smiling for the first time in days, but soon a confused expression took over the girl's face upon seeing that Ravenna was right behind Freya, and she didn't even seem to care about that, the younger one felt her insides tremble, Freya was beside Ravenna even after everything she had done ? How could she act so civilly with the woman who had killed her friends and tortured her ? The brown-eyed girl wondered.
The soldiers took Camilly to the altar, she stood face to face with Freya and Ravenna, the Queen and the girl stared at each other for a while, it was gratifying for both to be able to see each other after so long apart, even if under those conditions.
– It's your last chance, girl. – Ravenna said breaking the silence that had settled in the hall.
– G-Go to hell. – Camilly said with her voice low due to the fragile state her body was in.
Ravenna smiled maliciously and approached Freya in a quick movement, the sorceress grabbed her from behind and placed the tip of her metal claw against the Queen's neck, at that moment everyone was in shock, the ice woman thought about reacting but soon remembered the words her sister had said to her in her room a few minutes ago, so she remained still.
– It seems you still haven't realized what I'm capable of, I think I'll need to show you more clearly. – Ravenna said with a wicked smile as she slightly dragged the claw against Freya's skin, opening a small cut.
At that moment Camilly felt everything inside her crumble, the girl freed herself from the men's grip and took a few steps forward before falling to her knees on the floor, she leaned her body forward and rested her head on her own hands that were together on the floor in an act of submission.
– P-Please don't kill her... – the girl had her face bathed in tears as she spoke – I give up, I beg you or I'll do anything you w-want... but please don't kill her too... – Camilly begged as she cried compulsively.
Ravenna smiled upon seeing the girl on her knees on the floor begging for her mercy, soon she moved away from her sister and smiled while walking toward the exit of the hall, when the sorceress passed by Camilly, she stopped and turned to Freya again.
– I knew this would work, thanks for the help, little sister. – Ravenna said with an ironic smile on her face, she ordered the two men present there to follow her and then left the hall.
When the doors of the royal hall closed, a deep silence settled between the two women, Freya felt as if dozens of knives were being stabbed into her heart, seeing Camilly like that was horrible, she thought she would never need to see the girl beg for anything again since that time behind the castle, when she had threatened the lives of Sam and Madson.
Camilly lifted her torso from the floor and remained just on her knees, she stared at Freya with a look of pain and disappointment, at that moment the girl saw her whole world collapse before her eyes, the Queen had betrayed her, and that hurt more than any torture Ravenna could have put her through.
– Camilly... – Freya said taking a few steps forward trying to approach the girl.
Camilly got up from the floor with great difficulty and shook her head while her eyes welled up, Freya walked toward her again but it was useless, with every step the Queen took forward the girl took one back, they continued like this until Camilly's back came into contact with the castle wall.
– N-No, no... – the girl whispered closing her eyes tightly and shaking her head as she saw Freya approach her.
When the Queen stopped right in front of her, with her body practically pressed against Camilly's, the girl fainted, it had been too much for her to handle, especially in the fragile state she was in, Freya hugged the girl's body delicately under her shoulders feeling her arms get dirty with blood coming from the girl's wounds, she let the younger one's head rest on her shoulder and then closed her eyes concentrating her powers so that both would be teleported out of there.
_
Camilly began to wake slowly after a few hours, the girl opened her eyes a little dizzy and sat up in the bed she recognized as the Queen's, she looked down and soon noticed her torso was covered by her sleeping t-shirt, Camilly frowned confused at not feeling her injuries hurt as much as before, but soon deduced that Freya had healed them, remembering the older woman, the girl felt a wave of rage take hold of her, the Queen had betrayed her, just as Ravenna had told her in the dungeon.
– Oh you're awake, I... – Freya entered the room exactly at the moment the girl got up from the bed, she barely had time to finish her sentence when Camilly lunged at her.
Freya easily dodged Camilly's strike, since the girl was still considerably weak, and pinned her against the wall of the room while immobilizing her with her forearm against her neck.
– What are you doing ? – Freya asked still surprised while the girl tried to free herself from her hold.
– How could you ?! – the girl shouted angrily while holding Freya's arm and trying to push it away from herself – How could you side with that woman after she killed my friends ! – Camilly shouted with her eyes welling up, now she seemed more sad than angry.
Freya felt bad seeing Camilly about to cry again, she released the girl and took a few steps back away from her, the Queen sighed deeply.
– Things aren't quite like that... – Freya said staring at Camilly with regret, she felt very sorry for the deaths of Sam and Madson, but there was nothing she could have done, she didn't even know Ravenna would do something like that, in fact her sister was proving to be even worse than the Queen imagined.
– Things aren't quite like that ? – the girl asked indignantly – You let that woman torture me for days ! You helped her trick me into bowing before her ! How could you do this to me, Freya... – a tear ran down her face – You just proved to be the monster everyone said you were. – Camilly said with her voice loaded with resentment and disappointment.
At that moment Freya froze, she couldn't believe the words that had come out of Camilly's mouth, she couldn't have prevented any of those things, so why was that girl throwing all the blame on her shoulders ? The Queen felt rage take over her.
– Don't you dare speak to me like that ! – the Queen shouted irritated – I am your Queen and you still owe me your loyalty and your life, so I won't allow you to speak to me this way ! – Freya said angrily, at that moment she felt her darkness scream.
Upon hearing Freya's words, Camilly felt the last flame of hope that remained in her heart extinguish, her eyes lost the sparkle they always carried and her arms fell to the sides of her body outwardly reflecting the resignation that had taken over her inside, she after so long, had fallen into darkness, Freya would never love her, and now she knew that.
– Yes, Majesty. – Camilly said in a cold tone while having a neutral expression on her face.
The girl stared at Freya for just a few more seconds, her eyes were dull and lifeless, that made Freya's insides tremble, Camilly passed by Freya and left the room closing the door right after, when she was alone in the room, the ice lady felt as if her heart broke in half again, the Queen leaned against the wall of the room and let a tear run down the side of her face.
After many years, the sparkle in Camilly's eyes had gone out.