~Eight years ago, Emily/Emmeline is 10~

"Gosh… where's daddy?" I wondered out loud. I was waiting for him as usual in the field by the family home, where we were to practice shooting. Granted it was only a peashooter but I bet it could have still hurt somebody if they were close enough. I laughed. 'That'd keep those mean boys away from me.'

It was a bright day, with the sun beating down on my pace. I quickly hurried over to the shade of an oak tree, then sat down and leaned back. No way was I going to get tanned any more than I already had been. I guess that was one of the reasons that the people my age teased me a lot. I had dark skin from where I played and trained in the sun all day with my peashooter and stick sword. I slumped on the grass, and watched as the sun very slowly trickled down the sky.

It was two hours to sunset before my father finally arrived, arm in arm with a woman. She had long, blonde hair that cascaded down her back. She wore dark red, a colour I had never seen a lady wear before. It matched her lips and shoes. Father had said something amusing, and she laughed flirtatiously back. It was odd; I had never seen my father with another woman; of course he'd talked to them, but he'd never been so… close.

He saw me, and untangled himself from the lady faster than you could say 'guilty'. I waved, but he didn't wave back. I didn't get it- he always waved back. Eventually, him and the lady parted ways. He turned to look at her, and she blew him a kiss. Flustered, he turned back round to look at me.

"Daddy!" I ran towards him, and he pulled me in for a hug. "I missed you! Who was that lady you were with?"

"We'll talk about that later," he replied. "Shall we begin training?"

"But-"

"Emmeline Victoire, I said no. Now let's start training."

I nodded. "Okay Daddy," And so we began.

After an hour of pea shooting, we stopped for a break. "Emmeline," My father started, "your eleventh birthday is coming up soon, is there anything you would like?"

I thought long and hard. "Hmmm… OH! I know! I would like your gun Daddy! The one you told me about… the Holy Vengeance?"

He laughed loudly at this, in a way he only laughed when he was in a really good mood. I wondered if it was because of me, or that lady he was with earlier. After he'd finished laughing, he ended with a sigh, and said: "Oh, Emmeline, you're only ten!"

"No, I'll be eleven."

"Even still, you're too young to have a real weapon, and I love that pistol. It was given to me by my grandfather, who got it from his ancestor Marcus the Pure. He used it to- eh- hurt himself after he thought about bad things one morning."

It sounded like an odd story, but I could tell he didn't want to discuss it any further, so I dropped it. It was getting dark anyway, so we started heading back home. There was one thing however that was bothering me.

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"These older boys told me that on your eleventh birthday, you have to meet the King. Is that true?" I asked, a little worriedly. I had seen King Sparrow, but I had never talked to him. He seemed nice enough though.

"Yes, it is true. On your birthday, we'll have to go up to the Castle to meet him. It should be fun though," Father said. We'd finally arrived back home. With ivy crawling up the front wall with a well-patched roof and red painted door, our home was like a fairy-tale cottage to me. Inside was decorated with the most lavish furnishings. The fire was already roaring, keeping the house toasty and warm.

I threw off my shoes and put my peashooter and sword to the side.

"Go take a bath and go to sleep," Father ordered.

I slowly obeyed, trudging along to the bath. Whilst soaking, I thought about that lady in red more. Who was she, and why did she make Father so flustered? I was wrapping my head around all my questions until the bath water was cold, so I got out and changed into my silk pyjamas, before sinking into my luxurious bed. As soon as my head touched the pillow, I was sound asleep.

~A little while later… Emily is 11 today~

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart!" called Father from the kitchen, where he was sitting with breakfast prepared.

I yawned. I was barely awake, as I was awoken so very early. "Mm, Morning Daddy," I replied.

"I got you your favourite- pancakes! We'll very quickly open your presents, and then we'll have to hurry down to Bowerstone to see the King."

I sat down to eat with Father. The pancakes were beautifully cooked, drizzled in chocolate sauce. I wolfed them down, with the what once was a tall tower of pancakes, slowly deplete. I washed them down with some juice, and headed to my wardrobe to change.

I didn't know what to wear; I really hated those frilly, formal clothes, but I was meeting the King, I couldn't be wearing anything casual. Half-heartedly, I dragged out a dress from the back of my wardrobe: I guess it was okay, at least it wasn't pink. It was a blue simple dress with a satin ribbon at the waste and matching flowers on the bodice. There weren't any frills, at least. I found some blue slippers that suited the dress, and so I changed and went back downstairs to meet Father, who had also changed into his noble outfit.

Father smiled. "You look beautiful Emmeline."

I frowned. "I feel stupid, I hate wearing dresses."

"Don't worry; you'll grow used to them eventually. We don't have enough time to open every present you were given, so we'll open the rest of them later. But for now-"He handed me a small, wrapped gift. "-here."

I opened it viciously and excited. Inside was a little black box that was soft to touch. I opened it and gasped at what was inside; it was a golden necklace with a polished ruby dangling on the chain. It was so beautiful.

"It was your Mother's," Father said softly, "When she was dying, she told me to give this to you on your eleventh birthday. It was her favourite necklace, the one she wore all the time. And now it's yours."

I hugged Father. "I love it, thank you!" He helped me put it on. It felt good, having Mother's necklace hanging around my neck.

"Shall we go Emmeline?" He seemed oddly impatient; after all, we were early.

We left the house. Outside the carriage to Bowerstone was waiting for us, the two horses impatiently stamping their feet. We quickly got on, and told the carriage where to go. Naturally, it didn't take long until we got in trouble.

"Mercenaries," Father growled, and got out his gun. "Emmeline, keep your head down!"

I did as Father told me to, and watch as he concentrated on each mercenary and shot with extreme precision. It didn't take long until all the mercenaries were on the ground, defeated by father. "That was amazing Daddy!" I said in awe.

He turned to smile at me, before saying to the driver, "Are you alright, sir?"

"Erm, yes, I'm fine Lord Edelot. Should I continue on?"

"Yes please." The carriage started to move again, and after not too long we were in Bowerstone, and the castle was in view. We got off, and we were escorted to meet the King. Deep down, I had butterflies in my stomach; I was terrified. What if he didn't like me? Would he execute me? I didn't think they did that anymore… or do they?

Father squeezed my hand. "Don't worry Emmeline, you look beautiful. You're smart, brave and kind, you'll do fine." For some reason, Father looked very nervous; almost as nervous as me.

"The King will see you now," said a kind looking man, who introduced himself as Jasper, the King's assistant. "He's looking forward to see you very much, Miss Edelot."

I grinned, and headed through the large doors to the throne room. "Please welcome Lord Edelot, and introducing Miss Emmeline Victoire Edelot," a loud voice boomed through the room. I trotted across the room like a true noble, as I was taught to, but hesitated when I saw the King. He seemed very friendly, but very powerful too, sat on his throne, crown on his head. I so badly wanted to hold my Father's hand, but I resisted. Instead, I opted for a low curtsey, and a "Your Majesty."

"Why, what a polite girl," replied the King. His voice was soft and warm. "You are Lord Edelot's daughter?"

"Y-yes your majesty," I stammered. I felt stupid; I had to calm my nerves.

"I have a daughter too, she's turning eleven soon as well, and I would love for you to meet her one day."

I smiled. "It would be a pleasure to meet her."

"I'll have it arranged then! Now, I wouldn't think you'd want to spend your birthday talking to an old man like me, why don't you enjoy the rest of your day with your family?"

"Thank you your majesty," I replied, curtseying again, before stepping back to let my father talk to King Sparrow.

"Good day your majesty," said Father whilst bowing, before he stood upright again. "There was an urgent matter I wish to discuss with you-"

Father was interrupted by the door opening again. "Please welcome Lady Pembrose," The booming voice said. In walked another lady- the same lady I had seen Father with a few months ago. She was wearing red again; in a shade I had never seen a lady wear before.

"Your majesty," she said her voice as smooth as silk.

I looked at Father, and his face. His expression lit up as she entered the room- I'd never seen him look as happy as that, not even with me. It hurt, but I was still glad he looked happy. She joined Fathers side, and put her arm around his waist. My eyebrows shot right up. "Daddy?"

"Your Majesty, I would like to inform you about Miss Pembrose and I. We are engaged to be married. It is my deepest wish that this be allowed."

I was in shock. How come he didn't tell me that he was getting remarried? He'd always said to me, 'The only two women I'll ever love are you and your mother in heaven.'

But he looked so… happy. He was looking at her with such love, how could I refuse him that?

The King also had arched eyebrows. "Well that would depend. Do you love her?"

Father smiled at Lady Pembrose. "Yes, with all my love."

"Then of course I will allow it. I wish you two the greatest happiness." King Sparrow then turned to look at me, but sad nothing. How could he? There was nothing to say. If Father was happy, then I must be as well. After all, no noble daughter disobeys her father's wishes.

After we said our goodbyes, Father, Lady Pembrose and I left the castle to enjoy the rest of my birthday. Or to enjoy the rest of their engagement day…

~Three months later~

"So what I'm asking is… will you be one of my bridesmaids?"

So the big day was coming up, and all my days were spent helping Father prepare for the largest wedding in Millfields. They were getting married where Mother and Father did, on the lake. It felt weird that they were getting married there, it didn't feel right. It always felt special to me, and now that they were getting married there, it felt less special.

"Emmeline? EMMELINE?"

I wasn't paying any attention until a hard SLAP came across my face. "What the-"

"You weren't paying attention to me," said Lady Pembrose. Sheesh, she really was a wicked stepmother. "Anyway, I was saying, will you be one of my bridesmaids?"

"Yes," I said quietly. I didn't really want to, but I didn't have a choice. Ever since that lady entered our house and started spending our money, it had been nothing but 'nag, nag, nag' at me, telling me what I can and can't do.

As soon as we had gotten home from the castle, both Father and Lady Pembrose changed personalities instantly. Pembrose walked the room as if she was mentally cataloguing everything. She stopped to look at me, scanning up and down. She looked displeased. "No corset? No petticoat?"

"What are those, ma'am?"

She then shot an accusing glance at father, who had his eyes firmly planted of the floorboards. "I see that I have a lot of work here to do," she said sternly, before looking over at my peashooter and picking it up. "What is this?"

"It's a- it's my peashooter, ma'am. I use it for practice shooting."

She heaved a large sigh. "Ladies do not need to protect themselves," She snapped the peashooter like a twig, before throwing it into the fire. I watched as my peashooter was engulfed by flames, with tears welling in my eyes. "I suppose you have trousers as well?"

Not trusting myself to talk, I lied, shaking my head repeatedly until Lady Pembrose gripped my arm with her claw-like nails, before dragging me upstairs.

"Which is your room?" She demanded. I stayed silent. "Which is it?!" Her gripped tightened on my arm until she drew blood. Using my other arm, I pointed to my room, tears now fully falling down my cheeks.

She pulled me into my room and threw me on the floor, then pulled out all my clothes. "Unladylike, improper, completely atrocious…" She tossed each item of clothing, creating one large pile. After a while, there were no clothes in my wardrobe apart from a few dresses. She picked up all my 'Unladylike' clothes and took them with her, back to Father. I followed, knowing that this wouldn't be good. "Is this really what you let your daughter wear? I'm appalled!" She throw all my clothes on the floor in a strop.

He took her hands, and lightly kissed her lips to hush her. "I'm sorry love," He said, picking my clothes back up and turning to face me. "Emmeline, your mother is right. It's time to change." And with that, he threw my clothes in the fire to join my peashooter. I watched as the fire dances over the fabric, as I said good bye to all my fondest memories. Out with the good, in with the bad.

I turned away from the fire to see Father looking at me. He seemed dazed, like he was looking through me rather than at me. "Why do you call her my mother?" I asked quietly.

He seemed surprised at the question, like he wasn't expecting it. "Because that is who she will be to you for now on."

Lady Pembrose looked positively triumphant, which her arm crossed and a sly smile creeping on her mouth. "Don't worry darling," She said in a sweet, sickly voice, "You'll be married and out our hands eventually."

And that was how I came to be watching 'Stepmother' experiment with wild hairstyles, dressed in an extravagant, ridiculous dress, acting like the snobby privileged brat she had been since birth probably. And I was also in a ridiculous outfit that I could barely breathe in. I rubbed my stomach, praying for the day to be over so I could get out of this costume.

"I'll be going over to the tailor, and your father is in a busy meeting with Mr Reaver. DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE." Pembrose stood up, looking at herself in the mirror for the one thousandth time that day before walking out of the door, leaving me to myself.

I wandered the house, and what now felt like an empty shell. Most of our furniture had been replaced with her furniture, anything unladylike of mine was removed and all memories of my real mother were taken away. All I had left was my mother's necklace, and one small photograph of her and father, from when she was expecting me. For hours on end, I would hold onto that photo, clutch onto blurry memories of Father and I, before this mess.

Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I crept over to the field, where I used to practice my shooting. I noticed a barn that was newly made, and I couldn't help myself to investigate. The door was locked, but a window was slightly ajar, and I managed to pull myself through the gap. A short leap to the ground, and I was in.

The barn was… odd. No hay, no animals, but books- and a lot of them. They weren't regular books either, but as I looked closer, they were all about witchcraft. I scanned other them, some older than others. I came across a table, with different solutions bubbling on. Naturally, my eleven year-old mind filled in the gaps. Pembrose was a witch, and that's how she made my dad fall in love with her! I was proud and triumphant, but as that feeling faded, worry soon began to take over. What if she knew that I knew? I was worried. I didn't want her to find out I had been snooping around.

Using the window I had used earlier, I climbed out of the barn and sat down at the same oak tree I used to wait for father under. The breeze was nice on my face, and time went on like that. After a while, I stood up and began the walk back to the house.

When I got back, she was waiting for me. "I thought I'd told you not to leave the house Emmeline," she said. Fear crept over me. She knew.

"Of course I know," she said as if she were reading my mind. "And I can't let you go crying to your precious Daddy, now. Don't worry sweetie, we'll just sell you off to a nice, rich fellow. Many people will pay good money for your pretty little face."

I stepped back, until I felt something hard against my back. I quickly glanced to see what it was- as if by fate, it was father's Holy Vengeance pistol, in its glorified glass cabinet. As Lady Pembrose continued to talk, I slowly pulled up the lid to the glass cabinet.

"You know, I met a charming young man at the market today. Rich, handsome, looking for a bride. Of course I told him you were only eleven, but we all start out young now don't we?"

My hand gripped the pistol, as she came towards me. "This wouldn't have to happen if you hadn't dug your nose where it didn't belong," She said.

I replied, "It wouldn't have to happen at all if you hadn't brainwashed my Father!" and then I hit her over the head will the pistol. With the element of surprise, I knocked her out cold, but she wouldn't be like that for long.

With the gun still in my hand, I ran to my room, grabbing essentials. Outside, thunder cracked and boomed. And then the rain started. "Great," I muttered sarcastically to myself as the drops splashed on the roof. I tied mother necklace on me, and found a dress with pockets to shove my money and my photograph into them. I grabbed a cloak and hurried outside, with Lady Pembrose still snoring away.

It didn't take long until I was drenched to the bone. I was shivering and frozen, I didn't know where to go. 'The King' I suddenly thought, and made my way to Bowerstone Market. Lightning flashed, and the rain continued to lash down with fury. But I continued on foot, with the castle a small speck in the distance. I wanted to kiss the ground when I reached the entrance of Bowerstone Castle.

"Miss Edelot? Is that you?" A voice asked. I recognised the man instantly as Jasper, the King's assistant. "Oh you poor thing, your drenched! Come inside, we'll get you some warmer clothes." I was taken inside by Jasper, who ordered a bath and some new clothes.

After a warm bath and some comfy clothes, I was taken to see the King. "Emmeline, it's wonderful to see you, but what brings you here?"

Tears filled my eyes, and suddenly the whole story came out as I collapsed on the floor. I skipped out the witchcraft part, but for the whole time, he was listening intently to me, like I was the only one that mattered in that instant. I hadn't felt like that in such a long time. Once I had finished, he dried my eyes and helped me stand up.

"You poor child… I'm sorry."

I sniffled. "Why?"

"I was the one that agreed for the marriage to go ahead. I-I know that nobles are very… overprotective of their children, and can suffocate them. But surely they still love you?"

I shook my head. "No… I can never go back. Because, if I do, then I'll die on the inside."

The king didn't talk for a moment, as if he was weighing out his options. "Then you shall stay here. At the castle."

"Oh, no your majesty, I couldn't possibly intrude like that! Perhaps- perhaps I could work, for food and board here. I'm a very hard worker, I can prove it to you."

Another pause. "Very well." He stood up and called for Jasper. "Jasper, take miss Edelot to the servants quarter. I request she has the finest lodgings we have there." He turned back to face me. "I could always do with a maid willing to work with my daughter. It wouldn't be hard, most of it would just her keeping her company. Would you be able to do that for me Emmeline?"

I nodded enthusiastically, which made him laugh. Jasper gestured for me to follow him, but there was just one more thing I wanted to ask the King.

"Your majesty?"

"Yes?"

I looked down at the floor. "I was wondering if it was all possible to change my name. Emmeline Edelot is a little too noble, and I don't want my Father to know I'm here."

"Of course you can. What would you rather have your name be?"

I smiled. "Emily," I said. "Just Emily."

~Authors Note~

Tadaa! Sorry it's been over a month since my last update, I've been drowning in schoolwork at the moment and haven't had time to write.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, a little longer than usual, the whole thing is just a flashback to Emily's childhood (I just love hurting her ^_^) and giving the story a little more depth rather than continuing on with the storyline.

The next chapter is going to be following on with the story. Hopefully. I get distracted easily.

Anyway, thank you for being patient with me!

MM.

PS: Thank you Robyn as always for reading it first :)