This fic is set way back in time with kings and lords and knights. I'm not putting an exact time period on it because really that isn't important as long as you know we definitely aren't in modern times. Swords, knights, horses, and women with no power are what we're looking at here. See you at the bottom!

I smiled, walking through the courtyard, knowing that people were watching my every move. I nodded to the other noblemen and their ladies as I passed, but I didn't stop to speak with anyone. I wasn't out here for long talks and pleasantries; I simple wanted to enjoy the flowers just coming into bloom in the yards. I knew what the others thought as they looked at me because I thought it myself when I looked into a mirror. I looked like perfection walking through the gardens of the castle.

My hair was pinned half up, with golden curls falling down my back to mid-waist. I had silver clips in my hair and a very small silver tiara so anyone would know that this was my home they were in. My blue eyes sparkled, enhanced by the light blue color of my dress. The sleeves were sheer and went to my elbow since the weather was warming up, and the dress clung to my upper body as per my mother's orders. The bodice was tight and the top accentuated my full breasts for the men that I would be forced to meet with later today. The dress flowed out at my waist and hid my gorgeous silver shoes beneath. My feet would be hurting later, but that is the price of beauty I supposed.

I saw the gates open across the courtyard as a young man and his white horse entered into our castle walls. Another suitor that my father had invited, hoping to find someone that I would wed before much longer. Many men had been arriving lately, and every night I was forced to attend another meal with another suitor that only cared about my looks. It's what everyone knew me for, after all. Princess Rosalie Hale, the golden goddess of the south. I watched the man gallop past, and he lifted a hand in me in greeting. I gave him a small nod and he went on his way to greet my father.

I turned and continued through the garden. I smiled, seeing one of my ladies approaching me. "My dear, Isabella. Please tell me you've learned of something exciting in this dreadful place," I said as she reached my side, looping my arm through hers.

She laughed softly, stepping into pace beside me. "Well Rosalie, I learned that the stable boy is still watching you every time you go out for a ride on your horse. Apparently he pines for you," She told me with a giggle.

"Bella, you know better than to pick on the stable hands. He is surely just watching for his princess's safety as I ride." I knew the boy she spoke of. He came to our family at a young age when all of his household had been killed by thieves. Emmett was his name. He was large, even at the age of 10, and they put him in the stables to help with the horses. I met him once shortly after he arrived, and he was a shy boy. Always has been scared to look me in the eye, though I didn't know why. Unlike many in this castle, I wouldn't have scolded him or had him punished for any behaviors. If people would be nicer, I might actually have friends in this awful palace.

Bella lowered her voice as we walked. "The man you just saw come through the gate is Lord Royce King from the northern border. He traveled a long way to try and secure your hand. I have been speaking with others in the castle, and he doesn't have the best reputation with women. He has called on the church for divorce from two women on the grounds of adultery, and he was granted it. I don't know if it speaks on his character or theirs though."

I nodded slightly, knowing that Bella and I shouldn't be speaking of my suitors, but needing to know something before I walk in to someone I might marry. "Do try and find out more on that. I want to know whose fault that was. Be discreet though. I can't have my oldest and dearest friend getting reprimanded on my account."

Bella smiled at me, laying her hand on my arm, "My lovely, Rosalie. Don't you know that I'm always careful with these matters? I'll be back with you later this evening and let you know everything. Enjoy the roses; they are lovely in full bloom." I watched as Bella turned and headed down another path, knowing that she would have a lot of information for me later on. She was the best at finding out things of importance when I needed them.

I turned the corner and found my mother there, sitting on a bench by the roses. They were gorgeous in bloom, as Bella had told me, and I approached my mother.

She stood and linked arms with me, steering me back toward the castle. Her hand laying on my arm had a tight grip, and I knew what was about to come. "My lovely Rosalie. We need to discuss tonight, and you need to listen to your mother carefully." She paused and I remained silent, knowing that she didn't want to hear my voice now. "Lord Royce is here from the north. You will be on your best behavior tonight. The north holds a large sway during wartime, and we could use those troops should anything happen in your father's holds. The Lord also has gold beyond even what we have here in our treasury, and he is willing to pay a large price for your beauty. This would be good for us, and you will be polite and perfect tonight. Do you understand?" She asked, stepping forward to lay a hand on my cheek. To anyone else, it would be a loving gesture, but I knew it was a warning above all else.

I nodded, lowering my head, "Yes, my queen." She smiled, raising my head before walking back toward the castle. I could feel the ghost of that hand on my cheek, and I put the smile back on my face before following her. When you live in a castle, you are always on display. That was the first lesson my mother ever taught me.

Bella didn't get back to me before the celebration, and I can only assume it was because of her husband. Edward led the majority of my father's troops and had chosen my best lady, Isabella, to be his bride last year. He treated her very well though he was gone a majority of the year. My mother disliked how I allowed Bella any time with him that she desired, but she was my friend above all else, and I wanted her to see the man she loved whenever she could.

I sat beside my older brother and smiled, acting exactly the way mother expected me to. I knew she would have an eye on me all night to make sure that I didn't mess this up. My brother, Jasper, leaned closer to me and put his hand on the arm of my chair. "You alright, Rosie? You're tense."

I smiled at the nickname my brother always had for me and nodded to him, "I'm perfectly fine, Jasper. Mother came to the gardens this morning to greet me and remind me of my place this evening. So gracious of her."

Jasper sat back in his seat, understanding my words. I saw his hand tighten on his chair and I reached over, placing my hand on his. "I'll be okay. I promise, Jasper. I'm not going to do anything to anger mother or father."

Jasper patted my hand and stood up to dance. He would be expected to move throughout the room and dance with all of the eligible women here tonight, while I would only be asked by one, Lord Royce. I smiled genuinely as I watched Jasper dancing with the ladies in our court. He was loved by everyone in the castle, but I knew that he only had eyes for one woman, Princess Alice of the Bran Isles. The Brandon holdings were not large, but father had listening to the resources that could be gained through a marriage between Jasper and Alice. I knew that Jasper worked to secure that marriage, and Alice would be thrilled for it be finalized. Jasper and Alice had met when they were young, and had been pushing to marry each other ever since then.

I was broken out of my musings by a hand laid in front of me. I looked up to find Lord Royce there, asking me to dance. I smiled and slipped my hand into his, allowing him to pull me up and onto the dance floor with the other nobility. We slid easily into the dance with everyone else, I was pleased to find that he wasn't a bad dancer.

I glanced up to his face only to find his eyes were locked on my breasts shown from my low-cut bodice. I cleared my throat slightly and his eyes slid up to meet mine. Lord Royce smiled, "My apologies, princess. Your beauty astounds me."

I smiled, grimacing on the inside, "No apologies needed, Lord Royce. I thank you for the compliment."

"You're most welcome. Please, no need for such formalities between us. You may call me Royce," he told me with a tight smile.

"Then I insist that you call me Rosalie." Royce nodded at my words and he spun me around the dance floor like he had been trained in dance his whole life. We made small talk of court holdings and interests that could be found in the north among the snow and colder weather. The more he spoke of it, the less I wanted for this to be the man I would be forced to marry. After several dances, I was relieved to be allowed to escape the dance floor and this man. I reached my seat and found Jasper already there, taking a breather from dancing.

I leaned close to him and spoke softly and quickly, "Jasper I need to get away. Please if mother asks, cover for me. I just need some air if I'm going to be forced to marry that man. I'll be back shortly."

Jasper nodded, knowing where I would be going, and motioned to the east door where mother would likely not see me leave through the group of people standing in the way. I subtly made my way across the room and out the door, sighing when I felt the night air hitting my too warm skin. I took off my shoes, carrying them in one hand as I picked up my dress in the other. Watching the stars, I followed the path toward the stables.

I walked in and placed my shoes on a wooden crate to keep the dirt off and sat down, already feeling the tears about to fall. I heard the footsteps approaching behind me, and I knew who it would be. I felt the large hands wrap around my shoulders and the lips placing a soft kiss on the skin where my neck and shoulder met. I placed my hand over his and leaned into the touch, closing my eyes.

I turned toward him and ran a hand through his hair, memorizing everything about his face. I smiled, finding his eyes on my face and not on my breasts like many others would have been. "I don't want to marry him. I don't want to leave here, leave you."

He pulled me in close and I wrapped my arms around his neck, knowing that I would need to leave soon or mother would get suspicious. "My lovely Rose. You've already stalled these marriages too long. We both knew this was going to come sooner or later." He pulled back to look in my eyes, wiping away the tears about to fall over. "I'm just happy that I got to know you and know what love is. You might even be happy there with him."

I shook my head, not wanting him to let me go. "I love you more than anything in this world. I would give up everything for you."

He shook his head sadly, dropping his eyes to the floor. "Rosalie, I would run away with you and we would make our own world. We could do it, I know that we could. But we both know that your father would search the ends of the world to get you back, and everyone knows of your beauty and looks. We wouldn't make it far before they found you, and I can't even think about the pain that it would cause you when they did."

I pulled him in close, knowing that he was right. I put my lips close to his ear and spoke softly, "People see you watching me when I go for rides. You need to hide it, my love. I don't want anyone suspicious of you. You know how father is when he thinks anyone has gotten too close. I've wanted it to be you since that day the 10-year-old boy stumbled into our courtyard, crying and asking for a home. You have always been the bravest man in my world, and I wish it could be us. The home, the life, the children. Everything. Maybe in another life, we will do it. I love you more than anything in this world, Emmett."

I placed a soft kiss on his lips and stood before I could change my mind. I slipped my shoes back on and fixed my hair before walking back toward the castle. I knew what needed to be done now, and I wouldn't let them know that Emmett had anything to do with it. I held my head high and walked back into the hall. For tonight, I would smile and dance and be perfect for Lord Royce. Tomorrow, I would speak with Bella and put everything in motion. Tomorrow, I would begin my escape from this hell.

Please review and let me know what you think! Also, go check out my first fic, All Coming Back to Me.