Princess Esmeralda
One thing that Rhea always knew was that family name and honor are vital things. So, from a very young age, she was educated by her parents to honor the magic with which she was born, honor the Slytherin surname, and eventually honor the surname of the wizard she was going to marry.
Growing up surrounded by her father's attentions, if there was one thing Rhea sought over everything else in the world, it was her father's approval.
People respected him, and many magicians came to him for advice. Since she was little, Rhea sat next to her father to attend these meetings. She would be lying if she said it didn't make her feel special. Her brother, as her father's heir, was allowed to attend the meetings while caring for her when he turned eleven. Rhea had gone since she was six. After every improvement she made with her magic, she ensured that the first person to be shown was her father.
Every advance, every step, every new thing she learned was destined for her father's approval and pride.
"Now, Rhea," Her father said, looking up from the cauldron. "What poison would be effective in temporarily blinding an enemy?"
Rhea looked at the different plant samples spread out in front of her, somewhat confused. She raised her thumb to her lips, lightly biting the tip of her finger.
"Yew?" She answered, baffled.
"Belladonna."
"Damn it!" Rhea thought, annoyed.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Rhea." Her father gave her a soft smile and then playfully touched the tip of her nose. "Oh, you'll get wrinkles."
"Father!"
Rhea chuckled a bit, forgetting about her mistake with the plants. The two continued with the potions for that day. Her father had the patience to explain every minute detail; his voice was calming, which Rhea liked.
"Soon, we will have an expedition."
"Can I go?" Rhea asked. She was 15 years old and was already old enough and skilled enough with the bow to accompany her father and the other magicians on the expeditions.
"No, Rhea."
"But you are taking my brother?!"
"Because he is older, and he is a man."
"But father I..."
"Rhea, I said no."
She looked down at her lap until a gentle touch made her raise her head.
"Rhea, my sunshine." Her father sighed. "You are the pillar of my world. If something were to happen to you, I would collapse. You are the moon and sun of my existence. That's why I protect you."
"I know, father."
"Go see your mother." He kissed her on the forehead. "She must be waiting for you for tea."
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Rhea smiled at her father in the mirror's reflection.
Her father brushed her hair as he hissed an ancient song. Rhea felt her father's magic envelop her, ensuring her own magic was nourished and strengthened. In a few years, this right would pass to her husband. The older Rhea got, the time for her to leave her home to establish a new one drew closer.
"Tomorrow, we're going to have dinner with the Blacks." Her father told her.
"Only us?"
"That's right. I'm sure Asterion Black will be happy to see you. Lady Black may ask you to play the harp."
Rhea avoided making a face. Pearl heard them; they wanted Rhea to marry Asterion.
"What else did I expect? "Her subconscious mused. "Lord Black is your father's greatest ally. Therefore, it is clear that they expect you to be the wife of the Black heir."
"Of course, father. I'll play at dinner."
His father finished brushing her hair and left, but not before kissing her on the forehead. When she was left alone, she took a silk ribbon and braided her hair before running to the closet. Lucien fell, moaning in pain.
"Get up and take off your shirt." Rhea ordered as she walked to her desk to pick up some vials.
"Does that mean we can take the next step?" He asked, amused.
"I'll leave you bleeding to death on my floor if you make another one of those jokes." Rhea scolded, looking back at him. A fresh bloodstain on Lucien's right side made him double over in pain.
Lucien sat on the edge of Rhea's bed as he carefully removed his shirt. Rhea sat next to him and doused some cloth with a potion to heal the arrow wound.
"Those hunters." Lucien growled. "They ambushed me in the woods, almost hitting my poor horse in the eye. Now those assholes are hanging upside down."
Rhea continued cleaning the wound. Once finished, she took her wand and began hissing a healing incantation in Parseltongue.
"Two days." Lucian said.
"Two days what?"
"I already have everything ready. We can escape in two days."
Rhea met his eyes. In two days, they could be together.
"Then I'll leave false leads. And I'll pack some things, light luggage."
Lucien kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. After a few minutes, Rhea pulled away from her kiss. She took her book from her nightstand and walked to the door.
"I'll go to the leaving room and ask about the book." Rhea said. "Get out of my room before they see you."
With a slight smile, Rhea left her room.
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Rhea bent over in pain, her hand supporting her bruised side.
"My lady! My lady!" Listening to Mara in the distance, Rhea looked up, horrified to see her braid fall on the floor. With her free hand, she touched the tips that brushed her shoulder.
Rhea screamed.
"I have it." Mara said, holding it up. "Please, my lady. Get up. We'll take you to your cabin to treat you."
"My baby, my baby," Rhea pleaded, holding her heavy belly. "Save my baby."
"You both will be fine."
Mara hauled her to her feet, and pain shot through Rhea's entire body.
She screamed.
She was afraid.
She wanted her father with her.
"I love my father!" Rhea sobbed in pain, warm tears falling down her cheeks. "Look for my father! I'm so scared. Bring my dad, please!"
The world began to spin, her vision blurred, and her legs couldn't hold her. Suddenly, the world went dark for Rhea.