Disclaimer: I own none of the Fable III characters, they are all property of Lion Head Studios.
A/N: Well hello everyone. Me and my friend decided to puke this story up for everyone's entertainment, this was actually created before the other fanfic, but, we've only just decided on a main plot for this one 8D. After buying and completing the game the day after it was released, me and my friend began writing this little fiction up straight afterwards. Oh my, a non drop dead gorgeous princess? What is this world coming to... oh, and Barry Hatch is in this. Cause my friend kinda bribed me with love to somehow make him survive the Balverine attack. Cause you know... BARRY IS LIKE AWESOMESAUCE.
Chapter 1 – A Boring Day.
Bowerstone Castle - the home of the current Queen, her husband and two children – looked so majestic in the mid day sun, the white walls glimmering like diamonds with guards patrolling the area, keeping the finely dressed Nobles who came and went in order. It had been 15 years since the darkness was vanquished from Albion, and the pure hearted Queen had kept all her promises to her allies, causing Albion to grow in size. The nation had become far more powerful then it had been 15 years ago, not that some people cared mind you. One of those said people was Princess Maria.
The large form of Head Maid Lura made her way silently into the young Princess's room, her dark blue eyes scanning the royal chambers as she finally sighted the woman. Shaking her head as she placed a hand on her ample hips, she finally walked over to the large four poster bed, before grabbing the sheets, ripping them off to reveal the young lady.
"My my. Young Princess, your as bad as your mother, staying in bed well after lunch time..." The elderly maid chuckled softly, her chubby hand reaching down to poke the Princess's side. "Come along Maria, it's time to get up now.
Maria grumbled lightly, burying her face into the large dog cuddly toy she currently had in her bed. Long locks of light brown hair tied loosely into a plait was curled around her slim form, her loose pyjamas failing to hide the small scars that dotted her pale skin. Finally she lifted her head up, one bright green eye looking over to Lura tiredly, while the other was closed, a small scar seeming to keep the eyelids fused together. "Luuura..." The Princess whined, sitting up now with the dog toy on her lap. "Can't I have a few more minutes? It's not like I'll have much to do..."
"I know you can't leave the Castle grounds, but I'm sure you can find plenty to do in the mean time. Maybe your father needs help today? I believe the Queen has a meeting with a few Nobles at the moment though." Lura replied, moving over to Maria's ward robe to pull out a royal gown, light blue in colour with white and silver trimmings and frills.
Maria glared at the Maid with one eye. "Nice try, Lura. Get my normal clothes, please."
Lura sighed in defeat, placing the unused gown back into the wardrobe to pull out some more 'manly' clothes which she placed on the side. "You really should try dressing like a princess, M'lady. Instead of running around like a street urchin."
"It stops those horrible men from staring at me all day... then again, my disfigurements do that for me I guess." She replied blankly, before a yawn left her plump lips, a hand moving to scratch the huge scar across her lower abdomen as the other took a hold of a black eye patch from her bed side, pulling the item over her scarred eye, a silver cog pattern stitched into the silk fabric.
Getting up off the bed, Lura helped the young Princess into her clothing, before smiling at her. "Why don't you go see your little brother? I'm sure he would enjoy your company..."
Lura watched Maria tense up, before the Princess began chuckling, but Lura knew full well it was a fake gesture. "I guess I could go and see him." She replied, dusting down her loose white shirt and blue shorts, her boots waiting for her at the door.
She inwardly flinched as Lura patted her shoulder. "You really should stop seeing that boy as your replacement. Your mother loves you just as much as before the-"
"Let's not talk about it." Maria quickly interrupted, causing Lura to fall silent. After a while, she smiled softly, giving the maid a quick salute. "Well! I'll be off now, Lura." She giggled, quickly pulling her boots on, before running out of the door, her plated hair flicking out behind her.
The cool autumn air bit at her skin as she ran to the side of the outdoor stairway, leaping onto the railing before she jumped off, landing with ease on the gravel. The guards here had long since gotten used to her bizarre way of getting to the kitchens, as she dashed off towards the room in question, knowing full well her father would be in there. He usually was.
Jumping over a stray chicken, which clucked in distress at her, she finally skidded into the steamy kitchen, cooks and servants dashing around to get lunch finished for the Queen and her guests. And standing among them, minding his own business as he baked a pie – A little thing he usually did for his family – was her father.
Elliot looked up, a smile playing on his lips as Maria made her way towards him. "Ahh, there you are. Off to see little Kris are you?" He asked, his covered hands holding a freshly baked pie.
Maria leaned over to kiss her father's cheek, before nodding as he placed the pie down. "I'll see him... soon after I've investigated this wondrous object you've baked..." She yelped out as Elliot smacked her reaching hand away with an over mitt, causing the Princess to pout softly.
"Mind, it's hot. And you don't get any til after lunch. You know that." The man laughed lightly, placing the oven mitts away. "You always did love my pies, even when you were little. Some would have thought you'd grown up by now."
Maria just laughed softly. "How can anyone been too old for fruit pie, father? You elderly people will never understand us young folk." She easily avoided another playful slap from Elliot, still grinning like a loon as she bounced about in her heels.
"I'm not that old, Maria. Not til I've got wrinkles, thank you." Elliot replied, before shepherding Maria out of the kitchens. "Come on, we're just getting in the way. Let's go see what your little brother is up to. You hardly ever visit him." He sighed almost sadly, as they climbed the stairs to the main hall.
Maria pouted to herself. "I've been very busy with doing nothing. Cause you know, I'm banned from leaving the castle and all that." She spat, obviously not the biggest fan about her current state.
"Your mother has her reasons, you know that Maria dear." Elliot replied. "It may be boring, but it's for your safety. Even I agreed to it."
"I've grown stronger since then, father. It's not like- Oh what's the point, it won't change til I either die, or when I become Queen. Which is very unlikely.." Crossing her arms over her chest, she carried on walking beside Elliot in silence. Seemed to always bring her into a foul mood when they spoke of such things. Like she needed reminding of that memory. Great! Now she was reminding herself.
She was suddenly brought back to reality when a small figure came into view. The smartly clad 10 year old boy – Light brown hair neatly styled with bright emerald eyes - glanced over to the pair, smiling at his father politely, though Maria did not receive the same treatment. Nothing new there then. Sitting on one of the chairs located in the main hall, a small leather book in his hands which he snapped shut, the young Prince looked at Elliot. "Hey dad."
"Ahhh, Kris. Up to much? Maria came down to say hello." Elliot smiled, as Maria waved at him.
"That's nice." Kris said blankly as Maria frowned. "Oh, and Daddy? Mummy said you can take me to the park while she's in her meeting. Can we go?" Kris asked Elliot. For a 10 year old, Kris sounded far more mature then he should. Which just agitated Maria all the mo. Uptight little brat.
Elliot smiled softly. "Of course, Kris. But not for long, ok?" He replied, watching the small child put the book down he was reading.
"Ok dad." He paused, before glancing over to Maria, seeming to give her a rather smug look. Stupid brat loved to rub in the fact he was allowed out and she wasn't. The image of ringing the boy's neck came to mind, which seemed to brighten Maria up somewhat.
Ignoring the pityful look Elliot gave her as he took Kris's hand, she watched them leaving the castle now. She couldn't help but clench her fists together. Her little brother, no more then 10 years old, got to leave the castle. While she was locked up, a prisoner in her own home. Just because her mother didn't trust her. Her hand instinctively went to the long scar across her stomach, as if remembering the sword that caused it was striking her again. A hiss of annoyance left her lips, as she turned her back to the door. Though her actions caused her to nearly smash into another figure.
"Watch out..." She heard someone snap, before quickly correcting themselves. "Oh! My apologise miss, didn't wealise who you were for a moment. That eye patch kinda gives it away though, eh young Pwincess?"
Barry Hatch grinned down at her, in that usual manner that made Maria feel like a rabbit under the glare of a wolf. Clad in the usually attire for one of Reaver's man servants, she noticed his arms seemed to be wrapped around her. "I'm not about to fall, Mr Hatch, so you can un-hand me now.."
"Of course of course. I'm ever so sowwy about that. Couldn't allow the Pwincess to fall over now because of me. Master Weaver would have my head, if your mother didn't first. Neither I would like..." He replied with that speech impediment of his still very much obvious, letting go of Maria.
Straightening herself up, she watched him for a moment. "You concern warms my heart, really." She replied, voice dripping with sarcasm as she watched Barry do a small bow to her. She then froze for a moment. If Barry was here, then Reaver wasn't far. Looking around, she couldn't see any sign of the snake, so relaxed again. Seeing that Tycoon was not something Maria overly wanted. "What brings you here anyway?"
"Master Weaver wished to speak to your mother about a wather pwessing matter. I'm afwaid that's all I know, Weaver doesn't usually tell me these kinds of things you see." Barry seemed to shrug lightly, before smirking. "If you wish to see Master Weaver personally, I'm sure I can awange something? I know how much Master Weaver would enjoy amusing you."
Maria pulled a rather displeased face, shaking her head. "No thank you, I'd rather go dancing with a Balverine." She added, eyebrow raising as Barry's grin only widened.
"I can also awange that for you miss."
"No... thank you?" Maria replied, rather confused by such an answer, but shook it out of her mind. Some of the things Barry said always confused her. Like he was only telling half the story, which she hated about people. "Besides, I'm a rather busy girl."
Barry chuckled. "Busy? Busy being locked up?"
"Busy being lock up, yes." Maria nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. "It takes up a lot of time you know. Oh, who am I kidding, it's bloody awful.."
"Such language coming from the young princess. How frightful..." A new voice called out, causing bother Maria and Barry to look up the grand staircase to the throne room. Standing rather tall and proud, was Master Reaver. Cane in one hand, hat in the other, the Industrialist grinned down to the Princess. "My my, it seems only yesterday you used to run around these walls in those pretty blue dresses, begging for me to tell you a story of my wondrous adventures. Well, before that rather unfortunate event with those bandits of course... shame really, I'm sure you'd look ravishing in a dress now that you've grown up in all the right places." He chuckled, seeing that rather angered look upon her face.
Maria quickly changed her expression to that of a cheeky smile, not wanting to entertain Reaver all that much. "My my, if I'm not mistaken, you seem to have acquired smile lines since we last met. How horrific for you." She grinned, seeing Reaver's lip twitch in anger. She knew he couldn't do anything to her here, not with her mother in the building.
"Nothing a small trip to my friends can't cure. Though as far as I'm aware, people can't grow back eyes and certain other organs, can they? Pauvre malheureux.." He smirked, knowing he had the last laugh as Maria seemed to shake with anger now.
Damn she hated that man. Why she ever looked up to him as a child she had no idea. Must have been easily amused or something. Ignoring the blood that trickled down her hands as her nails began to bite into her skin, she fell silent, staring at Reaver with her one eye. Taking a few breaths, she suddenly smiled at him, waving a hand. "Oh why are we quarrelling over such small things? I'd hate for you to do something stupid that would jeopardise your life and wealth. My mother can be ever so unforgiving if something happens to me you know."
"Rather fortunate that she's around. But you know, she won't be around forever my dear." Reaver pointed out, placing the hat back on his head as he descended the stairs. "So you better be a good girl when she's gone. I'd hate for something bad to happen to you again, would tear out my heart." He sighed, raising his cane to tap Maria's cheek playfully.
Maria smacked the object away with her hand. "Oh my Reaver. Threatening a young lady are we? How rude..."
"I'd rather be doing other things to said young lady, which would be far more enjoyable. But... well, time will tell, won't it?"
"Not in a million years, Reaver." Maria quickly replied, placing a hand on her hip. "Your charms just don't work on me I'm afraid. I take after my mother in that department."
Reaver chuckled lightly, eyes looking down to her chest. "Shame you didn't take after your mother in that department." He indicated her breasts.
Maria frowned, before opening the top of her shirt, peering down at her breasts – failing to notice both Reaver and Barry doing the same thing. "Huh? Ok, so their not huge like mothers. At least I won't have chronic back pain from them- Excuse me, eyes up please." She coughed, finally noticing as Reaver looked back up to her face, quickly smacking Barry's knees with his cane as the servant was still observing Maria's breasts. "Besides, shouldn't you be off to repress some peasants? Even though mother has told you not to..."
"My dear, where have you heard such nonsense?" Reaver asked, trying to look as innocent as he could. "I'm not repressing them. Merely giving those urchins a challenge in life. It's not my fault they fail in winning said challenges, now is it?" The Industrialist drawled.
Maria just sighed with a roll of her eye. "Uhuh... next you'll be telling me pigs fly." Just as Reaver was about to open his mouth, Maria waved for him to stop. "Don't tell me you've actually seen that happen... but as much as I would love to hear your adventures again, Mr Reaver, I must be going now to speak with mother." She then gave off a small curtsey to the pair, before twirling around, dashing up the grand staircase. "Give my regards to the world, won't you!" She called, before disappearing into the throne room, not bothering to listen to Reaver's comments about her being 'Locked up'.
Walking into the thrown room as several nobles seemed to murmured in annoyance about Reaver's latest request from the Queen, she weaved her way around them, before her eye rested upon the rather tired form of the Queen, who was slouched on her throne, one hand holding up her head as deep brown hair was tied back in a bun. She finally looked up, those dull green eyes watching Maria for a moment until her lips curled into a smile. "Maria, managed to get out of bed today then?"
Maria nodded, standing in front of her mother now. "Of course, mum. Though I still don't know why..." She paused, only to pat the head of the old Border Collie by the Queen's side. "Though I am curious. What did that ghastly man want today? Enslave the Hobbes? Maybe even give Balverines obedience lessons? He always tries to come up with more strange ideas to make money. Or make him more powerful. Really mother, why on earth do you keep him around?"
"He may be a complete git, but that man does make money easy. And this ever growing kingdom needs more currency for it's armies. We'll keep him around til there is no more use for him." The Queen then sighed softly. "Though getting rid of a leech like him will prove very difficult..." She paused for a moment. "Actually, he was here offering something."
Maria looked shocked for a moment. "Offering? My how rare... please tell me it's his resignation.."
"Sadly no." The Queen smiled softly to her daughter. "Actually. He wants to hold your 20th birthday at his mansion. Though-"
"Does this mean I can leave the Castle?" Maria quickly interrupted. Ok, so the thought of having Reaver in control of her birthday displeased her somewhat, but if this could be an excuse to leave the castle, then she was going for it. Just had to avoid that snake for the majority of the party, then maybe all would go well. If she could avoid him that was.
The Queen frowned for a moment. "I'm still considering this, Maria. You know I'm not fond of the idea of you leaving the grounds."
"I wouldn't be going far though, mother." Maria almost whined, crossing her arms over her chest. "Consider it my present from you. Just once to go out and enjoy myself. You'll be there too, so I won't be in any trouble."
The Hero Queen sighed lightly. "I suppose that is true... Like I said, I'll think about it. I've been to one of his parties before, and as colourful as it was... the party was also a bit on the wild side. To a certain extent.." Maria's mother didn't seem all that convinced to let Maria go. Obviously the thought of Balverines jumping her daughter got to the Queen somewhat.
Maria rolled her eye. "Ok ok, I'll let you think about it. But please don't take too long, only have three days til it is my birthday you know." Maria reminded her, as the Queen nodded her head before getting up, the Nobles in the room bowing their heads in respect to the Queen.
"Yes, I know Maria. Now come on, walk with me for a bit. It's been a while since we last spoke. And I can smell something wonderful in the kitchen. I think us girls should go investigate, yes?" She replied, the Queen trying her hardest to lighten Maria's mood as she took her daughter's arm, linking through her own as she led her away from the throne room and down towards the kitchens.
And heres the first boring chapter. Don't worry, things will pick up VERY soon, me and my friend put a lot of thought and work into the plots and twists in this fanfic. Reviews are welcome! And nice ones are loved, but please, not critiques just yet my dearies, this story is just for lols really xD
And just to put people at ease, no, there will be no love between Reaver and Maria . Just... no. So don't worry loves!
Thankyou for reading the first chapter!
