Always

Always is forever and forever is a promise.

XXX

CHAPTER ONE: Introductions

For the past hundred years, the kingdom of Algor had come to be known as the perpetual Winter Wonderland. The land knew not of any season apart from that which blanketed their streets with soft snow. It was never a bother to them; in fact, it brought much joy to the townsfolk. Every day felt like Christmas as the children would often say. One day, however, felt even better than Christmas (if even possible). That day was the day that the entire kingdom had been awaiting. That was the day their beloved princess was born.

A newborn's cry echoed through the halls of the royal family's stone castle. It was a sound that had not been heard within those walls in quite some time. Inside the grand chamber, along with the king and a few servants gathered, lay the queen with a beautiful baby girl resting in her arms. That child had lips red as a rose, little hairs as black as night atop her tiny head, and skin white as snow. It was for these attributes that they named her Snow White.

Snow White grew up well-loved by her parents and her people. She was kind, courageous, witty, generous, and strong-willed. She was also firm believer in love, which is why on the day she was to first meet her arranged betrothed, things did not go swimmingly…

"Marry a prince to unite two kingdoms? How awfully cliché!" Snow muttered as she slumped down on the castle stables' hay-covered floor.

"Snow!" came a voice. "There you are! Everyone's been worried sick all morning! No one's seen you since breakfast!"

Snow White had a best friend. Her name was Red and she was the granddaughter of the castle's head cook. Snow didn't have the luxury of having siblings to play with so she spent much of her youth down at the kitchens, talking to the servants. There she met Red on a fateful afternoon and the two had been inseparable ever since.

"Well you found me," Snow mumbled covering her face with her hands.

"Of course I did," Ruby smirked before taking a seat next to Snow. "Talk to me."

Snow groaned and looked over a Ruby. Ruby replied with a quirk of her eyebrow.

"I'm being married off," Snow finally said.

Ruby blinked.

"What? That's it?" Snow asked.

Ruby sighed. "Snow, it's not like you and I hadn't talked about this yesterday. Or the day before that, and the day before tha..."

"Okay, I get. It's just, now it's real and he's coming over and I feel, gods, I don't know what to feel!" Snow said as she through her hands up in exasperation.

Ruby gave her a sympathetic look. "I can't say I know what it's like but I will say this: I've got your back through this all."

Snow smiled. "And you're the best because of that. But still, I always just thought I'd have a chance to choose. I always thought that maybe, just maybe, the odds would be on my side and let me just meet the guy and just fall…"

"Snow," Ruby started, now sounding a little more somber. "There's nothing more in this world that I wish for you than that."

"But true love, it doesn't exist. It's all just arranged marriages and business transactions. At least for me," Snow stated dejectedly, looking away.

"But you can't hide forever either," Ruby added softly.

Snow closed her eyes and leaned her head on Ruby's shoulder. "But I can wait here until the stupid prince arrives."

A beat. "Well," Ruby started awkwardly and Snow's eyes snapped open.

"He's already here…"

XXX

The kingdom of Algor was very different from the sunny kingdom of Virens. It's icy weather did not promote such activities that the two foreign princes were accustomed to- namely wearing less layers of clothing. And that was also just about all that the royal twin brothers had in common aside from their handsome features.

James, the younger of the two, was pompous, arrogant, and irresponsible. Being born second, he was not burdened with the same expectations and responsibilities as that of his older brother. He was not heir to the throne and very much enjoyed the freedom that came with it. James had no interest in ruling, in being a leader, or in tying himself down to one woman for the rest of his life all for the sake of merging kingdoms. James only wanted riches, women, and adventure.

David, on the other hand, was altogether a different story. Growing up as the elder of the two royal brothers merited him more watchful eyes and stricter treatment. He was more disciplined, more learned, and more respectful. He moved with more precision and tact. Moreover, despite his sterner upbringing, he was not without interesting personality. He was still cheeky, clever, and downright charming. His kindness, and nobleness were some of the things that made women swoon. But that is not what David sought in life. In truth, the prince did not have the slightest idea of what he wanted. He hoped, however, that perhaps he would find out someday soon. Especially since choosing his bride was already out of the options.

The princes, together with their parents, King George and Queen Ruth, entered the throne room. King Leopold and Queen Eva stood in the middle of the large room, graciously welcoming them into their home.

"Ruth! You look lovely. George! Old friend! Good to see you again," Leopold greeted merrily, shaking the hands of his guest, Eva doing the same.

"You're looking well, Leopold," George replied clasping his friend's shoulder.

"Not as well as your dashing sons," Eva interrupted motion towards the two princes with a warm smile.

Ruth beamed. "These are our sons, David and James."

The two princes bowed.

"Such fine young gentlemen. This wasn't such a bad idea," Leopold joked.

"Good, good! Now, where is the future queen?" George inquired, looking around.

"I'm afraid she's still in her chambers getting ready. I do sincerely apologize," Eva replied.

"Perfectly understandable," Ruth replied.

"Girls," James muttered under his breath with snort. This garnered him a swift elbow to the gut from David. Not long after, David's eyes widened.

David felt his jacket pockets and then his pants pockets before speaking. "Will you please excuse me? I've left something very important in the carriage. I'll be with you shortly."

"Oh, why don't you meet us at the dining hall instead? I'll send a servant to fetch you and lead you to it," Eva said.

"There won't be any need of that, your majesty. I'll only be a moment and I shall just ask for directions there," David replied with a smile before leaving.

XXX

David spotted their carriage parked just by the large castle doors. The coachman was nowhere in sight. It was already dark out and it had gotten much chillier. David pulled a nearby servant's hood over his head and quickly approached the carriage and opened door. He ducked inside, not bothering to fully climb in. He reached blindly for a while until he finally procured the small item he was looking for. He slowly pulled himself out of the carriage and shut the door. Once he turned to make his way toward the castle, he was met with a violent blow to the chin.

He was caught off guard and did not see the knee that collided with his gut. He dropped the small box and his attacker picked it up. David saw this as an opportunity and tackled his attacker to the ground. It was only when he had the person pinned defenseless that he realized that the offender was…

"A girl," David breathed.

"Woman," she corrected.

He looked at her. Her skin was so pale, she almost blended into the snow covered floor…

"You're Snow White," David said, eyes widening.

"Yeah, and you need to get off of me," she replied, pushing him off.

David stood up and offered her a hand. "Well you were the one who attacked first."

"Oh, charming," she spat.

"I have a name," David replied.

"Don't care, Charming suits you. What're you doing here anyway?" Snow asked, dusting herself off.

"I was retrieving something that was left," he replied simply.

"Oh," Snow said dumbly.

David smirked and folded his arms. "And might I ask why the princess is out here attacking innocent men?"

"I was out here and I saw you. I thought you were stealing from the carriage," Snow admitted.

David quirked an eyebrow.

"But turns out you're just a servant boy doing his job," she added awkwardly. "Sorry 'bout that. Specially that rock to the chin. That's definitely going to leave a mark."

David just looked at her. Servant boy? Oh, the cloak I borrowed…

"Come inside, I'll help clean that nasty wound up," Snow said before tugging David along with her.

"The kitchens are through here. Granny's there and she can help," Snow said absentmindedly, still dragging David along. David had not said a word since they entered the castle.

Snow pushed the dining hall doors open and did not expect to find five pairs of eyes looking right at her.

"Snow!" her mother greeted. "How wonderful! Looks like you and David have met!"

Snow turned quickly to face David. He had pulled free of her tight grasp and began removing the cloak he had borrowed, revealing his royal garb.

"Oh gods." I just punched my fiancé in the face.

Hi! Thanks for reading! I know I've got a different story in progress as well but this idea was just itching to be written down. Thanks again for reading! Stay tuned for more chapters to come. :)