Chapter One

"And the little Sea-maid lifted her glorified eyes toward God's sun, and for the first time she felt them fill with tears. On the ship there was again life and noise. She saw the Prince and his bride searching for her; then they looked mournfully at the pearly foam, as if they knew that she had thrown herself into the waves. Invisible, she kissed the forehead of the bride, fanned the Prince, and mounted with the other children of the air on the rosy cloud which floated through the ether. After three hundred years we shall thus float into Paradise!

"And we may even get there sooner," whispered a daughter of the air. "Invisibly we float into the houses of men where children are, and for every day on which we find a good child that brings joy to its parents and deserves their love, our time of probation is shortened. The child does not know when we fly through the room; and when we smile with joy at the child's conduct, a year is counted off from the three hundred; but when we see a naughty or a wicked child, we shed tears of grief, and for every tear a day is added to our time of trial." "

The leather bound cover closed softly after the story had been finished. This well-worn book was lift and pulled tightly to a small figure as tears streamed down its face. Karkat Vantas normally never cried, in the face of many he would hold his head high with a stern face, and yet a simple children's story caused that façade to crumble. The normal scowl was replaced with heartache for the young maiden who would never have her prince love her.

Laughter erupted from the other room just beyond the door, as well as the music starting up once more for the enjoyment of the guests. Karkat simply glowered at the door resenting all the inhabitants there in. Their costumes of rich gold and fuchsia all in celebration of the happy couples wedding that had taken place earlier in the day. It too had been done in those colors minus the white that the bride and groom wore. More laughter came through the door as people became even more drunk than they already had been since the festivities began hours ago.

Karkat groaned resting his head against the wall while wiping the drying tears away. He dreaded the fancy parties that were thrown in the palace; the people he hated the most because all they came to do was impress the king and the young princes, which was Karkat, the youngest, and Sollux, the eldest. Though tonight all attention was focused on Karkat's older brother for it was his celebration day. Sollux had married the loveliest princess, Feferi. It had taken him years to finally persuade her to join him in matrimony. He had been betrothed to another before her but young princess Aradia had passed just before the official engagement was to be released.

Though past now left behind the eldest prince was joyfully dancing with his beloved wife. While Karkat hid from all party goers. He had left the party some time ago to read his beloved fairy tales; a secret to everyone put his closest companion. He enjoyed how love conquered evil and the princess got the prince. Their romance was what he searched for, but his brother had beaten him to the punch, claiming sweet fairy tale romance before him. The door to the room Karkat was sitting in creaked open gently allowing the music to flow into the room. Karkat quickly tossed the used book into a waste bin next to him to avoid being caught clinging to it by any of the other royals that were here this evening. "Really are you going to be playing that game again?" a soothing voice said as the door was closed with a click. Karkat didn't move knowing just who was behind him. "You shouldn't throw that book in there you might lose it, and once gone you can only hope to retrieve it once more." A hand crossed in front of Karkat moving elegantly as it raised the book from the bin and brushed the cover lightly. Karkat finally raised his eyes to the young woman as she handed him his prized possession, only prized between the two of them that is. "Thanks Kanaya. I didn't know it was you so I panicked and threw it," he said tenderly as he ran his hand over the cover.

He paused and then his voice became it's normal annoyed tone as he spoke once more, "What are you doing here anyway aren't you supposed to be fluttering around like some Fairy, bewitching all men like some siren that only hopes to destroy the lives of all men that ever existed." Kanaya chuckled softly as she sat beside the young man her dress puffing out in all ways in its elegant style with gold and jade intertwining. "Though I do enjoy bewitching many with the dress I made," she winked at him in a playful fashion, "I came to check up on my master to see if he was alright."

"You know you don't have to call me master. Leader, captain, and glorious God, are acceptable if you are wondering," he stated not even jokingly, "But yes I am fine, especially since I've been away from those bubbly bastards that don't even know the different tastes of wine anymore because of their constant kissing of royal rump. Now tell me are you really that concerned or has my father decided that he's going to acknowledge my existence instead of giving my brother wealth untold because he finally came home from the spending of his inheritance? " Karkat crossed his arms as he finished with a puff of anger. Kanaya sighed, "I am genially concerned but your father may have inquired of your presence as he is wishing to bid the guests adieu for the evening."

Karkat's face crumpled as he scowled; his hand coming to its natural position on the bridge of his nose. His father was a kind man, he ruled wisely always with the concern of the people in mind. This is what karkat loved his father for, but what he hated the most was how he dragged Karkat and Sollux into everything he did. In reality only Sollux need to be there for he was the next in line for the throne.

Karkat was to be married to some princess in a few more years only to not be a ruler, for the princess was not the first and only child. He would remain a prince forever and that was that, no fairy tale romance awaited him.

Karkat stood and handed his book to Kanaya who cradled it gently knowing exactly what to do. Karkat adjusted his suit: smoothing wrinkles in white fabric, placing tassels where they belonged, and moved his belt over just slightly. He uniform was white and gold to show his support of the wedding, but mainly to match is father and brother. Karkat may not have enjoyed the night all too well he wished it would never end. The end of the night meant the end of his life as he was to leave for his fiancés kingdom the next morning. All was ready and prepared for his departure, all except Karkat himself. He took a deep breath and exited the room.

As the door shut behind him Karkat turned and was bombarded with a swirl of color. Dancers were waltzing around the ballroom. Dresses were glistening with the gold that crawled through every outfit in the room. Karkat looked away feeling nausea over take him. His attention was drawn to the high ceiling that descended into pillars and balconies. The top of the pillars carved in the Corinthian style with flower pots hung down from all colors only painting the room more. Fuchsias hung from the banisters all around the room making the room appear to be an indoor garden.

Karkat once more attempted to look at the crowd this time looking for his brother to see if he knew what father intended to do in a little bit. He spotted the only white in the flurry of purple and pink. Avoiding the dancers as best as possible he made his way to the center where the happy couple spun around. Feferi was the first to spot him and waved him over. She was gorgeous with her long curly locks cascading down her back. Her dress though was fit to her slim figure and done in what Kanaya calls mermaid style. Kanaya admitted that it was her best work she has done since coming to work at the castle as a seamstress. Feferi pulled her and Sollux to a stop. For once Karkat's brother looked acceptable compared to his normal messy hair self. All hair was tucked against his head and even his outfit was without crease.

"Karkat," Feferi squealed as she ran towards him, "Where have you been I've been looking for you everywhere!" Feferi pulled him into a tight embrace his head shoved into her shoulder. Karkat was short and not just for his age but even shorter than that. Most women towered over his small frame and Sollux was even taller than most. "Sollux, I'm going to be taking this short little guy for a spin."

"Alright juth make thure thith ith the latht danth," Sollux lisped then made his way towards his father by the thrones. Karkat was then tugged in closer by Feferi as she led the dance. After years of knowing Karkat she understood he knew next to nothing about dancing. She attempted to move them through the room but after stepping on many toes decided it was better to do a simple swaying movement. Feferi was about to open her mouth before the music stopped. Karkat bowed to Feferi and walked to the thrones.

Karkat's father stood with his dark hair tucked back. "Ladies and Gentleman I hate to inform you that tonight's ball is over. Thank you all for attending this wonderful celebration. Have a good night," Karkat's father boomed over the crowd. There was cheering and clapping that rang through the hall.

The night moved on quickly from then on. Servants escorted the intoxicated guests to their carriages, and afterwards proceeded to clean the ballroom. This is where Karkat stood now overlooking the floor and the walls with their massive pillars. He had grown up in this very castle and tomorrow he would be leaving it forever.

Author's Notes

The beginning of the story is from Hans Christen Andersen's The Little Sea maid. Since this takes place in a fantasy setting I figured instead of loving Romcoms Karkat would enjoy fairy tales. I really like Hans stories because they don't tell the moral right off the bat you have to figure it out on your own. Sorry for any oocness of the characters