I adapted to the Wakandan customs pretty quickly. After a week of training with the Dora Milaje, protecting the Throne and all while doing what I love, I had finally felt....happy.
I had been in Wakanda now for almost three months. I had done nothing but show loyalty to the Throne, obeying their every command. Although King T'Chaka was a bit skeptical at first I think he has grown to like me, and he finally had trusted me. Throughout my stay I had also met Queen Romona and Princess Shuri, who I had taken a shine to. Shuri and I had become close friends, often she'd show me new tech in her lab and I'd try to help out where I could. Queen Ramona had also learned to trust me some bit, as for her son, not so much.
Prince T'Challa had never trusted me since the day King T'Chaka allowed me to stay in his home. He was always very cautious around me, always on guard. The Prince didn't fully like the fact of Shuri hanging around with me, actually he didn't like it at all. They often got into fights over it, but nothing changed. I had gained the trust of the King. The Queen. The Princess. The Dora Milaje. I was determined to gain the trust of the Prince.
Over the course of another three months, totalling six months, King T'Chaka had grown to be like a father to me, he gave me lessons on the Wakandan language and culture. Mostly about the different tribes, religious ceremonies and of course the Heart- Shaped Herb. T'Chaka had also given me tours of Wakanda, and I must say it was one beautiful country, especially the Wakandan sunsets. Over those months I had also gained some of Prince T'Challa's trust. He wasn't as tense or on guard. It was a relief to be honest. The odd time, when I was with Shuri in her lab, T'Challa would visit to see the new designs for various things, we would just end up laughing at each other. Mostly because Shuri was roasting him about one thing or other.
Given some time, a lot of time, T'Challa and I had become good friends, often just sparring and then taking a walk through the gardens. Until I had training and he had 'Prince duties'. Sometimes I would be invited to dine with the royal family, I should have felt out of place, but because of my close relationship with each of them I felt at ease. I no longer address them by King, Queen, Prince or Princess but by just their names. Of course it was weird at first but it just grew into a habit.
I rarely thought about Bucky. He left and I hadn't heard anything about or from him. He was still my partner and nothing could change that, nor could anyone fill that void, fully. Although, Okoye did a pretty good job of temporarily filling it. She had become quite fond of me durning our time training together, and eventually we became friends. She was my friend but while sparring she certainly didn't show it. Okoye didn't hold back on throwing punches at her opponent.
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It was coming up to the end of my second year in Wakanda, life had been great up until then. Up until the attack. Until Hydra had come back.
That night was Romona and T'Chaka's anniversary. Everything was going so well. There was a ball at the palace, and most of Wakanda was invited. A ball wasn't exactly my cup of tea, mainly because when I attended a ball it was to assassinate someone. That and I couldn't dance. At all. And I certainly wasn't use to wearing a gown. I had gotten ready with Shuri and Okoye. We sat in my room and Shuri did my hair and makeup while Okoye got into her gown. Shuri had done an excellent job on my hair and makeup, and it matched my dress perfectly. It was a royal blue, to match my eyes, and had small diamonds around the neck. Okoye wore a beautiful red dress, which really complimented her dark complection. Yellow was Shuri's go to colour. At first when she said she was wearing yellow, you could see the cringe on my face. Then, I took it back because she look stunning in the colour.
The palace had looked amazing that night. The ballroom was full of decorations and the chandelier, it really finished the place off perfectly. Our trio entered the ballroom and Shuri had to go stand by her family on the landing, looking over the room below. They all looked so perfect together, it was very picturesque. King T'Chaka had stood forward and started to speak. The room had fallen silent.
"Wamkelekile. Ndiyabulela konke ngokuza. Kuvuyiswa kakhulu ukuba apha apha namhlanje ebusuku, kwaye ukubhiyozela eli thuba elihle kunye nani nonke. Ndiyathemba ukuba uyavuya.
(Welcome. Thank you all for coming. It is a great pleasure to be here tonight, and to celebrate this wonderful occasion with you all. I hope you enjoy.)"
And with that the celebration had begun. There was music playing in the background, there was people dancing, laughing. Everybody was having a good time. Okoye and I were standing beside the door, it may have been a party but the Dora Milaje were still on duty.
"Ngaba uceba ukudanisa kulo lonke uhlwanje?
(Do you plan on dancing at all tonight?)" Okoye asked me a smirk on her face as she did so.
"kuphela xa wenza. (Only when you do.) Plus, who would I dance with?" I chuckled at her reaction, one I knew all too well.
"Well, a certain Prince is looking kind of lonely."
"No."
"Why not?" She smirked again.
"He is just a friend, Okoye." I was serious and she caught onto that.
"Kulungile. (Okay.) Well, here he comes. Sala kakuhle! (Goodbye!)"
And then she was gone, swallowed by the crowd. I didn't get a chance to say anything before I turned around to come face to face with the Prince himself. I crossed my arms across my chest to form the signature Wakandan curtesy. Prince T'Challa replicated my actions.
"Your Highness."
"Miss Cassidy."
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I said a smirk playing across my lips.
"Would you like to dance?"
The question had taken me by surprise and my heart started to pound in my chest. I hadn't a clue how to dance, let alone with the Prince of Wakanda! I had composed myself and replied with:
"It would be disrespectful to decline a Prince."
He gave a small laugh at my response and offered me his arm, which I gladly took. T'Challa guided me to the center of the floor, my heart was still pounding in my chest, dreading the dance. T'Challa seemed to notice my uneasiness and asked if I was okay. I just replied that I hadn't a clue how dance and I apologise in advance for my two left feet. He just laughed it off and said 'well that makes the two of us'. We joined our left hands together, T'Challa put his right hand on my waist, while I put mine on his shoulder. T'Challa slowly started leading the dance, and I followed suit. At that moment everything seemed perfect. People dancing in sync with each other, the fireworks illuminating the dark sky, the atmosphere of happy people. In that moment I knew what happiness was. But, it was short lived.
Screaming came from outside, causing everyone to stop dancing and stare at the source. I looked at T'Challa to find he had the same expression as me. Confusion. I let go of T'Challa's hand and slowly started making my way towards the long windows. T'Challa had called my name but I kept going. With every step I took, getting closer and closer, the more tense I became. When I reached the window I looked out into the darkness, seeing nothing but just that. Darkness. I was about to return to T'Challa when I saw something shimmer in the moonlight and I noticed it was a gun, a lot of them. I turned quickly and shouted for everyone to get down. Then the bullets came. Ricocheting through the long windows, causing shards of glass to go everywhere. All the while there was one thing on my mind. T'Challa. It was my job to keep them all safe and thats what I intended on doing. There was dust everywhere, caused by the bullets sinking into walls. My eyes quickly scanned the room, searching for the royal family. I could see Okoye and Nakia with the King and Queen. But there was no sign of Shuri or T'Challa. I scanned the room again to find T'Challa rising from the floor, fear and dread spread across his face as he searched for his family. I quickly ran over to him.
"Your Highness, are you okay?" I said, scanning him for any sign of major injuries. Only minor cuts were visible across his face.
"I am fine, thank you. Is my family safe?" He asked me, bracing himself for the worst.
"Your parents are with Okoye and Nakia." His shoulders dropped like a huge weight had been lifted. But he tensed once again.
"Where is Shuri?! Where is my sister?!" Fear was dripping from every word.
"I'm going to find her now, but I need you to stay here with your family. So I know you are safe."
I was practically begging him at this stage, I knew how stubborn he could be when it came to his sister, or any family member for that matter. Without saying another word, or giving him a chance to reply, I was up and off looking for Shuri, and to be quite honest I didn't know where to find her. I thought of all possible places until I heard someone call my name. I snapped my head in the direction of the voice to find Shuri outside. I ran to her immediately, embracing her in a hug. The cold air was biting at my bare shoulders, as I held her close to me. There was no way I was going to loose her again. As we broke away I saw a gun pointed at us, and an agent wearing a uniform I hoped I'd never see again. Hydra. I swiftly pulled Shuri to the ground, my body shielding hers as the bullet flew over our heads.
"Shuri I need you to run and find your Brother! He should be in the ballroom with your parents. Go! Now! I'll see you later."
I softly pushed her quicker inside the palace, before hands had grabbed me, pulling me towards a truck. I never saw them after that.
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