I've had this idea swirling around in my head for way too long, and I just needed to get it out. I don't have anything concrete yet, this is just an experimental first chapter, to test if this idea is worth pursuing or not. I know I have two other fanfics in serious need of updating, but I'd explode if I didn't get this out of my head.

Disclaimer: I don't own TMI, sadly

LEGGO.

Warm sunlight streamed through the open window, warming my pale skin. I open my green eyes blearily, coming out of my dreamless sleep. The world slowly drifts into focus. Raising my arms above my head I stretch out like a cat, yawning delicately. Sitting up, I run a hand through my long locks, casting my eyes around the large white room. Moments after, Alice, my personal maid, comes in. she smiles kindly at me.

"Good morning, my lady I trust you slept well?" she questions warmly, blue eyes twinkling. Alice was a short, middle aged woman, who had been my personal maid ever since I was little, and she had been a mother to me ever since my own died when I was little. I smile softly back at her.

"Alice, how many times do I have to tell you, call me Clarissa?" I chide lightly, even though I know she never would, the woman is just too polite. I prefer Clary over anything, but my father and brother both refuse to call me by anything other then my full name; the only person who ever referred to me as Clary was Jocelyn. A small pang of sadness goes through me at the thought of my mother, who I miss every day. Ever since her death, all the laughter had gone out of this god-forsaken castle, and I was more prisoner then princess.

My name is Clarissa Morgenstern, and I am the daughter of one of the kings of Idris, Valentine Morgenstern. Idris was the country of shadow hunters, warriors who hunted demons and slayed them; they were fearless, brave, and unmatched. Even though they are all over the world, since demons are also everywhere, Idris is the country of every shadow hunter, a home for them all. The countryside was divided up, different families ruling over different pieces of land. Together, all the kings of Idris governed the capital city, Alicante, or the glass city. Even though I've never seen it (I've rarely traveled outside of the castle) I've heard tales of how magnificent it is; especially the tall glass towers, meant for keeping out demons, illuminating the sky every night. I would have given anything too have seen them, but father never let me venture too far outside of the Morgenstern castle.

Ever since Jocelyn's death when I was six, from a carriage accident, Valentine has turned to stone. He was always a strict man, but he had become cruel, all the love flowing out of him, turning his soul to ice. Jonathan, my brother, had become his little apprentice, following in his cruel footsteps, since he was soon to be king as soon as father retired.

And I? I was forgotten, pushed to the side, most likely because of my strong resemblance to Jocelyn. I was a remembrance of his lost wife, and I had suffered every day because of it. So I remained prisoner up in this castle, left with only my drawings. A bitter taste fills my mouth, and I quickly swallow it down and turn back to Alice, forgetting the past for now.

Alice laughs her soft, tinkling laugh. "At least once more, my lady, as always. Now hurry along and get into the bath, Master Valentine has requested you to be at breakfast soon, apparently he has some important news." I groan inwardly. This must be concerning my marriage. I may only be seventeen, but Valentine can't wait to get rid of me, I thought bitterly. He had been constantly searching for a viable marriage option for me the second I turned of age.

I nod at Alice and follow her to the bathroom, where she proceeds to draw a bath for me. I get in quickly, letting her scrub the lavender smelling soap all over me, leaving my long locks up. After pulling me out of the bath, she proceeds to go through her normal routine of readying me; scrubbing me dry, fixing my face to look elegant instead of childlike, and doing my hair into a simple up do. She selects a simple pale blue dress, which she proceeds to tug over me. One day, I think bitterly as she pulls on the corset strings, effectively cutting off my ability to breathe, these dresses are going to be the death of me.

I'm finally deemed presentable by Alice, and I set off down towards the dining room, where I know Jonathan and Valentine would be waiting. I was right; at the head of the mahogany table, sits Valentine Morgenstern.

Not only is Valentine is by far the most terrifying man you will ever meet, in this life and the next. With his broad shoulders and bulky build, he has the body of a warrior, but the smooth pale skin and angular cheekbones of royalty, which he is. Paired with his salt white hair and eyes blacker then the depths of hell, he gives off a terrifying image in his appearance and speech, which he also practiced on his family. He hasn't hit me in almost a year, and I plan to keep my streak going.

"Good morning, Father." I say politely, sitting down on his left, directly across from my brother, Jonathan Morgenstern. He was a copy of my father, with his stark white hair and complexion, paired with those same, horrid black eyes. the only thing of my mother's he'd gotten are his long hands, meant for holding paintbrushes, and lean and muscular build, meant for speed and agility. He was an amazing fighter. Jonathan smiles at me lightly, murmuring a good morning through sips of orange juice.

"Clarissa, I have something very important to talk to you about." Valentine informs me, setting down the paper he was writing out. I pause, the pitcher of juice still in my hand. Slowly, I set it down and swallow against my dry mouth. Here it comes.

"Yes Father?" I answer with forced innocence and curiosity. Like I had no idea what this was obviously about. He clears his throat and looks directly at me, and I see a hint of triumph in his normally cold black eyes.

"As you are already are aware of, I have been searching for a suitable spouse for you, considering you are now at the age all young woman should marry at. And, after several months, I have succeeded. No need for you to worry, I have already set up the engagement." My stomach drops through the floor, and suddenly the thought of breakfast isn't so appetizing.

I had been stalling for the past six months, always turning away or finding something wrong with all of Valentines proposals, or even going as far as to act mentally insane to stop a certain prince from the Trueblood kingdom who had been interested in me from proposing. Big hassle, but it bought me time. But Valentine had set up my marriage? Anybody Valentine had approved of wouldn't be good at all; probably some king in there elder years who was bored and had a lot of money, somebody Valentine could burden me with and never have to see me again. The though of marrying someone like that makes my stomach churn and I feel faintly sick at the prospect.

"But Father, that's not fair! I thought we agreed I would get a say in my future marriage!" I protest weakly, even though I know it wouldn't change his mind; Valentine is a determined man. He waves away my protests. I see his eyes darken impossibly more at my outburst, and I immediately regret it.

"Yes, but you've been putting this off, and I thought I should help speed the process along." His eyes glint as he mentions my stalling, and I shrink back in my seat a little. I throw a desperate look at Jonathan, hoping he can get me out of this, but he just shrugs. Bastard.

"Besides, this is a good engagement. You're going to be marrying a very powerful king." Who was most likely eighty, I thought miserably. I let out a little groan, but instantly close my mouth at Valentines warning look. I forgot, groaning isn't ladylike.

"When am I to meet him?" I ask, trying my best to sound reasonable. Valentine smiles coldly. "Tonight, your carriage leaves in three hours."

Excuse me?

"I can't get leave my kingdom and go meet my new spouse in three hours!" I splutter, not caring in the least if I didn't sound like a proper young should sound like; to hell with manners. "I need to pack, prepare, say goodbye"-

Apparently Valentine had had enough. "Silence!" he says angrily, black eyes flashing, I stop immediately, going still. He takes a deep breath before continuing. "First of all, you barely go outside this castle, so it's not as if you have an entourage of people you must bid farewell too. And three hours is plenty of time to ready yourself while your maids pack your bags. Now, enough with this childish behavior- your husband won't be as lenient as I, and you better get used to holding your tongue." Valentine finishes, getting up. he sets down his napkin and strides out of the kitchen, all the maids immediately bowing as he walks by them. I take as deep of a breath as I can in the corset, attempting to calm my anger. I turn desperately towards Jonathan, who appears to calmly be eating his toast.

"How could you let him close the engagement?" I hiss angrily. Jonathan glances coolly up at me, unperturbed at my anger.

"Enough is enough Clarissa, you need to get married, and that's final. You're a young lady, who shouldn't be without a courtship. Plus, you can't stay here forever." Jonathan states, shrugging lightly. I feel a stab of anger go through me at his betrayal. I would've expected my brother to be on my side at least. Guess there's no one you can trust anymore.

Jonathan idly wipes his mouth with a napkin and stands up to leave, turning to go. I find myself speaking.

"At least tell me who I am to be married to." I ask, desperate for at least one piece of information to my future life. Jonathan stops and turns to face me, and odd sort of smile on his face.

"You are to be married to Jace Herondale, king of the Herondale land."

Jonathan leaves then, and I feel my stomach sink in horror.

Jace Herondale, the youngest king Idris had ever seen. His parent's died when he was eighteen, and he was left to take over the kingdom with no other guidance. That was two years ago. Ever since then, he had grown to be one of the most powerful Herondale and Idris rulers. He had visited our castle once, when he had first become king to formally meet Valentine, and even though I had never gotten the chance to see him, I heard rumors and gossip from the maids. Apparently, even at eighteen, he was gorgeous; with looks I had heard described as worthy of the Angel. He was tall, gold like, and confident. And he was also terrifying.

The maids not only thought he was attractive, but also scary. According to Charlotte, one of the younger maids, he seemed like the type of person to be in control of everything, and had a cold and unapproachable demeanor, acting as if he was above everybody else. I remember thinking that he was probably a tough person to befriend. And now I was going to be marrying him.

The last thing I want is a controlling husband. The only upside of my marriage is that I'm escaping Valentine, but what was the point if my spouse was just like him? The thought of being treated more like a slave then a wife shoots disgust and terror straight to my soul. Of course Valentine would pick somebody just like him, somebody who he knows could put up with me.

I sag in my chair, feeling sadness creep through my body. I sit there like that for a long time, my corset digging into my waist but I don't care enough to adjust it. After a while, Alice comes to me and gently shakes my shoulder. If Valentine had seen her doing that he would've cut her hand off, but I don't mind at all. It's nice having someone like a mother near you, even if your own is gone.

"My lady, it is time for you to prepare for your journey, we haven't much time." She softly reminds me. I detect a hint of sadness in her voice, and I know she doesn't want me to leave. I smile faintly up at her and rise clumsily to my feet, following her out of the kitchen and to my bedroom, dreading what lies ahead for me.

What do you think? I hope you like it, I know it's really short but I can't have things moving too fast, and I don't know if I'm continuing this or not. Please review and let me know if I should or not, but just know that it won't be for a while, I need to take care of my two other fanfics, and I can't promise anything. So please, if you want more REVIEW! :D

Love, Madeline