(A/N) Hey, people!

Yes! I am working on two stories at once! This doesn't mean I'm giving up on BLU. It will always be my number one priority here on FF. So, I'm still going to work on that. The thing is, I just came up with this amazing idea for another story that I wanted to do SO badly (even though yes, I did get some inspiration from a book I read) so I just couldn't pass that up. Or wait. I have been working on the next chapter for BLU so dw if you were looking forward to reading more of it. I'll try to update both stories on a regular basis. Basically, that means I'm multitasking.

Anyways, this is mostly a completely new idea, so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks!

*Disclaimer: I do not own the Sonic characters. They belong to Sega©.

Roses and Royals - Prologue

He stared out of the rectangular palace window with longing as he traced his thumb over the royal grey cement stone walls. Wondering what life was like beyond the gates that enclosed the Royal Kingdom.

Would it hurt to go out there for a day? Just an hour? Would it totally break the rule if he escaped from the castle just for a short experience of the outside world? How ridiculous was it that the kingdom's people weren't allowed to interact with the ordinary people?

Despite being a prince, the foreign black and red hedgehog never got what he wanted. Every day, every year, he had just one wish; and one wish that would never be fulfilled because, frankly, it was against the rules. All he really wanted was to meet the normal people of the world. Have a taste of their freedom.

Freedom has always pertained to his wish.

It was a strict law that the people in the kingdom were not allowed to mingle with the general public. Hence, a large metal gate had been created that separated the boundaries of the castle and the towns of the normals.

This rule had been created centuries before and has never been violated. The king – who was Prince Shadow's biological father - had agreed with preserving such rules in the kingdom as it was before and kept it in continuation.

The only one in all the years of the kingdom's existence who ever tried or wanted to climb over the gate, was the Prince himself. This would subtly anger the king occasionally, but as he always had and will endure to have a strong and loving bond with his son, he would wave it away as just a small phase that would soon be forgotten for the young prince.

However, said prince could never abide by the law, and continuously tried various creative methods to get over the gate. It just never happened. Even as his 'sensible' cousin, Sonic, constantly tried to 'talk sense' into him and tell him it was for the best that he doesn't attempt to break the rule, the ebony prince was nevertheless persistent on climbing over.

He shifted slowly and rested his back furthur into the window seat that was attached to the window itself, there for anyone to sit on and read a book or just think. Thoughts flooded his mind as he desperately tried to figure out a way to climb over the gate. He didn't care if his family would hate him after all of it. He didn't care if his name would bring them shame and anger. He didn't care if they made the decision of disowning him in the future.

While deeply studying the nature and beauty emanating from the outside world of the other side of the window, Shadow wondered if life would ever be the same if he truly escaped. Would his family take him back? What if they didn't?

"I can work with that. If my family cannot respect my decisions and choices as a future role modeling figure, I should be able to reciprocate. There is no reason that I should go ahead with the procession of becoming the next king."

He loved his family dearly, yet his love and care for them would not get in the way of his greater inclination to pay attention to his actual life and adventuring. The things he did best.

He would give anything just for a day of true happiness.

It didn't mean he didn't love his family.

But all he desired was freedom.

Something his parents could never give him.

(A/N) Here we are! The first (ish) chapter of Roses and Royals. Chapter 1 will be up soon. Don't forget to R&R! :)