Summary: Prince Jerrold tore down Daria's dreams of true love when he took her as his betrothed. He claims to love her, but Daria knows better. He is nothing but a spoiled brat, incapable of love. So Daria has sworn to hate him forever. And you know what's a great quality about forever? It never ends. But, as Jerrold knows, love has qualities too. It can move mountains, turn back time, and even conquer death. Can it put an end to forever?

Disclaimer: If I owned Ella Enchanted, I would be rich. If I was rich, I would not be typing up fanfics on a computer that freezes every five seconds. I would be narrating a real story to a secretary while relaxing in my very own Jacuzzi and eating a Jello structure that looks like the Eiffel Tower. However, I see no secretary, I see no Jacuzzi, and I see no Jello. I OWN NOTHING!!!

------------------------------------------Happily Never After-----------------------------------------

…And they lived happily ever after.

I closed the book gently and set it on my bedside table. Leaning over, I blew out the lamp and got ready for bed. As I put on my nightclothes, the story I had just read flashed through my mind. It was a fairy tale, Cinderella. One of my favorites. I practically reveled in the beauty of it. The lovely maiden, the handsome prince, and most of all, the sweet love they shared. Someday, I vowed, I would have that.

I had always believed in fairy tales, ever since I was old enough to grasp the concept. When I was young Mother had frequently come to my bedroom right before I went to sleep. There, she'd tell me stories, stories of ogres and maidens and princes, of brave deeds and terrible danger and true love. As I listened to those stories, I wished with all my heart that someday I might have a fairy tale of my own.

I am now sixteen, no longer the carefree child I was then, but that did not mean I have given up my hope of having a happily ever after. No, that dream still lives, despite my hopeless situation. See, my father is Lord William of Frell, and my mother is Lady Winifred of Frell. I am Daria of Frell, but in a year I'll no longer be just plain Daria. In a year I'll have a title, and a husband. But I do not want the title, and I want the husband even less.

I want to meet my prince, and fall in love. What was marriage if there was no love? And how could I love my betrothed, when he was so horrible? No, I do not want the marriage I was being forced into. But I have no choice.

Closing my eyes, I unconsciously let a tear fall down my cheek, wetting my pillow. I want to follow my heart, and my heart is still yearning for a fairy tale. For true love. It was the thing I'd yearned for all my life. I had always tried to be like the maidens in the stories. I tried to be nice, and kind, and brave, and loving. I guess I didn't try hard enough.

I'll be wed in a year, and I'll have to give up my dream. My betrothed will be back from his trip in a month, and I shall have to suffer his company, not only for the next year, but also for the rest of my life. It is time to give up my fairy tale; childish dreams will get me nowhere. I am surprised I managed to keep this dream for so long; I am surprised the spoiled brat I have as a future husband hasn't managed to break me down yet.

I always thought that if I could find a prince, then he and I would fall madly in love and live happily ever after. It turns out that is not the case. I found a prince all right, but loving that brat is the last thing on my mind. And even though I do not love him, I cannot call off the betrothal. Too many people already know of it, are holding their breaths waiting for the marriage. I can't disappoint them. I can't disappoint Kyrria, and I can't disappoint the Royal Family. I can't call off my betrothal to Prince Jerrold

Yes, I am the 'lucky' girl who is betrothed to the Prince, Prince Jerrold, the Crown Prince of Kyrria. The biggest pain ever invented. He is so full of himself, and he treats everybody like dirt! I hate him; I utterly and completely hate him.

I suppose anyone who hears me complaining, or sees me sulk, thinks I'm cynical. They think I'm cold and bitter. But I know I am not. I do not hate the world, or believe that there is no such thing as happiness. No, I believe in happiness, and I will always believe in happiness. I will never give up on it. I simply believe that happiness and fairy tales are in short supply these days. It's just too bad I wasn't one of those lucky girls who got one.

Everyone thinks I'm living a fairy tale, no one-except my parents-get close enough to me to know that I am suffering. I mean, I am betrothed to the dashingly handsome and wonderfully brave Prince Jerrold, I will become a Princess, then a queen when I grow up. Who wouldn't want such a life? Only my parents know that I despise the Prince, and that I wish every day to be freed from my fate. They cannot do anything about it, however. After all, who are they to turn down royalty? Who am I to turn down royalty? No, the only one who can (and might be willing to) break this engagement is Prince Jerrold. And yet for some reason, when I asked him to, he would not.

I do not understand the Prince. He once told me that he himself chose me as his betrothed. Yet the first time I met him personally was when I was fourteen, after the betrothal. Of course, I had seen him before at court functions, but that was only from a distance. How did he know me?

It does not really matter how he knew me. Perhaps he didn't even really know me. I am, according to Mother, startlingly beautiful. Maybe he just decided he wanted someone pretty.

Even if the Prince wants a pretty wife, why did he have to choose me? There are plenty of other pretty girls out there, and none of them would take every chance to hurt him. Why hasn't he broken the betrothal?

He has, and continues to make my life miserable. In fact, my life has been miserable now for two long years. Ever since the day I met the Prince.

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Well, I hope y'all liked that. That was just a sort of prologue thing. Well, actually the second chapter is sort of like a prologue too. So, yeah, I'll have the next chapter up in about an hour so I'm not asking for reviews for an update this time. But that doesn't stop you from reviewing both chapters when you read them…

P.S. I'm still looking for a beta, if anyone's there, please contact me at I am really in very dire need of one.