A/N - Hello, readers! :) Yet another AU to fit your Jolex needs. Hopefully you all will enjoy this completely new territory for our couple. Please read & review because I have never, ever written anything like this before :) This first chapter is kind of short, but it's setting things in motion. Enjoy! xoxo

Chapter 1

Many, many years ago a once peaceful land was separated by deception and greed, staining the fields a horrible shade of scarlet. The remaining survivors of war established a border in Shadowdale, dividing the land into Shadowhaven and Stonedale.

Each piece of country established their own laws, sections, and royals.

It seemed they were better off apart.

Or so they thought.

"I'm so sorry, Princess," Leah Murphy, a servant, apologized in present day Stonedale.

"It's quite alright," the brunette winced as her servant tugged the brush through her hair again. The least of her worries today was her servant lacking a tender touch. Butterflies fluttered in Princess Josephine's stomach as the day's responsibilities raced through her mind. Today was the first day she would address the needs of her people. Her uncle, King Owen, was finally allowing her to interact with her people.

Her people.

The thought was intimidating; would she ever be ready to have the crown one day? Uncle Owen was a calm, yet commanding leader; he made it look so easy. He spent hours upon hours in meetings, yet never let it show when dealing with the people of Stonedale. He was truly a gracious, honorable King. It would be an honor to follow in his footsteps. If she could be half the leader he had been, she would consider herself a success.

Josephine's thoughts were interrupted as someone pounded on her door, causing both her and her servant to jump. "I will be ready in a moment!"

The door to her chambers flew open, a young man marching inside.

"Lord Myers," Leah greeted, dropping her eyes.

"You're dismissed," the Lord snapped, not even giving the woman time to curtsy.

"Jason!" the Princess scolded, rising to her feet. "Please do not speak to my servants that way." Josephine met Leah's eyes, seeing the fear in her eyes. "Please excuse us. We have important matters to discuss."

"Yes, Princess," the woman nodded before scurrying from the bedchambers.

As soon as the door closed completely, Jason's hand struck out, connecting with the brunette's cheek, knocking her to the ground. "Do not ever speak to me that way!" he hissed, looming over her as she gasped. "You are my fiancee, you will treat me with respect!" Jason reached down, grabbing her arms and hauling her to her feet. "Do you understand me?!" he asked as he shook her roughly.

"Yes, now release me! Please!"

Lord Myers pushed her away from him, adjusting his tunic and dusting off his hands. "See what you made me do?" he chastised her. "Do you think I like treating you this way?" His head tilted as he studied her. "That willful spirit of yours... I will break that spirit when you are my wife." Jason cleared his throat, clasping his hands behind his back. "I came to inform you that I will be with you today when you see the subjects. King Hunt suggested it." He turned on his heel abruptly and left the room.

The Princess winced as she rubbed her upper arm, her flesh reddened from his grip. Lovely. Not only was she to marry a man she despised, but her uncle thought Lord Myers was a wonderful man. Jason had certainly pulled the wool over King Owen's eyes.

"Your highness," Leah tisked, hurrying into the room with a basin and cloth in hand. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," the Princess cringed as her servant dabbed at her cheek with the cloth. "Is there a mark?"

"A faint one, but this should help," the young woman assured her, massaging the cheek gently. "Are you going to tell the King this time?"

"I'm fine," Josephine repeated, her voice a bit more stern.

"You can not marry that man!"

"Leah!" the brunette raised her voice. "I appreciate your concerns, but you should not meddle in the affairs of others."

"But Princess..."

"I can finish this myself, Leah. You're dismissed."

The servant curtsied. "Yes, Princess."

Josephine brushed the tear that trickled down her cheek away as the door closed and silence filled her chambers. She knew that Leah's heart was in the right place, but unfortunately, the servant didn't know the laws of Stonedale. The only way the young woman would be allowed to rule was if she had a King at her side. Queens were not allowed to solely rule Stonedale. Besides, she and Lord Myers were set to be married since birth, despite how he treated her.

Her father was to blame for this entire mess, to tell the truth. Lord Jonathan Myers was a dear friend of her father's, and had offered his son Jason for unity the day she was born. The King accepted, believing that he was securing her future.

The Princess began to pace her chambers angrily. Her whole life was planned for her, and she was just along for the ride! No voice, no opinions, just living by someone else's rules! The young woman hoped Uncle Owen would change her father's ruling when he passed, but King Hunt kept the laws of the land, believing he was honoring her father's wishes. Her chances of getting away from Lord Myers were very, very small. Josephine paused in front of the mirror, looking at her pink cheek. What would King Hunt think of the wonderful Lord Myers now?

Hopefully the uncle she knew and loved would ban the man from court, thus ending their engagement. It was at least worth a try.

After dressing in a casual gown, the Princess left her chambers in search of her uncle. She greeted the servants along the way, despite being angry with her fiancee and frustrated with her arrangements. No matter what was going on personally, Josephine vowed to never abuse her staff. Their station was just as important as hers. If she didn't have a good foundation, there was no way that she could be a good Queen. The brunette only hoped that Jason would understand that one day. He wanted to have the crown for all of the wrong reason. Funds, power, and favors. Plus war. Jason had been trying to convince King Owen to start a war with Shadowhaven for over a year now. Something about the subjects stealing livestock, but Josephine had yet to see proof of his claim.

"O-Oh!" the Princess exclaimed as she ran headlong into someone. "Uncle," she breathed, steadying herself.

"Is something wrong, Princess?" the King asked, reaching out and steadying her. "Your cheeks are flushed."

Josephine ducked her head, brushing her hand against the cheek struck by her fiancee. "I was looking for you." Her eyes shifted to the library behind him. "Were you studying, Uncle?"

The King's eyes saddened. "Today is Lady Cristina's birthday, Josephine."

"Oh," the Princess dropped her head, a sadness for her uncle filling her core. There was no way she could tell him about Jason. Not today of all days.

Nearly twenty years ago, Lord Hunt met the woman of his dreams, Lady Yang. The dark haired beauty was like no one he'd ever met before. Smart, independent, feisty; he couldn't help but fall in love with her. After earning her hand, the two were married and traveled all of Stonedale before returning to court to start a family. Lord Hunt was ecstatic when his wife became pregnant. Unfortunately, both woman and child died in childbirth.

Then, nearly two decades later, his brother passed on, and Lord Hunt was forced to take the crown since Princess Josephine was merely an infant. Owen, after all that he had been through, was expected to hold the crown until his brother's daughter was of age and married to Lord Myers. A Queen must rule with a King, afterall.

The crown was of utmost importance, despite personal tragedy or belief.

"Did you need something?" Owen asked, tilting her chin so that she looked at him.

Josephine bit her lip; perhaps she could talk to him at another time. "Lord Myers says that you suggested he join me today?"

"Yes," her uncle nodded. "Does that upset you?"

She grabbed her skirts and turned, putting her back to him. "I thought I was finally able to meet my people, Uncle. Alone. Unsupervised."

"I was hoping he could help you, Josephine. He will also have a crown one day."

"They do not like him!" her voice elevated. "He is rude and condescending. How could he ever understand the needs of those less fortunate than him?"

"Are those the reasons the people do not like him, or the reasons that you do not like him?" Owen sighed heavily as her back stiffened. "Josephine," he spoke her name softly as he moved behind her and placed a tender hand to her shoulder. "I know you do not love him now, but if you would only give him a chance..."

"Yes, Uncle," the Princess shrugged off his hand. "I must get to my subjects." Even physical abuse could not change her fate, obviously. Her life is already decided for her, and there is nothing she can do about it.

Fortunately for the Princess, she would be meeting her destiny soon.