Disclaimer: -Twilight and all characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I claim no ownership or copyright to any character or plot herein

A/N-I've changed some character names in this story, but you will find no trouble identifying the characters…..

Chapter1

City of Mocan

I removed my diamond hair pins one by one .I was really exhausted from my long day. I hated it sitting through useless boring discussions of those old royal advisers. They were useless…. I knew all of them are wrapped around the skinny cold fingers of Aro. My uncle Aro is the only brother of King Charles, my father who died mysteriously two years ago when I was only seventeen. I have my suspicion, but I was alone and too weak after my beloved father's death that I kept silence. Bidding my time and hoping my time to revenge will come soon.

I looked down at my own reflection from the silver framed mirror, which was once a precious possession of my mother Renera. I barely remembered her. Same pale skin, same dark brown eyes and knee length wavy brown hair…she was like a perfect sculpture. She was magnificent… she was a true queen. I sighed. I'm not her, I won't ever make someone like her….

"Your highness" Rosalie suddenly appeared from behind, gave a swift bow and started removing my pins.

"Rose….how many times do I need to tell you to call me just Bella?" I angrily murmured, trying to remove a stubborn hair pin stuck in a strand "ouch!"

"Let me…" Rosalie carefully released the hair wrapped around the diamond. Her fingers were long, and elegant. I looked at my own. Weak, pale and small…. Rosalie definitely could play princess here…..

"Rose… do you really think that I could escape from here?" I looked at her green eyes through the mirror. she pursed her lips. Concentrating on hair pins. She showed no sign of hearing my words.. oh. Yes. Really could play princess.

"Rosalie….Did you hear me?" I motioned to stop her work. She plucked the last pin out and moved towards the dresser to get a comb.

"Yes princess Bella. And my answer is the same as usual. We could escape as soon as Prince James and Prince Loren leave the city" she touched my shoulder tenderly. "And I will be with you forever after…until I die" She was my maid, but I knew she was the most faithful servant and best friend a princess could have. I trusted her. With my life.

"What about Aro? He is not leaving" I sighed. Rosalie started combing my hair, it smoothed all the way down my waist, then she applied my own herbal oil on it, making it shiny and filling the whole room with its sweet aroma.

"We can do something for that…..leave it to me. James and Loren are the most dangerous threat for you now. I don't know what will happen if they catch you trying to flee"

A shudder passed through my body. James and Loren are my cousin brothers. James is the eldest son of Aro, while Loren is the younger. Both were shamelessly trying to win me, James was the most arrogant, brutal, sadistic and heartless man I've ever seen. The way he looked at my body gave me Goosebumps. I have seen how he treated his harem girls. I didn't want to put myself in a position like that. To be a slave…. Loren was not better than him. He was a greedy selfish man who only ever thought of putting his fat hands on my dad's crown. I won't let that happen until I die….

" Your highness…. I know it worries you. But we could join the faithful royal noblemen chased away by Aro once we get out of the city limits. I have sent my messages to them. We could hide in the mountains and start on our plans. People obey you. They listen to our old advisors. And they hate Aro and his sons. Don't doubt. We could win this"

Rosalie unfastened my robe, which created a purple pool around my ankles. Then she wrapped a comfortable cotton night dress around me. It made me so sleepy. I really wanted to curl in my soft bed and forget all my worries about Aro,Loren and James….

Tuk Tuk Tuk

"Isabella?"

Speak of the devil!

Rosalie looked at me questioningly. I nodded her, and fastened the belt around me. Rosalie went to the door and opened it cautiously.

"I want to meet the princess alone" James entered the chamber. Candlelight shone on his dirty, oily hair. And he smirked after taking my appearance. His lusty eyes made me feel underdressed.

"What do you want James?" I tried to be polite.

"I said I want to meet you alone" He gestured Rosalie out. But she didn't moved

"Out" He barked.

"Rose is my maid. She doesn't take others commands." I glared at him.

"So then why don't YOU tell her to leave" He asked sweetly.

I looked at Rosalie and nodded.

"Wait outside the door. I will call you if I need you"

Rosalie glared murderously at James and left the chamber, he just chuckled.

"You both have same characteristics."

"I doubt that's the topic you need to discuss so secretly" I turned my back.I walked to my table and took my old copy of the "Book of Nodera". A Legendary poems collection. Its pages were torn, and it was really dirty and worn from using throughout my whole life.

"No Isabella…..That's not the reason….." His breath brushed my bare shoulder and I jumped. I didn't realize he was that near. I clutched my throat in surprise and turned around.

He face was inches away from mine, and his breath- a disgusting stench of beer and meat assaulted me. I backed away and found trapped between him and the wooden table. He took two steps and closed the distance between us. James lift his hand and ran his fingers from my neck to my shoulder, and then along my arm. Making me shiver… I wanted to scream in disgust.

"Look Isabella….you know that I want to make you my wife… I promise I will behave. I would give you anything in this world. I just need you to love me back the way I love you…." He pressed his body to mine. I could feel his manhood pressing hard against me. Making me nauseous. He lowered his head and inhaled the skin on my neck. His unshaven beard scratching my face…..

"so smooth, so pale and smells really nice" He licked there. His warm sticky tongue rolled further down… I tried to push him away "And so delicious…"

He took two steps back. Releasing me. I took a deep breath and realized I was holding it for minutes.

"By the time I come back, I need a straight answer. Either you be my wife and the queen of Mocan. Or just another woman in my harem. Choice is yours."

"You don't dare… My father was the King of Mocan. I am the queen now. I can choose any man I need"

James smirked."No you are not. Does anyone call you a queen? No. Because you are not…. You are just "The Princess". you have been always….just the princess. And you will be always…just the princess. Unless you marry me, the future king of Mocan"

I couldn't believe he is threatening me like this. He's going to pay for everything soon…real soon…

"So Isabella…..What's your answer?"

"I will discuss with my uncle and tell you." I lied. "As soon as you come back, you'll have my answer"

"Good. And give my a good bye kiss"

Before I protest he grabbed me by my waist and pulled me to him, and forcefully bending me over the table he kissed me on my lips. His tongue pushed passed my pursed lips and it rolled in my mouth. He finally took it out, licking my lips and biting and sucking my lower lip

"Oh I can't wait to make you my queen" He let me go, after one last lick. I wiped away his saliva, swallowing down the dinner that decided on coming out, refused to be mixed up with this man's saliva forced down my throat. aaarrrgh.

James left the room without another word and Rosalie hurried back in.

"Are you all right Isabella?" finally! she's calling me by my name. It felt really good. Like when my mother called me when I was a kid.

"No, if I'm honest." I sighed and sat on the bed.

"What happened?"

"He threatened me to marry him, or else that he's going to make me just one of his harem girls….and he forcefully kissed me good bye. That's for the second time in this month."

"Oh why didn't you just punch on his dirty face?" Rosalie growled. Did I say that I really love her? yes I do.

"I can't. If I did, he's going to make sure that he put extra security on us. He won't trust me. Now he thinks I'm laid back and too weak. Well I am… But not as bad as he thinks. I told him I will think about this… it will give us the time we need to plan everything. Whatever happens…. We must leave the palace in two months….."

Two months….. James and Loren are going to the west, there are rumors about something unusual happening their. People are frightened. Travelers, merchants and rangers came from Western and Southern lands brought news about an Emperor who does not fear anyone, or any living thing and who are coming on his way, conquering all kingdoms on his way. But Aro and other advisers thought this is just another rumor and gossip exchanged in country bars and gambling houses.

But rumor has its limits… even I was curious about this news, but all I could gather was, whatever doom that comes for us is still very far away. Nevertheless I was afraid of that. I don't want to escape from a one doom and fall in to another. So I prayed whatever it was to be just a rumor…..

Rosalie blew off all the candles leaving only one. It made funny shadows on the wall. I used to imagine those as people and animals when I was a child.

"Rosalie, please stay with me today….." I gestured her to sit next to me. She obeyed reluctantly. "You are allowed to sleep on my bed. Don't say you can't. Come on now." I rolled on my huge bed. Rosalie didn't say anything. Removing her shoes and apron, she climbed on, and lay next to me. Her eyes were tender. She was one fierce woman when it's about my safety. But she loves me like my own mother. I exhaled softly and closed my eyes… my dreams took me to a far away land. Where I was a free woman… and a place without pain and worries and deaths….. Just love…..

After One Week

I was preparing for my daily bath, as Aro came to the bath house without any permission, his sons definitely have his blood.

I was glad that I could hide under the steaming water pool. Aro sat on the bench beside me. I could see the steam gradually soaking his garments. But he didn't leave. He was making me tired with his plans about the upcoming harvest season. Why couldn't he discuss this when I'm fully clothed? And in a more appropriate place?

"Isabella do you really think that maid is suitable for her job? She seems to forget her status sometimes" Aro said with narrowed eyes, watching Rosalie snap at a chamber boy, who brought the wrong kind of soap bar for my bath.

"She's the perfect one for the job." I assured with a fake smile.I knew Aro's presence is making Rosalie angry.

"alright then… and Isabella… James wanted me to talk with you, about your marriage."

My mouth dropped open. "Marriage?"

"yes. He told me that you agreed on marrying him in the night before his departure. I'm really glad about it. It's time for both of you to settle down. We could arrange the wedding on the harvest season. People will be really happy about this royal marriage. They've suffered a lot after the loss of you father. I know you two could make it. You'll make a great queen" I knew he's adding "James would make a great king" under his breath.

"I'll think about it and let you know uncle…. I really have a lot in my mind right now." I gestured Rosalie to start the bath. She pulled the curtain wide, separating Aro from me. I didn't bother to say a fake greeting. He bowed his head and left the room immediately.

"We can't wait long….. A decision has to be made within this week…. We must leave in two weeks… I think they are coming back."

Rosalie bowed and started washing my hair. Warm water and sweet steam cleared my mind… and helped me to think… about the future.

Week two

"We are only taking two bags. In my bag I'm taking my mothers most beloved jewelery, some gold, some clothes, matches, a pot, water bottle and medicine. You must pack more gold, some dried fruits and meat, a cake, bread, some cheese and a bottle of vine. Oh and two blankets….."

I checked the list again. "I'm disguising as your younger brother. Ofcourse you can't disguise as a man with uhm… you big… mm. you know what."

Rosalie turned tomato red and a giggle burst out from me. "sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you…" I patted her hand.

"Aro is drinking like there's no tomorrow on every Saturday night. He usually pass out after ten. So tomorrow night I'm going to the library as usual, and you, in your traveling clothes, and with my clothes and our bags must come to the library from our secret passage" I smiled. Rosalie and I used to play in this passage together when we were children. I found it. And hopefully, nobody else knew it…..

"I'm leaving the library at half past ten. And I could change in the passage. Riley will bring our horse and tie him on the back gate. Kate should meanwhile start the fire on Aro's chamber. Advice her not to get caught... She must put some oil on the corner carpet, and drop some burning coal on her way back. Those drunk will not notice it. And then Jane could scream and raise an alarm, so guards will leave the gate and run to the chamber. Don't tell the whole plan to Riley or Kate or Jane. Tell them their parts. I don't trust anybody beside you." Rosalie smiled, rather smugly.

"Then we take the horse and gallop west. We can't rest until we pass our border. And to past even the city border it's going to take seven hours. Let's take a break only if the horse is tired. And once we reach the Vera Wood, we must leave the horse. It will find its way back or it will survive in woods"

"Only if it could run faster than the wolves" Rosalie muttered.

I shivered. I knew there were hundreds of wolves living in Vera. But as the elders say, those don't hunt humans.

"Yes. Let's pray it could, and then, it will take two weeks for us to reach the mountains. Our faithful advisers will meet us there. Until we make a good plan and gather loyal people, we will stay with them." I finished.

"Hope everything goes fine" Rosalie looked out the window.

"I wish the same"

Rosalie looked at me. Her eyes shining.

"Let's do this…"

"Yes. Let's do this Rose…. " I took her hand and squeezed.