Chapter 1

"Father. I want to ride that horse," said the little girl, jumping up and down causing her golden locks to bounce with her every movement. This little girl was Caroline of Forbes, the only daughter of King William and Queen Elizabeth Forbes. They were surveying through their kingdom when, while passing a stable, a white horse caught the young princess' eye.

"Caroline!" Her mother warned. "You are a princess. Behave as one," she turned to face her daughter and scolded her sternly. Caroline crossed her arms and huffed in annoyance, her mother would always warn and direct her to behave as a royalty and not have the normal wishes as the other girls of her age. She hated this part of her life. It was really aggravating that she couldn't do half the stuff the other girls her age could do because it would be opposed by her mother or the council.

The king turned to his little girl and picked her up. He always had a difference of opinion to his wifeoverraisingtheir daughter. She was only seven years old and still had plenty of time to learn to be a princess and she could enjoy her life as a normal girl as long as she wished. But her wife was always there to discipline her. "Don't worry my little princess. I'll have that horse brought into the castle so that you may learn to ride it … But inside the perimeters." He whispered to the little girl giggling in his arms. He loved his daughter more than anything in this world and would do anything to make her smile.

"Thank you father! I love you," she giggled and embraced her father tightly.

TWELVE YEARS LATER:

"Princess, His Majesty demands your presence in the throne room immediately," a servant girl stated as she entered the princess' chambers and bowed. Caroline turned around and nodded as a small smile graced her lips. Her blonde locks falling till her shoulders in soft curls looking like a halo. Her porcelain skin as smooth as cream, her lips looking deep pink as strawberries. Her blue-green eyes shown emeralds. She truly looked like an angel sent from the heavens above.

She looked towards her friend Bonnie of Bennett Kingdom who was sitting patiently waiting for the princess to get ready. Bonnie would very often come to visit Caroline and vice versa.

"You should go with Elena. I'll join you shortly," Caroline spoke softly and her friend nodded and left. Elena was Bonnie and Caroline's best friend. She wasn't royal by blood but after being adopted by the Bennett King she was always considered a princess. Although she wouldn't inherit the throne if it came down to Bonnie and Elena. But other than that the three girls were like sisters and truly inseparable.

Caroline made her way to the throne room and in her way saw many guards turn and avert their gazes to the floor and bow in respect. Although she liked being respected, she hated the bowing. There were many guards older than her father even but still they bowed to her. Caroline's heels clicked with every step on the stone flagging steps and the warmth of the summer air was seeping through the walls. As the guards pushed open the heavy wood doors to the main hall Caroline stalked through head held high as her mother had taught her and walked to her parents. Her parents sat on the thrones seated on a dais that allowed them to see the entire grand hall. Usually only used for formal occasions Caroline knew that her parents had something of great import to discuss with her. Caroline had only sat on her father's throne once when he was giving her a lesson on the great weight of ruling that she would one day inherit, it was stiff and uncomfortable and Caroline remembered sitting awkwardly in it and being awed by the sheer size of the Great Hall.

The throne room was an impressive setting for a monarch to preside 'in majesty' over official ceremonies, to hold council, to grant audiences, to receive homage, to award high honors and offices, and to perform other official functions. Torches were positioned everywhere, on the wall and the pillars, and there were large openings to let the sunlight in. There were gold and silver linings on the white, intricate sculpted columns supporting the edifice. The natural sunlight gave the extended hall a spectacular glow. In the center of the room, three thrones were placed. Two of them higher than the third, according to rank. Hence the King and Queen graced the higher thrones. The third throne was placed on the left of the King's. Grand walls and ceilings. Latin inscriptions everywhere marking the Forbes legacy. Marble staircases leading to the thrones, separating both the levels of the room. The room was overall an amalgamation of swirling gold, silver and brightness.

"You asked for my presence father?" She asked softly. Her mother seemed content which was rare and her father was also very jolly, more so than customary.

"Ah yes! The Salvatore brothers will be arriving shortly. I expect you to make them feel welcome. Damon will miss his battalion's victory celebration to attend your 19th birthday festivities," he stated proudly. There was only one week left till Caroline was to turn 19. In honor of her birthday, a huge gathering was announced throughout the kingdom and even the royals from other monarchies were summoned. It was basically a declaration that the Princess of Forbes kingdom was of age to be espoused and be queen.

"I am honoured and delighted that Stefan and Damon will be attending. They have been our most prodigious friends ever since I can remember." Caroline replied cheerily and was almost about to turn to leave when her mother called out.

"Caroline we still have to discuss some matters," She said gently. Caroline turned and gave her mother a wary look, "what matters?" she asked bluntly.

"Now that you're grown up and such a fine lady, you shall behave as one. Especially after the festivity ends. You know that you have to choose a suitable suitor and no gentleman likes a lady without proper etiquettes" she told her sternly. Noticing the tension in the room and the gloomy look in his daughter's eyes, King William chose to speak up. "But you have the week to do as you please. Make the best of it my child," he said cheerfully. "I believe the Salvatore brothers will be arriving any moment. You may go and make preparations," With that said he dismissed his only heir to go attend to her mischievous activities.

He knew very well that the Salvatore brothers were great friends to his daughter and her friends and whenever the lot of them were reunited, they would bring much trouble. But he ignored their trivial mistakes because he knew they were only young and remembered how he, too, made blunders in his childhood.

Caroline rushed outside as she heard the voices of her friends, Elena and Bonnie. She quickly ran to them and embraced them tightly.

"Damon and Stefan are coming!" she squealed in excitement. She could see Bonnie roll her eyes and Elena blush. Bonnie never liked Damon that much and Elena and Stefan secretly admired each other but no one was brave enough to express their feelings to each other. She released them as she saw a carriage make way along with two horsemen following in trail. They were probably there for the security of the Salvatore Princes.

Soon the carriage stopped in front of the entrance and a few servants rushed to open the carriage. Caroline could barely stand to wait for them to come out. It had been more than six months since they all last met. After waiting for several minutes and no one came out, the annoyed princess rushed to the carriage herself and looked inside. Her expression changed when she saw the carriage filled with trunks and gifts instead of the two people she was waiting for. She turned to her friends and stomped her foot in annoyance.

"The carriage has their stuff only. They have not arrived yet!" she exclaimed angrily.

The two men from the horses jumped down and bowed in front of Caroline. The one wearing an ugly hat stepped forward, "Is there a problem your highness?" he asked in a heavy voice. Caroline glared him, "Nothing that concerns you! Where are Prince Damon and Prince Stefan?" she asked sternly keeping her chin held high.

"Did you mean Prince Charming and Prince Grumpy?" he asked in a different voice. This caused Caroline to stare him with her mouth ajar. "Well they are at your service madam," he answered as he took of his hat and his moustache with dramatic flair. It was Damon and behind him was Stefan.

Caroline squealed in excitement and clapped her hands together. "Oh Damon! That was brilliant. You had me fooled Prince Grumpy," she joked as he threw his extra accessories into the carriage.

Damon frowned and extended his hand to take her, "I was, in fact, Prince charming. You know you can't deny it," he said.

Instead of taking his hand, she passed him and greeted Stefan instead. Everyone erupted in laughter and reunited with each other. Afterwards, Bonnie excused herself while Elena and Stefan chatted and Caroline moved to Damon. "Let us go inside my princess before my future wife's father has to make his way here" he joked as he extended his arm for her to take.

She giggled and nudged him lightly before intertwining her arm with his. Since their childhood, they had been best friends and always very protective over one another. Especially Damon over Caroline. They even pretended to be husband and wife when they were younger and then it became their inside jest. Elena and Stefan followed their trail.

Once the brothers were well rested and had met with the King and Queen, they decided it was time to have some fun so the Princesses and the Princes were to sneak out at night to go to the village's pub and have a good time. This was, of course, not in the King or Queen's knowledge otherwise they would have been locked up in their chambers for even thinking so.

The night sky was pitch black and the girls were getting ready in Caroline's bed chamber. They could not go out into the local pub looking like royalty so they had purchased a few modest dresses from the local market. Bonnie wore a long black dress with full sleeves and minor hemming at the edges, Elena wore a much more appealing red dress with full sleeves but her shoulders were bare because of the cutting of the dress while Caroline wore a green, floor length dress with needlework on the neckline which was revealing a lot more cleavage than the normal dresses. Bonnie and Caroline wore their hair up in messy buns while Elena let her hair down.

"So Elena are you going to talk to Stefan this time?" Bonnie spoke up while tightening the ties of Elena's dress.

Elena blushed furiously and tried to look away, "I don't know what you're talking about. I, at all times, talk to Stefan and Damon" she replied shyly.

Caroline shook her head and laughed, "Oh Elena. Everyone in the court knows about you and Stefan" she teased while fixing up her hair.

"Now it is guaranteed that you are both determined to mortify me" Elena said blushing as she twirled in her dress and helped Bonnie with hers. Caroline and Bonnie both laughed but the blonde princess was the first to answer.

"What are friends for?" Caroline questioned playfully as she slipped on her shoes lifting up her dress. The girls laughed and joked around while dressing themselves. After a few minutes Bonnie nudged Elena and looked towards Caroline who was looking out of the window lost in her thoughts.

"Care?" Elena called out. When they received no answer, both Bonnie and Elena shared a look and walked to their friend. "Caroline?" Bonnie called out softly. She instantly whipped her head back in their direction, "Hmm" she replied in a monotony voice.

"I know you're distressed Caroline… What troubles you?" Elena asked knowingly. Everyone knew Caroline had been extremely worried since the last three months. Every waking moment of her life she was reminded that soon she would have to marry a proper suitor and if not in time she would have to accept any proposal put forward by the council.

The blonde princess did not turn but took a deep breath, "I'm not certain if I'm prepared. Mother says I am, father says I am but I don't think that I will be able to do this. And then the council will intervene. If so I worry I might not have the greatest match. For all we know they could marry me off to a prince aged as old as this kingdom and and…." She trailed off realizing she was just rambling her problems to her friends like some damsel in distress. Which she wasn't. No she was not going to be one of those girls who are weak and dependent on others. She would be strong and face the situation herself. She immediately turned that frown upside down and smiled at her friends.

"I'm rambling aren't I?" she asked while giggling as she saw her friends look elsewhere. Bonnie was first to move forward her squeeze her friend's shoulder in reassurance.

"No need to fret. I know for certain that you will be the greatest Queen of the Forbes heritage. You are after all, the great granddaughter of Victoria Forbes." Bonnie spoke up proudly.

"The very brave Victoria Forbes who single-handedly, with her army, defeated twelve kingdoms in just a matter of two years I believe." Elena backed up her friend. Victoria Forbes was one of the greatest women in history. She was not only a role model in the Forbes legacy but also known through all the domains. Her bravery and valor were exemplary and even till today people spoke very fondly of her. She was a beautiful fair haired widowed Queen who fought for her rightful claim on the throne even after the demise of her husband. People believed Caroline would be the next such influential woman of the Forbes kingdom due to the similarity of physical traits between the two.

It was around midnight when there was a knock on Princess Caroline' chamber doors. "Who is it?" she asked carefully. Elena and Bonnie were working on their appearances.

"It's me Care… Are you decent?" Damon asked. 'Care' was his nickname for the princess only used among friends. If any one of their parents knew about such names, they would've been called inappropriate. In the presence of their parents, they were extremely cautious and used only formal language.

"No Damon. I'm in my sleepwear!" She retorted sarcastically knowing Damon would barge in anyway. Exactly two seconds later, Damon and Stefan emerged in modest clothing looking like village commoners. Normal boots, ragged clothes and ugly hats made them look just like some drunkard commoner.

"Well done! Let's go then" Caroline exclaimed as she called out her friends. After a few minutes of bickering and the usual brief flashes of fear and excitement, they all snuck out from the castle and made their way to the tavern. The laughter and music could be heard even outside the structure. Caroline grabbed Damon's hand and rushed inside. Her eyes widened in excitement. People were dancing and enjoying themselves freely without the fear of being uncivil. But then again, they didn't have to fear it because they weren't royalty. It was only a curse for the nobility, members of the council, and the royal family.

After getting drunk on two chalices of ale, four for Damon, the five friends were plastered. Damon, Caroline and Bonnie were dancing in the middle of the crowd while Stefan and Elena were around the corner. Their dancing lasted for about two hours until the crowd died down and the five had to return back to the castle otherwise they would be caught.

"Never have I had this much fun. Damon you are the greatest," Caroline said as she kissed Damon's cheek in her drunken state and wandered off her to room followed in suit by Elena and Bonnie. Stefan and his elder brother too made their way to their chambers but sat for a moment after changing into their own night clothing.

"I think I want to court Caroline," Damon blurted out to his brother drowsily.

"You two would make a fine match. You ought to ask the King directly for her hand in marriage. She will be of age in a few days and her suitors will start lining up. Those men will eat Caroline up anyway." Stefan replied before both brothers fell into deep slumber.

The next morning, the princesses woke up to a loud knock on the door. Caroline grasped her head while Elena barely woke up and Bonnie answered to the door, "Who is it?" she asked. Her head still pounding from last night's festivities.

A servant girl entered the room and bowed, "Her majesty has requested your presence in the throne room immediately," she said keeping her head down. Her voice was trembling and her hands were shaking like a leaf.

Bonnie gulped unintentionally and nodded briskly, "You may leave, she will be there shortly" she said and dismissed her immediately. Maybe the King and Queen found out about their little visit to the tavern last night.

"We might be in trouble Caroline" Bonnie said. If the Queen found out, they were definitely in a lot of trouble because she would not let go of this for quite a while.