Just an FYI: "Irina" is Isabella, she was given a new name after being found! Onwards:


Chapter 1: 10 years later

In the damp shadows, Edward waited. Despite his slightly labored breathing, he wasn't as panicked as he should have been. Maybe it was the knowledge that he was exceptionally fast, especially when it came to a hasty exit. Or maybe it was the confidence that he could talk his way out of any situation.

Been there. Done that.

The disgruntled group of men halfheartedly combed the area, muttering among themselves, before deciding they'd get him next time. They knew that when it came to Edward, there was always the next time.

Except, Edward thought, I won't be here for the next time.

Beyond the alcohol and women, Edward utilized pubs as a means to gather information. The levity of those atmospheres lent itself to investigative work. There were loose inhibitions and looser lips. More often than not, information fell right into Edward's lap, with little to no effort on his part.

Like tonight, where he heard a group of men planning to find her.

Isabella.

The way he'd heard it, there was a large cash reward for anyone who could return the lost princess to the Dowager Dutchess.

Alive.

The reward promised more money than he could conceptualize. For someone like the Dowager Duchess, money was no object. For someone like Edward, it was the difference between survival and death.

Since the attack, Forx had existed in an almost post-apocalyptic state. It seemed like a truly lawless place, and it was surely every man for themself. Following the murder of the imperial family, a series of interim leaders remained ineffective and corrupt leaving, having forsaken their citizens.

The streets were desolate and littered with shady, dangerous characters. Human waste in the streets, agriculture down, and more parentless children than could be dealt with.

To Edward, it felt like a place people went to die.

And at only twenty, Edward had a lot more life to live.

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Sometimes, Edward dreamt about her. Isabella.

As a young boy, his mother worked in the palace kitchen. A single mother, she worked long hours and relished any time she had with her son. When she couldn't be with him, she'd encourage him to play in the gardens. While he wasn't the only child around, he was one of the youngest. The only child younger than him was…Isabella.

The youngest of the six royal children, she was quite energetic and precocious. Officially, she was not permitted to play with children of the staff - lest there be inappropriate influences - a fact that bothered her greatly. Edward could see it in her longing gazes and slow steps as she passed the playing children. A gilded cage indeed.

He wondered if she really was alive. He wondered if it mattered either way.

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"Carlisle!", Edward yelled as he blew into the dilapidated room.

Once a nobleman, Carlisle too underwent a drastic lifestyle change as a result of the imperial attacks. Those connected to the imperial family were also considered targets, with many not escaping that night. Carlisle had been in the wine cellars, considering the options when he heard the first blasts. He came to what must have been hours later, and immediately went searching for survivors. He'd been happy to find that many of the palace staff had been spared, including young Edward whose head wound he'd tended to as best he could.

"Why are you yelling, Edward?" Carlisle sighed. He'd had a long day and enjoyed the previous stillness.

"I've learned some interesting information."

"Gossiping is for women, son"

Edward rolled his eyes.

"Shut up and listen. There's a reward, and I think we can be the first to collect it."

Carlisle sat up, his interest peaked. Over time, the nature of the streets had made it so Carlisle came to enjoy the cons he and Edward would pull. It became much harder once Edward grew older, but it was fun to get creative.

"Oh?" The older man said.

After explaining, Edward sat back smugly as he waited for Carlisle to respond.

"Interesting. Very interesting, except, the princess is surely dead. Even if she wasn't, how on earth could we possibly hope to find her before anyone else does?"

At this Edward sat up, the excitement in his eyes palpable.

"Because we aren't going to actually find the princess. We're going to create her."

Carlisle smiled.

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"Now, remember. You'll walk straight until you meet a fork in the road. The left will lead you to the factory I told you about. The right will take you into the city, so don't bother. A doll like you wouldn't make it two hours."

Despite the harsh man's words, the young woman couldn't help but feel hopeful as she looked beyond the gates. Finally, she had turned eighteen the month before and had spent most of the following weeks preparing for her departure.

Her relationship with the orphanage was a complex one; while she was eternally grateful to have been found and kept, she resented the less than ideal conditions under which she was raised.

But it didn't matter. At least, not anymore. She had resolved to leave it all behind, and never look back. In the orphanage, she was exactly who she was when she came in: a nobody.

Her name wasn't hers, her decisions weren't hers, nothing was. She wanted to belong somewhere. Love, and be loved in return.

Grasping her necklace, she looked at the words she'd never forget.

Together in Volterra.

Taking a deep breath, she tugged her suitcase as she walked past the gates and towards her future.

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The trip into town was more grueling than she'd prepared for. She hadn't eaten in a long time, and her mood and energy were suffering. She had been strolling for hours, between markets and parks, looking for people she was sure wouldn't rob her.

Relief came to her by way of a frail-looking woman. She was older with artfully mussed hair, a tiny nose, and colorful clothes.

"Are you lost, child?" The woman said. The young woman hesitated before slowly nodding.

"I'm Alice." The older woman said, her voice quite high but musical. She observed the younger girl. It was obvious she was lost, her large brown eyes taking in her surroundings aimlessly. Alice wondered where she came from, where she was headed all alone. It was dangerous for beautiful girls to travel without companions.

"I'm Irina." The young woman said with a grimace.

"Pretty name," Alice replied, sitting down beside her. "You don't seem too happy about it, I must say."

The young woman sighed. "It was given to me after I was found. I've never really left like an Irina."

"You were found?"

"Yes. It isn't so strange considering the number of families separated during the attacks. Now I'm trying to find mine, hopefully."

Alice considered this for a moment. It was very unlikely that she would find her family here. If they were extremely wealthy, they would have escaped. If not, they were probably so hopeless they'd have given up on the girl a long time ago.

"And so you've decided to lurk about town until you see a member of your family?"

Alice's deadpan made Irina laugh.

"Well, not quite," She paused, peering down at the small older woman. "Can I trust you with something?"

Alice looked at the beautiful girl, appalled at her naivety. Didn't she know she couldn't trust anyone? Instead of speaking, Alice simply nodded.

Slowly, Irina pulled out a marvelously made necklace. The gold shimmered under the sun's light, some small flecks of emerald blended throughout. The pendant hung delicately, the words etched in cursive.

"Together in Volterra…" Alice read, whispering.

Flashes of her youth filled her mind. As a young woman, she loved everything fashion and culture. Volterra was the place to be, then and now. She had many fond memories but she too had loved ones left behind.

"So, you need to get to Volterra. That will be very difficult without travel papers."

Sitting up, Irina asked, "Where can I get travel papers?"

"You couldn't afford it legally. But I may know who can help."

"I'll take any help I can get. Who do I have to go to?"

Alice paused. "I'll take you to Edward."