Disclaimer; I own nothing but this story.
Same AU but with the existence of Vampires instead of Sorcery
~'o'O'o'~
The vampire wars were terrible they caused death and bloodshed.
Queen Veronica of Enchancia lead her army with pride as they charged the Vampire city, she was a beacon to her people the shining light of gold hair in gold armor whose beauty enchanted everyone around her, her talent at battle strategy was incomparable.
Her gold blonde hair shined like the sun and her bravery was admirable, the battle she led lasted for half a year, many people and vampires died on each side, unfortunately, it was a battle that was won by the Vampires when the Vampire King sent out his best soldiers.
The Queen fought with her soldiers on her last day right next to her Army General, Sal Cobbler, they fought well and hard but for powerful age-old Vampires, they were no match and the field where their battle was, now stained with their blood.
King Roland of Enchancia was always a happy man and a good father to his twins Amber and James, it was during their 8th Birthday party that he received the news, the party was filled with young Princes and Princess' dancing and having a good time, a simple party in their vast garden, when a messenger came up solemnly to the King to give him the scroll.
As soon as the smiling King had the scroll in his hand the messenger backed away slowly, the King's smile fell quickly as he read the update, he was now a widower and his children half orphans.
King Roland dismissed the party immediately sending his children to their rooms for mourning.
Roland went to his study and poured himself the first of his many drinks.
His children saw how solemn he was, foregoing their own feelings about the loss of their mother they left their father to wallow in his own sorrows.
James and Amber took on whatever they could to help with the Kingdom as time passed and Roland kept drinking more and more spirits.
6 months passed after the death of the Queen when Roland was passed out drunk when he had an enlightening epiphany.
Waking with a start his head was still bungling so he stumbled to the rope and called Baileywick.
Baileywick prepared glass of glass of sober tonic as Roland downed each one to sober up as he began to write down his ideas and prepare his proclamation.
After 24 straight hours of planning, Roland had come up with the perfect plan.
He sent out his guards throughout his Kingdom looking for exactly what he wanted.
~'o'O'o'~
Sofia was just like any other 8-year-old peasant girl, she was helpful to her mother in their Cobble Shop, fixing, and making shoes was a job they did with pride.
Miranda taught her daughter well about daily living and basic knowledge of schooling.
Their life was simple but they loved it.
They were going through their daily routine, Miranda was at her work station sewing up a pair of shoes while Sofia was cleaning the shelves, Sofia was humming her favorite song that Miranda hummed along with her.
Sofia took a few moments to dance around the shop a little letting her purple dress flare out, Miranda loved watching her young daughter dance, she stopped her work to clap until Sofia pulled Miranda up so that they could dance around together.
They happiness was interrupted by a pounding on the door, Miranda and Sofia jumped and stumbled backward at the surprise, they looked at each other with shock and worry before Miranda cleared her throat and straightened her clothes then went up to the door.
She stepped back as the King's guard came in, 4 tall intimidating burly men in armor came in then looked around before landing on the cobbler woman shielding her young daughter.
The first one that came in held the King's seal on his armor, he removed his helmet to reveal Sofia's favorite knight.
"Sir Bartleby at your service Miss." He said in his high pitched voice.
"Good morning," Miranda said straightening up a little.
"By order of King Roland the Second you are required to appear before him with your daughter. this is non-negotiable." He replied holding onto his sword.
Miranda looked shocked for a moment before contemplating his words then straightened herself.
"Very well then." She said before taking her daughters hand and following the Knights out of her door.
~'o'O'o'~
As soon as they arrived at the palace, Miranda and Sofia were ushered together into a guest room.
Miranda held Sofia as they heard the locks on the doors click.
"Whats happening Mom?" Sofia asked looking up at her mother.
"I don't know, Sofia. But since we are in the palace we must be on our very best behavior. OK?" Miranda explained with an unsure smile.
"Ok, Mom," Sofia replied.
They had to wait for 2 hours and had taken to the very large bed where Sofia fell asleep to the gentle caress of her mother's hand.
A knock sounded throughout the room rousing Sofia from her slumber but jolting her awake when Miranda called out a careful 'Come in.'
A skinny man with gray hair wearing a smart suit came in and bowed his head.
"Good evening, I am Baileywick, the palace steward, I apologize for the sudden action of bringing you both here but it was ordered by the King, so if you please I have a little questionnaire for you then depending on your answers you will be either sent home or be given a reward." The man replied making Miranda stand as Sofia followed.
Baileywick asked basic questions such as daughters birthdate, Miranda's age, whereabouts of her husband, Sofia's schooling knowledge, Miranda's schooling knowledge, surrounding family, then went one to a few basic knowledge questions like a few math problems, Enchancian history, and problem-solving skills.
"Well, then that's all, please wait here for your results," Baileywick said before removing himself from the room quickly.
Miranda and Sofia returned to the bed where they both fell asleep exhausted from worry.
Not knowing how much time passed before another knock roused them both from their nap and they both sprung up when their eyes adjusted to find none other than the King himself.
Miranda carefully grabbed Sofia and they stood hand in hand before Roland then curtsied their best.
"You did well on the questionnaire so for that you get a reward and that is to be my wife, I will adopt your daughter as my own and I will make you both a Queen and a Princess, you're my servants are already on their way to your old home to get your things. Violet here will show Sofia to her room, you both need to sleep, our wedding is tomorrow." The King said before he turned to leave.
~'o'O'o'~
The next day as Promised Miranda was dressed in a fine gown of white silk with a veil after 3 hours of maids vigorously scrubbing her and Sofia they were sparkling clean and rubbed with files and lotions to scrape off the worn callouses of peasant life.
Sofia wore a simple white dress with ribbons in her hair as she held her mother's hand and they walked down the aisle of the church.
Miranda stood proud and tall before the minister as she said her vows to be married, she just wanted to cry and scream, she was still in love with her husband but he had fallen in by battle by the Queens side so naturally, their union was fated and she knew it.
Miranda was the loveliest lady in Enchancia and her daughter was favored amongst her friends for not only her inherited beauty but for her own intelligence and wit.
Roland too was still in love with his fallen wife but he had a plan and a King with a plan couldn't be stopped if it meant the safety and well-being of his Kingdom, he held the softened hands of Miranda and looked into her far away eyes as he took his vow of love and loyalty, he was glad she was at least beautiful.
~'o'O'o'~
In the dark city of Sorchex, a city under constant cover of tall ancient trees keeping out the burning light that burns the skin of any vampire, the massive buildings could try to reach the tall trees but could never reach, it was like any other Kingdom.
In the very center was the vast purple palace covered with gray stones and bricks, guarded by living gargoyles, the royal flag held the starry crest of the King, his pounding footsteps made the way clear as the messenger hurried as time was of the essence.
He stood before the large black carved doors before knocking.
"Come in." the annoyed tone of the King rang out after he groaned at the disturbance.
The vampire messenger opened the door to reveal his King sitting at his desk looking over papers while holding a silver goblet in his hand while the actual cup was made of glass showing off the red life-sustaining liquid that feeds them.
The man himself was a tall man of muscular frame under the guise of a thin illusion with the help of his long purple robe, his hair swept his shoulders as he turned his head showing off the small ponytail at the back of his head holding back his gray bangs while his dark eyes looked up from the papers, his long nose never a problem to himself although his slightly long nails that scraped against the glass to make a screeching sound just to annoy his visitor was something less to be desired from everyone else.
Cedric the Great, King of the Vampires, lived for 1,264 years and had built this city from the ground up, keeping at humans away from his beloved city to protect his people so that they don't have to live in secret or caves anymore, they have their own freedom and their own city to live freely and be what they are. But humans decided their existence was ungodly and had tried on countless occasions to try and eradicate their home but with Cedric as their King, they are unstoppable.
"Well, what do you want?" Cedric asked taking a drink of the spiked glass of blood letting the sharp flavor run over his tongue.
"A single messenger from Enchancia sire, he held up the royal flag with a claim of holding a message from his King Roland." The messenger claimed with a smile and smirk trying to not show fear of the age-old vampire.
"Where is he?" He asked him without an ounce of amusement.
He is waiting outside of our borders for our returning message Sire, but the message is here." The frightened vamp said holding out the scroll letting the shadowed butler come out and take it from him before handing it to Cedric.
"Thank you Wormwood." Cedric replied slipping on protective gloves before taking the scroll, the tall dark skinned man with a monocle bowed his head before shining his fangs at him in a 'happy to serve' gleam.
The parchment had no smell to indicate of an endermic poison, but he didn't live this long to be careless.
He unrolled the scroll with care not seeing tiny particles that would indicate of poison dust cloud.
Cedric read the words with care gaining his complete attention at the term "Olive branch." "Peace." "Treaty."
He hummed to himself with a devious smile while saying "Interesting." His wicked tone made Wormwood and the messenger get a chill run down their spines.
~'o'O'o'~
Sofia was told to keep her mouth shut, as a child Princess she was to do as she was told and nothing more, she was dressed in a simple gown of lavender with pearl accents and pink designs, with lilac tights and purple ballet flats.
The carriage was riding through the countryside way past any big cities and from where she was sitting she could see the line of the tall trees that lined the vampire borders.
"Mom?" She asked worriedly looking over at the woman who hadn't smiled in the past month since her wedding.
"Keep your place child, you will get to see official business." She replied not looking at her daughter, Roland did look at Sofia both of them were seated pointing away from the driver while Sofia sat on the bench pointing toward the driver.
Roland's own children were forced to stay home much to their annoyance but Roland insisted
King Cedric watched from his own carriage as the Enchancian coach pulled up to the meeting spot.
A large tent had been erected on the borders between the lands where the appropriate measures had been taken to ensure the safety of each royal during this time of peace.
As promised each King brought 4 servants and 3 guards along with their olive branch to give to the other King as a sign of peace between their Kingdoms.
Cedric wore sunglasses to shield his eyes from the light that shined just a few feet away from him, he was helped from his carriage by Wormwood as he approached the borderline just as the door to the other coach was opened and the very handsome red-haired King unmounted, Miranda was at the door much to the surprise of Cedric but she was stopped by Roland.
"Don't you need me?" She asked but Roland lightly shook his head. "No Miranda Just Sofia." He said letting Miranda slump back in her seat letting a small child of bright purple unmount the carriage with the help of King Roland.
"I don't recall Princesses being allowed to be at this, Roland," Cedric said sharply not giving the man his title as per requested to keep each other as equals.
"No, but Olive branches were," Roland said pushing Sofia in front of him toward Cedric she got scared and looked back at her mother who looked shocked and was about to do something before the carriage door was closed and anything she was saying or doing was hidden inside and behind the curtains completely locked in.
"You've brought a child as an Olive branch?" Cedric asked playing with his fingernails.
"Yes, I married her mother a month ago and adopted Sofia as my own, she had a humble beginning where she was merely a cobbler's daughter, but now she is my daughter and I figured a child would seem less suspicious than a grown woman," Roland explained with an innocent smile.
"And what pray tell am I suppose to do with a child?" Cedric asked sharply.
"Whatever you want Cedric, she is yours to do with her. However, she is a beautiful child so just imagine how much more beautiful she would be as an adult." Roland offered with a questioning grin.
Cedric flicked his finger nails some more looking at the annoyingly bright King before looking down at the child, she gave no indication of fear or worry.
Cedric knelt down and held out his pale hand in the dark to her.
Sofia didn't look up at Roland to see what he wanted her to do his light pushing of his legs was enough, she put her small hand in his letting it close around it before he pulled her under the ancient trees, he moved her to the side where it was more darker and she was right to his face before he removed his sunglasses letting her see his intense glare of green eyes.
He carefully pressed his hand against her hair and cheek before bringing her close and she instinctively put her own hand on his wrist as she felt his long nose rest against her shoulder while he pressed his face into her hair and giving a long sniff.
He pulled himself away fully letting her hair fall from his hand letting her sweet innocent scent run through his system, he stood and smiled at Roland while he put his sunglasses back on.
Roland grabbed Sofia's hand as he led her to the tent with Cedric and she turned to see the coach not moving but wanting any indication that her mother was going to help her, but there was none.
~'o'O'o'~
The negotiations took 2 hours and Sofia had to sit and listen to the whole thing as they went over a peace treaty and what each Kingdom will get as a sign of peace, obviously Cedric would get Sofia but he also agreed with beginning a trade agreement so that not only does each King get a Prize but also goods for their Kingdoms.
Sofia sat in the carriage listening to the heated conversation between her Mother and Roland, Miranda was trying to act calm and Queenly while asking Roland about his reasonings, though he gave no proper reason other than it was good for the Kingdom.
Miranda felt even more unloved than she did on her wedding day and she looked down at her daughter who was caught up in all of this.
There was nothing that could be done, trying to escape would be pointless and a waste of time considering a number of guards at the palace.