Heeeeeyyy (: Hahah Um...I'm not exactly sure where this came from...? So Read and Review? Tell me if I should continue...or is this a fail? Haha, enjoy (:

Chapter One

I woke up, stretching my arms. My balcony door was open, a light breeze flowing through my room. I slowly pulled the covers off, stretching as I stood. The wind picked up and blew trendils of my hair around my face. I walked to my closet picking out my wearings for today. I opened the closet doors and sighed, smiling. The joys of being a princess.

I rummaged through different dresses, and finally chose a black, above the knee dress with green and blue flowers. I grabbed a seafoam green cardigan and draped it over my shoulders. I put my locket heart necklace on and a belt over my clothes. I picked out socks and made my way to the bathroom. I found my sister, Ali, already there, curling her hair.

"Good morning my lovely sister" she chirped, putting on her final swipe of mascara. I smirked.

"Hi, Ali. Whats got you so chipper?" I asked, raking a comb through my hair. She sighed, lovesick yet again.

"Ah, Drew Torres" she whispered, sighing again. I whipped my head towards her.

"One of the stable boys?" I asked. She nodded.

"He's so...perfect. He's funny, sweet, smart, and when he's been working all day...he takes his shirt off and seeing the sweat drip down his toned body makes me—"

"Ok! That's enough there!" I interrupted her. She laughed and we made our way down to breakfast.

At the table, already seated was My Father—the King—, my Mother—the Queen-, my personal maid Fiona, Ali's maid Holly J, servant girl Imogen, and the two stable boys, Eli and Drew. Ali sat down next to Drew—of course—and I sat next to Fiona. Fiona nudged me and winked, moving her eyes towards Eli. I hit her and fixed my plate. She laughed, causing the table to turn to us. I met the eyes of Eli and I bowed my head, blushing furiously.

"Good morning Clare" My Father announced. I cleared my throat, knowing my face was still red.

"M-morning Father" I whispered. I looked at the swirly lines on the edge of my plate. Fiona nudged me again and smiled at me. I rolled my eyes and continued looking at the swirls. The table fell into light conversation, and I blanked out. I wasn't sure exactly what I was thinking about, but it certainly wasn't what they were talking about.

"Clare...Clare...Clare!" My head snapped up, my long black tresses bouncing.

"Huh? What?" I asked, looking around the room trying figure out who called my name.

"You haven't even touched your food. Is everything okay?" My father asked. I smiled at him.

"Of course. I'm just not very hungry this morning I guess" I told him.

"Not hungry? But you love breakfast?" Ali threw in. I shrugged at her, starring at my glass.

"May I be excused?" I asked, politely. "I would like to take a walk through the garden" My mother looked at my father and he nodded.

"Of course" My mother said. "Go ahead. But be safe" she added. I smiled warmly at them and stood up, leaving quickly. I nodded at our doorman as he opened the door for me. Once my feet touched the warm grass, I sprinted towards the fields of, my feet pounding against the plush grass. I picked a rose from the garden as I ran farther past the garden into the wildflower filled pasture. When the marble bench with the stone headboard came in view I slowed, my breathing slightly heavy. I sat cross-legged in front of the headstone. I gently placed the rose in front and bowed my head in respect.

"Hello Darcy, dear old friend. I miss you. You left us too soon. Father is still trying to find your murderer, after 10 years" I chuckled and let a tear slide down my cheek. "I heard Father is picking out husbands for me and Ali. I'm barely 17. And I don't want to be forced into this. I want to marry for love. Not money, or power" I sighed. I twirled pieces of grass in my hand as I thought. "Ali keeps telling me about how she's so in love with Drew. He's one of the stable boys. She's so gone" I laughed lightly. "Personally, I like Elijah better. But he goes by Eli. He's the other stable boy. He has dark raven hair, that swipes over his eyes, and these amazing emerald eyes. His smirk is so...mesmerizing and...Oh Lord..." I trailed off. "But that's a different story for a different time" I said, looking up to the sky. It was light blue today, only a few clouds in sight. The breeze was warm and nice, throwing my hair around my face. The flowers and grass moved with the wind. The birds sang and the fishes swam, jumping in and out of the water. I looked back up to the sky, wondering if there really was a heaven. "You know, when I talked to you, I feel so crazy. I have no idea if you are really listening. Are you really listening? Or am I just wasting air that other people could use? Can you give me a sign? Anything?" I asked waiting. I sighed. "I see. Even though there's a possibility I am just wasting breath, I won't stop coming to see you. To talk to you" I whispered.

"The princess wasting breath? I don't think that's possible" an all to familiar voice spoke. I shot up, twirling around my dress and hair following me. I saw Eli, standing there, his hands in his pocket a smirk on his face.

"H-how long have you been standing there?" I asked. "How much did you hear?"

"Just up to, 'I feel crazy' and then so on" he answered his eyes shifting. I sighed in relief, shifted my weight to my other foot, and ran a hand through my hair. After a forever of silence he finally spoke. "You know...this isn't the garden" he said. His green eyes twinkled with amusement. I gulped audibly.

"Uh...yeah, I know I just...needed to get away...I guess" I said, my eyes drifting to the sky. He nodded and hummed.

"I know what you mean" he said slowly walking towards me. I heartbeat quickened and he stopped right in front of me. I could feel his sweet breath hit my face. I looked at him, and he looked back.

"You have the most prettiest eyes, I have ever seen Princess" he whispered softly. I looked down, blushing.

"T-thank you" I said. He smirked and I lifted my head up.

"We should probably get back. The King and others might be worried" he said.

"Um...actually, I was going to take a walk through the garden after I was done here" I said, waving my hand towards the stone head. "But don't let me stop you. You go ahead without me, I'll be back in a while" Eli chuckled, flipping his hair away from his eyes.

"Now Princess, what kind of servant would I be if I let you wander around by yourself? Not everyone has good intentions around here" he said, his eyes showing an emotion I couldn't exactly put my finger. "Will you do me the honor and let me accompany you?" he asked, bowing. I smiled, giggling softly and nodded.

We walked side by side to the garden, the silence comforting. We reached the garden and I walked ahead of him, my fingers running through the grass and flowers. The breeze picked up and I twirled, smiling. I picked a flower and lifted it to my nose, breathing in lightly.

"You like the garden don't you?" Eli called to me. I smiled and turned to him, walking backwards.

"Hmm, yes. I do. It's so calming. It's peaceful" I answered smiling again, in my own little world. Eli caught up with me and grabbed my hand twirling me around. I halted, close to his face and his hand brushed against my cheek. I held my breath, as he leaned closer. I began to lean in as well...

"Clare! Princess! Where are you?" Imogen yelled. I jumped and pulled out of his grip.

"I—um...have to g-go" I stuttered. I nodded at him and then sprinted out of the garden, towards Imogen's voice. "Princess! There you are!" she shouted, as I came into view. "Your father is calling for you" I nodded at her and smiled, walking past her.

"Thank you"

"Oh, and have you seen Elijah anywhere?" she asked. I froze and continued walking.

"I think he's in the garden" I shouted over my shoulder. I began running and almost ran into the front door as I approached it.

"Whoa there Princess! Slow down there, speed racer" our doorman, Simpson, told me. I smiled at him and laughed. I quickly walked to the kitchen and found my father sitting with Ali, Drew, and my mother.

"Ah, Clare. I see Imogen found you?" Father asked. I nodded and took my seat next to Ali. Father started rambling about something but I didn't hear. Soon Imogen and Eli soon joined us.

"So...I'm guessing you didn't just call me here for a nice hello" I whispered. He clapped his hands, signaling more of our servants.

"Ah yes, we need to have a discussion about marriage" he announced. My heartbeat quickened and my palms started to sweat.

"Marriage? I'm barely 17 Father" I told him. He smiled.

"Yes. And most girls your age are married with children!" he announced giddily. I looked at Ali and she frowned at me. I sighed and took a sip of my water. "I set up meetings for you and three princes. Prince Adam, Prince K.C and Prince...Mark" When I heard that name, I choked on my water. I set my glass down and grabbed a napkin, dabbing away the water that dribbled down my chin. "Sweetie?" Father asked.

"Prince Mark?" I questioned. "As in Mark Fitzgerald?"

"Yes, you know him?" Mother asked.

"Darcy's ex-lover" I whispered. The table went silence, at mention of Darcy. I played with my belt as I awaited for Father to continue speaking. He took a sip from his water and cleared his throat, continuing.

"Well, I have come to conclusion that Darcy is no longer here. We have to move on with our lives" he said. I stared at him.

"Move on?" I asked. "Move on after you spent 10 years searching for her killer. You just going to give up now?"

"Darcy killed herself" Father said, his voice rising.

"You believe that? That lie?" I whispered.

"That lie is the truth!" Father yelled, slamming his fist down on the table.

"Randall..." Mother interfered. Father glared at me, his nostrils flaring.

"Darcy's ex or not, you will meet him. And you will give him the chance of winning you" he said through tight lips. I stared at him, my own anger flaring.

"Winning me?" I said, standing up. "He will not win me. I am not something to be won!" I shouted at him. He stood up himself, his eyes deathly.

"Your first meeting is at this afternoon with Prince Mark. Be ready" he ground through his teeth. He left, his two servants trailing behind him. I stood there, my body shaking.

"Clare, sweetie-" Mother started. I shook my head at her, and turned, walking out of the front doors. Once I hit the grass I ran, not exactly sure where I was going. I decided to run to the horse stables. Drew caught me and smiled.

"Hello Princess, is it Romeo today?" he asked. I nodded and he led me to my beautiful black horse, Romeo. He helped me on an waved me off. I galloped through the pasture, clearing my head.

I rode Romeo for hours, the breeze lightly hitting my face. I finally cleared my head after 45 minutes, and the other hours where just for fun. To feel the sun shining on I and Romeo felt so great, so freeing.

An hour later a horn sounding, deep and long. It sounded terrifying, like a warning or something.

"Princess! Princess! We must go in now!" Drew yelled at me.

"No! I want to stay" I yelled back.

"But Princess! We must-" he started.

"No! I want to stay! Leave me be" I ordered him. He nodded hesitantly then left. When the sun started to go down, I rode back. Drew nor Eli weren't there so I put Romeo away myself, with the other horses. I walked leisurely down the pathway to the house. I stood at the door and was surprised when it didn't open. I knocked and waited. I knocked again and finally the door flew open and Drew yanked me in, closing the door again.

"Drew, what is wrong?" I asked him. He didn't answer, instead he grabbed my arm gently and led me to the living room. Everyone was there. Father, Mother, Ali, Holly J, Fiona, Imogen, Eli and all the other servants. When I came into view Father jumped up and crushed me into a hug. I gasped as all my air was pushed out of me.

"Father!" I gasped. "What is everyone so wound up about?" he finally let go, and handed me to my Mother. She squeezed me just as tight and let me go.

"Where have you been?" Mother scolded me. "We were worried to death!" I looked to Father then back to Mother, so confused.

"What? Why so worried? I was just out riding Romeo" I told them. Father turned to Drew.

"You left her out there all alone?" he yelled at him. Drew's face paled and I stepped in.

"No! He told me we had to go but I ordered him to leave me be. It isn't his fault" I told Father. "Why does it matter anyway. What's wrong?" I asked. Father looked at me, then back at Mother. Mother shook her head and Father sat back down. "Father?" I questioned, my voice softer.

"The bell, whenever it rings, it means to immediately go back to your house. Lock the doors and never let anyone in until the bell sounds again" Mother said. I stared at her.

"But why...what's wrong?" I asked again.

"They're back." Father growled.

"Who?" I yelled, tried of their games. Father and Mother stared at me. My heart quickened and my eyes watered. "No...not him. Not again" I whispered. Father nodded.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Reese is back" Mother whispered. I looked towards Ali and she stood up coming towards me. My head whirled and my vision blurred. The only thing I could hear was my rapid heartbeat. Then I fainted.

So should I continue, or just totally delete this?

If I do continue, I'm not exactly sure what role Reese should have. Like his past with Clare and all that jazz, sooo suggestions? Ha Ha. (: Give me some feedback. (:

Don't refuse the urge to review (: