So I wrote this story a while back but as I reread it I said "...Okay I need to make some changes" So I deleted it and started over again on the story with newer idea's. This is based on the fairy tale Snow White, and since I love that story so much and Yugioh, I decided to write this story. I want to thank Autobot once again for helping me write this story, he's the best co author anyone can ask for:)

Enjoy:)

I do not own Yugioh or the fairytale except my OC's.

Long ago there was a kingdom in a far away land that was in a great depression. The king of this land was an alcoholic who could care less about his people and was a very violent man, he struck the servants when enraged for small or unknown reasons, and when he was intoxicated he would go as far as to hit them with blunt objects as well as use his sword to try to kill them. Many feared him and did whatever possible to distance themselves from their King so they would not face his wrath like so many unfortunate servants of the palace, even going so far as quitting despite the depression and getting away from the Kingdom.

Because of his drinking, he went as far as to drain the treasury to buy any and all kinds of alcohol to satisfy his vices, even going so far as to gamble and steal from his own servants of their most prized possessions. Due to that being public knowledge from all over various lands, he has made enemies with other kingdoms because of his atrocious behavior and went as far as to refuse to trade with Black dragon so their kingdoms won't suffer from the toxicity of the lands current condition and his people suffered greatly from it, especially his queen. Her marriage to the king was an arranged marriage and it was a happy marriage at first. The king use to be a kind man but after he married the queen, he began to drink to cope with the pressures of ruling the kingdom and their relationship fell apart. To make things worse they have a son together named Joseph who had to witness his parents conflict and his father's drunken rages. After an incident where his father nearly pushed a maid out the window, Joseph made a vow, that when he became king, he would not make the same mistakes as his parents.

One day when he was three and a half, his mother gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with auburn hair that was as beautiful as dark autumn leaves, fair skin and innocent olive colored eyes. Joseph loved her the second he saw her and because everything became quiet and peaceful when she was born, the people in the castle gave her the name Serenity, for she brought peace into the palace.

Joseph and his parents were happy for a while because of the joy the little princess gave them and everyone in the palace. But the happiness didn't last, years later when the prince was ten and the princess was nearing eight, their mother was caught having an affair by their father with one of the members of his court. Their parents had a terrible argument and it made the king so angry that he finally had enough and he went to the high courts to demand a divorce from his and the queen's marriage for her infidelity, and to have her exiled for her betrayal. When the prenuptial agreement came into discussion as the divorce was in the process, the queen demanded that she take custody of Serenity since she believed that the king would be a bad influence on the princess due to his constant drinking and violent temper. Joseph pleaded with his father to not let his mother take his sister away as he did not want to be apart from her, but the king would not listen. And with that, Joseph and Serenity were separated.

Not long after her separation from her brother, Serenity and her mother settled in a far away kingdom. Shortly after arriving, Serenity's mother had become infatuated with their new king, whom she saw as a much kinder and gentler man than her former husband. The king had recently been widowed and was very lonely until meeting Serenity's mother, and was more than willing to return her love, and also loved Serenity like she was his own child. It wasn't long until they were married, and Serenity had a new father. But despite her mother's happiness, Serenity still missed her brother dearly. She would often lie in bed for hours, looking up at the stars and wishing she could see Joseph again. Then, on her tenth birthday, the young princess received terrible news. Black Dragon had been invaded by an enemy kingdom and their king had been murdered. Serenity mourned for her father, despite his cruelty, and feared the worst for her brother, until discovering that he had not been found.

Serenity never lost hope that Joseph was still alive, and she wanted to look for him, but that day would have to wait. Two years later, Serenity's stepfather had fallen ill, and shortly thereafter died. Grief-stricken, Serenity's mother began to change, and became overprotective of her daughter. Fearing that something could happen to her, the queen rarely let Serenity out of her room, and forbade her from leaving the castle. But the castle servants who cared more for their new princess and her well being took it upon themselves to make sure that Serenity would not whither away from this. They would sneak food up to her when she was hungry, and would sometimes take her outside the palace in disguise, but were always careful to not let the queen find out. As the years passed, Serenity secretly became more and more distant from her mother, and promised herself that someday she would earn her freedom and reunite with her brother.

The sunlight crept into Princess Serenity's bedroom as she slowly woke up. She sat up and slowly stretched with a yawn. The princess was no longer a child by this time. She had now grown into a beautiful, kind, and intelligent young woman with long auburn hair that reached down her back, dark green eyes with a tint of brown that were filled with kindness and warmth.

"Well, today's the big day,"Serenity thought to herself. And it was a big day for the princess. Today was her sixteenth birthday. Not only was she legally old enough to ascend to the throne if need be, she was also legally old enough to marry. The thought of being married had always excited her, but it had also terrified her as she grew.

Many young ladies of royalty and nobility were usually married into arranged marriages, and while some of them sometimes ended up happy with the person they marry, most of the time they aren't so lucky. Sometimes the husband is a cruel man who cares only about himself or continuing his family line, or they don't care about anything at all. Serenity had always feared what would happen to her if she weren't lucky enough. After all, it was what happened to her mother and father.

Nine years ago:

The Seven-year-old Princess ran through the palace in Black Dragon, crying her eyes out as she ran outside to the Palace courtyards. She continued to run until she was deep into the gardens, where no one was there tending the fowers, finally she can be alone to let out her sadness. She sits next to a marble pillar and continues to cry from the incident that happened that caused her such distress.

"Serenity?"

Her eye's shot open in surprise from the familiar voice, she turned head while wiping her tears land ooked up to see her older brother, Prince Joseph, or Joey as she and some people liked to call him. He had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes that held warmth and humor, but at the moment were filled with worry seeing his sister in tears.

Serenity got up and leaped forward to tightly hug her brother "Joey!" she cried out.

Joey patted his sisters back comfortly to soothe her, "Is everything okay? Why all the tears?"

Serenity sniffed and wiped her eyes, "Not really. Mommy and daddy are fighting again."

Suddenly, Joey glared from hearing what his sister told him, "That again?"

Serenity nodded sadly, "Yeah…"

Their parents fighting was nothing new. While he became used to his parents conflicts as he became older as he understood his father's alcoholism and gambling, something that caused his mother to become bitter and critical, he became angry knowing that his little sister was unfortunate enough to see one of the many discords between them.

Joey took the little girls hand, "Come on, sis, we're getting out of here for a while."

Joey and Serenity strolled through the gardens, they played hide and seek and climbed up the apple tree and grabbed a few to eat together. Joey made Serenity laugh as a squirrel climbed up his trousers and the prince did a funny dance trying to get the critter out, eventually it left, leaving the prince exhausted and embarrassed.

As the day went on, Joey and Serenity went to the nearby pond where the swans were gathering. Serenity adored swans and had a pocket full of bread from the kitchen to feed them with Joey. While Joey cheered her up and was enjoying feeding the swans, she still felt sad.

Joey turned his head and looked at his sister with worry, "Serenity? Are you alright?"

Serenity didn't say anything, but a few seconds later she spoke, "Why do they always have to fight? I don't want them to fight anymore."

Joey frowned as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "I know, Serenity, neither do I. But they've been like this for as long as I can remember. But knowing what the old man is like, I can see why mother would see him as a bad husband, and the people calling him a bad King."

Serenity looked up at her brother, "But why? Why did our mother marry him if she knew he was mean all the time, big brother?"

Joey felt a knot in his stomach. He was nervous for a second, but he answered honestly, "Because they were arranged to marry each other, Serenity."

Serenity blinked, "Arranged? What does that mean?"

Joey turned his body to face his sister fully to explain, "Well, it means they were told to marry each other without falling in love, it's usually out of duty to continue the royal bloodline, gain more wealth for the family or cement an alliance with another kingdom to make peace and gain allies incase war breaks out and we need backup. Sometimes people in arranged marriages do fall in love thankfully, but more often they turn out like our parents who can't stand eachother...or sometimes worse."

Serenity flinched a bit. Serenity was read fairytales by the handmaid's and it usually involved a prince and princess falling in love and living happily ever after, but after hearing her brother explain what an arranged marriage is and seeing her parents arguments, it made her anxious,

"I don't like that." she said wearyingly.

Joey shook his head, "Me neither. And what's worse is not only dad fighting with mother and making everyone in the palace scared of him, he's also making other Kingdoms mad at him for insulting them and picking a fight with them. He could end up starting a war if he keep this up."

Serenity's eyes widened in fear, then they filled up with tears and she started to cry again. Joey panicked and mentally scolded himself talking about their father and war with his already upset little sister, he tries to calm her down and hugged her.

"Oh man, Serenity!" Said in a panic, "I'm really sorry, sis, I didn't mean to go dark like that."

Serenity looked up at him shaking her head as more tears fell, "But you're right! We are in trouble! Daddy's spending the tax money on alcohol and gambles! I don't want this to keep happening! He's hurting everyone!"

Joey comforted his little sister as he patted her back, "Serenity, I know things are bad now, but I promise you, when I become king, I won't let them happen anymore. I'll clean up this kingdom like how the maids clean the castle. Spik and span. And I won't let you be forced into an arranged marriage like they were. I promise you that when you get married someday, it'll be to someone you love and who returns your love."

"..Y..You promise?" Serenity sniffed.

Joey takes his sister's pinky and wraps it with his own with a smile, "Yeah, I promise."

Serenity blinked away her tears and had a large smile as she wrapped her pinky around her brother's.

As Serenity stood up and went over to her mirror to brush her hair, she remembered her brother's promise that day, but she was unsure if he'd be able to keep his promise, even if he was still alive as Black Dragon was now a desolated wasteland from the war. But she still had hope that he managed to survive the fall of Black Dragon and was still somewhere out there, gathering allies to rebuild the fallen kingdom and take his place as King and undo the damage their father caused. And if he happened to still be alive, he'd be able to keep his promise to her and be there for her when she came of age to marry. But as Serenity brushed her hair and pondered that memory, she was soon snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of a knock on her door.

"Come in!" Serenity called out. The door then opened and in walked Serenity's handmaiden and lady in waiting, Daiana. "Oh Daiana, it's you."

"Good morning, Your Highness," Daiana greeted her with a smile.

Daiana is the daughter of the head cook in the palace. She had wavy black hair with a pink headband to keep the rest out of her face while she helped her mother in the kitchen, and had light brown eyes that were similar to Serenity's; filled with kindness.

They met when Serenity and her mother came to the palace as the King's guests before her mother fell in love with him and married. Serenity wondered into the kitchen and met with the head cook herself named Sono, and behind her was her daughter and only child Daiana, who was the same age as the princess. Daiana's mother asked Daiana to take Serenity on a tour of the palace, and they soon became fast friends and Daiana taught Serenity how to cook and make certain dishes by hand, while Serenity took her to the lakes to watch the swans and make flower crowns.

Serenity looked at her handmaiden with a smile of her own. "Daiana, you don't have to call me Your Highness when it's just us, you know," she reminded her.

Daiana blinked and blushed a bit from embarrassment, "Sorry, Serenity," Daiana sheepishly apologized, "Force of habit as a lady in waiting."

Serenity smiled, "It's okay," the young princess reassured her.

Daiana brought in two trays and set it on Serenity's dresser as she continued to brush her hair, "I brought you something for breakfast, by the way. The birthday girl needs her energy." Daiana announced proudly.

Serenity smiled, "I see you remembered, and I have no doubt that your cooking is excellent as always."

Daiana sat next to her, "How could I not? Your mom won't stop talking about it. And thank you I try."

Serenity was silent as she heard of her mother. She looked at Daiana with worry, "Oh, right. But you really shouldn't do this, Daiana. If my mom found out you've been sneaking food up to me-"

Daiana stopped her as she raised her hand. " That's never stopped me before, Serenity. Your mother shouldn't be starving you like this, even if she is the queen. I don't understand why she won't let you eat enough or let you outside for that matter. And I promised my mother to help you through this."

Serenity looked down with a frown, "Good point. For six years she wanted me to remain in the palace, or if she is really paranoid, have me stay in my room for the most part. And it's recent that she started to have me eat less, she won't tell me why she won't let me out or anything...and I don't know if I can trust her anymore."

When the Queen began to shelter Serenity from the outside world, the servants and some of the guards became concerned with the Queen's behavior. Many thought she was so heart broken by her husband's death and was scared to lose her daughter after Prince Joseph's death that she wanted to keep the Princess safe at all times, but one day about three months after the Queen declared Serenity to remain in the palace, a maid saw the young princess completely pale and her eyes were looking empty.

When the maid in question told Sono and the other cooks, it tore it and she had the cooks, maids and guards that could be trusted help the Princess have her independence back by going behind the Queen's back. The others were afraid at first because disobeying the Queen had serious consequences they didn't want to face, and they weren't sure if they could get away with sneaking Serenity outside without getting caught by the Queen herself or by the other Maid's and guards who would report to the Queen without question.

That wasn't going to stop Sono, and for the past six years they would each take turns in taking Serenity out to the village so she would be aware of what was happening in town or if there was a festival going on and wanted her to have fun. And when the Queen declared that Serenity can't eat as much anymore, it made Sono even more angry and the others had to step up with not only helping Serenity leave the palace for fresh air and freedom, but now have to sneak food so she would have proper nutrition. It started to make everyone wonder if the Queen was slowly losing her mind for what she was putting the Princess through.

And Serenity grew to distrust her mother more and more and was worried for the others who have been helping her have some sort of freedom.

Daiana snapped Serenity out of her train of thought, "Things will turn around soon, you'll see. And besides, you should be allowed to have fun on your birthday, especially since it's a big one."

Serenity nodded at Daiana, but she frowned once again, "I know. I just wish my brother were here..."

Daiana started to feel a tinge of regret in her chest, "...Oh right...I'm sorry."

Daiana knew about Joey when Serenity first told her many years ago when they met. She told her about how violent their father was and how Joey had to stay behind at Black Dragon as the heir to the throne until the destruction of the Kingdom. While there hasn't been reports of finding the Prince's body, Serenity still holds onto the hope that her brother is still alive, but not knowing where he is always hurt Serenity.

Serenity realized what she said and quickly apologized to her, "Oh, sorry Daiana. I didn't mean to bring down the mood!"

Daiana shook her head and smiled, "It's alright, Serenity. Still, it's your birthday, you should be celebrating!"

Serenity felt her stomach growl and blushed, "Well, I can't celebrate on an empty stomach."

Daiana giggled, "I couldn't agree more."

Serenity sat up and put her hair brush down, "So what's for breakfast?"

Daiana stood up and proudly lifted the first tin cover to reveal the Princess's birthday breakfast, and Serenity thought it was a master piece, "Four-cheese soufflé, fried sausage, and as a special treat for today…" Daiana opened the second tray, "chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. The girls in the kitchen and I made it special for you today."

Serenity's eyes sparkled as she saw the delicious cake, she smiled and hugged her best friend, "Aw, thanks Daiana. You're a great friend, this birthday is turning out greater than I expected."

Daiana hugged her back, "I try."

The girls began to eat the breakfast, and needless to say Serenity was beyond impressed by her friends cooking.

"Wow, Daiana. This food is amazing! You really out did yourself!" Serenity exclaimed in amazement.

Daiana blushed and rubbed the back of her head, "Thanks Serenity, I made it myself. Well, with the girls' help, of course."

Serenity nodded as she continued to eat happily, "I thought it tasted familiar. This is one of your mom's recipes, right?"

Daiana nodded, "Yeah. She'd usually make these for special occasions, and I thought she'd like it to be made for this day for you."

Serenity gently laid a hand on her shoulder and smiled sadly at her, "You must really miss her."

Daiana's eyes started to water but quickly wiped her eyes, "I do, but whenever I cook one of her recipes, I always feel like she's still with me."

Serenity smiled brightly this time, "I know what you mean. I miss her to, she was a second mother to me, and it was thanks to her I was able to be outside the palace. I owe her for everything she's done for me."

After finishing breakfast, Daiana helped Serenity get dressed into a yellow and pink dress and a pair of white shoes with Daiana putting a golden hair clip at the back of Serenity's head.

The two of them then go downstairs as Serenity was greeted by the maids and guards in the hallways. Eventually they made it where the servants are preparing for the party, there were tables being set up and and a lot fo food was being prepped up on the tables.

Daiana looked around and smiled at her friend, "This is it, Serenity, your sixteenth birthday party. As of today you'll be an official adult, how does that feel?"

As Daiana mentioned her sixteenth birthday, she suddenly remembered what it also meant for her regarding her future,"...I'm excited and nervous." She answered.

Daiana became confused, "What do you mean? It's your birthday."

"My sixteenth birthday...and sixteen is the age where..."

Daiana was confused, "What? What is it?"

Serenity shook her head, "Oh no, it's nothing, don't worry about it."

Daiana was about to ask Serenity what was really wrong, she was called by another cook to help with the roast. Serenity looked around as she felt her chest tighten, while today she becomes an adult, she knew that her mother will still have a say in who she marries, and for the past six years with her antics in keeping Serenity inside she has little faith in her mother choosing wisely for her daughter's suitors. She can only pray that she hasn't found a man yet to arrange a match, and wants to enjoy the freedom she will now get with her age, no more walking on eggshells with her mother, no more sneaking out and being afraid of getting caught and not be in fear of her Maids or guards getting into trouble.

Serenity was determined to finally be seen as a woman in her mother's eyes.

End of Prologue.

Please R&R