Today is my wedding day.

Everything was exactly what one can expect to be when exchanging vows to be joined in holy matrimony. The weather was perfect, a soft breeze stirring through all the important guests and gracing the perfect balance for the sunset. We could see the meadows of lavender in the background from the window, blanketing the ground as far as the eye could reach. Birds were chirping happily outside, butterflies zigzagged around with its vibrant and colorful wings.

The decoration was just right, the flowers, the gold plated furniture - specially built for an event as important as a royal weeding – even the rich details in the new tapestry, the one that was shipped here from a kingdom far, far in the west. The people outside cheered, and a few lucky ones were even invited in (and it's the first time I've ever seen peasants in a feast of the royalty), it was very obvious that that people, oddly, loved their king. I haven't tasted the food yet, but from what I could hear from the servants, it could greatly feed a small village for a whole month. And the smell… when I passed by the kitchens earlier… it just made my mouth water.

Today is my wedding day. And I hated it.

I hated it, I hated it.

I hated the damn birds, the damn peasants yelling like beasts, the flowers with it sickening sweet scent. As I walked through the aisle in the middle of the grand hall of the castle, feeling every eye on me, I was holding back the vomit. It was not the attention. I was quite used to the judgmental stares, the condescending looks, always seizing me up from head to toe, looking for a flaw, or something, anything to start a rumor or sneer at. No, it wasn't the attention. It was the occasion.

My father's arm was rigid as he guided me, a stone cold mask on his face, betraying nothing. He was a proud man, but I had absolutely certain that in the solitude of his own mind, he was cheering louder than anyone outside. He finally managed to marry off her daughter to the highest bid. To the one that worn a crown like the one he desired for himself. But the grand duke would be from now on less infuriated, because I would wear it – and therefore extend his influence around his own kingdom, that, even though was considerably distant from this own, was also considerably less powerful. And what an ally would my future husband be in case the king from my land was to be dethroned…

My fiancée was smiling brightly at me as I approached him step by step. Slowly and gracefully like a future queen should. I wasn't supposed to smile as wide as him, thought. It had to be gentle, subtle, and proper smile for a lady of my ancestry. I was getting closer and closer, and had to swallow the lump in my throat. When I finally came to a halt, he bowed and extended his hand. My father let go of my arm and bowed back, placing his closed fist on his heart in a gesture as old as time. A gesture every father over the generations made when giving her daughter away to another man. I curtsied and took the hand offered to me, lowering my head in a sight of respect. The king guided me so I could climb the single step to where he and the ceremonialist stood.

It was the second time I was seeing him at all, really. And the closer we've ever been. I could count his eyelashes if I so wanted. I didn't. And couldn't help but wonder how much older than me he was. He had to be at least twenty ears my senior, for I knew he had a daughter about my age from his previous marriage. I hadn't seen her yet. She was supposed to bring our wedding bands, and it would be at any time now. Mine was enchanted, my noble future husband told me in the single time we've seen each other before. And they were the one thing I thought I'd like from this whole ceremony. Who wouldn't like an enchanted ring?

We joined both hands, and his palms were of a man who's never spent a day in life harvesting, or mining or fishing. I've held men's hands before - of nobles in the court that always lingered their touch to much as I pretended I didn't notice - and they were always calloused, even though none of them harvested, or mined or fished. The king's hands were almost soft, a little rough, true, but… warm. He even smelled ok. I could sense an exotic scent of what seemed like lime and… candle wax? Anyway, nothing like those other nobles, always reeking of mead, ale, raw meat and sweat. The king's eyes were kind as was his smile. And maybe. Maybe, maybe I could…

No. There's no way in hell I'd love him. Bear with him or eventually develop some kind of affection, or, more possibly, respect, yes. But love? I couldn't. I knew it right away as I looked at his beard and the wrinkles in the corner of kind eyes that didn't move me at all.

The ceremonialist started to speak, and suddenly all the buzzing and chattering around the hall ceased. The guests dutifully stared ahead and the king and I turned our heads to stare at the old bald man standing. He greeted us, opening his arms like he wanted to hug the whole room. His words were full of flourishes and eloquence, but his tone was so monotonous that I was sure if he continued for long, half of the nobles would fall asleep.

The ceremonialist spoke of fate and love and the circle of life. The absurdity of it all made me want to laugh, and I had to force myself to remain with a solemn expression. Nobody married for love. Well, at least not kings and queens. Nobody gave a damn about love in that hall. All that mattered was lands and gold and power. Silently they all studied me to find a better way to approach me to get favors or just use me to get in the good graces of the king, but truth be told, as soon as I left the hall they would judge and gossip, inwardly envying and hating me for rising above them all as their queen.

When the old man deemed he had talked enough nonsense, the musicians started to play again and a girl appeared, leaving from a door I hadn't noticed before. Her dress was of a light pink, full of flowers and branches embroidered in gold threads and precious gems. She sparkled and the stones sent rainbow reflexes all across the room. I had to blink twice to adjust my eyes at the sight of her. The small crown on the top of her head confirmed the obvious. Princess Rebecca? Raquel?

Her smile was even wider than her father's, which was quite an accomplishment. She was thin and petit, and waltzed towards the both of us with a velvet little pillow in hands. When she stopped and curtsied, her father extended his hand to caress her cheek lightly.

"Thank you, Rachel." He whispered, and I doubted even the ceremonialist had heard.

Rachel. Princess Rachel, that was it.

The princess winked at him before her eyes turned to me. I had to blink again, because they were like big chestnuts full of emotion. I expected her to hate me, really. I was the replacement of her mother, after all. But either she was a very, very good actress, or she didn't hate me at all. Rachel smiled shyly at me and, before I knew it, I was smiling back. Well. It didn't change the fact that I had to be very cautious around her, at least for now.

Then my eyes rested at the crystal little boxes, that somehow managed to shine brighter than the princess's dress. As if on cue, Rachel opened them and the ceremonialist, sadly, started to talk again.

"Lucy Quinn Fabray," He reached for my wedding band, raising it in front of us, "Do you promise to take this as symbol of your bond with Hiram Roderick Berry, and honor, cherish, follow him, and accept his name from now until the end of times?"

"I promise." I answered softly.

The king accepted the ring from his hand and gently put it on my finger.

"Hiram Roderick Berry," He grabbed the second ring, "Do you promise to take this as symbol of your bond with Lucy Quinn Fabray, and honor, cherish, follow her and give her your name from now until the end of times?"

"I promise."

I took the ring the ceremonialist extended to me, and slid it on his finger.

"You're now bonded by the ties of your oath. May the gods bless your union, and the time favors you in a joyful and fulfilling marriage."

The king leaned to kiss me, and it was just a soft and brief touch of lips. I hardly felt it and then it was over.

Cheers erupted around the hall, the guests now standing and clapping and screaming. Hiram took my hand and raised it with his own, our bodies now turned to all of them. It was time for the celebration to start, and the royal guard opened the grand door leading to the banquet hall. The king and I followed after the captain of the guard, the princess hot on our heels. Few moments later, the rest of the guests followed us too.

The king, the princess and I sat on the end of the gigantic table. He took the chair in the middle, I on his right and Rachel on his left. Nobody sat on the other end. Minutes later, when everybody managed to sit, the servants were quick to fill the goblets with high quality wine, honey mead and ale. Oddly enough, the princess wanted only water.

Then the king stood, goblet in hand. Everybody stopped talking and turned to look at him.

"I have to thank the gods every day, for they've favored me so much. I already had a blessing in the form of my little girl here," he gazed affectionately at Rachel, and she beamed at him. "And now my beautiful wife has come to join our family! Let's drink to the new queen!" Hiram raised his goblet and took a gulp from it, as everybody did the same, repeating "To the new queen!"

I smirked, drinking too. The king gestured for me to stand, and then bobbed his head to motivate me to say something. I hesitated for a moment. In my father's kingdom, wives weren't supposed to make speeches. Their jobs were to look pretty beside their husbands. But when the king took my hand, I cleared my throat.

"First, thank you all for your presence. It's a joy to me having so many witnesses in this happy day. I'm the one who is so grateful to join you, and your family," I looked at the king with my best sweet expression. "And also grateful to the kingdom, who received me with open arms. We shall all enjoy this together. I'm sure the feast is divine, and your glasses shall not be empty!"

The people shouted their approval, and Hiram let out a full belly laugh.

"Well, you heard her majesty!"

We sat again, and then the minstrels and troubadours started to sing and play and the food started to be served. Dish after dish with roasts of veal, venison, pheasant and swan, beef pie, stuffed chicken sprinkled with spice, salmon covered with powdered ginger, eel in a thick spicy sauce, cheese, vegetables, nuts, fresh fruit, herb-basted potatoes, apple purée, tart of onions and mushrooms… And meals that I honestly had no idea what consisted of.

I still felt a little nauseous so I tried to keep it light and avert my eyes from the boar head. The mead was sweat against my lips, but I once again caught myself wanting it to be over. The worst is yet to come, said a little devious voice inside my head. I swallowed all the contents off my goblet and hurried the servant girl to get me a refill. I had to make it somehow more tolerable. My marital duties. I scowled to myself.

The king was kind, and asked me if I wanted some specific music of my father's kingdom, if I was satisfied with the food or if he should ask somebody to fetch me some of their special cider. Apparently the flavor was nothing like anything I've ever tasted.

We tried, but we didn't have much to say to each other anyway. After some minutes, he asked to switch places with me so he could talk to my father, sitting by my side.

"The king sits in the middle." I frowned, confused with his request.

He chuckled.

"That's perfectly fine, my queen. Don't worry."

Still frowning, I sat on the bigger chair. And no one bat an eye. So weird.

"Lucy!" The princess squealed when she noticed the change. "We still haven't had the chance to speak! I, Lucy… It's okay to call you that? I mean, I won't do it when we're in formal court events and such. Etiquette demands I call you by your title. But nobody's listening now anyway. Too much wine in their heads, I'm afraid."

I blinked. It was rapidly becoming a habit when facing the princess. Her voice was rushed, like she barely needed to breathe between sentences.

"Quinn."

"Sorry?" Her nose wiggled slightly.

"You can call me Quinn, princess." I paused, "When not in court events."

"You don't like Lucy?" She popped a grape into her mouth, "You can call me Rachel."

"I rather not, princess." I ignored her first question.

Her eyes narrowed, but she shrugged it off easily.

"My father asked me if I minded him remarrying." The princess said casually, picking another piece of fruit from her plate.

I could feel the tension in my shoulders, and my jaw tightening up. I wouldn't say a thing even if the ability to talk wasn't suddenly foreign to me.

"I said I didn't. I don't" She continued, blissful ignorant of my discomfort, "If you were older you'd be like a mother to me. But really, we're probably around the same age, so you can be like my sister." She beamed at me.

And I just stared.

"Your sister?" My voice was somewhat strangled.

She nodded fervently.

"I've always wanted a sister. The castle is full of people, it's true. People everywhere, but sometimes it can get lonely. And also, I believe there're topics that should be addressed strictly to family, for sometimes the maids and the guards… well, I surely like them, but sometimes they can be real gossipers. Really, does every resident of the castle need to know every time I trip in my gowns? Sometimes its hems are just too big! And that time that I accidently broke daddy's vase, did he really needed to know that? He wouldn't even notice if-"

I spaced off. Seriously, seeing her talk nonstop and barely inhale was almost disturbing. I felt like she would choke for air at any moment. And the gestures… The princess gestured a lot. I looked at her plate, seeing only pieces of fruit, vegetables and some pastries.

"The chicken is really good," I blurted, her voice already buzzing inside my head. "Have you tasted it?"

"I don't eat meat." She deadpanned.

I blinked… yet again.

"You don't… eat meat?" I asked, trying to suppress my disbelief.

"No!" She answered passionately. "I've seen these animals being murdered, you know… It's just," She looked around, as if looking for a strong enough word to express her obvious disgust. "Bestial! Not to mention plain cruel! Thank the gods daddy doesn't like to hunt."

I raised an eyebrow, a little wierded out.

"I see."

"Humans totally disregard the comfort of the animals, they are living creatures too! Few years ago some nobles of the court brought some deer they'd hunted. The poor thing was still alive, agonizing! The lack of compassion of these people-"

I spaced off again, because really, I wasn't nearly prepared for another monologue. I lowered my gaze at my hand, the ring like a strange weight there. For the first time I really looked at it. Sapphires were embedded around the band, and a decent size pear cut diamond rested in the middle. It was actually quite beautiful.

"Your majesty told me the ring is enchanted." I whispered, not sure if loud enough for the girl to hear.

She stopped wherever was she was saying about cruelty with animals, "It is."

"What does it do?" I tried not to sound as excited as I actually felt, tracing the diamond with my fingertips.

"It shall shine forever. Not even time can fade its beauty." Her voice was so soft.

My eyes finally looked up from the ring, and found the princess kindly staring at me.

"Oh." I said, forcing myself to remain with a neutral expression. Is that all? I wanted to add. My enthusiasm quickly vanished. And apparently it was not as subtle as I would prefer, for the princess was now somberly looking at me.

"Magic is dangerous. And must be treated with absolute caution," She started solemnly, "My father ordered the ring to be taken far into the woods to the fairies glade, so they could enchant it as a favor to the king. Here, we respect the magical creatures. But they have their places, and we have ours."

"Fairies?" I said, truly intrigued by the information provided. In my father's kingdom, all forms of magical creatures were banished. So were the humans who had magic. Most of them, at least. And then I just had to ask. "Do you know any… person who could have enchanted it? I mean," I hurried to add, "It just seems like so much trouble… send it to the fairies."

"There are no known wizards or witches around here." She said simply, but there was still something severe on her eyes.

I just nodded, even though I was dying to ask more. But I couldn't, not now. It was obviously not wise to look too interested in the subject.

"Would you like some strawberry pie, or perhaps some peach cake, my queen?" The voice of the king startled me slightly. All the food had been replaced by the desserts, and I haven't even noticed it.

"I…sure. Thank you, your majesty." I forced a smile.

Hours later, several nobles had passed out on the table, and the king rose and took my hand. We would go to the king's chambers, and the ones that were still awake would retreat to the prepared rooms. The celebration would continue in the next day. And in the day after that. Three days to honor a real wedding, tradition demanded.

I knew my palm was sweaty against the king's hand, and my legs slightly wobbly. The walk was long, but I could barely register the way, the stair cases and the endless doors.

The chambers consisted of four rooms. The first - decorated with velvet red armchairs and a center table -, the bedroom, the closet and bathroom. All the furniture was made of dark wood, and it was warm and nice. Some of my clothes had been taken there, and I gulped when I saw my nightgown resting on top of the enormous bed.

The king said nothing as I reached to grab it.

"I… Excuse me for a second, my king." I swallowed hard, my nausea back in full force.

"Of course." He answered softly, eyes full off understanding.

I nodded and entered quickly into the bathroom, closing the door. The bathtub was the biggest I've ever seen, and I turned some water taps to fill it. Different kinds of oils and salts stood on a small table beside it. I took some of them and dropped it on the water. I started to undress, my hands trembling.

I took a long bath, concentrating in breathe in and out, until most of the nausea had subsided. I put on the nightgown, washed my mouth and closed my eyes for a second, hand in the knob.

"You can do it, Quinn. It will be over soon." I said to myself, took another calming breath and turned it.

I found the king already dressed in his pajamas and laying on the bed beneath the covers.

I sat by his side and started to undo the laces of my nightgown.

His hands were suddenly on mine, stopping my movements.

"I-I'm sorry. Would you like to do that?"

He stared at me and shook his head.

"No, no, Lucy."

"Quinn." I corrected automatically and my eyes popped out, I breathed shakily and my eyes dropped to my lap.

Hiram's finger was on my chin, coaxing me to look at him.

"Quinn," He smiled at me. "We are not doing this tonight."

"We are not?" I asked, unable to hide my shock.

He chuckled gently.

"Not until you are prepared, okay? It's been quite the day. Why don't we just sleep instead?"

I stared as he smiled at me again, and then sank further into the bed. In what could be hours later, I nodded and did the same.

I closed my eyes, and for the first time I wasn't miserable. In fact, it was the opposite; my husband wasn't the ogre I pictured in my mind, and, the most important thing: I had made it.

I was finally a queen.

~~~~~~~FB~~~~~~

So, this idea has been plaguing my mind for weeks! I know it may sound weird at first, but yes, it's a Faberry story, and I can promise not to gross you guys as we get into it.

I've based it lightly on some fairytales (mainly Snow White) and in its universe, but you won't see apples, enchanted mirrors or sleeping curse. Though you can expect war, magic, witches (not all of them bad!) and stuff.

Also, you should know it's going to be a slow burn, and the plot will thicken a lot, because I realized I have some serious issues regarding keeping things simple hahaha. You may see a lot of familiar faces on the way, and I really hope you stick with me to see where this is going - and give me some sorts of feedback, because this fic is by far one of the most different things I've ever written, but I promise it's going to be a fun ride! J

Oh, and for the readers of Paint me an octave higher, fear not, I'll continue to update it!