TRIGGER WARNING: This short story deals with depictions of physical, emotional, and (attempted) sexual abuse as well as mentions of self-harm and sexual abuse, so please read at your own risk. If you are sensitive to those topics, please do not force yourself to read this! Okay! Onto the story!

It was an average freezing, snowy early winter morning in Krita, and Octavia had just awoken, gasping for breath, sweat breaking out on her body. She shook, shutting her eyes tight while she fought to get her breathing under control. Once it was under control, she sighed tiredly, looking over to her betrothed who was sleeping peacefully beside her. Letting out another tired sigh, she carefully got out of bed, being careful not to disturb Gordon and quietly wrapped a robe around her bare, bruised body.

Last night had been an especially rough night for her and she was just hoping she could get away from her betrothed and this bleak, freezing country soon. She had spent a year here so far and each day was just getting worse and worse. Her mind was buzzing with dark, dangerous thoughts that she often carried out just to relieve some of the pain. Her body was covered in bruises and scars, some of which were caused by her own hand and others that weren't. That cheerful, determined young girl she used to be had been shattered and replaced by a broken, tired shell of a woman.

Back to the moment at hand, once she wrapped the robe around herself, she headed for the shower, just wanting to wash up and try to push last night's memories to the back of her mind. Besides, she figured a nice hot shower would warm her up just a little in this morning's weather.

Locking the door behind her, she started up the shower and waited for it to warm up before stepping inside. Not wanting to take too long, she was quick to wash up, flinching a bit as the soap found its way to the fresh cuts on her arm and waist, before hurriedly stepping out of the shower and drying off, her breathing becoming quick and heavy in the process.

Shaking, she changed into the clothes she had bought into the bathroom with her, a simple long sleeved dress that covered most of her body, before bracing herself against the sink, her breathing still panicked. She shut her eyes tight yet again, tears forming in her eyes, unable to get the memories of what she's gone through during this year out of her mind.

Though, she was soon snapped out of these memories by a pounding on the bathroom door and her betrothed's voice shouting "Dammit, Octavia, open this door!" Still shaking, but knowing it would be better to appease Gordon, Octavia did as she was told, unlocking and opening the door to be greeted with the furious gaze of her betrothed.

"How many times have I told you to leave the door unlocked when you're in here?" Gordon scolded, his eyes burning with fury.

Octavia cast her gaze towards the ground, her body shaking like a leaf. "I-I'm sorry, I-I--" she began, only to be cut off by Gordon grabbing her face and forcing her to look at him.

"Look at me when you're talking to me, dammit!" he shouted, causing Octavia to flinch slightly.

"I-I'm sorry... I-I didn't realize I had locked it..." Octavia responded softly, her voice shaking. She soon let out a pained yelp as a hard smack came across her face.

"Bullshit! Do you just not want to be around me, huh? After all I've done for you? I'm the only one who's ever here for you and this is how you treat me? By shutting me out? This is why your brother and friends don't contact you anymore! All you do is shut people out! You're lucky that I love you enough to keep you around!" Gordon shouted, causing Octavia to burst into tears, her shaking increasing.

Noticing her reaction, Gordon sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, it's just... I love you so damn, much, but it hurts when it feels like you're just drifting away from me... I mean, it's not like we had a choice in this betrothal, but still... it would be nice if you could at least try to show how much you love me for the good of our countries." he spoke, gently taking a hold of her hand.

Still trembling slightly, Octavia gave Gordon's hand a slight squeeze. "I know... and I'm sorry for locking the bathroom door. It was an honest mistake... I promise it won't happen again." she responded, shooting a small smile towards him which was all too fake, though she hid it well.

Gordon smiled back at her, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Good girl. Now, be ready by ten. I've got a special day out on the town planned for us. Then, perhaps afterwards, we could come back and continue where we left off last night." he responded, his voice taking on a suggestive tone as he said the last part, caressing Octavia's cheek as he spoke.

Octavia hesitated slightly, tensing slightly at his last remark, before speaking up. "I-I don't know... last night left me pretty tired... and quite... sore, too..." she responded, her voice quivering.

An annoyed look overtook Gordon's face in response to what she had said. "C'mon Octavia, I planned out a nice day for us, the least you could do to thank me is spend some time doing something I want to do afterwards." he responded, his voice becoming quite stubborn before he let out an annoyed sigh, turning away.

"Forget it, we'll just talk about this when we get home. Just get your ass ready. Be grateful I'm taking you anywhere today after the shit you pulled last night and this morning." he grumbled before leaving the bathroom.

Silently, Octavia nodded in understanding in response to what he had said, watching as he left the bathroom before letting out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding in before shakily getting to her feet and facing the mirror with a tired sigh.

Shaking slightly, she washed her face before using makeup to cover the small scar on her cheek that she had acquired a month ago as well as the fresh red mark on her face from this morning. Afterwards, she carefully pinned her hair up into a neat bun, noting just how long it was getting and making a mental note to see if she could get it cut later today.

Once her makeup was applied and hair neatly styled, she made sure her dress covered the rest of her scars and bruising before heading out of the bathroom and to the foyer where Gordon was waiting, the time being only a little past nine forty five.

Upon catching sight of her, Gordon grumbled "Took you long enough. Let's get going." before strutting out of the castle, two guards accompanying him and Octavia hurrying along to catch up with him. Eventually, they were all piled into the carriage and on their way to where Gordon had planned.

After a while, the carriage stopped in the city of Wadun. Gordon grinned towards Octavia. "Surprise. I decided we could take a little trip out to the Atyd woods since they're so close to here. They're beautiful this time of year and you've mentioned quite a few times you've wanted to see what they had to offer."

A surprised look overtook Octavia's face in response to what Gordon had said. Though, she soon broke out into a soft smile. "Thank you... this is a really nice surprise..." she responded, causing a proud grin to overtake Gordon's face as he took a hold of her hand.

"Well, shall we go see what this city and these woods have to offer?" he suggested, stepping out of the carriage. A bright grin on her face, Octavia nodded in response, stepping out of the carriage as well with Gordon helping her.

With that, they walked through the city, browsing the market stalls and buying a few trinkets before heading off into the woods, the guards accompanying them all the while. The woods were absolutely stunning, the glistening snow only adding to the beauty of them. The two explored for a little while, chatting warmly, before deciding to head back to the castle.

As they headed back, Octavia smiled warmly towards Gordon. "Thank you again for the outing... and... I'm sorry about this morning..."

Gordon waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Don't worry about it. You can make it up to me when we get back." he responded, smiling in a suggestive manner. Octavia said nothing in response, simply avoiding eye contact and trying to hide the nervous look on her face.

Once back at the castle, Gordon was quick to lead Octavia back to the room, with Gordon shutting and locking the door behind them. "Now, about you making this morning up to me..." he began, a suggestive smile and tone overtaking his features as he approached Octavia and caressed her cheek, a lustful look in his eyes.

Octavia shook slightly, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I-I'm still a little tired... and that walk wore me out a bit, too... c-can't we just talk about this another time?"

An angered look overtook Gordon's face in response to what Octavia had said. "Oh, don't give me that bullshit again. I gave you a nice outing, so I deserve a little something in return." he responded, beginning to try and force Octavia onto the bed with Octavia fighting back to the best of their ability.

The two were soon interrupted by a knock at the door and a servant's voice calling out "Um, I'm sorry to interrupt your time together, your majesties, but you have a visitor."

"Well, tell them to be on their way! We're in the middle of important business!" Gordon shot back.

"U-um, he's refusing to leave until he can speak to you..." the servant responded.

"And who the hell is this person to think they're so important to interrupt my private time with my betrothed?"

"Your betrothed's brother, your majesty... the king of Tirithill."

Gordon let out a soft curse, before turning to Octavia, fury in his eyes. "Now, you stay quiet on what happened between us, you hear?" he growled, receiving a nervous nod from Octavia before the two headed out to the foyer to meet with Oliver.

As they entered the foyer, a friendly smile plastered itself on Gordon's face. "Well, if it isn't my future brother in law! What brings you all the way here?"

Oliver glared towards him. "Oh, cut the crap. I don't need your fake friendliness." he responded, slamming a series of papers marked with the seal of Canis Majoris down on the table, causing Octavia to flinch slightly.

"Now, mind telling me why the only bit of news that I get on my sister in a year is a letter from the queen of Canis Majoris informing me of a series of letters she was sent about how you've been treating my sister like some damn sex doll?" he demanded, continuing to glare towards Gordon.

An angry look crossed Gordon's face in response to the accusations. "Excuse me? How dare you accuse me of such a thing! I would never even think of laying a hand on her in that way!"

"Really? These letters say different. And neither the queen of Canis Majoris or my sister are known to be liars." Oliver retorted in a cool voice.

"Well, then the queen must have been duped because I've never treated Octavia in that way! Perhaps one of my ex-lovers got jealous of the betrothal and sent a letter to her posing as Octavia in order to get the betrothal canceled."

"N-no... I sent the letters..." Octavia spoke up in a timid voice.

Gordon turned to her, fury in his gaze. "You what?"

"I-I sent them. I-I'm done being your plaything. I-I'm going home. I don't want to be a part of this betrothal any longer." Octavia responded, her voice still shaky, yet growing stronger. Gordon made a lunge for her, only to be stopped by Oliver's sword being pointed at his throat.

"You heard my sister. This betrothal is finished. I will be taking her back to Tirithill and if you so much as think about laying another hand on her, there will be hell to pay. I'm certain you don't want another war on top of the civil war you're already dealing with." Oliver responded, his voice calm, yet menacing.

Gritting his teeth, Gordon growled "Fine. The engagement is off. Take the bitch back home."

With that, Oliver sheathed his sword and walked out of the castle, Octavia following behind, feeling absolutely free for the first time in a year.