Chapter Text
"The Swan Maiden Of The Antarctic Empire"
A classical fairytale that you could, and already had memorized by heart. You remember reading your shoddy little copy you bought at the corner store for 65 cents until it wore out… That story even inspired you to pursue ballet and all other forms of art, even when you couldn't afford it…
Oh, how you wish you could turn back time and slap that damned book out of your hands.
How do you even start this… yes, you died and woke up into the very world of your knock-off Swan Lake book, it was very disorienting and scary for a lot of reasons… like the fact the you're screwed no matter what you do.
Let's recall the basics of The Swan Maiden story—
It all started with a kingdom falling into ruination, causing the dying queen to sequester her baby, our protagonist, to the nearby kingdom of Antarctica to keep her safe… not knowing that the very wizard responsible for the destruction of the kingdom, Baron Von Rothbart, was following close behind— utterly enraged that the queen whom rejected him had passed and hidden away the last living remainder of her existence that he could possess. That sorcerer had only a lock of the baby princess's hair, and with his magic and a single black swan feather, Von Rothbart hardened the hair into a philosopher's stone and used it to create a magic homunculus that was an exact replica of that little princess, and used that baby homunculus to track down the infantile protagonist. And when that horrible wizard at last found the adolescent princess, he killed his own wife and tried to force the princess to marry him. The princess refused, angering Von Rothbart so greatly that he cursed the young maiden to turn into a swan, returning to her human form only at night, when all the land were at rest. She wandered all throughout the snowy empire for many years, the lost princess's heart heavy with sorrow and body exhausted from her constant running away from the evil sorcerer, until she happened upon an abandoned, heavily forested lake in the castle walls. Safe at last— at least for the time being— the swan maiden rested and resided at that very lake, singing ballads of longing and dancing with a deep desire for freedom for not just herself, but all who had fallen victim to Von Rothbart's magic.
One late evening, when the stars were shining brilliantly and the moonlight was gently flowing through the trees, a handsome young prince of the wintry kingdom happened upon the swan princess whilst hunting with his brother. Captivated by her dance full of elegance and grace, as well as her ethereal beauty, the crown prince and his brother, Wilbur and Technoblade respectively, had fallen in love with the cursed princess at first sight and both proposed to her on the spot. The swan princess initially refused both brothers, knowing that she was cursed and fearful of the well being of the other cursed swan maidens— but her weary heart warmed over time to the princes, and she found herself yearning for their company. One day, the crown prince invited the swan maiden to his coronation, swearing that should she appear, he would vow his heart and his loyalty to her and make her his empress. The swan princess hesitated, her heart heavy with worry, telling the royal heir that should he swear his love to another, she and her fellow cursed swan maidens would perish. Even so, the crown prince was undeterred, promising his undying love to the cursed princess.
But alas, on the very night of Wilbur's coronation, where the Antarctic empress gathered every empress candidate and he rejected every one of them, who else should appear but Von Rothbart and his daughter, the black swan, the very homunculus that was a mirror reflection of the cursed swan princess! The crown prince, thoroughly fooled by the confident and cunning villainess, danced with the homunculus and declared his love and intention for her to be his empress to the nobles and his family— to his mother's approval and Technoblade's heartbreak. The swan princess, upon witnessing the scene, flew away to mourn and spend her last moments with her fellow cursed swan maidens. Von Rothbart, cackling wickedly in his victory, shed his human body and began cursing everyone at the coronation into turning into black swans.
Wilbur, horrified by the revelation of what he'd done, fled to the abandoned swan lake in hopes of rectifying his actions. Our dear white swan princess, grieving her hopes of freedom for her and her people from the curse, begins her final dance before she kills herself… only to be interrupted by none other than Wilbur, Technoblade, Von Rothbart, and the black swan. The crown prince weeps, trying to save the swan maiden from her fate while the now monstrous Von Rothbart laughs at them and casts spells in attempt to kill the trio. Wilbur tries to block a deadly spell from hitting the swan princess, only for them both to get hit and fall to the ground in each other's arms. In despair, Technoblade gives into the voices in his head and stabs Von Rothbart's daughter in the heart, breaking the philosopher's stone and killing the homunculus. Miraculously, by the power of true love, Wilbur and the swan maiden are safe and the spell backfires and kills Von Rothbart. Wilbur and the swan maiden at last finally marry, becoming the new emperor and empress of Antarctica… and they all lived happily ever after. The end.
Great! Lovely story! One problem though—
WHY IN THE GREAT GOD DAMNED FUCK DID YOU REINCARNATE AS THE BLACK SWAN?! WHAT GRAVE SIN DID YOU COMMIT TO DESERVE BEING VON ROTHBART'S DAUGHTER?! WHY, GOD, WHY?!
Being Rothbart's creation was something that you wouldn't even wish upon your greatest enemy— He saw you more as a walking, talking object than a living, breathing being. He did whatever he saw fit to do with you and your mother— if that scumbag sorcerer says jump, you jump and then apologize profusely for your ineptitude when he hits you for not jumping high enough. You at least could tolerate this life a little more when your mother was still around— even on the days where your entire body ached (and no amount of bathing could erase the feeling of your father's hands on your skin), you could still smile and laugh as your mom quietly made jokes at Rothbart's expense, taught you ballet, and read you and eventually your little brother, Tobias, books at night.
That's why you can never forgive him for killing her.
You can still remember it clearly— the sound of her scream and her bones snapping… the smell of her blood in the air… the sight of her blood dying the snow a violent red… Tobias screaming… your own sobbing for your mother to hold on just a little longer…
They ruled it a suicide. Said that her hysteria finally caught up to her. You and Tobias knew better even when you both couldn't say anything for the sake of your two's safety...
And just like that, there was no one left to keep you safe from your father in this cold, cruel world… and there was someone smaller, so much more frightened and confused than you are, who needed you there to comfort and guide him…
Your Tobias… your tiny Tubbo… your precious little sun… your only brother, who had no lines and no mention in the fairytale you knew so well, once upon a time before it became your very life.
That tiny, vulnerable boy needed you there to guide and protect him— your mother was no longer here to shield him… and so, you must.
For years and years, you kept a strong and brave facade for him— especially when Baron Von Rothbart had you diagnosed with hysteria, leaving you more vulnerable and isolated than ever, you kept the calm and confident poise that you never once truly felt. Because your Tubbo needed you to be strong, no matter how fragile and scared and alone you felt on the inside.
So… you pretended to be the very ideal of a 'true' noblewoman. You hid away and even stopped pursuing all your passions and hobbies, you built your walls so high that nobody could breach them and perfected the mask of a confident, intelligent but not too intelligent, and beautiful baron's daughter and empress candidate— even when the nobility whispered behind your back and to your face, even when they looked at you like you were the scum beneath their fine shoes that were designed by people they wouldn't even so much glance at, even when you faced deep disrespect, even if it meant sequestering very piece of you until you couldn't even recognize you anymore, even when you had to be cruel for your little brother's sake— it all means nothing. You can endure any hardship, any injustice, if it meant keeping Tobias safe and happy.
So what if you lost your sense of self? So what if your tongue grew sharper ever since the first insult towards Tubbo? So what if you were revered and reviled by the noble society of Antarctica in equal measure? So what if you hated every bit of royal life and the entire damned class system? It doesn't matter— it should never matter so long as your little sun could shine brightly evermore… that, you know, you prioritize above all else.
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You chuckle softly as you hold Tobias's hand to support him, "Come now, You've nearly got it, little one… just slowly, slowly shift your weight onto your toes." you gently guided your wobbly little brother to arabesque en pointe, his nerves written all over his still boyish face, "[Name], dearest older sister, if you wanted to kill me I prefer you'd use poison and not ballet, I beg of you…! A-and don't call me little, I've been a grown man for two years now!" Tobias trembled, clutching your hand for dear life. You struggled not to laugh, "It's okay, you're doing great, Tobias, despite what you may think. Just calm yourself, breathe… I'm right here, and I'm not going to let you fall so easily." you said as soothingly as you could without giving away your mirth. Tobias looked at you as if you'd sprouted a second face, nearly making you lose what little remains of your composure, "Easy for you to say! You practically LIVE in ballet pointe shoes and the like!" your little ball of sunshine shrieked, his voice cracking with a mixture of panic, indignation, and puberty, echoing in the large, empty dance chamber of the Von Rothbart manor. You let out an undignified snort, covering your mouth with your free hand to fruitlessly hide your fit of giggles.
Unfortunately, that blissful moment at last slips from your grasp with the sound of the dance chamber's gold-embellished mahogany doors opening. You hastily get your baby brother on his two feet and off his toes, not wanting him to be judged for indulging you. The maid, one of your father's personal servants, stares at you with barely hidden distaste, clearly finding your teaching of ballet to the heir of the estate low-class and beneath both Tobias and you. You take a quiet breath in and gazed at her with a feigned indifference, "Do you have something important to deliver? If not, I will need to scold you properly for not knocking and announcing yourself as is expected and required of your station." Your tone was deceptively serene, yet your gaze was almost as cold as the snow outside the chamber's windows— making your father's maid shift in discomfort at the expression on your face that no doubt resembled the man that made you to an eerie degree.
"The… The master requires your presence in his office, your ladyship… It is of imperial matters… The Baron has received an invitation from the imperial family summoning you and the young master to the palace… He— he informed this one that he wishes to briefly discuss your candidacy plans while the young heir prepares for the palace…" The maid withers under your intense scrutiny— your mimicry of your father paying off as her attention was no longer on Tobias. "I see… Very well, I shall be on my way. Run along now." You nod, dismissing your father's little gofer.
You sigh deeply to yourself when that maid was out of earshot, "My… my deepest apologies, little brother… It appears that this lesson will have to wait for now…" You gave the small brunette a soft smile, holding your arms as you tried not to let the tension forming inside you show externally in Tobias's presence. Regardless of this world's laws, Tobias was still a child in your eyes— he was only sixteen, four years away from true adulthood as far as you were concerned. You quickly departed to the Baron's office before your nerves get the best of you, missing the way Tobias hesitantly reached towards you, a look of worry etched on his young features.
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The black doors of Baron Von Rothbart's office towered over you like a death knell, your hand hovering over the painted mahogany as your heart pounded. "Collect yourself, [Name]… Don't keep him waiting, you don't want him to get angry…" You think to yourself, taking a deep breath and correcting your posture before knocking on one of the wooden doors, "Father, I'm here. Forgive my lateness, I had to discipline a maid." You lied smoothly. "… You may enter, daughter." Von Rothbart's voice sounded clearly, even through the fine, thick mahogany.
The familiar hypnotic blue wallpaper of your father's office greeted you once you opened the door, "I hope the day is greeting you well today, father. Please, do impart your wisdom upon me so I shall follow your will, my creator." You smile warmly, your steps sounding on the marble floors, playing the part of the dutiful and loving daughter. "Sit." Von Rothbart ordered, his expression stern.
"Oh God… he was in a bad mood…! Not good, not good at all… I need to be as careful as I possibly can…" You thought nervously as you obediently sat down on the blue velvet couch like nothing was wrong, looking at your maker with an expectant expression. The sorcerer stood up at his desk, his glare penetrating as he loomed over you like your own personal grim reaper, "It was been… 16 years since I gave you that mission… Why, pray tell, have you not found Odette?" he growled, seething with barely a contained rage that threatened to explode and beat you to the floor. "Stay calm, stay calm— just give him enough information to appease him." You repeated in your mind over and over as you outwardly gave Rothbart a warm smile, "Oh, no need to fret, dear father— I have found a good, strong lead of her whereabouts…" The baron paused, hopefully a good sign for your sake, "… Oh? Do tell, my daughter." He spoke as he made his way towards you, his face unreadable to you as the sound of his heels clicking on the floors echoed in your mind like a warning bell. Despite your reservations and your desperate desire to flee, you answered your creator with a pride you did not actually feel, "Little Odette Lebedev resides somewhere on the imperial castle grounds!" you mentally apologize to Odette, but you needed to keep Von Rothbart calm and satiated to keep you and your little sun safe.
Your heart momentarily stopped in your chest as your creator stood behind you, his large hand caressing your bare neck. God, Rothbart could snap your neck so easily right now if you displease him. "I, unfortunately, cannot tell where specifically due to those pesky palace protection spells. I'm not as powerful as you, my creator, who honestly is in this world? After all, my maker is the most powerful wizard there is— to say otherwise would be a blatant lie!" You smile and stroke his ego, your heart pounding in your chest as you do your utmost not to show your fear. The sorcerer hums like your words are undeniable fact, clearly pleased at… something— maybe your flattery, maybe your 'new lead', perhaps both, you couldn't tell with the feeling of his gloves searing into your skin like a brand. Von Rothbart forcefully tilts your head up with his long, thin fingers so your eyes may meet his pale, piercing green eyes. The shade of green in his eyes was so light they felt icy, so unlike the shade of green in Tobias's eyes that you've come to utterly adore and yearn to see shimmer only with happiness— a shade you have no doubt that his future spouse, if he so chooses to have one and you approve of them, would come to love even more so than you already do.
You control your body enough to not shake or tremble as the terrible man who created you leaned in close to your face, knowing that he would find it enjoyable if you did. "Very good, my little creation." Von Rothbart purred, slow smile stretching inhumanly wide to reveal rows and rows of needle-like teeth, "You may still be of good use to me." and with those words, he pressed a kiss to the corner of your lips (you had to force yourself not to flinch, a fresh wave of a very familiar kind of fear numbing your mind) and released you. "You may go. Best prepare yourself with your little husband-to-be." That awful wizard laughed softly to himself as he sat back down at his desk, "Oh— and one more thing… Don't. Embarrass. Me."
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You don't even remember leaving Baron Von Rothbart's office, much less the walk back to your room and your attendants bathing and dressing you. You just… blanked out, only coming to your senses in the carriage. "… Was anyone hurt this time?" You asked Tobias quietly, your gaze fixated on the falling snow outside the carriage window. "N-no, not this time." Tobias smiled timidly, unsure how to comfort and reassure you. God, you wish he wouldn't, as much as you love Tubbo, he's so young and you're the real adult between you two, he shouldn't have to comfort you. "… Good, that's good. I'm so sorry for scaring you, my little sun." You smile softly and reach over to pet his brown locks. Tobias scowled, pushing away your hand with a subconscious pout, "I'm not a baby, quit treating me like one! I'm a grown ass man!" "Hm… I dunno about that… I held you in my arms when you were a tiny, tubby, little baby boy— and once a baby, always my baby!" You grinned teasingly, poking Tobias's cheek, successfully steering his attention away from your little episode.
As long as you can keep Tobias safe from the narrative and the story… you can be happy.