I spent over 300 years waiting for him.

And this is what I get?

The memories seemed to be slipping away every single moment. Every single moment, I'm falling back into my past, to be given a chance to undo a decision…

Jack? Jack? Please, don't let me be alone. Please Jack.

Silence.

I've always believed in him. Always thought that one day dreams come true. Always thought that the knight in shining armor will save the princess.

But that will never happen.

Because I don't think I'm his princess.

I remember it was awfully cold that night.

Standing outside the picket fence I heard a voice, "Cold night, huh?"

Startled, I turned around. A boy with messy brown hair and warm brown eyes grinned at me.

I blushed. He was cute alright. "Yeah." I whispered.

He continued, "Piper, right? Daughter of the wealthiest man in town?"

"You knew that?" I asked. It was always embarrassing when people brought the topic up. Especially when it was an ordinary person…

He laughed, "Who wouldn't? You're known as the flower of this town."

I blushed again, but this time, more profusely.

"Thank you…" I mumbled.

"Well, I can hear my folks calling me now, I should be going. By the way, the name's Jack." he called, walking towards the village common.

It was a cold winter night.

But I felt that he had warmed my heart that night…

It had been a year after Jack's death.

And I was standing across from a man I didn't want to marry.

I could see my father bearing a proud expression as the priest asked me in a solemn voice, "Do you, Piper Green, take Alexander Hartwell as your lawfully wedded husband?"

No, I couldn't do it. Jack was dead, but I could feel his presence. I couldn't betray him like that.

"No." I answered firmly.

Everyone gasped. I felt my eyes well up with tears. My father looked furious.

"Piper Green, you marry the man right this instant.,," his voice was dangerous.

"No. I can't do that. I don't love him. I love Jack." I answered.

My chestnut hair was beginning to come out of its graceful bun as I grew more and more nervous by the second.

My father's voice had risen to a yell. He clenched his pudgy fists, "No more of this Jack nonsense Piper! He was a peasant, you are nobility!"

I flinched at the word. Peasant. Was that all my father saw of Jack?

Bursting into a fit of tears, I ran out the door.

I couldn't remember much after that. I think I ran to the lake where Jack had died and cried for a bit. When I heard the angry shouts of villagers, I ran deeper into the woods.

I don't know what I was running from. Fear? Prejudice?

I remember falling asleep at the foot of a tree where the wildflowers bloomed.

And then I was drifting away. Far, far away…

"Piper! You can't just go walking out like that! You have to stay." Tooth sighed, exasperated.

I strutted to a looking glass and adjusted the garland of flowers on my auburn hair. "Please, I just need to see what the world is like. It's not dangerous or anything."

"It's dangerous out there! You can't just go around looking for your 'true love' or whatever. The Man in the Moon specifically told me to be protective about you."

I snorted. "Like I'm going to listen. I don't want to be cooped up with your fairies as company, I want real friends."

Baby Tooth gave a whine of protest.

"Please Tooth Fairy, I promise I'll be careful. I won't do anything stupid." I begged.

"Fine. Just today." Tooth gave in.

I knew something was going to happen today. Something big.

I could feel it.