Once upon a broken princess

Chapter 1

It was a night from the histories in The Magnificent north. Filled with glittering stars and a crescent moon that shone just enough light not to outshine the bride to be. Princess Aurora Valor had been betrothed to lord Slaughterwood's eldest son since her birth and now that they were both of age, their engagement party was held in the palace.
The wedding was only a week away, and the air was filled with tension.

"Do you think he is handsome?" Aurora asked, referring to her future husband.
"He is attractive enough. All though I've seen prettier men than him" Bellona told her sister, as she was helping her wear her corset. A beautiful thing, embroidered with gold thread and jewels.
A/N: in this story, Aurora is the oldest child and Castor and Bellona are twins.
There was no denying Vengeance was a good match for her, his family held significant power and he had proved himself as worthy as his ancestors. There was something unkind in his gaze though, something that made Bellona wish her sister wasn't betrothed to him.
"Please try to relax, the night won't pass easily if you are focused on what could go wrong in the future" she adviced, noticed Aurora's tensed shoulders. Even though, she had similar thoughts about the future.
Aurora turned around once her corset was laced.
"It's just...You know what I want..." Her voice broke.
"I do" Bellona took her hand on hers. "But you talked to father and he refused"
Aurora dropped her hand and took a few steps "he never cares about us!"
"That's not true"Bellona tried to approach her.
"He knows that I love Lyric and her he doesn't care" she hissed.
"It's not like that exactly...He had promised Vengeance's father that his firstborn daughter would marry his son. It's a promise he can't break"
Aurora sighed, opening a wooden box and then wearing the golden necklace it contained.
Bellona seated herself on a comfortable green couch. The colour of it making her violet hair stand out.
"Ariel would he here" she reminded Aurora with a smile. Lord Merrywoood's daughter was a dear friend to them both.
"Well, so will her brother, making it difficult for me" Aurora's eyes rolled playfully at the thought of her secret lover.
"I am sure you'll do just fine"
*
The room where the festivities usually took place was elaborately decorated. Countless colourful candles were lit up all around and golden garlands hung from the ceiling. Flowers smelling of chocolate and wonder were inside huge porcelain vases, making the atmosphere merrier than it actually was. Well, for the guests the day was wonderful. Lord and Ladies dressed in deep coloured robes danced to fancy-violin music. Bellona found it rather boring. Either because she had experienced it way too many times or because she had experienced better.
To her, nothing could compare to the simple parties hosted at the hollow. That place was more than just an inn, it was full of candy and sugar coated happiness. Or maybe, it was just his home. She searched with her eyes but there was no sign of Jacks in the crowd. She was a bit saddened her a bit, but her spark came back when she heard her sister talking to a familiar voice.
"You look fabulous!" Lala smiled widely at Aurora.
"Well I know but thank you"
Bellona rolled her eyes at her sister's overwhelming confidence. Everyone said Aurora was the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, with violet hair and bright green eyes. A little modesty though, wouldn't hurt.
They looked at the queen who subtly signalled to her daughter to join her on the other end of the room.

"I guess I shall go talk to my betrothed..." Her voice full of dread as she slowly walked away. Slightly lifting her golden skirt.
"Good luck" both her sister and her friend whished her.
"How are you?" Lala asked, grabbing a glass of wine from a nearby table.
"Trying to survive having Aurora as a sister, you?" She already knew the answer.
"Trying to survive having Lyric as brother"
They gazed over at him, he was a few feet away laughing with prince Castor.
"He promised to end this nonsense", she said, after taking a sip.
"I sure hope they do for all our sakes"
Aurora was taking to Vengeance but her gaze was obviously elsewhere.
"Anyway enough about them" Lala smirked and Bellona knew what was coming.
"Shhh! Not here" she urged.
"Fine but we have to discuss it"
"There is nothing to discuss" Bellona grabbed a chocolate covered strawberry before they walked somewhere more quiet.
"Ah, look there he is" Jacks had now joined his two friends, he wore a long nigh-sky-blue coat, that made his blonde hair appear almost golden.. "The Merrywoood three, together"
"A bunch of as**oles",the strawberry was now long gone.
"But we love them, don't we?"
Bellona saw this as the perfect opportunity to tease her friend.

"So you admit it! You like my brother!"
"No!" Lala tried to deny. "I love my brother, Jacks as a friend and your brother because he is your brother" she looked so silly while explaining Bellona chuckled.
"I didn't make any sense did I?" Her voice hopeless.
"Non at all" Bellona smiled.
"Act normal, they are walking over" Lala referred to the three boys.
"Oh, everything holy spare me" she jocked. 
"Evening ladies" Jacks greeted them, his voice teasing and loud.
Bellona tried to stop herself from blushing but it was of no use.
"Princess" he kissed her hand.
"Jacks, she was just telling me how much she hopes to dance with you"
Lala said.
"No I wasn't!"
"I understand. I am truly irresistible. I am sure a lot of ladies would die to dance with me but, you are my priority"
Bellona stared at his blue eyes, both charming and taunting.
Just as they were walking away she turned to Lyric and whispered "You, stay away from my sister" doing the little I see you thing with her pointer and middle finger.
"Of course" he bowed mockingly. But she knew there was truth in his words.

"You seem anxious tonight" Jacks noticed as they were dancing, their palms barely touching.
"You very well know why",she took a deep breath.
"It shall all be fine" he spoke, almost like a promise she knew he couldn't guarantee would be kept. "Aurora shall be married next week and it will be a long forgotten memory"
Memory, or nightmare.
"I suppose so" she gazed at her sister for a moment who was no dancing with her betrothed.
"I think what we should focus on tonight,is us" Jacks smirked.
"Said the one who hasn't been responding to my letters" she raised an eyebrow.
"Forgive me, life at the inn has been awfully busy"
"So awful you couldn't possibly respond?"
"I am here now"
"There is free food and wine" she argued.
"I have an endless supply of that, remember? I am here because I've missed you, Bella"
"Have you?" She questioned.
"I could show you" he whispered, his voice deep and seductive. So that it sent a shiver down her spine.
"I wish Castor was as demonstrative as you in his affairs. Is he ever gonna talk to Lala?"
"He is shy"
"He is and he holding him back. They could be great, a benefitial betrothal as well"
Bellona though it might help ease the tension created by the two families.
"Perhaps you could help him built enough courage to talk to the king about it" he suggested.
"Hopefully"
"My offer still stands"
They withdrawed from the dance after it ended.
The quietly slipped away from the crowd and walked down a dark corridor. When the music and the chatter could barely be heard she presses her lips onto his.

Tw: making out.

The forbidden nature of it made it taste perfectly. Both like poison and the cure. Like sweet treats and bitter lemons. She wanted him, unconditionally. His lips slowly moved down from her lips to her neck and his hands were on either sides of her waist.
She un-tucked his white shirt and lightly scratched his back.
Her light pink skirt was slowly lifted up, exposing her knee.
Her tiara almost fell.
"Don't worry, I got it" he put in place again.
She pressed her lips against his, her teeth barely bitting his lower lip which made him gasp.
"I promise to be much more frequent in answering your letters"
"Oh? You do?" She asked playfully.
"Of course, it's what my love deserves"
"Mmm" she mumbled.
They continued for a while, the outside world seemed to dissolve into nothingness, the music seemed to have stopped or perhaps it did. Jacks thought he heard a trumpet
blow from the main room.
"Princess, I think we shall stop" he suddenly took his face away from hers.
"Oh come on, I am sure no one is looking for us" she pouted.
"Bellona,I think I can hear footsteps" he warned, completely letting go of her.
She could hear them too, whoever it was they were approaching quickly.
He hurriedly tucked in his shirt and she fixed her skirts.
Thankfully it was Lala, they both exhaled.
"You scared us" Bellona admitted.
"Well something worth of worry has happened" she was breathless.
They simply watched her, their hearts pounding in their chests.
"It's time for the engagement ceremony..." she managed. "Aurora is nowhere to be found  and unfortunately...so is Lyric"
Their mouths dropped, there was no denying what had happened.

A/N:I apologize if any of this cannot be cannon according to the books but I have only read the second one so yeah...(Don't ask questions pls).