Chapter 1: Funny Girl

The kingdom of Villeneuve was a quiet and vast valley located far from the heart of France; Ruled over by the kind and caring, King Thomas along with his loving wife, Queen Harriet; Their subjects never had anything to fear nor did they ever know struggle due to the kindness of their rulers... However, Prince Erik was another matter entirely. He was spoilt, arrogant and his manners left much to be desired.

The Prince was very handsome as well as mysterious due to the white porcelain half mask he wore upon the right side of his face despite the protest of his parents; Prince Erik also had a vicious temper that only his man servant, Nadir could seem to endure; Erik would never admit it out loud but Nadir was in fact his only friend.

It had been one day that the prince found himself hiding within the rose labyrinth that grew in the castle grounds; Nadir was currently searching for him as he had lessons to attend but Erik didn't have the slightest interest or care; The labyrinth surrounded the grounds' border and Erik was sat upon a stone bench that was lined up against one of the shrubbery walls, enjoying an apple from the royal orchard before tossing the cork over the hedge in an uncaring manner,

"OW!" a voice came from the other side causing Erik to frown and look up when he heard russling and watched as a girl popped her head over the wall,

"Do you mind?" she demanded, throwing the cork back at his head in frustration,

"How dare you?! Do you know who I am?!" Erik yelled up at her,

"Yeah, the guy who threw an apple at me resulting in my throwing it back at him" the girl replied sarcastically before vanishing back behind the other side of the labyrinth wall,

"I could have you thrown in the dungeon for such rudeness!" Erik growled, feeling his blood boil when he heard the girl laughing,

"Oh really. Who do you think you are? The king?" she teased,

"No. I'm his son" Erik growled, smirking as he heard silence before watching the girl pop her head back over the wall to look down at him,

"... Hmmmm... I imagined you'd be taller" she mumbled and couldn't help the smile that developed on her face as she began giggling which causing Erik to give a slight smile and he began chuckling,

"... I am sorry about the apple your highness. I know you probably didn't mean for it to hit me but... Some of the boys throw apples at me so... I kind of got frustrated" the girl explained and Erik frowned,

"Why do they do that?" he asked,

"Because I like reading... They call me funny girl and I don't think they mean it as a compliment... Nor do I think they throw apples at me just to make sure i'll have a snack" she grumbled,

"... I'm very sorry to hear that... What do you prefer to be called?" Erik asked,

"Bella. Pleased to meet you" she introduced politely and Erik gave an uncertain smile,

"...The feeling is mutual" he replied after a long moment and was unaware of the importance of the friend he had just made.

Let me know if you would like chapter 2!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996