AN: Hey you guys! It's been awhile, I know, but hey I'm back. I've read a lot of stories lately and realized mine were far from up to par. This website has some truly amazing writers. So I'm going to try, key word "try", to be as good as they are. So here we go!

A Royal Monstrosity

Chapter 1- Forbidden Fruit

Love.

A word that can be defined and expressed in many ways, but has many differing outcomes. Love can end with happiness, hate, anger, disappointment, rejection, and even sadness. People experience love, talk about, heck, even write stories about it. But what they don't tell you is how you deal with it if you can't express it in any way possible. You're held back from what defines love, what makes it up.

I am one of those people. I am one who has fallen in love, but cannot express it, in fear of being found out by my parents. This has also, in turn, tied me back from telling the person I was so deeply infatuated with. The great knight, Edward Masen.

Being of a fairly high status of society, restricts me from who I am allowed to be with. As a princess, you are expected to be a figurine in a mass of others of your kind. You are a chess piece, a puppet, if you will. You are there simply for looks. Against your will, you are plucked into perfection. No matter how much you protest, you are changed to fit in.

Because of being a princess, I am not allowed to be betrothed to a knight. In this society everyone is set up by their parents, who choose the best suitors. Those suitors must have three necessary attributes: money, public appeal, and respect. Nauseating business, I must say.

But, again, it doesn't matter what I say. In the end, everything will be picked for me. Everything to the color of my casket at my funeral. But I'm pretty sure that has already been planned.

I sigh and look out the window of my study. Of course, who else would I see but a rider and his horse galloping down the road. Edward's home.

I jump to my feet and run down the corridors. I practically sprint down the stairs. I pass the main hall and stop at the door letting the guards open it. I run as soon as I can fit through. Edward stops his horse and climbs off, hopping to the ground with grace. He turns around, and I gasp from his charming features.

His gorgeous bronze hair is windswept from the ride. He's still wearing his armor of silver. I look at his face and see his signature crooked smile. Then I look at his eyes, saving them for last, and instantly get lost in their endless emerald.

I am distracted when he bows and looks up at me, "My lady, what a pleasure it is to see you."

I laugh and he smirks, "Edward, we've talked about this, you don't have to bow to me. And enough with the "my lady", it makes me sound old." I walk up and wrap my arms around his torso, leaning my head on his chest plate. "I've missed you."

He wrapped his arms around me and squeezes slightly, "I missed you, too. It's rough out there, Izzy."

I look up and meet his soft eyes, "I bet."

He smiles softly. Then a look passes his eyes, but as quickly as it appears it leaves.

"Ah, Sir Masen. It's good to see you made it back all in one piece." We both jumped back at my father's voice.

Edward ripped his eyes from mine, his expression turning serious. "It's good to be back, your highness. It's been a long time."

My father nods, "Indeed. Now, stop canoodling with my daughter, and let's go talk about how things are holding up in my study. Shall we?"

Edward blushes, but nods. With that, my father turns on his heel and heads back into the castle. Edward turns his head and smiles, "Farewell, Izzy. I take it, I'll see you for dinner later."

I smiled and nodded.

He throws one last smirk in my direction before walking off after my father.

"Well, it certainly seems like someone has gotten over their infatuation." My nurse, Alice's, voice comes from behind me with a chuckle.

I whip my head around, blushing profusely. "Be quiet."

She merely laughs shaking her head. "Ah, what shall we do? The fair Isabella has fallen for one of the forbidden fruits. Though, if I dare say, he is a rather dashing young lad. And he certainly seems quite taken with you as well."

I look back at her words. "Do you really think so?"

Alice rolls her eyes and laughs, "Are you kidding? It's practically written on his forehead. No, I don't think. I know."

I smile in happiness. But then I frown. "If only my parents could make an exception."

Alice sighs. "Yes, if only. But we all know that will never happen. But it's better to love, then not love at all. Trust me, in the end, it will all work out. You'll see."

So that's what I had to rely on now. Trust. In the end, I knew I wouldn't get my way. I'd be forced into a "suitable" marriage by my parents, but honestly, what could I say to deter them from the Old Laws. It states in the book of the Old Laws:

"Any eligible royal of age must marry another eligible royal of age, otherwise, be mocked, scrutinized, disowned, and forgotten. Therefore, being forced to be a social leper to all those of the kingdom. If necessary, they are to be banished to the forbidden lands. There will be no exception, and it won't be tolerated."

There was no way around the inevitable. There was no way to be with Edward. And absolutely, positively, no exceptions to this matter, whatsoever. It was a monstrosity for the royals. There had been legends that every royal has been told, about a number of royals that were scrutinized for marrying a commoner.

What was I to do if I could never be with the one I truly loved? Would we be the only exception? Could we be it?

"Your highness, we must prepare you for dinner with the king and queen. They have brought another eligible suitor for you tonight. Come, we must dress you in your finest." Alice said grabbing my hand.

I grabbed my skirts with my free hand and followed, willing my mind to steer clear of Edward. All thoughts of getting out of being betrothed, gone.

Little did I know, that I had a great possibility of being that exception. That is, if tonight doesn't change anything…

AN: So there's the first chapter! I know, I know, it's short. But I'm just getting back into the mode of writing again. So review and tell me what you think! ;) Paul4evr