So, as I have mentioned before- JO is the one taking a break- not I! So, I shall be starting the winner of the possibilities thingie.

And the WINNER was... CAGED DOVE!

Thank you for all who participated, we will keep the "Possibilities" thing up for all y'all's enjoyment. And yeah...

Dedicated to- Guest and Suzanne. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: Yes, I own the plot. Yes, I own the books- wait, oh. No, I own a set, not the actual ones. I wish I was that great.


Prologue- He Knows

Simplicity. That's what my life once was. Where I could wake up and slip into my riding outfit that my father had secretly bought for me and hid from the maids, then get on Freedom and ride until breakfast time, where I would come galloping back to hide in my room and pretend to sleep. Then, at breakfast, I would tell Father and Mother all about the amazing journey I had with Freedom that morning and we would go on the rest of the day.

Yet, simplicity is seldom in my life. Scheduled and orderly? Yes, but simplicity is not.

My mother passed away when I was nine, leaving me and my father on our own. I had been so torn, as had my father, but we had struggled through it together. When I was thirteen, father had decided to remarry. The woman was lovely, sweet and kind and gentle. Her name had been Jacinda- a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. And she had also had a daughter, Rachelle, who had loved to play with me and my dolls, along with take care of Freedom. We were well for quite some time, happy and efficient.

Until my father died.

I was fifteen, scared and hurt and wondering why God would do this to me. If God was even real. Why would he allow my mother and my father to leave me? Why had he taken them away from me? It was then that I turned to my step-mother and step-sister. For love, for comfort, for help.

And they gave me none.

My father seemed to have left nothing for me in his will, save my mother's wedding gown. But even that had been ripped from me. I was tossed into the highest turret, saying that my entire family must be cursed. I was no longer a welcome member in the family, but the servants pleaded for me to stay. Ms. Talbot, Ms. Gwen, and Mr. Andrew had all asked that I work as a servant. Jacinda had agreed to it and I was let out of my cell- which was now my new room.

Two of Gwen's old dresses and shoes, one of Ms. Talbot's aprons and a heavy heart was what was left in my possession. Freedom was taken from me, but I kept the riding gear, in a trunk, beneath all of my clothes, as a keep-sake. I would never forget my beautiful horse, one I had won so many races with, who had been my best friend.

And she would make this long walk through the Grove and Forest to the village so much faster.

Tears filled my eyes and I wiped them away hurriedly, not wanting to waste any time on myself that could amount to a whipping later. However, the beautiful sounds of the forest and of the wondrous world around me returned as I came back from my reminisce. I smiled at the sweet lullabies of birds, the bubbling of a nearby creek. It was music, wind rustling through the trees and picking up leaves that had yet to decompose from last fall with it.

I began to feel at peace as I walked towards the village, and as that thought- the village- came to my mind, I remembered the reason of which had put me on this trip in the first place.

Shoes. Apparently, Miss Rachelle did not have enough of them. Or at least, not the right ones. The prince's ball was coming up, as he was turning the thrilling age of twenty-one and would then take the throne from his good father, King Christopher. We were all excited, as we had heard wonderful and flattering stories of the kind, gracious, gentle Prince Derek. All the girls in the village were clucking like chicks about his upcoming ball in which where he was supposedly to choose a wife. For not only were their good words about his personality, but good words about his appearance as well. Apparently, Prince Derek was a fine looking young man, one no girl would have any mind in being engaged to.

I smiled and shook my head at the silliness of it. If I were to ever marry, it would be because of love. Love, and hopes of taking me far, far away from my dreaded step-family.

"Move!" came a voice from behind me and I snapped from my thoughts soon enough to hear horse feet pounding the ground. I rushed to the side of the road in order to avoid being hit, but I was nowhere near as fast as a galloping horse. I was knocked over, rolling down the hillside as orange, yellow and brown leaves of fall flew up around me. I pulled in on myself, as my father had taught me, and kept my limbs from getting to bashed up.

When I came to a stop at the foot of the hill, I saw the horse and its rider coming back to the top to look down on me.

"Ho! Are you alright?" I was about to nod yes, when a thought entered my mind- What if it came off?

My eyes flitted to my wrist and I sighed in relief at the sight of the glittering bracelet.

"I asked if you were all right," said a voice from behind me. I jumped and spun around to see the rider approaching me. He was tall, with thick black hair and glittering eyes. His face was strong- square jaw, slightly hooked nose, high cheek bones- and he held himself with dignity. But what really made me fear him was his attire-

Black riding breeches with leather, tie up boots that would easily cost a sliver knut. A white, spotless shirt with a black riding vest and leather riding gloves. Tall, strong, handsome and expensive dress- this man was the prince.

His green eyes glittered like that of a cat's, burning me with an intensity even though they were softened to appear gentle and friendly. I could see why the kingdom was excited for him to be our king- solid build, with confidence and strength of higher authority coming from his broad shoulders and his confident gait, but his eyes were kind, his mouth one for smiling and hands that seemed strong but were gentle when they touched me.

Touched me.

I jumped away from his hand, as if I had been shocked. I stared up at him in fear, but he was not what scared me. No, the fear of if Miss Rachelle and Lady Jacinda found out I was with the prince was what made me horrified that he was the prince.

"Shh, its okay," the prince said gently, hands up to show that he was not here to harm me. "I won't hurt you, I just want to make sure you're okay."

I nodded, staring up at him with wide eyes. I wouldn't speak, not ever. If I did, then I would surely be punished.

"So, are you alright?" he asked again, looking me over. I nodded and he smiled, taking a step forward. I jumped back, scared.

"Are you scared of me?" he asked. I shook my head. "Can you talk?" I nodded. He looked at me in confusion, and he looked me up and down. Understanding dawned on his face when he saw my dingy outfit, basket and tied up hair. No woman wore their hair tied up, it just wasn't in fashion, and what girl would be caught dead in my ripped dress unless they were servants?

"I allow you to speak," he said. I bit my lip and whispered, "Thank you."

He smiled at me and pulled at my apron, adjusting the way it laid on me. "What is your name?" he asked. I stared up at him, very afraid. No, he could not know my name. My name was something that would trigger a memory as the Saunders Estate was one of the highest families in court. He would recognize me surely, as I had often talked to his younger brother, Simon, when I had tripped to the castle with my father and mother when they were alive. My visits had been become less after my mother died and now they had stopped altogether.

"Umm, I'm sure you have no want to know my name, your grace," I said quickly and quietly. "I am a mere servant, there is no reason for you to know my name as you may never see me again."

The prince smiled, and said, "The key word, mere servant, is may. Also, I make it a point to know my subjects as to build a bond within my kingdom of trust."

"Still, there is no need, your grace," I whispered, shifting my feet so that I could run at the first opportunity.

"I say there is, mere servant, so I will ask again- what is your name?" I bit my lip as he stared down at me intently, no he may never know my name. It is not wise, for him or for me. Well, more for me, but still.

Just then, a white bird flew in, cooing at me from the tops of the elmer tree it rested in. I smiled as it ruffled its feathers. Honest blue eyes met mine, then it glittered, disappearing within the white rays of the sun. The beautiful dove was so innocent, an innocent to horror and abomination, instead free to ride the wind.

I looked to see the prince also watching the bird and I saw my opening. I grabbed my skirts and rushed away, running as fast as I could.

I didn't get far.

His hand wrapped tightly around my wrist and pulled me back towards him. I yelped as I fell into his chest, cheeks reddening when I looked up to see his glittering eyes looking at me in amusement.

I pulled away, but he kept his grip on my wrist so I could not get away.

"Fine, if you won't tell me your name, may I at least know as to when I might speak with you without you running?"

"Never, your grace, as it is forbidden of me to speak to you. Which is why I shouldn't be doing so, but with your command I had to. But I must leave, your grace, or I will suffer the consequences!" I saw his surprise at my outburst and I yanked my wrist free of his grip. He stumbled at the force of my pull and I ran, ran hard and fast towards to the village.

(!?)(!?)(!?)(!?)(!?)

"Elizabeth!" I called as I walked into the shoemaker's shop. "Elizabeth!"

"Chloe?" a head of blonde hair popped up from behind the counter. The shoemaker's daughter, Elizabeth, smiled at me brightly at me.

"You know I don't go by that name, what if someone hears you?" I whisper, but her smile is contagious and I smile right back at her.

"Sorry, Dove." my friend says as she rushes around the counter. She gives me a big hug and I hug her back tightly.

Elizabeth Delaney is a bubbly blonde who always has the latest gossip. We became friends shortly after my father's death since Miss Rachelle needed a new pair of shoes three to four times a week. The two of us often gossiped while her father and mother worked on the shoes I had brought with me, or polished up some discarded ones. They had long ago given up on giving the girl brand new shoes as she had ruined them quickly. Sometimes, while Elizabeth and I waited, we would go and talk to the Baron's daughter, Victoria Enright. She was friends with Elizabeth, and therefore became friends with me. We got along fairly well, as I didn't annoy her as much as the other village girls did, seeing as I did have a brain and also knew how to use it, or so said Victoria.

"Hello Dove," Seamstress Delaney walked into the room and I smiled brightly at her.

"Good day, Seamstress Delaney," I smiled at the lovely woman. Seamstress Delaney was like my second mother. She took care of me, slipping food into my basket and sometimes giving me an extra set of shoes when mine had begun to wear thin.

The woman laughed, glaring at me playfully. "Dove! Doll, I told you to call me Janine."

I smiled at her sheepishly. "Sorry, Seamstress Delaney."

She scowled at me and I grinned. "Do you have the pair?" she asked.

I smiled as I pulled out the white flats that Miss Rachelle had given me. "Here you go, Janine."

She smiled back at me and took the shoes to the back room. As she entered, an older version of Janine walked down the steps, in her hands was a basket with a towel over it. The sweet smell of freshly baked muffins entered the atmosphere and Ms. Delaney smiled at the two of us.

"One each," she whispered, holding out the basket for us with a look to the doorway Seamstress Delaney had disappeared into. We grinned and took one.

"Thanks, Ms. Delaney," I whispered.

"Thank you, Nana," Elizabeth smiled.

The bell on the door rang and we all turned, hushing the intruder.

"Well, sorr- ooh! Can I have one Ms. Delaney?" a girl with pretty black and bright brown-blue eyes smiled as she quieted her voice and smiled up at Ms. Delaney. Elizabeth's grandmother gave her a kind smile and held the basket out to her. The girl grinned and took one, giving Ms. Delaney a smile in thank you. The woman nodded and left.

"So, what caused your haste?" Elizabeth questioned, her mouth full of muffin. I bumped her with my hip and she covered her mouth, flushing brightly.

"There's news that Prince Derek is coming to the town!" she squealed before eating her muffin in quick, neat bites. I gasped, dropping my muffin.

"Wh-what?" I asked.

"Prince Derek is coming and they say he's in a hurry, looking for someone's what I heard." Victoria smiled brightly, licking the crumbs off her fingers. "I wonder who they are!"

"I think I know," fear creeping into my thoughts. He couldn't come here to find me! He just couldn't!

"You do!" Elizabeth said, staring at me in surprise. "How could you hear it before Victoria? Nobody hears it before her."

"Glad to know you two realize I'm in the same room." Victoria grumbles in a sour tone. I smile shyly at her, before picking up the muffin.

"Well, you gonna tell us how you know?" Elizabeth demands, hands on hips.

"Behave yourself, Elizabeth!" Janine shouts from the kitchen.

"Sorry," the girl says, blushing. I smile brightly at her, before I remember why she was yelled at.

"I met his grace on my way here. He asked my name and I ran." Elizabeth's eyes widen and Victoria gasps.

"My dear, tell me nobody saw the two of you!" Victoria grabs my shoulders, staring at me with fear in her expression.

"I don't thinks so," I whispered.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!" Elizabeth gave me a huge embrace, continuing to mutter "oh no" into my neck.

Victoria sighs, her finger tapping against her chin. "We can't let him know who you- I've got it!" She dragged me upstairs, Liz in hot pursuit.

(!?)(!?)(!?)(!?)(!?)

I fidgeted in the dressup. The pink corset was tight and I hadn't worn anything like this in four years. The white skirt went all the way down to my ankles and flowed out when I spun. The white shoes had heigth on the heels and it was weird. My hair was done had been done up in a tight knot at the base of my neck with pins scratching my scalp. I had complained with Victoria had done my hair, but she had ignored me and done so anyways. A white collar was strapped around my neck.

A thundering of hooves against stone sounded throughout the square and I sighed. He was coming.

The beautiful black stallion trotted in with the prince on his back. The saddle bore the king's mark, the glittering material used to make the blue, black and white symbol probably ancient silks from the eastern countries.

"Ho!" he called. "I'm in need of assistance."

Everyone's twittering stopped as the prince swung off his horse and onto the ground. The town squire rushed forward, asking, "What kind of assistance are you in need of, your highness?"

"I need to find the girl who this bracelet belongs to," he lifted something high into the air. It glittered there, and people squinted trying to see what it was. He changed where he held it and I saw what it was- my bracelet. He must've snatched it when we were in the forest.

"That's the servant Dove's, your highness!" I looked to see my old friend, Nathan, raising his hand as he pointed at the bracelet. A smug look was on his face as if he was somehow punishing me. And he was- I would surely get in much trouble for this later.

"And where within your midst might I find her?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's over there, your grace!" another old friend, Amber, pointed at me. "She's in between the Baron's daughter Victoria Enright and the Shoemaker's daughter Elizabeth Delaney."

Someone from behind pushed me as the prince turned my way. I fell to my knees before him, staring at the ground with my fist clenched in my lap.

"So, mere servant, your name is Dove?" I shrugged, not looking up to meet his gaze. "I give you permission to speak, Dove."

"Yes, your highness." I muttered.

"Louder, Dove." he put emphasis on my name, as if he loved the fact that he knew my name.

"Yes, your highness." I said louder.

"Good, now call me Derek." I froze, eyes wide as I stared at the ground. This could not be happening. "Dove, call me Derek."

"Yes, Derek," my voice dropped in volume.

"Louder, Dove."

"Yes, Derek." I glanced up to see him grinning down at me.

"Now, will you stand? I don't need to talk down to someone who is no where near below me. Get up, Dove." His voice was calm with the order, and I slowly stood to my feet, but kept my eyes down. "Now, look at me."

Slowly, oh-so slowly, I raised my gaze to his. Which, let me tell you, is far with as tall and as close as he is.

As close as he is.

I went to take a step back, but Prince Derek snatched my wrist again and I was reminded of the woods. Everyone gasped when he pulled out my mother's bracelet, the one she'd given me the day she died. "I believe this belongs to you, Dove," he said, eyebrow raised. I nodded mutely.

He smiled and placed it on my wrist, clasping it together. I was about to pull away when he raised my wrist and lowered his mouth to my knuckles, placing a gentle kiss on them. I blushed red. The gasps of envious village girls were all around me. I went even redder, completely embarrassed as Derek smirked at my face. He leaned in and there were dismayed cries from all around us. I froze, staring at him with wide frightened eyes. He just smirked at brushed an escaped tendril of hair behind my ear. He leaned in, his breath causing shivers to run down my spine.

"I know you're not Dove, Chloe." he breathed and I tensed, fear racing through me as he called me by my name. "I don't know why everyone calls you that, so I'll play along. But, mere servant, I will find out why you've never replied to any of my brother's letters and why you haven't visited the castle. Mark my words, Lady Chloe Saunders, I will find out."

He kissed my cheek and pulled away. I stared at him, completely wide eyed.

"I give you, servant Dove, a personal invite on the behalf of both me and my brother, Prince Simon," -girls all around us gasped at the name of the younger prince who was equally as handsome and friendly- "to the ball. I will see you there, Dove."

I stared at the prince as he raised my hand to kiss it again and let it go.

"Dove!" I heard Miss Rachelle's shout and I ran from the square, Victoria and Elizabeth following behind me.


And here's the Prologue, as you are all familiar. I should be updating within the next two weeks.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed it and Toodles!

-Danni