Artemis is a princess who thought everything was going the way it was meant to until her father arranged her marriage with a prince who was selfish and mean. The night of the engagement ball was going great until the prince showed his true colors and hurt Artemis causing her to run from the party and the castle to the Moors where she meets Diaval and he helps her recover and they soon learn how to trust each other and fall in love.

Chapter 1: Artemis's Trouble begins

Artemis's POV:

I had been walking around the garden of the castle like I do every day and smiled enjoying the day, the sun was shining and the birds were singing and everything was going perfectly like it was meant to. The smell of fresh-cut grass filled the air as I strolled through the castle's garden. The place where birds songs ring out, the sun's rays kissed my skin, and I found a calming peace. Growing up I would spend as much time as I could get lost in the sea of various flowers and arrays of colors. Anything to keep from being cooped up in lessons for most of the day. I suppose it's why it became a favorite of mine. I continued on as my feet took me to my usual spot, a stone table and benches, which had been set up. Tea and my favorite flowers greeted me before a voice broke through the quiet as the birds had stopped their song.

"I was wondering when you were going to show," a calm and sweet-toned voice said as I smiled knowing it was my best friend Magnolia. It was hard to miss her as her appearance made her stand out among everyone else in our staff. She had such beautiful chocolate-colored skin and striking sky blue orbs. A scar, which she uncovers during our usual get-together, runs just above her eyebrow and down her left eye. With all those features, along with her beautiful wavy blonde locks, it wasn't such a surprise that she was seen as such a rare gem. Not much is said about Magnolia's past, at least not known, but it's clear that it's left its mark. A sigh escaped my lips as I tried not to think of such sad things and I took my seat and she poured me some tea.

"Sorry," i started to apologize.

"Miss Darcy was being extra picky about manners and such. I'm sure in the time you were waiting you could have done something other than sitting here."

"Oh yes, because I would rather be barked at by the cleaning bloodhound," she says as she refers to the head maid Viola. At the mention of her nickname, we both shuddered before laughing.

"Besides you requested tea in the garden and who am I to go against orders?" She finishes with a knowing grin as I cannot counter her point as she really was just doing her job. I sighed and nodded as I sat down at my spot knowing this is the only time of day my father and I spend time together since he is busy running the kingdom and I am always in lessons trying to please him.

"So do you know what your father wants to talk to you about this time?" Magnolia asked and I shrugged not having a clue.

"Honestly it could be anything Mags, knowing father he uses our teas to spend time with me but to also talk about what he wants me to do as a princess." I took a sip as she just rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"Well from the sound of it, it sounds like he's doing some of his many fatherly and kingly duties." I know she was just joking a bit but at the same time, I can't help but feel kinda bummed when work takes up our tea times. After some more back and forth conversations about past events or various things that have happened around the castle a noise had caught our attention.

"Good evening sir" Mags calls out as I look back and see my father approaching.

"Joining us for tea?" she says as she reaches for another cup from the set before he raises a hand and stops her.

"Thank you, dear, but that won't be necessary. If you would be so kind I would like to speak to my daughter alone please." Magnolia nods and stands up before giving me a small smile as she reaches for her eyepatch and puts it back on.

"Of course dear sir. I will be checking in with Viola for any jobs that need to be done and return for the set later." With a curtsy and bow, she heads off as my father thanks her and takes her spot at the table.

"Hello father," I say with a smile, nice to see him free from being cooped up inside the throne room. Mother would always make sure he takes time to take a break or at least take a walk around the castle but since she's been busy helping out some of the townspeople she's been in and out of the castle.

"Hello princess, so how has your day been so far? Have you gone to town to help your mother yet?" he asked as he sat down and I could tell he was slightly distracted by something I just couldn't figure out what.

"No not yet, I was running a little behind with studies and classes," I say trying to make sense of what could be on his mind.

"I shall head out in a moment but I just wanted to take a break and relax." He nods and gives a smile.

"Well don't take too long. Your mother will probably be busy chatting with everyone before finishing" he says with a chuckle as we both agree since mother does have a tendency to talk someone's ear off to procrastinate a bit.

"Also I just wanted to inform you that we have an important matter to discuss at dinner. I think it's something that will be most helpful to us and our people." With those words, it suddenly hits me that it must be of critical importance. It also must be why dad's been off since he arrived, granted he's only been here for give or take five minutes.

"I will be sure to inform mother of it then." He thanks me as we both get up to head over to the stable where a carriage is being arranged to take me into town as we talk about my progress in my classes. Once all was said and done I was helped into the carriage and gave a wave to father as I watched his figure disappeared in the distance and I sat in wonder as to what the subject of tonight's dinner possibly be about, I should ask Mags when I get back if she or others have an idea to what it is. All throughout the time I helped mother I had been thinking about what the news could be and when it was finally time for mother and I to go home mother and I sat in silence. Once we got back to the castle I went to my room to get cleaned up for dinner and I put on my new dress. It was a long flowing purple dress decorated with flowers along the side and top of the sheer bishop sleeves which came off the shoulders. As soon as I was dressed I went downstairs and sat down at the table with my parents. Dinner was going ok for the most part but towards the end father got visibly tense and set his fork down.

"Artemis, you are now eighteen and that means it is time for you to officially be married and I have found you a prince that will help unite our kingdom with his and it will help our kingdom flourish better," father said and I looked up shocked, completely caught off guard by this.

"Father, I'm aware it is my duty as a princess to marry but are you sure this is the right way to go about it?" I asked, trying not to make him angry.

"You aren't getting out of this, his name is Vladimir and he is here already, he'll be here in a few minutes and there will be a ball in a few days to announce your engagement that is the end of this discussion Artemis." he declared and i nodded and i knew there was no arguing so i stood up and waited for the doors to open knowing soon Prince Vladimir would walk through them and i'd meet the one i'd be married to for the rest of my life. Just as I thought that the double doors opened and he walked in, he had a Fair complexion, strong square jaw, deep set brown eyes, and slicked back black hair,his Body seemed fit and solid. Overall he seemed like a normal prince. He bowed and I curtsied back.

"Hello Prince Vladimir it's a pleasure to meet you." i said with a polite smile.

"You as well Princess Artemis, I look forward to getting to know you,"he said as he took my hand and kissed it looking into my eyes and as he did I noticed a weird glint in them and I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.