A girl, with a bag slung over her shoulder, stood in front of the King's castle. She took the sight of it in, and then proceeded to go towards the doors. Two palace guards eyed her warily as she approached.

"Please state your name, title, and reason for coming here," one of the guards said when she was close enough.

The girl threw back the hood of her cloak back, revealing her face. She introduced herself with unwavering confidence. "I am Ally, Princess of Dawson. I've traveled here to marry your King."

"The King of the Moon Kingdom sent us a letter," Ally's mother told Ally and her sisters gravely. "He has asked for one of you to be his bride and in return, our country will remain independent."

Ally and her sisters gaped at the Dawson queen in bewilderment. They couldn't believe their ears. The ruthless Moon King had conquered most of the world-all of the lands known to man, and he decided to leave their small country alone? Why spare the Dawson Kingdom, of all places?

"What?"

"This is so stupid!"

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Outbursts from all of the princesses filled the room. The queen hushed them, and continued explaining. "Whoever goes shall be the Moon Queen. For the sake of our country, one of you will have to go."

"But," Ally interrupted, "why us?"

Ally's mother shook her head. "I do not know, I'm afraid."

Now that the initial shock was over, the girls started to fear for themselves. Everyone knew that the Moon King had dominated every country in just two years since he was crowned, so what kind of person was he? Ally knew without a doubt that he would be a cruel, cold-hearted that she would never love. Her throat closed up at the thought of being married to someone she didn't love.

Her younger sisters' eyes were filled with panic and fear. Ally loved all of her sisters, and she couldn't imagine them leading such a miserable life. Alana had a crush on someone already, and Alice was secretly going out with someone. Marrying the king would be a terrible future.

But for the sake of her country and her sisters, she would do it.

"I'll go."

Ally kept her eyes forward, and walked with steady steps. She was the picture of calm on the outside, but internally, she was a mess. Although she knew what she was doing here, she couldn't help but feel nervous. However, she was also glad that her sisters did not have to endure this. It was better that it was her, and not them.

The butler leading her to the King stopped at a set of elaborate doors. He opened them and gestured for her to enter. The room was as fancy as the doors. A detailed, long carpet led to a figure sitting in the throne. Shadows shrouded the King from Ally's view, but she would see him when she got close enough. Her gaze flickered to the empty throne next to him. She gulped at the thought that it was for her.

'This is it,' she thought, kneeling down before the king but keeping her eyes down. 'This is my fate.'

"Thank you for coming from such a long way, Princess Ally of Dawson." The king greeted her.

Ally's eyes widened as she heard the voice. Why was it so...youthful? She looked up to see the King sitting before her, looking like her age. He was just a teenager!

The king smirked down at her. "I am Austin, King of the Moon Kingdom."

'What?!" The exclamation came out without a thought.

King Austin studied her in curiosity. "Is something the matter?"

"Perhaps she is tired from her long journey," replied the butler.

"Regardless," the monarch shrugged, "you're still a Dawson, and I will get what I want anyway. Princess Ally, I've heard of your family's special abilities to bend the laws of nature by singing. Controlling the land has bored me, so of course, I now desire the skies."

Ally was still in denial that this was the king. He was far too young to be in charge of the whole world. He wore a young face and body, but his eyes...they were almost dead. There was no life in them, and Ally could tell that rarely did they contain happiness. Only when he mentioned her powers did his eyes glint cruelly.

"How dare you," Ally finally spat out, "you bring me all the way out here, because you want to use my powers? You think people are just things, don't you?"

"Sometimes."

And then the princess sprang up and got in his face. "My abilities are not a toy. The world is not something to play with! You don't belong on that throne."

The King Austin just looked at her coolly, then he grinned in amusement. "I admire your bravery, speaking up against me. But you've disrespected me." He looked away from her and waved at his guards. "Throw her into a cell in the dungeons are something, maybe that will change her mind. I want to use your powers, and I always get what I want."

She allowed herself to be lead away while he didn't even give a glance in her direction, opting to gaze nonchalantly out a window.

Ally was fuming behind the bars of her prison. Sure, she defied him, but she was a guest -a princess- in his Kingdom! This king was truly cruel, just like in the rumors.

I'll show him the abilities of the Dawsons. She thought bitterly.

When the guards were distracted, she sat in the darkest corner of the cell. Closing her eyes, she focused on her surroundings and listened to nature. She was far from the outside, so the wind was scarce. But it would only take a little bit to get what she wanted. The princess sang odd words under her breath as a breeze swept into the cell and sliced the bars of the small window above her.

She grinned in triumph at the now open window. Quickly, she climbed on top of the bed and crawled through the window to the outside.

The King of the Moon Kingdom let out a sigh. The papers in front of him were finally done. It was not hard for him to solve the economic problems-no, it was easy. Too easy. This sort of thing was what made him the king of the world. From war to trading treaties, everything was just a puzzle for him to easily complete.

Something was irking him. Despite his outer appearance earlier that day, the princess from Dawson had struck a chord.

Did he really deserve this throne?

He frowned to himself. Of course I do. She just doesn't know what I have been through.

Now that he thought back, he felt a deep sense of regret from his actions. His council was going to give him hell for putting her in a cell, not to mention the Dawson Kingdom. All of his advisers had been tirelessly pushing for him to marry. It was a royalty thing he never understood even now. He didn't feel like marrying because he had to or for political reasons. Sure, the endless lines of nobles fighting to get a dance with him during balls was irritating, but he wouldn't want to be with another person for the rest of his life just for convenience.

When the council told him about the magical Kingdom of Dawson, he was intrigued. Austin wasn't so much interested in marrying the princess than seeing her work her magic. The political side of things could be easily dealt with if they didn't get along. She could have just left, and he'll continue hearing the endless tirade from his council. Any chance of them maybe just being friends? Annihilated thanks to him. He will have to arrange for a ship to take her home tomorrow.

After a lengthy apology.

"You sure messed that one up." Austin murmured to himself.

"You definitely did, Your Highness." A voice called from behind him.

Austin whipped around to see Ally crouching on the window frame, wind blowing the curtains and her hair. Her eyes were filled with anger that sent chills down his spine.

She used her powers?...He thought before she murmured some melodic word, and he found himself pinned to his desk by an invisible force. The king tried to stand up, but even with all his strength, failed to do so.

"You messed with the wrong princess."