Raven's POV:
I was right. I didn't get any sleep last night at all. I paced my room, thinking, yelling, throwing pillows, and finally crying. By the time the sun rose, I had cleaned up my room and dried my eyes.
My future has never been my own (as my father made it clear to me as a young child) so I just had to get through this. I have dodged assassins before, how hard can this be? It was only marriage.
And I knew that Damian was not the worst person to get married too, but when he figured out he grew distant. What if he doesn't want to marry me? What if my father believe it to by my fault that we do not get married?
All the thoughts surrounded me and made me question everything. I knew I had to get out of my own head, but the question was how? I was sitting on my bed, brushing my hair for the day when Donna came into the room.
"I heard what happened," Donna rushed in, closing the door behind her. "I didn't want to disturb you last night, but I thought now you might want to talk about it."
She sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting for me. It was almost as if she was expecting me to break down and throw a fit. I gave her a soft smile and said, "there is nothing to discuss. I am to be married to Damian by the end of the week." I told her, before starting to brush my hair again.
"You are eerily calm for getting engaged last night," Donna gave me a skeptical look. "Are you sure you are good? I could tell everyone you are not feeling well and we can stay in your room all day?" She suggested.
"I am calm because I know I have no choice," I tell her, setting down the brush. "I went over it in my head and processed all the news. I am good. We don't need to stay in the room today."
"Are you sure?" She puts her hand on mine.
"I am good," I squeeze her hand.
She just looked at me, unsure if she believed me. I shook my head and smiled, standing back up "I am going to get changed and then I think I will go for breakfast," I inform her.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes," I laugh. "I am sure. I process things faster than most, and never having freedom makes this a lot easier," I tell her with a sad smile.
She just nods sadly in defeat.
I went into the bathroom and started to sing a Russin song that my mother used to hum to me when I slept. It is the only thing that I remember about her because she died when I was quite young (father of course was the one who ended her life).
I rinsed off in the warm water as I sang.
"That is a pretty song," Donna said through the door.
"Thank you," I said, then went back to singing.
I quickly finished and changed into a lavender flowy dress. (As seen below)
Donna helped me put my hair up, and then I slid into my shoes. I turned to Donna before I left. I could tell she still didn't like me leaving my room, but I gave her a reassuring smile and grabbed her arm as we left the room.
We walked with our arms linked together. It felt comforting to have her beside me because I knew I could trust her. We walked into the dining area, and my father stood up in greeting. "Daughter, how lovely you look," He came over and kissed my forehead.
"Father," I smiled.
"What a beautiful morning," My father said, gesturing for me to have a seat. He pushed in my chair for me and sat down on one end of the table. "I think it would be a nice day for some sparing."
"Of course, father," I nod.
"I do miss our sparring matches," Father smiled.
Someone set down a plate in front of me with fruit and pancakes. I took a sip of my orange juice and waited for the others to arrive. Then the doors opened again to reveal Dick and Damian, who looked tired. Damian didn't show any emotions on his face and Dick looked like he was about to pass out.
"Good morning, future son-in-law," My father smiled.
"Morning, sir," Damian bowed.
"Why don't you sit next to your bride this morning?" My father suggested.
Damian nodded and sat in the chair to my left. "Good morning." He said, kissing my cheek.
"Good morning," I give a small smile.
"I knew you would make a lovely couple," My father interrupted us. "From the moment I saw my lovely daughter, and you as just a boy, Damian, I knew you would make a wonderful family. A powerful family."
"I must agree with you," Bruce Wayne said as he walked into the room.
Damian was served a plate, and I went back to eating mine. I finished before the others, and sat around, sipping on my juice. Conversation was light as jokes were thrown around the table. I wasn't paying much attention to anything by my father, knowing that I have to behave around him.
Damian leaned over to me and asked, "Would you like more?"
"Oh, no," I whispered back. "I am full."
He nodded and went back to eating his sausage and eggs. My father of course was only eating bacon and sausage with wine for breakfast. (Father was always like that. Meat and alcohol were his breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
"What plans might you have today, Damian?" My father asked.
"I am unsure," Damian said, looking to his father. "What are my plans for today?"
"Nothing special," Bruce shrugged.
"Good, then you can watch. My daughter and I need someone to watch our sparing and make sure that the cheating is minimal," My father looked at me. "She always cheats."
"No, you cheat, and I retaliate," I argue. This is normal banter between us, that is only for show around people my father is trying to impress.
"I like my version better," My father chuckled (I could tell he was in a playful mood this morning, which was unlike him).
"Of course you do because it makes you seem like the good guy," I tease.
"You know I don't believe in "good guy, bad guy" stuff," My father said, half-joking. But I know that he doesn't believe in that. He has beaten that into me, but yet I still have a sliver of hope in it. So I knew my mistake the moment the words slipped my mouth.
"So are you in?" Father asked Damian.
"Sure," Damian nodded.
"I should go and change then," I stood up. "I don't believe this dress is the sparring type."
"Of course. Don't want to ruin your nice clothes," My father laughed. I bowed to him and Bruce before I left the room. Donna came to my side as soon as we left. I hushed her until we got far enough away from the room.
"What clothes do I need to get you?" Donna asked.
"I need fighting clothes," I said, opening the door to my room. When I walked in there was a box already on my bed.
I went over and opened it, only to find my purple leather fighting clothes. Father must have brought them when he came. (On top of the clothes was my favorite amethyst blade that I hated leaving behind when I had to come here. It was a gift from my father).
I picked it up and took the blade out of the cover.
"What is that?" Donna asked.
"My blade. It's the one that was given to me on my 3rd birthday by my mother. It was the last gift I have ever received from her."
"Pretty," Donna smiled. "I like the purple."
"I have used it to kill hundreds of thousands of people," I tell her, letting her in on my past.
"Well, now it is less pretty," Donna said, making me laugh.
I pick up the pile of clothes and head into the bathroom to get changed. Putting on my old clothes made me feel safe. It felt like my own skin, and I loved being back in my purple combat outfit. Oh, how I have missed it.
(The picture above is what I thought it would look like in case you need a reference.)
When I walked out, Donna gasped. "Wow," she said, stunned. She came over and felt the leather of my black jacket and washed her eyes over me to get a good look.
"It still fits." I laugh.
"You look... sexy," she laughed. "I mean, I now get why they called you the seductress."
"Thanks... I guess," I can't help but chuckle in amusement.
"You fight it that?" She looked me over. "Isn't it too tight?"
"No. It fits perfectly," I assure her. "I can move better in this than in a dress."
"It is so strange seeing you without a dress," She admits. "I mean I have been dressing you for a whole week and now you are wearing this. It just seems strange."
"I get that a lot," I tell her.
"Are you ready?" She asked.
"Yes." I nod and grab my blade before leaving the room with her. We walked outside, Donna showing me the way to the outdoor arena area. Father was already there, waiting with his head of the guard.
"Liam," I said, walking up to him. "Long time no see."
"Raven!" He smiles. "It's been far too long."
"I agree," I smile.
He pats me on my shoulder in a compassionate way. I have missed Liam. He trained me and has often fought by my side on missions, and I feel like I can trust him. I smiled and gave a light punch in his arm in a playful sort of way. Just then I saw Damian making his way over to us.
"Ah, Damian, there you are!" My father patted him on the shoulder. "Come, meet my left tenant. Liam, this is Damian. Raven's fiance."
"Engaged are we?" Liam looked at me as he shakes Damian's hand.
"Yes," I answer.
"Hello," Liam greeted Damian fully now.
"Damian is prince and heir to the Wayne throne," My father explained further, trying to correct Liam's rudness. (It wasn't Liam's fault though because he had no idea).
"Oh, sorry," Liam bowed. "Your majesty."
"You may drop the formalities," Damian waved it off. "I am just here to judge a sparring event. Not in a prince capacity."
"Of course," Liam nodded. "You better get ready then. This is going to be one good fight."
My father and I made it into the rink, and I slipped off my leather jacket and threw it on the ground. I shook my arms to awaken my muscles. I did a few leg streatches and warmed up, knowing it has been a while since I have sparred with my father.
"Ready?" Damian asked my father.
"Ready," My father snarled.
"Ready?" Damian looked at me.
"Ready," I grinned.
"BEGIN!" Damian shouted and waved up a flag.