Sleeping Beauty AU
Being a Princess wasn't always what everyone made it out to be. The townspeople probably thought you were this ditsy little thing that didn't want to even lift her finger to help. Oh were they wrong. You had just as many duties as your father, the King, to follow through with throughout your day. Most of the time your mother helped you but she was the Queen after all and had many duties of her own to attend to. A majority of the duties that you were supposed to do were your lessons with the teacher. You were a Princess so learning something complicated such as mathematics or astronomy were completely out of the question. Instead from a young age you were learning howto properly read and write, how to walk with your back straight, how to enunciate your words, how a lady should eat and most importantly how a lady should act in front of company. Needless to say that was the one subject that you were still working on after all these years, learning how to control that mouth of yours when some rude Prince made some idiotic remark your way. Everyone thought you were dumb and only the pretty face to see around the palace, they didn't know just how intelligent you really were. Studying things that 'ladies of royalty' shouldn't be studying or reading books that could 'only' be comprehended by men. You were very sneaky with how you went about hiding those books from your ladies maids and most importantly your mother. You also loved to read books of adventure and mystery. It was your escape from being cooped up in a palace all day long with no friends to accompany you. Mother thought it wasn't write for a lady to always have her nose in a book but she understood your boredom and kept quiet.
It was hard staying in the palace with only your self as company, you needed to get out if only for a day. So you were slowly arranging an escape plan for the days to come. There was a festival to be held in the town in two days, usually the royals wouldn't attend to something so little like a·town festival but you had never gone to one and who knows it actually might be kind of fun. You figured you could ask to go for a walk and somehow slip past the guards, you even had some old clothing you stole from the maids' quarters downstairs just so you could look the part. In your mind everything was coming together quite nicely.

It was the day of the festival and you had asked your father to go for a walk, like usual he sent you with two of his guards so you could stay safe. Little did they know that in your purse you carried the tattered clothing, worn down shoes and a brown cape. After a few minutes you three had arrived towards the outskirts of town, stopping at this small tiny shop right by the towns' gate to look around. Soon you looked to the guards and asked if they would give you a moment to go try on a beautiful dress in the back room of the store since there was no immediate threat back there. They both looked to each other silently wondering if that was a good idea or not, then nodded and you were off to the back of the store with a shit eating grin on your face.Everything was certainly working out like you had planned. Hopefully they wouldn't come looking for you until after you sneaked out the back.
"I'll just be a minute gentlemen, feel free to wander around the store as well." You called out to them as they turned their back towards the door you entered through to await for your return. Once again just like every other time, they didn't answer you.
You quickly got changed, well as quickly as you could in the dress you picked out for today. You tried to make it simple, coming up with the excuse you didn't want to deal with so many layers and get too over heated by the sun. After changing and looking at yourself in the small mirror that they had to ruffle your hair up some, you were quick to find an exit. Walking out of the small room you peered out and noticed that the two guards still had their backs facing you. Opening the door ever so quietly you looked to your right and noticed another door at the end of the hallway, you prayed it led outside. Taking tiny steps you made your way to the door and you were very cautious in opening that one as well, so the light wouldn't reach the guards and make them turn around prematurely.
You had done it, you were outside and with no stupid guards to 'protect' you. You ran for it though, wanting not to spare a minute in getting lost amongst the crowd of all the people. Once reaching the gate you entered through and were immediately overwhelmed by all the new things you were getting to experience for the first time. The music that was being played up and down the streets was wonderfully different than what was played inside the palace, the smells of freshly baked goods was filling your nostrils, everyone laughing and interacting with one another was definitely an amazing sight. You don't normally get this in the palace and you were loving this plan even more. All the decorations and different festive games that the children were playing all looked like so much fun. You were walking backwards trying to take in everything you probably missed on the way in but right when you turned back around you were immediately knocked to the ground.
"Whoa hey, I'm so sorry I wasn't paying attention."You heard a strong smooth voice say and grabbed a hold of the hand that was held out to you, "It was totally my fa..." That's the moment your eyes came into contact with beautiful hazel ones, "Fault. Hi."
You gave this incredibly handsome stranger a smile, "Hello."It felt like hours were passing between you two and no one was saying a word to each other, he even still had your hand within his. Both of you were brought out of your dazes slightly when someone bumped you from the back propelling you forward into his arms. He caught you and now had both of his arms wrapped around your waist, hands placed on your back. While both of your hands were splayed out on his chest. Looking up when you heard him chuckle you realized how close your faces were from each other, which made blush immediately rise to your cheeks. Somehow you knew this man from somewhere, he looked oddly familiar.
"Well then, I guess if we're to keep bumping into one another maybe you should know my name. I'm Y/N." You said just above a whisper.
He smiled at you, making the butterflies in your stomach flutter more profusely,
"I'm Sam."
In your whole life you never thought that you would be so entranced by a beautiful smile or bright hazel eyes staring back into your own. Yet here you were at a loss for words, standing in front of this handsome stranger, who is probably no more than a peasant in the village your family ruled over.
"Well then Sam, it's a pleasure to meet you." You nodded your head slightly in a polite manner.
"Believe me. The pleasure is all mine." He responded sending you the cutest wink you've ever seen, "Are you enjoying yourself so far?"
"Uh yes, yes I am. Everything is absolutely breathtaking." You said spinning around in awe at everything again.
When you turned back to Sam it seemed as though he was trying to hide his smile by lowering his head some, "That's good to hear, so I'll uh leave you be then, your special someone is probably wondering where you are."
"I—I don't have a special someone." All of a sudden you got bold when you saw his eyes light up, "Would you like to accompany me the rest of the festival? That is, if you don't have a special someone to get back to."
"I don't and I'd love to Y/N." He replied rather quickly and held his arm out for you to take a hold of, which you very eagerly did.The butterflies in your stomach flitting around more furiously at the contact.You could already tell, this was going to be a day to remember.

And you were more than right, only once did you have to avoid the annoying guards that ran into town a few minutes later searching for you. But because they didn't want anyone to know that the Princess was out of their protection they silently looked in between people and in shops. Besides them your day was fantastic with Sam, he was the most intelligent most thoughtful man you have ever met. You were feeling things for him that you never thought you would feel for anyone anytime soon. He made you feel alive inside, he treated you like an equal and loved conversing with you about many subjects that you could actually keep up with. Very many were opinionated but it seemed that he liked to hear your opinions on certain matters more than anything else. Sam enjoyed the fact that you were smart and didn't put you down for it like everyone else in your life. You were thoroughly enjoying his company, not wanting this day to end but you knew that soon you would have to rush back home undetected.
When you told Sam that it was almost time for you to head back home he grabbed your hand and took you up to a hill with many trees,barely looking over the village. There was this branch that was sticking out of one of the trees, enough for Sam to lean back on and hold his hand out. You willingly took a hold of it and he brought you into his side.
"I had a great day today Y/N. I don't have very many of those too often."
You leaned your head down on his shoulder and sighed, "I know what you mean, I wish every day I could be this care free with my time."
"Why can't you?" Sam then laid his head down on top of your own and took your hand, intertwining your fingers together.
"My parents have this whole idea that because I'm their only child that I have to fulfill all of the wishes they have for my life. Some are good but then some I don't entirely agree with but to them I have no say really."
"Everybody should have a say, it's your life Y/N, and you live it how you want to. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise or hold you back from your dreams."
You took your head off of his shoulder and looked him in the eyes, "Sam, you're the first person to ever tell me something like that.Thank you, truly."
Sam closed his eyes and let out a big sigh, "I'm sorry Y/N, I'm usually not this forward but do you mind if I am for a moment?"
"I'd be offended if you weren't." All of sudden your heart stopped, afraid of what he was going to say or ask you.
"Can I—sorry...may I k-kiss you?"
Your heart immediately picked up in speed and you didn't really know how to react, you'd never been kissed by anyone before so that thought made you more nervous. Yet you found yourself nodding your head and saw him leaning in, getting closer and closer to your lips. Then, nothing but sparks were felt. You didn't think that something this small as a kiss could make your whole world stop.
It was just a small kiss on your lips and when he pulled back you both couldn't take your eyes off the others. Mere seconds passed then soon you got the courage and your lips were moving along with his once again, with your hand at the nape of his neck. Then the moment came when you needed to catch your breath, the strong electric feeling leaving your body immediately but there was still a small current left flowing through you from his touch still on your hand.
Just out of the corner of your eye you saw more knights coming up to the village on horseback, they were all probably looking for you, "Oh my g—I'm terribly sorry Sam, I-I have to go."
"Wait! Won't you tell m-"
"There's no time, I really am sorry! Thank you for the wonderful kiss! Hopefully we shall meet each other again! Goodbye!" You yelled out as you were running down the hill back out into the forest towards the direction of the palace. In your mind you knew either of you would never see each other again since you of course were the Princess and all, but it was at least fun to wish it in the moment.

Sneaking around the castle a lot had its perks, you knew where a lot of the secret doorways were and you could get yourself inside without very many people noticing. So you snuck around to the backside of the palace and found one of the hidden doorways. You traveled up the stairs that were placed there and made your way up to the hallway which contained your bedroom. Immediately you shut your door after checking to see if anyone was insight to catch you sneaking back in or not. Next thing you did was discard your clothing, shoving them under your bed for now. Then got out one of your lovely less formal dresses along with a pair of shoes. Hoping that this plan was going to work and nobody would suspect a thing. You quickly made your way back into the secret staircase and made your way to the section of the palace that housed the library. Quickly you ran in and grabbed a book that you've read multiple times,then acted as if you were completely engrossed by it. Waltzing back into the halls of your palace making sure someone was to notice you. Which someone eventually did and that happened to be your mother.
"Y/N?! Oh my gosh, Y/N my darling we had thought something bad had happened to you!" Her voice was completely laced with concern and you really couldn't blame her.
"How so?"
"Young lady you know how so! You ran away from your guards! Honey you know they are there to protect you, why do you insist on doing this to us?" She grabbed a hold of your shoulders and started walking with you,assuming she was taking you to your father.
"Why do you insist on doing this to me?! I don't need them with me! I can manage perfectly fine without them! You need to trust me!"
"It's not that we don't trust you sweetie it's that we don't trust other people. Strangers are very dangerous and if they were to find out you were the Princess the consequences could be even more dire." She warned you again for what felt like the millionth time in your life.
"Mother I'm not a child anymore! Quit treating me as such!" You raised your voice, untangled yourself from her grasp and ran back into your room. You stayed up there all night, the maid brought you your dinner and then you soon got ready for bed. Falling to sleep with dreams of the wonderful day that you had with Sam, your wonderfully handsome stranger.
The next day you were met with blinding sunlight entering your room. Eventually you were going to have to tell your ladies maid that she was going to have to find a different way to wake you up in the morning because this routine was getting old.
"Your highness it's time to get ready. Your father has some guests that will be staying here for two weeks and he would like you to meet them."
"What's the occasion now Beth?"
"Not sure miss, I was just told to come get you ready earlier than normal." She walked into your closet and searched around for your corset,a dress and some shoes for you to wear.
You walked over to where Beth was standing behind the folding screen. Once you saw the dress you gave her a confused look, "Isn't that dress a bit too formal for day wear?"
She shook her head then started helping you put the corset on, "Not today miss, these guests are very important."
You let out a long sigh and let her get you ready for the day, along with doing your hair and accessories. You weren't too happy about it all, just another day where you had to pretend that you enjoyed being a Princess. Hopefully these guests of your fathers weren't dull like the rest of them usually were.
Walking out of your bedroom you were escorted down to your father's throne room where you saw him talking with two other gentleman.They both had their backs facing you so you really couldn't judge them, at least not from this distance. You were honestly surprised that your father didn't notice you until you were almost right behind the guests.
"Ah yes, gentlemen I'd love you to meet my lovely daughter Y/N."
Those beautiful hazel eyes were once again staring back into yours. Standing there you were completely shocked. You weren't entirely sure what to do, your mind was racing through so many possibilities on how this random man talking with your father was Sam. How was it Sam? Who was he? You decided to keep your cool and you curtsied, making it seem as you didn't really know him, unlike the expression that was currently on his own.
You bowed with a bright smile on your face, trying so hard not to falter, "Good morning. May I ask who you two might be?"
Sam and the other man, who you presumed to be his father, bowed after you and introduced themselves as Prince Sam and King John. Great, you had spent the day yesterday with another royal and not someone normal like you had thought. Maybe Sam was different than the rest of the stuck up Princes you have had chance to meet. There was a very strong feeling that he actually might be, considering how he acted towards you yesterday. Besides just staring at him right now, you could feel your lips burning with want to feel his against yours once more.
You were not sure as to why Sam's face kept looking entirely shocked yet sorrowful, like he knew something that you didn't. Which was starting to slowly worry you. Your father eventually broke the silence and brought you out of your thoughts.
"Y/N why don't you go show the Prince here around the palace while I talk with John."
Not too happy with your father's attempt at meeting another Prince, you slightly bowed your head, "Yes father," Merely glancing up at Sam, you turned around and started walking away without telling him to come or anything. He looked towards your father confused. All he did was just shrug at Sam, gave him apologetic eyes, and waved in your direction.
Sam turned around and ran to catch up with you, "Hey! What's your problem?" Sam asked you when you two were out of the throne room and walking down the hallway.
"My problem? My problem is you didn't tell me you were a Prince yesterday!" You raised your voice slightly, just enough to show your agitation.
"Yeah, well same goes for you Princess. Is that why you ran away from me yesterday? I thought it was something that I did and it has been bothering me all night."
You smiled a little at the thought of Sam staying up most of the night worrying about his actions towards you, "No, I'm sorry it was what I did. It had nothing to do with you."
"What did you do?" Sam asked you curiously.
"I—I uh snuck away from the guards to attend the festival yesterday. I ran away when I saw a whole search party of knights wander into the village." You laughed a little at remembering how easily you gave them the slip and how panicked they were when you noticed them in the village.
"You're very brave Y/N. What if I was some killer? I could have murdered the Princess and no one would have known."
"Do most killers passionately kiss someone before they murder them?"
Sam chuckled lightly and held his arm out for you to wrap your hand around, "No, no I suppose they don't," You had both made it outside by now after walking down the large set of stairs and were wandering through the garden, "Still you should be a little more careful next time because you may not wander onto a Prince in disguise."
Suddenly you stopped walking and turned to face Sam, not very happy that he was lecturing you just as your mother did the night before, "Why should it matter to you what I do?"
"I care about you Y/N. Take it however you want but if I was to be informed that something happened to you, I'm not sure how my life would be after that. So please, let the guards protect you since I can't." Looking around to be sure no one was around Sam brushed a piece of hair, which had fallen from your bun, behind your ear, "What I feel towards you Y/N I have never had towards anyone before, I'm still trying to figure it out. Yesterday was the most fun I've had fun in a while and with someone I really wanted to be around. Not knowing who you were yesterday killed me inside. And now I have you back."
"Sam..." You breathed out before you felt his lips lightly graze over yours. It was only a light peck for the two of you were out in the open. Luckily there weren't very many workers outside today or anybody who would for sure tell your father.
You both stood there a few more minutes until Sam cleared his throat, "Right, well maybe we should head back. Haven't had breakfast yet have you?"
Shaking your head no, Sam turned back towards the door you had come out of and held his arm out once again, "Shall we?"

Both entering back into the palace you entered the dining room to find everyone else already there. Your mother, father and Sam's father.
"Did she show you around okay Sam? She was polite?" your mother inquired from Sam instead of you.
Sam looked slightly confused and looked down at you to see you trying to hold back a giggle, "Yes your majesty she was more than perfect."
"Really? Well that's good to hear. Now sit children it's time for breakfast." You mother pointed towards the two empty chairs and you sat down right when the kitchen maids came out with everyone's plates.
King John spoke up after his plate had been set down, "So Y/N if you don't mind me asking, have you thought about what you are to do about a husband?"
Rolling your eyes, you gave him a tight smile, "I do mind, thank you."
"Y/N!" Your father shouted at you for being so rude.
"What? I dislike talking about the subject with you and mother, why should I want to talk to a complete stranger about it?"
"And there's my rude daughter," your mother said under her breath but both you and Sam caught it, "Y/N everyone is concerned that you haven't married already or that you have no interest in it, and everyone knows that you need to very soon."
"I don't care! I want to marry someone that I truly love, not someone that I hardly know and will dislike for the rest of my days. Is that honestly too much to ask for?" You screamed out pushing your plate out in front of you and getting up from your seat.
"Just where do you think you are going young lady?"
"To my room! Is that okay or do I have to have you and everyone else in this world make that decision for me?!" You slammed the dining room door shut and Sam winced at the loud noise. The whole talk about you marrying someone so soon made Sam tensed up in his seat, luckily no one saw, especially you.
"I'm terribly sorry about all that John, she's very touchy on the subject." You father apologized for your actions.
"I mean, I know where she's coming from." Sam spoke up but very quietly.
"Sam, not now." King John quickly retorted.
"Dad I don't want to marry her! She's horrible and you know it!"
"I know and I'm sorry, if I would have known that Y/N was available sooner we would have chosen her but Penelope will have to do. Now enough of this, we will not discuss this when we are guests in this palace."
"Yes father." Sam said bringing his head down and messing around with his breakfast not too terribly hungry anymore.
You father was quick to bring the conversation back to the subject they were at while you and Sam were outside, "John, I spoke to my wife about our little agreement earlier and she is quite thrilled with it as well. So more than likely this will be happening. However you see how my daughter reacts about the subject so getting her to accept will be quite the challenge."
Hearing your name being brought back into the subject Sam perked his head up, curious as to what they were meaning, "Accept what?"
"The marriage to your cousin, Castiel."
FLASHBACK
"Your Majesty, we need you immediately." The hand maiden spoke to the King, urging him to come into the room where his wife was giving birth to their new child.
"Is something the matter? Is the baby okay? Is my wif-" Y/F/N was cut short, for when he entered the room his wife, the Queen, was lying on the bed holding a little bundle of cloth. Approaching slowly he could hear her humming a sweet tune that she always loved since the moment he met her.
"Darling, we have a beautiful baby girl. What shall we call her?" Y/M/N looked up smiling at her husband.
Leaning down, kissing her on the forehead, he finally got a glance at the perfection that was cradled up against her, "Whatever you like my dear. You did all the hard work and I couldn't be more grateful."
"Y/N, I want her name to be Y/N."

*A few hours later*
The King was in the corner of the room holding his new baby girl and caressing her little chubby cheek with his fingertips. He promised her the world and from the moment he saw her, he knew that she would have him wrapped around her little finger, "Precious Y/N, know you will always be loved and protected so long as I'm around."
He rose from where he was seated and placed the baby in her crib. Once getting her settled and calmed he looked to his wife. Something caught his eye though that made his smile turn into a look of confusion. A dark red spot on the side of the sheet. Rushing over to her side he saw that her face was paler than a white blanket.
"Nurse!"
The nurse burst through the doors upon hearing the summons and was immediately standing at the end of the bed checking under the blankets, "She's losing blood and fast. Her body isn't healing the way it should from having the baby, the birth was prolonged which can cause something like this to happen."
"Can you help her?!"
The nurse hung her head low, "I'm sorry your majesty but we haven't found a way to stop this yet, many mothers have already died from this. She will most likely die within the next hour or so."
"No! My daughter has to have a mother! She can't leave me, I need her. Darling come on, I need you to make it, please?" Y/F/N ran his hand across her forehead and gave her a quick kiss. Then his mind thought of something or rather someone who could help him. Someone who he just so happened to have sitting in his dungeon right now.

Almost knocking both of the guards on duty down the King finally got to the cell, looking down at him through the cold iron bars, moonlight casting an eerie shadow upon the prisoners face "You will help me, understand?"
"And what do I get out of it?" His voice was rough sounding, not really caring that he was talking to the King.
"I will set you free."
"But why do you require my help? I'll tell you my terms when I know what I'm using my powers for." This man was a witch, well his mother was a witch but he caught on and learned a few of her tricks. He was a dark demented man, everyone in the whole village was afraid of him, earning him the nickname "The King of Hell", because he was just that. His real name, Crowley.
"My wife, she's dying. She just gave birth to our daughter and she's bleeding, they tell me that it won't stop. If you don't help her she will be dead within the hour. Please!"
"Oh I see, mister big and bad King can't deal with the loss of his beloved. Well isn't that a sad sob story."
Y/F/N slammed his fist against the brick wall, causing it to bleed immediately, "I'll give you anything! Just help her, please save her!"
"The baby."
"What?" The King couldn't believe what he had just heard, he couldn't give up his new baby to a man like this.
Crowley raised his eyebrows, "Did I stutter? I said, I want the baby."
"No, she's out of the question."
"But my dear King, what is the question? You said anything and that's all I want," Crowley saw the look on Y/F/N's face and decided to be nice, well a little more forgiving because of the situation, "Look I won't take her, you can keep the little brat. But, if she's not married by her 21st birthday then I will put a curse on her and she will not wake from it until true loves kiss breaks it."
"If you put her under a spell how will we know who her true love is?"
"That's the catch though isn't it? I guess for now, let me free and I'll go fix the misses. That is, if you agree with my terms?"
The King thought long and hard about it. He couldn't endanger his child to this terrible man so early in life. Looking towards the guards behind him, he nodded, "Let him go," getting the keys out one of the guards unlocked the cell door, but before Crowley could go anywhere the King grabbed a hold of his arm, "When you fix my wife, I want you gone. Out of the Kingdom and don't you ever return until it's your time too. Understand?"
"Whatever you say Kingy, your wish is my command." Crowley did a dramatic bow and was then escorted to the Queen's room. With just a snap of his fingers she appeared to get color back into her face and was starting to stir awake.
Crowley used this time to get in the King's face, "Remember darling, 21st birthday or no more Princess. Toodles." He waved his hand and then he was gone, not a trace of him ever seen again.

Now
"The marriage to your cousin Castiel." King John blatantly stated to Sam, continuing to eat his breakfast like what he said wasn't a big deal.
"Are you serious?! To Cas—he's only a Prince because we basically adopted him! You can't let her marry him!"
Your mother looked to Sam. She squinted her eyes towards him trying to figure out if what she was predicting inside her head was true, "And why's that Sam? Do you have a suggestion for anyone better? You're older brother married a Princess like he was supposed to and they are both happy together, are they not?"
"Yes, but that's not the point."
She set her eating utensils down, "Then tell me dear boy what is?"
"I'm going to find Y/N. If you will excuse me your majesty's." Sam stood up from the table and bowed his head towards your father then your mother. When Sam left the room your mother had a knowing smile on her face, watching him till he was out of the dining room and continued to listen to the two Kings talk about how they were to set her daughter up with Castiel.

After running into your bedroom, you immediately locked the door and started to take that stupid formal dress off. You let out a sigh of relief when you got back into somewhat normal clothing and you could actually breathe with all that weight taken off. Right when you sat down on your bed to go over what had been said at dinner there was three knocks on your door.
"Go away!" you shouted out, not really wanting to deal with your father or maid at the moment.
"Uhm, it's me. Sam. I just want to talk?" It came out more of a question than a statement because he wanted to be sure that you were okay with talking to him first.
You smiled and got up from your bed without a second thought. Unlocking the door you slowly opened it to see Sam standing there with a cute little grin on his face, "Hi."
Soon his smile started to falter and you quickly took note of that, "Hey Princess. Listen, I think we need to talk."
"We can talk later. But for now..." you looked past Sam and into the hallway, then you grabbed his hand and yanked him into your room, locking your door behind you. Walking up to Sam you planted a kiss to his lips which he happily accepted. The kiss continued further till Sam had you laying underneath him on the bed.
As much as he didn't want to, he had to pull away, "I can't...I can't do this."
"Was it something I did or said?" Your emotions were about to get the best of you and you could start to feel your eyes stinging in the corners. You couldn't...you wouldn't break down in front of Sam.
"No, just...listen please. You—you are going to be married to someone else. I can't get in the way of that." Sam stood up from his place above you and started to pace the floor.
"Yes you can Sam, please! I need you to intervene and tell them that you want to marry me! Me and you! You're a Prince, they'd agree to it. Isn't that why you're here in the first place? They want you and I to be together?" You rushed over to his side and snaked your hands around his neck while his hands went to your waist, holding you flush against his own body.
"I wish it were so. But no, it was to talk about the marriage between you and my cousin slash adopted brother. I came along on this journey because I was tired of being stuck in the castle." Sam knew he just lied through his teeth, he had wanted to get away from his clingy bride to be Penelope...he never despised a person so much before.
"What?! They think they are just going to marry me off like that!? Without me having so much as a say? Why can't it be with you? I don't understand? I'd rather have you Sam."
Sam held onto you tight, he dug his nose in your hair and took a deep breath, this confession was going to be hard on the both of you, more so him than you. He pulled you away at arm's length, closed his eyes and then opened them to stare directly into your Y/E/C ones,
"Y/N...I'm getting married in two months."