Hey everyone,

This is my idea for a new story; I may just leave it as a one-shot though. Hope you like. :) (I'm not quite sure where it's set, it is in the past though.)

Chapter Name: New beginnings

Song for this chapter: Faded by Alan Walker

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Snip

The length of her dress was quickly cut down as it was far too long.

Snap

The maid opened the small white velvet box containing a silver necklace and put it round her neck.

Crash

The shelves came loose in the room causing dust to fly everywhere.

Bash

The maid went hurtling into the wooden chair by the fireplace, causing her to shriek in pain.

Thud

The sound of people running to the room could be heard.

Crack

The mirror broke straight down the middle.

Slap

The hit made her stumble backwards.

Bang

The door slammed shut leaving her alone in the room.

Clary Fairchild sat down on the wooden chair and put a hand to her aching cheek. She knew she had been wrong about putting the shelves up herself, but in her opinion her mother shouldn't have reacted so badly. It's not like I hurt anyone, Clary told herself but deep down she knew that wasn't true. She had injured the only maid they had, Greta. Greta was a kind woman who was constantly trying to help Clary, even though she usually never wanted it. When the shelves came down, Greta had been putting the final touches onto her brand new sparkling dress.

"You look divine", Greta had told her when she had finished pinning her hair up. Clary had mumbled a quick thank-you, she didn't mean it though. She didn't want to look divine, like she was a box of chocolates ready to be sold. She simply wanted to be free. She particularly wanted to be free of the cursive dress she was being made to wear. It was ridiculously tight, with an uncomfortable corset and itchy tights. Clary had to admit her hair was a work on art, and her dress was stunning. However, she didn't want to be sitting on a hard oak chair in a stunning dress with a beautiful hair style. Clary would much rather be out in a muddy field painting a tree.

"Clarissa, the carriage is here", her mother called. Clary sighed and picked up her long flowing dress to avoid ruining it before she even got there. Stumbling downstairs, she sent a quick apologetic glance at Greta and headed outside and stepped into the silver carriage.

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For the first hour of the journey, her mother had made her repeat everything she had learnt for this one 'special' day.

"Repeat again", her mother said. Clary had to stop herself screaming in anger.

"I must be courteous, charming, polite, generous, well-mannered, eager, flirtatious, smiley and elegant at all times", she said in one breathe. Her mother nodded in approval and closed her eyes signalling she was not going to talk any longer. Clary turned and looked out of the small window, thinking about how her life may change forever. She was going to the palace to meet the Prince like nearly every girl aged eighteen was. The prince needed a princess quickly as the small country feared that the King and Queen may pass on soon. Clary would have to empress the Prince a hell of a lot to have any chance of becoming his wife. It's never in a million years going to happen, she thought. Her mother however disagreed completely. Jocelyn had even gone and bought the expensive dress she was wearing just to meet him. Clary hoped that he wouldn't notice her; she wanted nothing less than having to marry him. She knew that if he did choose her, she would have to accept. She would go and live with the Prince, eventually get married, be expected to carry his child after a few months and then become Queen. The thought of doing any of those things made her feel sick.

"We are here", her mother said releasing Clary from her own nightmare of thoughts. They stepped out of the carriage and made their way to the grand door.

"Clary, please try", her mother said before they entered. The words hit Clary like another slap. TRY? That's all I've been doing since I was twelve. She knew she could never speak to her mother like that, so she nodded and walked into the palace.

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"Introducing, Clarissa Fairchild", the man said and she stepped out of the doors into the hall. Many woman had already had their names called and were waiting patiently for everyone to be named. Clary lifted up the hem of her lilac dress and walked along the red carpeted area towards the Prince. The prince kissed her hand and she curtsied.

"You are beautiful", the Prince said making Clary's stomach twist in disgust. He has no right to say that to me, he probably doesn't mean it in the slightest, she thought angrily. Instead she smiled sweetly and moved along to let the next lady through. She saw the Prince's eyes watch her as she made her way out of the blood red carpeted area.

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"The prince will now dance with each maiden of our land", the same man said and the trumpets blared and the music started. Clary danced with other men she had never met until it came to her turn with the next King. He smiled and she curtsied, her body ached and her eyes were weary but she battled on laughing at his jokes and doing her best shot at flirting.

"Goodbye Clarissa Fairchild", he whispered in her ear when her time was up. She felt relieved when he had gone to the next girl, she had hated the way he had said her name. He was laughing with a particularly attractive woman now, making her feel slightly better with the whole situation. There is no way in hell that he would choose me over someone like her, she thought gleefully. Clary then went to the refreshments table and waited patiently for the day to end.

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"The Prince has chosen his future Queen", the man called. Clary stood up and peered over at the Prince who was waiting for the name of the woman he picked to be called out. Clary wished she was already in the carriage home apologising to her mother. Any punishment would be better than being tied down with him. It wasn't that he was unattractive; he wasn't that bad to the eye. Clary just hated the concept that woman were objects that males needed to satisfy themselves.

"Clarissa Fairchild", the man called. Clary's heart froze, he wasn't serious. Was he?

"Clarissa Fairchild?" the man called again. Clary walked slowly up the marble stairs to her new life. Tears stung at her emerald eyes, she hoped they wouldn't spill over. Time seemed to stop as she walked over to him. He put his hand out and she put hers in his.

"The Prince has chosen his future Queen, everyone please file out", the man said. The bubble of talking erupted around Clary, she was in her own world though. However, she could hear the whispers about her. Her? She's not as pretty as me! I am far richer! The Prince must be mad! Clary agreed with everything they were saying about her.

"Come my future Queen, dinner is waiting for us", the Prince said. Clary forced a smile and they walked together to wherever dinner would be held.

Clary and her new Prince.

Prince Sebastian.

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Hope you liked it :) Did you love it, hate it? (If so please have a good reason!)

Please review how you found it.

Heartshade