I'm sorry it has taken me so very long to get this out. Life got in the way and to be honest it still is. I just nailed it the wall for about an hour or so to finish this up. Haha. I tend to write when I have no business doing it at that moment. I need to do that to a few of my original stories and not just fanfictions.

Well enjoy!

Chapter 2: To sacrifice something or everything

pt 1

The days pass on by as I'm taught more and more magic by Hal, Albert and Ferris. The latter is much nicer once you get to know him. He's still very persistent on being my intended husband. I find it rather annoying to be honest. All the princes seem to want me for their own agenda. How am I supposed to fall for someone who doesn't love me as a person but for my title as Queen? It's unsettling if you ask me and I really want nothing to do with any of the princes.

Is power worth sacrificing love, and how could it be if you're doomed to be unhappy the rest of your life for it. They might be willing to sacrifice it but I'm not by choice. I know I have to pick a partner soon and very soon. Too bad I can't meet someone and fall in love with them slowly as normal people do. It's like my free will has been stripped from me. Being the Queen hasn't given me my own rules to live by. In all senses I'm more of a slave to the Fairy Tale Kingdom's list of rules.

Everything that has been happening is so unfair. Being thrown into this world was not what I'd foreseen in my near future. Enough complaining, not when there are so many people at risk. This world needs my help and I have to give it… Only I have to choose a partner to save both the people and myself. Without a partner in the end, I could end up sacrificing myself.

A knock on my door sends my thoughts in a scatter. I've long since learned Hal's unique knocking pattern, and it never fails to make my heart race. I ignore this and open the door.

On the other side stands Hal with a worried expression. He quickly covers it with his usual smile when he sees me. "Are you ready for the first ritual?

I feel myself go pale. I'd completely forgotten almost that it was being held today, spending most my day in my room with a few books I'd chosen in the library. There's such an enormous amount of books to choose from. I can't help but read a few in my spare time.

"Oh," was my smart answer. It came out before I thought. I watched as Hal's eyes roamed over the stack of books on my desk and then settling on the opened upside down one on my bed.

I laugh at my silliness, "I must have lost track of the time. I'm sorry, Hal."

Hal just smiles.

After that, he leads me outside of the castle into a castle. We travel quite a way until we stop at a giant gate and I realize with a start it's made of glass, fitting for the entrance of the Glass Kingdom. Albert was waiting for us on the other side to lead us to the Glass Cave where the ritual would take place.

The guards at the gate are expecting our arrival and let us in without question. I didn't miss their worried expressions as we walked by, and it made me think back to earlier today when I saw Hal with the same expression. I felt a heavy sense of foreboding. A small prick of fear crawled its way into my heart.

Review, cause I won't update until I get some!