ROYAL ⥇ N. ROMANOFF

1.4

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

"I was like the Ugly Duckling but pretty--and less like a duck, more like a disappointment."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Eloise kept to herself at the back of the aircraft as they flew through the air away from Sokovia. She felt sick, sicker than she had felt in her entire life, before deciding that travel by air was probably not for her. She sucked it up though, only tensing when the aircraft shook or when the scary redhead across the jet looked at her. Though she couldn't decide if it was because she was afraid of the woman or not.

Peter sat next to her, as the rest of the team crowded around their injured comrade, who she had been informed was named Clint. He looked to be in a lot of pain, probably due to the fact that he had been shot in the side by one of the protective bunkers around the facility they had been at.

"When did they let you go?" Eloise asked, her eyes transfixed on the scene in front of them. It seemed that Clint was going to be fine though she couldn't say the same for herself. Across from them sat Doctor Bruce Banner, or else known as the Hulk. Wanda would have called him a giant green thing and Eloise would have scolded her and schooled her on having humanity. She missed the twins already.

"They didn't," Peter replied, looking down. "Princess--"

Eloise held up a hand, effectively cutting him off. She didn't deserve that title, didn't deserve to still hold the same respect she held when she lived in Konstinina. Not only had she failed her country in running away but she failed those that mattered most. Pietro would never forgive her if they met again.

"I am not a princess anymore, Peter," she ushered out in their native tongue. "I am not deserving of the title."

He looked like he wanted to argue with her--like he wanted to say that she was always royalty to him--but decided otherwise. The last month had been the most grueling for everyone involved, the best he could do was heed her word until she was ready.

"Eloise," he tested her name on his tongue. It felt foreign in his mouth, the grip of duty tightening around him as he thought about the scolding his father would have given him for disrespecting a member of the crown. Nevertheless, he continued with his story. "I escaped after the first night and attempted to find you but to no avail. I was forced to leave the facility and from there, I fled to the nearest SHIELD response center where they sent for me. I promise you I tried everything in my power to get you back but they would not listen. I'm sorry I have failed you."

Eloise held up her hand once more, this time moving to settle it on top of Peter's own. "It's not your fault, gennaíos ippótis. You did what you could."

She could tell he did not feel deserving of the title of "brave knight" but it was the one she had endowed onto him so he would accept. They sat in silence a moment longer, grieving for their lost lives together.

Just as she was about to ask what his ties were to SHIELD, the redhead entered their part of the ship. She gave Eloise a wary look before settling down in front of the doctor. Eloise turned away to give them their privacy.

"Can you tell me who these people even are?" she asked in their native tongue. She glanced at the logo that had long-since replaced the royal crest on Peter's shoulder. "And what is SHIELD?"

He gave her brief introductions to those on the plane, starting with the redhead across from them, named Natasha Romanoff, and ending with the man in the spandex, Steve Rogers or else known as Captain America. "Tony Stark was the one in the metal suit, the one flying the Quinjet," he mentioned offhandedly, causing Eloise to stiffen in her seat. That was a name she knew all too well. She would have to keep her distance lest she did something unbecoming of a lady.