Chapter 1

She starred at herself in the mirror one last time, "perfect..." she murmured.

She was wearing a long, white dress with exquisite rose petal designs embroidered in gold and wore matching heels. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun with a golden tiara.

Everything had to be perfect because today was the day she would marry Nate Archibald, her night in shining armor, so they say. She's never seen or met the boy, all she knew was that he was a charming duke who helped conquer land for her father, Harold Waldorf, the king of France.

This meant that she, Blair Waldorf, princess of France will soon be married to an attractive duke in only a few hours. It was exciting but at the same time it wasn't the way she wanted to get married. She wanted to fall in love with this duke, like in the fairy tales; she wanted to know what it felt like to have butterflies fluttering inside of you. She didn't want an arranged marriage, but she didn't have a choice, she was royalty. Love didn't matter in the society she lived in, only power and wealth did. Her mother had always taught her that.

Eleanor Waldorf always wanted what was best for her daughter, she wanted her to have the perfect husband, the perfect wedding, the perfect body, clothes, and style. Even though Blair was perfect, beautiful, skinny, and wore the most stylish clothes, Eleanor never complimented her, all she did was criticize her and compare her to her best friend Serena Van Der Woodsen, the girl with shining blond locks, deep blue eyes, and a glowing smile. Blair sometimes found herself jealous of the care-free Serena, who always looked perfect without trying to. But Serena was also her best and only friend since she was little, and she was always there for her until a couple years ago.

It was more than 4 years ago when Serena's mother, Lily Van Der Woodsen, went off to England to marry the king Bartholomew Bass. Blair's parents were shocked when they heard the news about the marriage and felt betrayed. The French and the English were definitely not on good terms, and Lily going off to mate with the enemy did not make king Harold happy at all. It was a sad time for everyone. Especially for Blair.

Pushing those dreadful memories aside, Blair decided to go take a stroll in the gardens before she would give herself to a man she didn't know at all. She needed some time to think about her future, and how it would be when she marries this Archibald boy.

But as she was about to reach the entrance of the garden a soothing voice called out to her.

"Lady Waldorf, I am Cassio, your mother has asked me to escort you to the church."

Blair jumped slightly upon hearing the gentleman's voice behind her. She slowly turned around to face the stranger. The man in front of her held out his arm for Blair with a genuine smile on his face. She looped her arm through his without a word. This polished man looked no more than fifty and by the way he dressed, she could tell he came from a wealthy family.

It has been ten minutes, and they still weren't at the church. Which seemed odd to Blair, since the gardens were right next to it. She became suspicious of this newcomer. "I'm sorry sir, but I know for a fact that the church is not-" and before she could finish her sentence, the man seized her by the arm and hit her full force on her pretty little head. She let out a soft groan and fell to the ground.

Looking down at the form, Cassio picked up the limp body and carried it to his carriage. He put her down and took a long look at the beautiful creature who laid beside him. He almost felt guilty seeing her veil stained with blood, and her dark chocolate curls turning more and more red by the minute. But he couldn't feel guilty, he was given a job and by doing this job he would be named Duke of Norfolk, and wealthiest man known to England.

In a rushed voice, Cassio called out, "James! Get the horses moving, we have until sunset to get Blair to England and into king Bass's residence! We must not waste anymore time."

XOXO

A/N: First off, I do not own anything throughout this whole story. I've decided to edit all four chapters before posting the fifth one. This is a short chapter I know. But there's plenty more to come with lots of Chuck and Blair in the next chapter!

Review and tell me what you think! Your comments are very much appreciated!