Summary: A desperate monarch makes a pact with another king that will one day force him to give his headstrong daughter to the king's harsh son. Within the castle walls lay many secrets, including a deadly curse with one year to break. Let the fairytale begin.

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Chapter Eleven

While Derek paced his room upstairs, the Countess Keleigh was reeling in shock. Clothed in darkness near the Rose Room, she recounted all that she had seen and heard while she let her heart beat slow.

Once both Derek and Cecilia had left the ballroom within minutes of each other, Keleigh's suspicions arose. Perhaps they were already involved with another… no matter. Keleigh refused to lose the opportunity of becoming Crown Princess to a revolting tomboy. Making a hasty exit, she listened for the two pairs of footsteps that were rapidly trailing down corridors. Following Cecilia's example, Keleigh discarded her shoes, and although it pained her to do so, she needed to go unnoticed at all cost. She could hear the ruffles of Cecilia's skirt and was thankful that she did not wear as many petticoats—the harlot that she was.

For a while she lost Cecilia, although damned if she knew how. Standing in the middle of a hallway, Keleigh was alone, rather frightened, and above all, angry. She wondered what Cecilia and Derek were up to at that very moment. Her own thoughts made her blood boil.

It seemed like ages that Keleigh stood in that hallway, internally debating as to if she should try and make her way back to the ballroom or go on and search for that courtesan Cecilia and the Crown Prince.

However, the decision was taken out of her hands when she heard footsteps again. It seemed as if there were two people, but she couldn't be sure. One of them was wearing shoes, but the other… it seemed like a soft padding, and the slight scraping of nails across stone. Pressing herself flat against the wall, Keleigh waited, her ears and eyes alert.

What she saw then made her want to gasp in horror! A wolf, larger than any wolf she had ever seen, walked stealthily, human clothes encased in his furry snout. And following behind him… Princess Cecilia!

They walked to the room a little ways before the spot where she was perched, as silent and wary as a thief. Once the door was securely closed, Keleigh crept to it, tentatively pressing her ear to the door. It was not particularly thick, and their voices were not hushed, so she could hear every word spoken.

She absorbed it all in shock, but nonetheless it soaked into her brain like red wine into linen. Towards the end of the Crown Prince's lengthy explanation, the gears in her brain were already working together, attempting to weave a sinister plan that would ensure him to her. Hearing Cecilia's impending footsteps, Keleigh crept away from the door and, listening to Derek's instructions to Cecilia, moved in the opposite direction of where the other girl was headed.

Cecilia, silly girl, suspected not a thing, gliding down the corridor as if she was already mistress of it! Derek, however, would be harder to fool. It would be too risky to try and get away now, and Keleigh suspected that if he had heightened senses, he might smell her. However, if he didn't before, perhaps he wouldn't…?

It was pure luck that he did not, for Fraanc's Crown Prince exited a few moments later, barefoot and aching from his transformation. Keleigh supposed he was so troubled that he would not have noticed her if she pranced in front of him naked.

Once it was clear that no one else would be coming upon her, Keleigh traced Cecilia's path and headed towards the ballroom. So deep in her thoughts was she that she did not even notice the stealthy steps that crawled their way down the hall. Rounding a corner, she crashed into a young man.

At the impact, both persons fell rather unceremoniously. "Oh, dear!" Sighed Keleigh, frustrated to no end.

"I am quite sorry for bashing into you like that, Lady," said the stranger shortly, standing up and giving her a hand.

Staring into cool gray eyes, Keleigh asked, "And you are?"

He bowed. "I, dear lady, am Marquis Adrian Magio of Spainne."

Blinking, unaffected, Keleigh curtseyed as well. "The Countess Keleigh of Fraanc."

"It is an honor."

"Likewise."

The two stood there for a moment, scrutinizing the other. "Might I ask why you were wandering the castle?" Adrian broke the silence.

"I could inquire of you the same question," Keleigh replied smoothly.

"I suppose you could," conceded Adrian with a chuckle. Suddenly, he seemed to take in her pale countenance and shaking hands. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Have you… have you heard or seen anything rather peculiar lately?"

Keleigh froze. "Have you?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed; his question was sufficiently answered. "Yes," he said calmly. "I have come to investigate. Not to mention that Her Royal Highness Princess Cecilia came back to the ballroom after a rather long absence, looking as shaken as you have, Milady."

Here Keleigh's eyes turned into a glare as her trembling fingers curled into a fist. "I see," she gritted out, struggling to contain her temper.

"Do you know what ails the Princess, Countess?"

It was obvious Keleigh was not clearly thinking, because she felt a tug on her brain for answers and the story poured out of her. The tale was long and detailed, for it took her a good five and forty minutes to tell it, ending with, "Now the kingdom will never be mine, nor the crown," she finished disdainfully.

If she had not been staring at the floor moodily, she would have seen Adrian's eyes rapidly glancing around him, and his tongue darting out nervously to wet his lips. "Well, Milady, I am afraid all I can do is offer you my most sincerest apologies," he said. "However… what if I told you that there is a slight chance that your ambitions may come true?"

As if he was suddenly made of gold, Keleigh's beady eyes lit up. "Tell me," she demanded.

To her irritation, the man shook his head. "While I can give you that piece of hope," he told her, "I cannot give much more. There are a few details I need to… confirm before I tell you of my plan. But until then, keep your eyes and ears open. I will contact you."

"How long will you be staying, Milord?"

"Two months, I believe. I have business with some local shipping companies and then I shall be off. When the time is right, you will know."

"I will be waiting," said Keleigh, her eyes looking like a hunting feline.

His eyes darted about again; and although no one seemed to be near, he could not help but cover up their meeting. In the normal, friendly voice that originally captured Cecilia's interest hours before, he said, "Good day, Milady. I hope you recover from your head cold."

"I thank you for asking, kind sir," the wicked smirk on her face reflected his own. "I fear that this illness shall not last long."

"Pleasant dreams, Milady," he called before the darkness overtook them both and the light of the torches could not reach them anymore.

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Dearest Father,

I cannot come up with any reasonable excuse as to why I have not written often other than preparations for last night's ball have taken up the majority of everyone's time.

The ball itself was magical. The lengths that Queen Marguerite went to ensure the perfection of the ball paid off. The ballroom in Fraanc is absolutely gorgeous—a different type of gorgeous from the Renaissance style of our own ballroom. The writings of the Moors, calligraphy, adorns the walls and is enchanting, likewise the roses that Crown Prince Derek grows.

I fail to see why you dislike the Crown Prince so much. He is not the monster you keep insisting that he is. His exterior is seemingly cool and distant, but in reality he is polite, just, and really a perfect gentleman. Although he does have rather awful mood swings. From what I hear, however, his father was the same way, and you two were the best of chums.

As you know, I have reconnected with Princess Ana of Spainne. She plays music so well! I hope once I return home, we shall still be able to visit each other. I do not want years to go by again before I see this most bosom friend.

Speaking of friends, I have made others, such as the Princesses of Eyerlin and Scoughtlyn. Princess Fiona and Tessa are a delightful, if odd, pair. It is heartwarming to see that the sovereigns of countries that used to be rivals get along so splendidly.

But that is enough on myself—I long to know of what goes on in Italle. Does Parliament approve of the new law you were trying to pass? It is good of you to seek their approval, even though you, for the most part, are not required to have it.

Is Issy keeping up with her lessons? I hope you are spending time with her, Father. I know at times she is lonely, but does not say for she is so selfless. How I wish I could be like her! With this letter I am sending her a dress of mine that I have discovered no longer fits me. To be sure, it is too lengthy for her, but I am sure it can easily be tailored.

Most importantly, how are you, Father? I dearly hope you have been remembering to eat—do not be impatient with Issy if she asks incessantly. She is only doing so due to my own wishes. Remember not to work too hard—the Royal Physician says that becoming run-down will do no one good, especially yourself.

I miss you all so much and while I am quite enjoying my stay here in Fraanc, I cannot wait until I am home again, with both of you.

Give Issy my love, just as I give mine to you.

Your daughter,

Cecilia

Examining her letter with a critical eye, Cecilia finally shrugged, folded it, and sealed it in her signature red wax. Standing from her desk, she went in search of Priscilla, who was the one she gave her letters to so they could be sent to her homeland.

Striding down the hall, she wondered where everyone was. The hallway was unnaturally quiet—the Infamous Four and the Countess must be off somewhere. Ana, she suspected, was in the music room, while Heidi was out with her governess, riding, as usual. Fiona and Tessa divided their time between the armory, where Tessa practiced with her various weaponry, or the drawing room, where Fiona enjoyed playing with water colors.

Cecilia would spend time with the girls after their last meal, where they would joke, tell stories, and just bond. She enjoyed being around ladies her own age, with similar backgrounds, and therefore, similar experiences. Their conversations were always fascinating due to their different interests, but Cecilia never tired of it.

As she walked down various corridors, still hunting for Priscilla, Italle's Crown Princess could not help but think upon the one person she had been longing to see. Derek.

He is not the monster you keep insisting that he is.

The line she had written to her father about him jumped out in her mind. She was telling the truth; to her, Derek could never be a monster. He was, however, Cursed. Cursed with a destiny and an affliction he did not want nor deserve. She could not guiltily think, however, that perhaps the Curse was good for him. It gave him compassion, it gave him depth. And yet, it provided him with years of pain and sorrow that she could never hope to understand.

The organ in her chest started to ache for him, and one thought ran through Cecilia's mind: she wanted to see him. She needed to see him. So much had happened between them in the last twenty-four hours, and she had so many questions. And whether they were about his condition or the odd feelings she was currently feeling, she couldn't say.

Derek.

Speaking of Derek, where was her other wolfish friend? Blinking, Cecilia looked around the hall confusedly, as if perhaps he had followed her and she had not known it. As he had not, she was left to wonder,

"Where is Illario?"

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Although he would never admit to it, Derek could easily see why Cecilia so greatly enjoyed the company of the Husky puppy. Illario was indeed cheerful and a wonderful companion, who absolutely idolized Derek.

The two had woken early and left the silent castle, where many of the guests had only retired to their chamber hours before. The ball lasted late into the night and it was tradition that the day after there was nothing, not even meals, planned.

Derek led Illario to his special place that he had been only the day before. Could it be that a mere four and twenty hours ago that I did not realize, did not fathom…? He let his thought trail off, instead conjuring up a mental image of his beloved.

My Cecily. With her curling, dark hair, that looked soft to touch and her gorgeous eyes that were filled with only compassion and caring, things that his had never shown. Like the lovesick fool that he was, Derek could only marvel at her intelligence, bravery, her unique qualities. There was so much of her he did not know, and yet he longed to learn all of her traits. He had never seen her ride her horse, or fence or do archery, or any of her other unique talents that he had heard so much about. He had never seen her with her family, had not watched the interaction between herself and her sibling.

But he saw the light in her eyes while she debated with him. He had seen her manners, her restraint whenever that harpy Keleigh made a catty comment. Derek had watched her laugh with her friends, play with Illario, chat with the villagers that adored her as much as he. He knew her smiles and her frowns, had (unknowingly) memorized her habits, instinctively knew which lock of hair fell into her face when she was animated, knew her views on a few dozen subjects. He knew her.

Maybe she would be his, maybe not. Perhaps he would tell her of his feelings, perhaps he would shy away. He could live the rest of his life as a hybrid of wolf and man, or he could convince her to love him. No matter what his future held for him, he would never forget this. The feeling of being invincible.

The wind blew even as the early rays of the sun wrapped around him. The sky was as blue as Illario's eyes and the clouds looked softer than a bed. Somewhere behind him, a robin sang and farther there was the rustling of a deer with her fawn grazing. Hearing Illario start to yap, Derek quickly growled, signaling that he should let the mother doe be. Illario whimped slightly at this rebuke, but quickly rebounded, grabbing a stick and frantically offering it to his alpha.

With a laugh, Derek picked it up and threw it far, letting the anxious pup scamper to grab it. He was already racing back.

Maybe his life would never be the way he wanted it to be—it was possible that he would never attain Cecilia's love. But at least he finally knew what it meant to be free.

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Notes: Sorry, this is only meant as a short filler chapter. Because of my two-almost-three month hiatus (stupid school) and this filler chapter, I can guarantee that you will get not one, but two updates next month. Until then, watch my livejournal (it's the homepage on my profile page) for any other news.

As I said last chapter, I am thinking of changing the title. If anyone has any suggestions, I am welcome to hear them. If I don't get any feedback, I'm currently leaning towards changing it to "A Rose Among Thorns". What do you guys think? Let me know!

To everyone who has patiently waited and reviewed, I am so grateful! Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter: laurashrub, ladygriffin88, Tamaran Girl, tahitiliz, hazeleyedbeauty, kirsti, biancarobinson, cinnamon-sq, Abby, Nileaks Books, xiao chan, Lithanya, Kathleen, toriisen, EternityandBeyond, het2468, LOTRFREAK77, Madusa's Daughter, Ellea Dawn, Randomisation, calypsosun, Anonymous, RockStarGoddess, mattewmacfadyenismineaswellasmrdarcysoplainlyiammrsdarcy, Angel of Nature, svelte, boogabooga!, superexclamationgirl, BubbleAngel, Queen Tabitha Tall, Sarralyn, Numairsri, berry-scented, and summerStar.You guys rock.

Well, that's it. Hope everyone had a good Halloween and hope that you guys have a good Thanksgiving. Until next time!