#dark!one-shot

Summary : As the princess of a prosperous kingdom, you lived a life of luxury and happines. But when war is brought upon you homeland and you find yourself at the mercy of the enemy... just how far would you go to stay alive?

Pairing : Dark King Bucky x Female!Reader

Before you read, please understand that this is intended to be a dark fic. There will be noncon elements, violence, manipulation, lying, blood, gore, death and so much more. If you find any of these disturbing, please click away. 18+ only.

Warnings for this chapter : violence, swearing, mutilation, death.

Word count : 2.745

Credit : for the magpie image, the credit goes to it's  rightful creator.

Note : Not me reading only dark fics for the last month and then deciding that I should try my hand at it. Also, I'd do anything else then study for my exams so there's that. If being honest, I don't really know what I'm doing, so if you decide to read this, please bear with me. It’s the first time I write something like this. Also I should mention that English is not my first language so please excuse any typos you may encounter.

 Also, to all the writer from this platform (especially the dark!fic ones) thank you !

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There was no other in this world that tresured love as much as the people of your kingdom did.

You could see it clearly. Even as your people’s last breath was cut short by the blade that severed the head from the body. Even when their screams were silenced by the blood that gushed down from their throats . Even in the last breath of those that were drawning in their own blood. You could see the love they carried for their homeland, for their kingdom and for their kind king.

But love, as strong as the bards that often sang their verses for your delight made it up to be, was frankly not enough.

The sound of clashing swords was terrifying. The axes were clattering against the metal shilds. The chain armor your people wore was jingling with every hit it received. Enemy forces were carving their way through your people s defences like it was nothing. Scarlett red blood and greasy innards covered the ground. The men were snarling and groaning while the fight continued under the starless sky.

From the highest turn of the citadel, you watched, as man after man fell to their knees. Your heart clenched at the sight. Those men celebrated every moment of your life, they watched you grow and as their princess they protected and loved you as they would their own. Tears were already running dry while your mouth opened in a soundless sob.

In the distance you could see the younger ones clutching anxiously the sword at their side. Some of them were even younger than you, and their life was already cut short. You watched as the enemy lunged forward. From were you were standing it seemed like being attacked by a swarm of bees. It was carnage.

”Stupid child! What are you doing?!”

The sharp voice made you jump. Tearing your eyes from the battle, you turned towards your mother, wanting nothing more than just to fall into her arms and let her hold you the same way she did all those times you’ve scraped your knees. Taking a shaking breath you opened your mouth to speak but the only sound that was heard was that of slashing swords. There was so much you wanted to say, to scream and beg for it to stop, but the words never came.

Your mother stared out the window for a second. She seemed lost, nothing like the queen you looked up to. Her hair was disheveled, her dress wrinkly and her face seemed to have gotten 10 years older over night. The crown on her head was the last thing that reminded of her once, imposing figure.

”We...” she took a shaky breath before continuing. ”We have to hurry!”

Her voice trembled, and the shaky hand that took yours shattered every hope you had. You knew it was a lost battle. You knew it was the end for you kingdom. You knew you were gonna loose your home, your parents and everything you ever knew.

“Mother, we have to put an end to it“ you spoke, your voice as steady as you could manage and nothing more than a whisper.

She didn’t seem to hear you. Only the hold she had on you seemed to thighten as what seemed to be iron ladders clinked againts the castle walls.

The corridor your mother took, lead to a small chamber in the back of the castle. It was dimly lit and there was a second door at the end of the room. There was one more person there, hiding in the corner. You reconised her. A maid, nearly the same age as you. She was the one that used to serve your food. You appreciated her and in some kind of twisted way, you always thought she resembled you. The hair color, the height, the full lips it was all there. You used to joke that in another life she could have been your twin.

Looking at her now tough, something didn’t sit right with you.

“There is no time to lose!”

Your mother’s voice echoed in the empty room, bringing some of your senses back. Watching as she was marching across the room, you straitghened your back.

“Yes” your brought your shanking hand up, moving some strands of hair that have fallen on your forehad. “You as the queen of the fallen king should order a retreat. We have to save what men remained alive and surrender.”

There was no answer. And for a second you questioned if you truly spoke or everything happened in your head. However you caught a glimpse of the maids hopeful eyes before she bowed her head again.

“Listen to me, mother.” you pleaded. “Between two evils we have to choose the lesser one. If we give them what they want maybe they’ll let us ... “

“I won’t be a slave in my own castle!”

You never heard you mother yeel. She never did something that wasn’t lady-like. And for a moment there, you were stunned. You were young, and this was the first battle that was brought upon you homeland. You didn’t know how to act or react. You fel helpless and you hated it.

There was a dress put at your feet. And as your mother urged you to change in the simple cloth, you eyes darted to the maid. She was terified, jumping at every sound and making her hand a fist over the cloth of her dress. A cloth, you realized, used to make only your most beautiful gowns. You eyes widened.

“Mother” you took a step back as the one that gave you life adjusted the modest dress. “What’s happening here?”

Again, there was no answer. The queen avoided your eyes as she went ahead and opened the door, for the one that you recognised as the head of kingsman to enter. Sir Gregor was your father’s loyal friend and your family’s protector long before you were born.

He sat on firm feet. His face impasive as he scaned the room. There was a short bow as his eyes fell upon you, but otherwise he remained the stoic knight.

“Do it”

Suddenly his sword was drawn.

You watched in horror as he headed towards the trembling girl that was hiding in the corner of the room.

“What are you doing?” your voice was suddenly hoarse.

You could see the fear on the maid’s face. You could see her shanking with sobs. You could see that she was unable to do anything. She feared for her life.

“Stop” your voice echoed. “Leave her alone!”

“Do it!”

The second comand given by your mother merged with your own. But it was to no avail.

The girl screameed as she was taken by her hair and hung in the air, the sword close to her throat.

You made to lunge foward, without thinking. Ready to fight thoot and nail for that girl, but the sudden grip on your shoulders threw you back. You hit the ground with thud.

“Stop!” you were screaming at this point. “Sir Gregor I said stop!”

You scrambled on your hands and feet trying to regain your composture, but as your mothers hands pushed on your back you found it hard to do it.

“And I’m ordering you to kill that girl!”

You couldn’t believe those words were said by the same person that used to remind you everyday that there was good in everyone and that every little thing had it’s own beauty. Your eyes widened in horror.

“Please, n-no, no...”

The poor girl voice was distraught. Terrified and when the sowrd dig into her skin her screams were even louder.

“Sir Gregor” your mother gathered you in her arms as you tried to break free. “Do as your queen commands! Protect your princess! Now!”

You screamed as the blade cut through the young girls neck. A sound like the winter wind could be herd as the maid gave her last breath. It was wrong. She had a whole life ahead. She could have had a family. Maybe there was someone out there praying that she’s safe and sound. Maybe.

”Unhand me!” you bated your mother s hands away as her grip on you lessened. ”How could you!?”

For the umpteenth time that day, you wanted to scream. Your mothers tired eyes stared at you. She was biting her lip whiler her hands were tugging at the dress sleeves. For a moment there, she seemed lost.

”Darling” her quavering voice made you forrow your brows. ”Look away, darling!”

You didn’t understand what she meant.

The sound of cracking bones came all too soon. You turned you head towards the man you once thought to be so kind. His sword was now put aside, replaced with a dagger. Shock crossed your face. He already smashed the girl’s head against the bare wall. That s were that shattering sound came from. If you squinted your eyes you were sure that you could see the blood running down that wall. It left you speechless.

”Child, I said to look away” your mothers voice seemed so far.

While you undestood what she said, the shock paralized you. Your eyes widened in horror as the man you trusted with your life was skinning the poor girl’s body. His moves were precise. Cherry red blood sprayed from the gaping cuts. Her young face was covered in blood, but you were sure that there was more damage than that. Her throath was cut open. And as the knife danced across her collarbone, you realized. He was carving her skin in the exact same spot your birthmark was.

It slowly came to you. The resemblance you noticed. The braied hair. The beautiful dress. Your mothers orders. The killing. The mutilating.

The battle was lost. Your kingdom was already in foreing hands. There was no chace for a retreat. Making it out to the forest that was near the citadel was  imposible. The enemy was already searching for what was left of the royal family. This murder. This charade. This, was your mother making sure you survived.

”I...”

Shooking your head,  you stared at the barbaric picture that was before you. There were no words you could think of, that explained what you felt at the sight. Your heart sank and a your head started to throb. You wanted to throw up.

”How could you just take her life like that? Like she was no one?” you hadn’t realized you were holding you breath, till you took a a deep one to finish your questioning.

”She was a no one.” the queen’s voice was flat and steady.”If she didn’t die today, she would have been useless tomorrow.”

You turned towards her. Your eyes searched her face while your ears could not believe what they have heard. Those words were coming from the woman that gave you life. The woman that used to sing lullabies and braid flowers in your hair. The woman that protected every single girl that worked in the palace from the predatory gaze some dukes had. You wanted to be like her.

”I did what I had to do.” your mother continued.

She neared you. Her hand went to you face and as she did a hundred times before, she caresed it. Her sad eyes were looking you over, taking every single piece of her daughter’s face in. She looked at you like she was seeing you for the last time.

You held her gaze for a moment. The love you could see in her sad eyes was overwhelmimg.

”My sweet, sweet child. Forgive me for I could not see a wold without you in it.” tears fell down her cheeks. ”I just want you to live, to get a chance to fight back, to become the queen I always imagined you to be. I did what I had to do, what any mother woud do to protect her child! You... you don t know what he will do to you.”

You cried with her. And when she pulled you in a thight hug, you let your head rest on her shoulders. You wanted to tell her you understood but at the same time a part of you resented her for the decision she made. You were a princess, if your people died you should die with them.

There was a sharp noise, and your mother was the first to react, pushing you back to the end of the room, where the door was. Sir Gregor drew his sword as footsteps and loud voices could be heard in the castle. The enemy was here.

”Run!” your mothers voice was nothing more than a whisper.

”What?” you asked. ”You re not ... ”

”Run as fast and as long as you can. Don’t ook back. Keep that damned birthmark hidden. An don’t stop for anything in this world. You have to make it out alive!”

As the sound of voices became clearer, your mothers one become hushed. She balled her hand on fists as you drew in a shaky breath. Sir Gregor stepped in front of you both, his sword at ready.

”Child, promise me.” the queen looked you in the eye before placing a kiss on your head. The same spot your father used to kiss ”Promise me!”

”I ...”

A loud bang could be heard and the footsteps stopped right before the chamber’s door. A clattering sound. And then another.

The queen gave you on last push through the door. She looked at you as she used to, when you were just a little girl trying on her crowns and jewelry. You could see all the love she had for you. You could understand the sacrifices she made for you. So as another thundering sound made itself heard you took on running.

The tunel was dark, but you knew it. You darted forward, trying to move your feet as fast as you could. Your arms churned. And after a while, sweat started to go dawn your forehead. You panted. There were foreign voices that the echoes made them seem to close. You urged you feet towards as panic settled in.

The tunel wasn’t long, but you were already questioning how far could you push it?

The dim light you could see after a few more minutes of running gave you hope. You knew you were close to the opening that was in the back of the castle. It should be safe and the forest would give you a place to hide. You knew you could make it. Your feet pounded on the cold wet floor.

As soon as you neared the door, you threw it open. You sprinted outside. But the sound of clashing swords made stop dead in your tracks. A jet of blood surged into the air, part of it touching your face. You recoiled. The scent of death was around you. Swords were riging against each other. Men after men meet their doom. You trembled. The enemy really surrended the whole castle.

As you stayed there, too terrified to even move a finger, you saw him. This one man that no one seemed to touch. He moved with precision and when he hit, he hit to kill.

There was something familiar about him. You didn’t remember when or where but you were sure you’ve seen him before. Stunned, you stared at him. And somehow in all that madness, as his blade cut open the troath of some poor man, his eyes found yours. You realised then. He was the man that brught war on your home. He was the one that led the armies towards the castle gate. He was the man that drew his sword through your father’s heart. And he will be the one that tomorrow would be celebrated as a hero by his men. King James.

You gulped. He was the one you mother told you to run from. You teared your eyes away and in moment of panic you made to run. The hand that was suddenly caught into your hair trew you off balance. The ground was cold, and as soon as you hit it, you head was tugged back by the one whose hand was still upon hair. You yelped.

”Where you running to little bird?” a deep voice asked in a mocking tone.

You opened your eyes to see the brute of a man smirking down at you.You hated him. Without a second thought, all the saliva you had into your mouth, was spit directly into the man’s blue eyes.The image of his disgust, made you proud.

”You whore!”