Alrighty. This is my first ever upload to and I'm pretty nervous. I've been writing fanfiction for years and years, but never had the guts to upload a thing. Anyway, let's get down to it. This will likely be a slow go. I may not update often, but I'll certainly try.

As the summary suggests, this is a story about an evil princess. Well, she doesn't start out all that bad, but she's not your average princess, as you'll soon discover. This first chapter follows the first of the game very closely, but with our princess, whom I have dubbed Lyra, acting in a not so proper way. Also, there are a few changes that you will easily pick out.

A gunshot echoed throughout the garden, bouncing off of the castle's high walls and rousing the sleeping princess. Her thin brows knitted together in annoyance and she tugged the blankets higher up on her shoulder as she attempted to doze off again. Just when she thought she'd be able to grab a few more precious hours of sleep an exasperated sigh reached her reluctant ears. "What a dreadfully sorry sight," Jasper said, opening the heavy curtains and allowing hateful sunlight to spill across the room, "Such a beautiful day to waste in bed, don't you think?" Lyra groaned, trying to fight back the brightness by clenching her eyes shut as tightly as she could. The butler shook his head and moved on to the next window. "What? Oh, go away, Jasper." "Now that is hardly the response of a princess," he tsked, "I'm afraid it's time to rise. With your permission, I shall wake your sleeping companion, er, companions."

Without waiting for any permission at all, Jasper threw back the blankets to reveal a tangle of limbs and nude bodies, just as he had done numerous times in the past. "Ah, yes. One's heart soars before such regal bearing," he scowled disapprovingly at the hedonistic scene laid out before him. Empty bottles of wine and pipes no doubt laden with the residues of opium littered the mattress and the occupants of the bed appeared to be struggling with the consequences of such a thrilling night. The aged attendant spoke first to the three as a whole and then to the two groaning servants individually. "I trust you all slept well. You have a busy day ahead of you. Now, if you two would care to gather your items and vacate the room, you may return to your chores before your overseer realizes you've yet to show up for work." The maid and the gardener sluggishly rolled out of bed at Jasper's command, but not before receiving a playful slap on their backsides from the impish princess.

Jasper's lips pursed indignantly, but as always, he wouldn't put too much thought into Princess Lyra's behavior. Like many children who lose their parents at a young age, the princess had developed a rather nasty rebellious streak that could have only been quelled by caring, perhaps even a little overbearing, parents. Of course, she was the daughter of the old Hero Queen, Sparrow; a famously headstrong and reckless individual who had her fair share of scandal during her rule. Like her mother had been, Lyra was young and adventurous, but rarely could she leave the castle to fulfill her wanderlust so she filled the void with debauchery. It wasn't the outlet he would have chosen or indeed one he thought appropriate for a member of the royal family, but who was he to scold the princess? She received enough chiding from her brother, the king, as well as her mentor, Sir Walter, on a daily basis and it had done little to steer her towards a more dignified role yet and he highly doubted that she'd take stock in an old butler's suggestions.

Once Lyra's bedfellows had departed the princess herself swung her legs off the bed and reached down to stroke the head of her only constant companion. The dog rolled over for a belly rub and yawned. "Come on, Boy. If I have to get up, so do you," the woman sighed, getting to her feet. Boy was more than just a reference to his gender, it was his actual name. Initially, Lyra had no desire to own a dog and had tried desperately to abandon him shortly after one of her many lovers gifted the animal to her. No matter how many times she had evicted the stubborn mutt from the castle grounds, he'd always managed to find his way back until at last he found his way into her rather guarded heart. Of course, it still didn't do anything to earn him a proper name and so he was simply branded 'Boy' upon becoming a permanent resident in Bowerstone Castle.

"It's not going to work. Don't look at me like that," said Jasper to the dog when it approached him for attention. Just as he had been so intent on Lyra becoming his mistress, Boy was determined to receive praise from the annoyed butler. The dog's big brown eyes were difficult to resist and even Jasper found himself reluctant to disappoint that cheerful little ball of fur. "Oh, very well. Good dog," the man said, petting Boy on the head, "What a pair... The kingdom is doomed." The princess chuckled as she slipped a robe on to cover her naked skin. She wasn't the shy type by any means, but the morning air was chilly and she could see that her attendant constantly had to avert his gaze to keep things respectful on his part. While amusing, it was slowing the day's progress terribly and so she stopped parading herself shamelessly before the aged butler and watched him move towards two mannequins he had set up near the fireplace.

"Now, Madam, if you will follow me, perhaps we can find some appropriate clothing for today's activities. Master Elliot," he paused as the princess let out an exasperated whine," Master Elliot is most eager to speak with you this morning and is waiting for you in the garden. No doubt you will wish to look your best for your fiancé. I have taken the liberty of arranging two suitable outfits, if you'd care to choose." Lyra reluctantly moved before the mannequins and tapped her chin in thought, trying to decide which suited her mood today. Jasper, meanwhile, waited patiently as he went over the woman's schedule. When she finally decided on the most elegant choice, the man nodded his approval. After last night's session of carnal bliss, Lyra was feeling incredibly superior and so when she slipped behind the changing screen to don the expensive clothes, she came out reflecting that sentiment appropriately.

With a knowing smirk, Jasper nodded again. "Ah, splendid choice. I'm sure Master Elliot will approve," he said, reminding her that she had to meet with him as she admired herself in the full length mirror, "Perhaps you ought to make your way to him now." Again the princess bemoaned her obligations to Elliot and, with shoulders slouched, moved towards the large, double doors. "And I would recommend avoiding your brother today. King Logan is rumored to be in an ill temper. Have a good day, Madam," the butler added as he went about tidying up the room. "Will do. Bye, Jasper" the princess said, taking her leave. Boy bounded along after his mistress, playfully barking at the doves perched along the balcony rails.

Lyra couldn't help but to roll her eyes at her attendant's recommendation. When was the king not in an ill temper? And since when did she seek audience with him to begin with? In fact, one of her main priorities was to spend as little time around her despicable brother as possible. He did nothing but berate and criticize her lately anyway. Perhaps being the ruler supreme wasn't as glorious as she had always assumed it to be. Logan certainly conveyed the idea of it being a joyless, miserable role. It had been years since she'd seen him smile and even longer since he'd laughed. What kind of life was that? If she was the queen, and she would often laugh at the thought for being so absurd, Lyra would be a much more cheerful ruler. She wouldn't let the weight of the crown make her as sullen as her brother. And she certainly wouldn't take out her anger on, say, a younger sibling who only wanted to enjoy life while she was young.

However, as the princess strolled down the stone stairway and passed the stationed guards on her way to the garden, she entertained the idea that spending a few hours listening to her brother's incessant nagging would be more enjoyable than even a moment forcing polite smiles and having awkward conversations with her fiancé. Elliot had not been her choice for a husband. Instead, he had been chosen for her by her father before she was born. Even when he died, the Queen honored his wishes by making the official announcement that Lyra and Elliot were betrothed when the princess turned nine. In fact, that had been the Queen's final decree. Up until her mother died, Lyra was all too happy to wed the boy she'd played with since they were in diapers, but a cold seed of resentment took root in her heart after seeing her mother entombed.

Her eyes gazed upon the mausoleum as she passed and while her mother and father rested easy within, she was condemned to honor the decisions they had made. They had not been there to raise her. They had not been around to offer comfort when she was upset, or praise her when she had done right. The old king and queen had done nothing but decide their daughter's fate and then pass away; leaving the rest to others whose place it should not have been to rear their child. The tales Walter had told her when she was young about her mother's daring adventures made reality all the more painful. Lyra believed that she would never have the opportunity to experience the life of an adventurer, the life of a hero, thanks to them. Bitterly, she was aware that soon she and Elliot would be wed. This year would mark her twenty-first birthday and by year's end, she would find herself the wife of her childhood friend. It wasn't going to change her lifestyle, of course, but it would dampen her spirits nonetheless.

"Oh, fierce warrior, are you here to join my army?" Elliot's words broke her concentration and the princess realized that she had arrived at the back of the garden where he had been waiting. Boy jumped into the kneeling man's arms and licked his face affectionately, effectively showing him more attention romantically than Lyra ever had, while his mistress was busy passing a sly wink to the gardener she explored the previous night. The man blushed and nearly fell off of his stepladder trying to return the gesture with confidence. "Good. We shall face all our enemies together, won't we? Yes, we will. Yes, we will," Elliot chuckled, bringing the princess' full attention back to him. "Then the kingdom is safe," she said surprisingly without sarcasm. Though, admittedly, she was referring to the dog's ability to protect it rather than her fiancé's. He'd proven himself to be useless with weapons on several occasions and it was something she, for some reason, actually found quite endearing. It didn't change the fact that she was loathe to be his wife, of course.

"Ah, our fair princess. Your two brave knights will protect you with their lives," Elliot grinned. She smirked in return and told him what he already knew very well. "I can take care of myself, you know." "Really? I'm afraid I'll need some proof. Perhaps you can give me a demonstration of your abilities?" Oh how she would love to take him into the training room and give him a real demonstration. Walter had been training her with sword and pistol for a few years now and she was taking to it faster than even she thought possible. However, she knew that Elliot was merely making an attempt to be charming and get a little show of affection from his betrothed. So, she decided to throw him a bone, as they say, and stepped up to him for a kiss. He was surprised, to say the least. Elliot was fully aware of just how much she dreaded their upcoming wedding and he even knew about her promiscuous romps with the servants and visiting nobles alike. He was understandably confused by her decision to kiss him, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth when hers was oh so enticing.

"How's that," she asked, playfully rapping him on the shoulder when she saw the dreamy expression on his face. "That's… I'd have to say that's quite satisfactory." Lyra giggled and clasped her hands behind her back. When he finally snapped out of his slight daze, Elliot seemed to remember that he had a reason for wanting to meet with the princess. "I thought you'd never get up. Did Jasper tell you I wanted to speak to you?" "Yes," she said, taking on a more serious expression to mirror his, "Did something happen?" "I'm not sure, but everyone in the castle seems to be upset with your brother. More than usual." The princess frowned, hardly believing it was possible for the staff to be more upset than usual when it came to the king. He'd done everything from lowering their wages to cutting down on the size of their rooms, after all. Most of them were sleeping three to a bed these days, not that that was something Lyra saw any problem with considering her usual sleeping arrangements.

"And it's even worse down in the city," he added, turning and stepping up on the railing to peer over into Bowerstone Industrial, "You hear such terrible stories. Listen, they say a factory worker was executed this morning. I'm sure it's only a rumor, but you can imagine how people are talking." The princess joined him on the railing, but she was only barely listening to the man. Instead, her mind wandered towards the time she actually walked the streets below without a royal escort. It was one of the highlights of her life, as sad as that sounds, and the events of that unscheduled visit actually influenced her behavior from that day forward. Lyra had been punished accordingly for her little disappearing act, of course, and her matron at the time had been executed for failing in her duties, but the princess regretted nothing. And if that was to be the only highlight of her miserable existence, she was even more pleased that she had decided to run away that day five years ago.

Next chapter coming soon.