Hey everyone! So, it's been a while since I've posted a TID fic. I decided to take a short break from my Dark Artifices fic and start this one and see how it goes. I have the whole thing outlined, so hopefully I can update fast! Enjoy the first chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing :)


William Herondale hated his life. Okay maybe that was an understatement. But being the prince of the most powerful kingdom in all the land wasn't easy at all, especially when you had your whole life was laid out for you. And you could not do a thing to change it.

King Edmund and Queen Linette had ruled the kingdom of Idris for over twenty years. They had three children together: Ella, Will, and Cecily. Ella was the eldest, but unfortunately was dead, so that put Will next in line for the throne. And since Will was nearly eighteen, he needed to find a bride to marry and fast. Of course, Will had met all the eligible princesses, but his parents were the main force in deciding who would be Will's destined one.

That was not the only reason why Will hated his life though. Everything had changed ever since Ella had died. And Will could only blame himself for the result of her death. He was the one who encouraged her to venture out of the castle borders and see what was there. He told her to be brave and not always be confined to their parents' rules. Will's foolishness and naivety caused Ella to die. Sure, she had gone out of her way to see what truly was out there, but she could not last a minute outside palace borders. Soon after she was robbed and then brutally murdered and left to rot in the forests outside of Idris.

Ella's death took a toll on both the Herondale family and the entire kingdom. King Edmund became even stricter and more isolated. The once loving king was now coldhearted and uncaring. All the villages within Idris had come under harsh rule. No one ever saw the royal family, everyone was living under extreme poverty, and there was never enough food to feed even one person. Edmund and Linette were completely oblivious to most of this. They not only neglected the people of their land, but Will and Cecily. Cecily still remained to be herself, since she was young and could not really sense this change. Will, however, took after his father and was more aloof and was rude to practically everyone.

That was everyone except for James Carstairs.

James, or Jem as Will had called him for as long as he could remember, was his personal servant and his best friend. Will's only friend actually. Jem understood Will completely and never forced Will to reveal his deepest, darkest secrets. He was kind, gentle, and pure, everything that Will was not. Will wished that he could be like Jem, but knew he could not. Even though Jem was a servant, Will saw past that. That was one way he differed from his father.

Sometimes Will wished he could be a servant like Jem. Jem had so much more freedom than Will, even if he wasn't living the life of luxury. Although, all the wealth and material things did not matter to Will. Everyone would have desperately wanted to be Will Herondale, prince and soon to be king of Idris. But all he wanted was freedom from his repressive life.

Will stared down at his hands, which were marked with tiny scars and calluses. Edmund Herondale had Will learn how to be a fighter and be trained at the hand since the time he was twelve. Will was very skilled, but never had any use to really fight. But then again, it made him even more appealing as a prince when it came time for him to find a princess.

King Edmund had gathered various princesses from all different kingdoms across the land. For the past few weeks, Will had met with each and every one of them. Not that that made a difference though. In the end, it was not Will who chose the future queen, but King Edmund and Queen Linette did. Will didn't care much about this, since he hated every princess he met. They were all spoiled, annoying, and selfish. It seemed the only thing they each absorbed in Will was his looks. Will could hardly blame them. He was fully aware of his handsome appearance: messy black hair, fully lips, angular features, and deep cerulean eyes. The perfect package for an eligible prince.

There was a knock at the door and Will looked up, distracting himself from his thoughts.

"Come in," Will said in a loud voice. The door opened and Jem stood at the threshold. He always had an ethereal glow to him, with his pale skin, silver hair, and matching silver eyes. Jem had a life-threatening illness when he was young and barely survived it. Thankfully he was able to live, but that resulted with the cost of his appearance to change from what it once was before. This had no affect on Will, and he would always love Jem like the brother he never had.

Jem stepped in and bowed to Will, as servants always did to the Herondales. Will rolled his eyes at that; he had asked Jem countless times not to be so formal with him. Jem was dressed in his usual garb: tattered brown pants tucked into a pair of boots with a loose white shirt that slightly revealed his collarbone.

"Master Will," Jem started to say, but Will interrupted.

"How many times must I tell you Jem, but please call me Will," Will said sternly.

"Of course," Jem chuckled, "your mother and father demand your presence right now. They are ready for you." Will immediately knew what this meant and his body tensed up. Jem walked over and placed a hand on Will's shoulder, causing Will to relax his muscles.

"Don't be nervous Will," Jem said calmly. Leave it to Jem to make Will feel better. "I'll be in the room with me. I'll always be by your side."

Will smiled at Jem then stood up, dusting his pants off. He wore what he usually did, a crisp white shirt tucked into dark pants with black leather boots laced up and a midnight blue cape draped over his back, the Herondale colour. "Let's just get this over with," Will said to his friend. Jem nodded and walked out the door, Will following in his suit.

Jem led Will down the stone corridor of the castle, walking at a good pace. The Herondale's castle, which they called the Institute, was in the center of Idris and had housed the Herondales for generations. It was surrounded by a moat and tall gates and was nearly impossible to escape. Only servants like Jem were allowed outside the castle. Even more the reason for Will wanting to be one.

"Jem, if you had it your way, would you be a prince?" Will asked Jem curiously.

Jem shrugged. "It depends. I mean sure you have the life of loyalty. But it comes with a price of not having much freedom. Although, I would enjoy the luxury of having whatever you want." He seemed distant, his silver eyes wistful.

"You still have it better though," Will argued, "I mean you don't have anyone controlling your every bit of your life."

"You would think so William, but you're wrong. You forget that I work for the king and that I do not always have it my way." Will slouched his shoulders in resignation. "Look, I know your nervous about what path your parents have planned for you, but whatever it is, you must take it with an open mind and learn to accept it. Marriage is just a part of life and you will get used to it." Jem always knew what to say to Will, and was already making him feel better.

Jem stopped in front of two large wooden double doors. They had reached the throne room, presumably where the king and queen were situated in.

"Take a deep breath Will," Jem instructed Will and smiled at him, "you'll be fine." With that, he pushed the doors open to reveal the grandeur of the throne room. It was one of the largest in the Institute, apart from the ballroom and the dining room. Tapestries with the Herondale crest, a two herons in flight atop a midnight background, lined the stone walls on either side. Cecily, Will's younger sister, was leaning against the wall between two of the tapestries, eyeing him carefully. The floor was bare, apart from a rug that covered the center. At the far end of the room were two thrones, both outlined in rich gold and silver. Sitting in one of them was Edmund Herondale and in the other was his wife, Linette.

Edmund Herondale was a broad-shouldered man who looked nothing like Will. He had light blue eyes and fair hair, and always wore an expression of contempt. Will and Cecily were exact copies of Linette Herondale, with jet black hair and dark blue eyes. It was striking.

"Your majesty," Jem said, addressing the king and queen with a bow, "I have brought you Master William, as you requested."

"Thank you James," King Edmund said in his booming voice, dismissing Jem. Jem went to stand beside Cecily, who gave him an anxious look. The two of them were also friends, although nowhere near as close as Will and Jem were. "Come here William," Edmund demanded.

Will swallowed hard and approached his parents until he was at the foot of their thrones.

"As you know, William, you are almost a man," Edmund started. Like Will did not know. "You have met all of the available princesses in the land. After much consideration, your mother and I have examined each and every one of them and we have come to a consensus." Here was the moment Will was not waiting for. He just wanted to get this over with. "We have decided that you and Jessamine Lovelace are to be wed. My time here as king is almost fulfill, and it would be imperative if you both resume the kingdom as soon as possible."

So many thoughts were swimming around in Will's mind. Jessamine Lovelace. Of all the princesses that were out there, he just had to be paired with the one he disliked the most. He hated Jessamine the minute he met her. She was from the neighboring kingdom of Lyn, where her family had also ruled for generations. She was petite with large brown eyes and long, golden eyes. She was stunningly beautiful, but had the demeanor of a ferret. Will absolutely detested her.

And now Will's life was now about to become a living hell.


So, do you want me to continue? Sorry for the introductions and all. It's necessary for what is to come. And I promise, Tessa will come soon! This is a Wessa story after all!

Could I get three reviews for the next chapter? :)