The Swan Lake | [Prince Daniel X Reader]

three

As Lila and (Y/N) emerged from the forest's twilight depths, the fading light cast long shadows across their weathered path. The trees, sentinels of magical, ancient secrets, loomed behind. Lila, agile and mischievous, leapt onto a humungous stone, her pretty horn glinting with malevolent intent. "You know, if I had the Magic Crystal, I'd nail Rothbart!" she declared, her voice dripping with vendetta.

With a flourish, Lila swung her horn, a spectral sword, weaving deadly arcs. "En garde, bird-brain! Épée, ha-ha! Coupé, aha! Coulé! ha-ha!" Her triumphant cries echoed through the forest, until, in a moment of hubris, her horn lodged in a gnarled branch. Lila's sheepish grin faltered. "Oopsé?" She dropped, her laughter awkward, as (Y/N)'s soft smile illuminated the fading light. Lila's embarrassment deepened. "Uh, just...keeping my horn sharp."

(Y/N)'s words dripped with humility, her (Y/E/C) eyes cast downward. "It's just...I...I'm not brave like you." Lila's gaze narrowed, her horn glinting in the fading light. "Well, that's true...nobody is braver than I, but..." Her voice trailed, hesitation flickering across her face. "Hmm, I suppose I could help you." The forest's silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves beneath their feet. Suddenly, the air vibrated with the ominous flutter of wings.

Dark silhouettes descended, casting grey shadows over their dainty forms. Two majestic birds alighted before them, their huge, dirty feathers rustling. The larger bird, a towering figure with wingspan unfurled, transformed with unsettling fluidity. Rothbart emerged, his piercing yellow gaze scanning (Y/N)'s trembling form. His face, chiseled and cruel, boasted sharp cheekbones, a hooked nose and pointed chin, evoking the razor-sharp beak of his avian counterpart.

Black feathers adorned his shoulders, blending seamlessly into his tattered crimson and gold cloak. Odile, his daughter, stood beside him, her slender frame and delicate features eerily reminiscent of a bird's deadly elegance. Her raven tresses cascaded down her back like a stream of midnight coal. Rothbart's eyes gleamed with malevolent amusement as he beheld (Y/N)'s terror-stricken face.

Rothbart's laughter resonated, low and menacing, sending shivers down (Y/N)'s spine. His eyes glinted with sadistic pleasure, reveling in her fear. "Ah, (Y/N)," he crooned, his voice dripping venom. "How delightful to encounter the Forest's chosen one." His gaze roamed over her, disdainful and calculating. Odile's eyes mirrored her father's malice, her gaze locking onto (Y/N) with unnerving intensity. The air thickened, heavy with foreboding, as Rothbart's presence seemed to draw the very light from the sky. Lila's horn quivered, poised for battle, while (Y/N)'s heart pounded, trapped in a nightmare from which she couldn't awaken.

Rothbart's voice dripped with malice, his eyes blazing like embers from the underworld. "Look, Odile! Now this is pathetic!" Odile's shrill laughter echoed through the forest, a chilling melody that made (Y/N)'s blood run cold. The air grew thick with malevolence as Rothbart's presence seemed to draw the very light from the sky. Shadows deepened, twisting into grotesque figures that appeared to writhe on the ground. Odile's laughter harmonized with the ominous rustling of leaves, creating an unsettling symphony that heralded impending doom.

Rothbart's gaze pinned (Y/N), his eyes burning with intensity. "A little bird whispered in my ear that some human girl freed the Magic Crystal." His voice was laced with disdain, each word dripping with venom. He leaned closer, his face inches from (Y/N)'s, his breath cold, foul and menacing. She recoiled, her heart racing. Lila's smirk illuminated the gathering darkness. "Feathers a bit ruffled, Rothbart?" she taunted, her horn glinting defiantly. Rothbart's eyes flashed, his presence seeming to darken the air around him. The forest held its breath, sensing the approaching storm.