Once upon a time, A young orphan named Elilot was taken in by a large family. Everyone had a place in his family, and he was the family servant. He cooked, he cleaned "messes" left behind by his family. But as the years drug on, he was viewed more and more useless. He wanted respect, but... how?

____

It was late at night, the moon already high in the sky. I pair of twins entered a dimly lit building by the window, as silently as a cat would have. They made their way to a door where the light from inside leaked out under it. Inside, a man had a candle lit on his desk where he was writing something.

The man's attention quickly shifted onto the two teens in front of him. "Boys, did you take care of your target?"

"We did father," The twins grinned.

"Good... Where's Eliot?" The man asked, leaning to look behind the twins.

"Well... Father he just didn't do anything! so we had him stay behind and clean up~" The two boys chimed in unison, just as the door creaked open for the second time.

A young boy with messy long blonde hair and icy blue eyes entered the room, his appearance average until you noticed the blood slowly dripping off of his hands and the tips of his long hair. The boy was clearly unkept, his clothes were tattered and torn and one side of his hair was noticeably longer than the other. His gaze spoke words on their own, disgust, exhaustion, anger, he'd clearly seen things he'd wished to forget.

(POV: Eliot)

"I'm here, Father." The words tiredly left my mouth as I reached for a napkin to clean my hands.

Father shook his head in disappointment before slamming his hand on the desk causing me flinch. "Eliot," He paused angrily. "At this rate you'll really be useless your whole life."

"But Father I-" I tried to argue.

"I do not want to hear excuses!" Father cut me off, his voice echoing around the room strongly. "You have once again proven yourself to be useless to this family, at this rate your only use will be cleaning up what we leave behind."

My eyes widened, the memories of what I did tonight flashing through my mind. "Father I can be useful, just give me another chance, out on my own, I know I can do it!" I begged.

Father shook his head. "You must take the twins with you, Anastasius and Drizell know what they're doing."

"Father with all due respect, I NEED to do this on my own. I don't care what job it is, just let me do this!" I gripped the hem of my shirt and stared at him pleadingly.

"..." He sighed. "You want a job? Fine, I'll give you a job. Boy's, leave." After giving angry glances my way, Anastasius and Drizell left the room with a huff.

"You want a job out on your own? Fine." He paused, giving me the look he always uses when he's serious. "I want you to assassinate the princess,"

"The PRINCESS!?" I could feel my heart drop hearing the impossible assignment.

Father grabbed his coffee, taking a sip while I took in the reality of the assignment. "Yes. This kingdom needs a new ruler, and that ruler will be me." Father smirked. "Imagine it. I on the throne, Anastasius and Drizell at my side, and you, if you manage, will be rewarded." He laughed. " But if you fail... You'll no longer be my problem. By the time our planned assassination takes place, you'll have been executed." He threatened.

"...Father Isn't there som-" He cut me off once again.

"No, this is the only job I'll let you do if you're going to be obstinate about going alone. If you can't handle it, keep trying with the twins." He spoke knowingly.

"..." I gulped down the knot in my throat, desperately searching for the right words. "I... Accept. but I'm going to need a few things."

"Fine, leave a list, and then go cook dinner, and be quick about it!" He barked before returning to his work.

____

Two days later, I stood in a large ballroom off to the side, watching as the many suiters lined up to meet the princess. Not a one had managed to catch her attention yet, her eyes continuously wandering off towards the large windows.

I took a sip of the drink in my hand, keeping my eyes on her. By now I must've been the only single man not in that line, which was quickly drawing many confused gazes my way. I chuckled behind my glass before taking another sip.

My appearance was nearly entirely different from what it usually was, my hair was neatly pulled to the side, held in place by a small ribbon, only a few loose hairs brushing my shoulder on the opposite side. My clothes were brand new, a beautiful purplish black colored suit overlaid a white shirt, and my pocket watch barely poked out to add a nice golden touch. Once the line had dwindled down to only a few men, I made my way over. I noticed her glace my way, her curiosity peaked.

Soon it became my turn to speak to the princess, and I took in the deepest breath I could, preparing myself for the role of a gentleman. I swiftly walked up to her, our eyes locking on sight. "Your Majesty the Princess, I am glad to have been blessed with your presence this fine evening." I ever so carefully took her hand in mine, placing a gentle kiss on it.

"Sir...?" her expression remained still, but I could sense curiosity in her eyes.

"Prince Eliot... Klaw, your majesty." I answered her.

Her eyes became wide for a moment. "You are of the West Kingdom?"

I slowly nodded, "Indeed, I had heard tales of your beauty and knew I must see it for myself. Now I can properly tell those who question the rumors, that they are indeed true." I smiled gracefully at her.

"I am flattered, Prince." She carefully smiled in return.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty... Hm."

"What is it?" She asked, her head ever so slightly tilting.

"Is this music not boring? It's as if they are playing the same melody again and again, despite being different songs!" I spoke confidently. "You haven't seemed to enjoy a single one yet."

At first her expression was unsure, but she soon responded. "My father arranged the music today, admittedly, it is not to my taste."

'Trapped her' I smirked to myself. "Then... allow me to fix it," I put my hand out to her. "Would you allow me this dance, Princess?" I waited anxiously for her response.

"...." After a short pause she slowly took my hand. "I think I would enjoy that, thank you." she smiled.

Without a moments hesitation, I whisked her off her seat and towards the orchestra. The conductor leaned towards me, curious for what request I'd make for the princess. I quickly whispered it to him, along with a quick tip, before bringing the princess to the center of the floor. The conductor stared at me shocked before hesitantly preparing for what I'd requested. Her gaze was also a bit unsure but I smiled reassuringly at her.

The music began to play, and a glint of excitement showed itself in her expression. 'So the rumors were true, many thought the princess would often sneak out to enjoy the common life style. I had never believed it until today however, I thought if it were true, it be my opportunity. Fortunately, it seemed to be true.' I began to dance with her while the rest of the crowd stood confused, surely they had never heard music such as this before, but yet some seemed intrigued.

We began to preform in the sights of everyone, stealing the entierty of the floor. In a fast-paced motion we twirled and clapped. It was quickly obvious to everyone in this room, that the Princess was having the time of her life. Try as she might, she was unable to conceal her smile and laughs as I spun her around the floor. Others soon began to join in, messily trying to dance with their partners, others silently watched, likely wondering why such strange music would be played at a royal ball. However, my eyes remained on the princess who slowly began taking lead, doing small little twirls or kicks of her own accord. Her eyes seemed to light up with joy the longer we danced. I followed her, acting as if it were all part of the dance.

I found myself captivated by her smile, It was pure, not one I'd expect if royalty, and yet she was smiling as if she hadn't a care in the world. I liked it. I shook my head back into reality, this girl would die tonight, and it be by my hand none-the-less, there's no point in being interested in her.

As the music was drawing to a close, the princess suddenly froze in place and stared up at the face of her father, the king. He glared at her, as if he knew exactly what she was doing. "..." She clenched her fists, and slowly turned back to me. "... Sorry." she whispered, "I must have made the dance difficult."

I had been seeking an opportunity, and now I had it. "Not at all your majesty! I haven't had this much fun in a long time." I smiled. "In fact, if it's all the same with you... Would you be interested in taking a short walk in the garden with me? I have a feeling that we are more similar than you may think." I subtly winked at her.

Her eyes lit up once more, as if she was just a small girl who'd found her first friend. "Please, I'd like that." She smiled.

___

I wasn't sure how long we'd walked, all I knew was that it was long enough for my body to feel as if her arm linked with mine was natural, like it belonged there. Her hair had begun to loosen from its braid, and with every passing minute she opened up more to me. She spoke of climbing trees, of sword fights, of dancing without a care, even the hem of her dress was becoming dirtied, and yet she didn't have a care about it. Everything you would expect a princess not to be, was the real her.

I found myself thoroughly enchanted by her, her voice, her smile, her whole presence was simply dazzling, yet boyish. Our conversation became sincere, I told her tales of my few adventures, bending the truth as needed of course. Soon I found my excitement becoming genuine, laughing as if I might die from lack of air. She spoke as if she'd forgotten she was a princess, snickering at her own jokes and prancing around the fountain.

I watched as she moved to sit on the stone bench in front of the fountain, her eyes were locked onto it admiring how beautiful it was. I smiled gently, my eyes focused on her beauty instead of the fountain. I had never met a more beautiful woman in my life, her appearance had become so messy In only a few hours but yet, I admired it. She had so many telling her who to be, yet she stayed true to what she was, it was dazzling.

My eyes went wide, realizing my thoughts. 'No, I mustn't think about such things! No matter how I admire her... I must kill her tonight. She is my only key to freedom, I'm done being a dog!' I shook my thoughts away and moved to sit beside her.

Her gaze shifted to me, a glimmer of happiness appearing in her eyes. "I have never met anyone who would speak about such unsophisticated things with me," she smiled. "It's always politics and business, I know that it's my duty to attend to such things, but I must admit I've always wanted someone to converse with the real me, not just simply the 'Princess'."

I carefully nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I've felt similarly, sometimes I really wish that... Someone knew the real me." I answered her genuinly. "If I am the first to learn of your true self, then allow me to say, it's a blessing to see the true you." I carefully took her hand In mine. "I'd like to continue to get to know you, Your Ma--" She cut me off.

"Charm, just call me Charm." She smiled boyishly. "If you'd like to get to know me, you should at least call me by my name, no?"

I grinned, "Of course, Charm."

She chuckled and stood up carefully hopping onto the fountains edge. "As sudden as this may seem, Prince Eliot..." She twirled on the edge. "I'd... like to ask you to be my king." her twirl came to a sudden stop, staring directly at me. "if I must wed, I want someone who will know me for me."

My eyes widened. 'She can't be serious can she?? I did expect her to take a liking to me, but not this far. King!? Really!?!' I stared blankly at her for a few moments.

"if it's too much to ask I understand, however... I think I could be happy if you were king." She uttered, appearing nervous.

I snapped back into reality, quickly pulling myself up and grabbing both of her hands. "..O-of course! I will happily accept, Your- I mean Charm!" I smiled. "You... understand me as well, and I believe that would be a blessing for both of us, and for our kingdoms."

"Really? Ah.. I'm so happy then! We must tell father immediately!" She smiled blissfully.

"Ah-" My purpose for coming ran through my mind once more. 'Not yet! I haven't found a moment to complete my objective!' I thought franticly. "Wait maybe we should-" As I was speaking, Charm's footing slipped in her attempt to get down. I swiftly caught her in my arms, holding her small form tightly.

Her blood rushed to her face as she stared up at me, the embarrassment clear in her expression. I stared into her eyes in return, just as shocked as she was. The moment seemed to last forever as we stared at each other, both searching for the right words to say. "..." slowly, I found myself pulling her closer. I became all the more conscious of her in my embrace when the warmth of her skin seeped through her clothing, and the lace of her dress neared and then brushed past my neck. Her eyes wavered for a brief moment, before she slowly leaned in as well. My hair long gradually swept past her shoulder before I carefully tilted her face upwards to meet my lips for a soft, sweet kiss.

'What are you doing Eliot?! This is the perfect time! Kill her!!' I screamed internally, quickly reaching one hand back and grabbing the knife I had carefully hidden under my shirt. I grasped the handle tightly, readying myself for the kill. But... My hand froze, just as if an invisible barrier had caged my hand. Something ached inside me, and my heart began to hammer all the greater inside me.

"..." Reluctantly, my hand slipped from the handle and moved back to gently caress her face. Just as I was forgetting about everything, a loud tick resounded across the garden, forcing us to break our sweet kiss.

"It's 12 already?" She audibly gasped and fixed her posture in a hurry. "We must tell father of our engagement quickly!" She grasped my hand tightly.

"H-Hold on! Charm I-!" I pulled my hand from hers.

"What is it, Eliot?" She turned to me, panic in her expression.

"I can't," I whispered, the weight of my guilt finally crashing down onto me. I had planned to kill this girl, but instead I kissed her, even agreed to marry her! What a fool I am! "I'm so sorry, I can't! I came here to k-...kill you."I murmured agonizingly.

"....You came to what?" Her expression became bewildered and confused.

My mind was foggy and my chest hurt, I didn't know what to say so I just screamed the truth. "I came to kill you, but I can't. I'm so, so sorry!" Without another word I began to run in the opposite direction of her.

"E-..Eliot wait!!" she yelled after me, but I was already too far gone.

___

"Have you heard? the princess refuses to hold anymore balls until her coronation! She says she's found the one, but he ran away!" An old man laughed. "What an imbecile he must've been!" Two old men continued to laugh. Meanwhile, cowering in the corner of the restaurant, I sat with my head down low and a hood over my head. Any day now they would come for me, whether it be the royal guard to my family, they would find me no matter where I went. "I'm the one," must just be a cover up to make me feel secure. It simply must be... I was such an idiot. To even drop the pocket watch my real father left me on my way out! How stupid could I be!? I wanted to slam my head into a wall, I wanted to scream, cry, anything! I'd fallen in love with the person I was meant to kill. Even worse my whole family will never want to see me again, I'm useless, truly useless! She didn't deserve to die! and I... I most definitely never deserved to meet her.

"Brother, Is that who I think it is?" I heard an all too familiar, chilling voice.

"I do indeed think it is! the useless brat!" I jerked my head up to see Drizell and Anastasius peering at me mockingly.

"Father has been looking everywhere for you! he heard you got away~" Drizell sung.

"He was so angry he threw his favorite wine into the wall!" Anastasias grinned. "You must come with us!" I knew all to well what was about to happen, I would be disposed of. I had to die for the security of the "family", but I didn't want to die. I really... really don't want to die. I felt tears fill the corner of my eyes just as someone jumped in front of me.

"He won't be going anywhere with you." A girl's voice echoed around the room, drawing everyone's attention. The girl grabbed my wrist in a hurry and started running at full speed toward the door.

"Hey! get back here!" The twins yelled in unison, but we were already out the door. Whoever it was who had grabbed me shoved me into a nearby carriage before following in after me.

She shut the door tightly before barking an order. "Go! Please!" Immediately the carriage took off at top speed and I went flying back into the seat, the girl landing on top of me.

Upon seeing her face, my face went pale. "...Charm." I whispered.

She blew her hair out of her eyes and looked up at me, her expression unreadable. "You have a lot of audacity to still call me Charm, Eliot." She raised an eyebrow while letting out a tired breath.

"Ah! I apologize, Your Majesty." I bowed my head respectfully and looked away from her.

"..." She paused for a few moments before letting out a gentle laugh. "Please, I was only joking... although, partially, it was a test." She moved herself to sit next to me.

"A test?" I carefully looked back at her.

"I wanted to know how much of what you told me was true, I managed to get some of it on my own, like your real name, Eliot Baker, and your status, even where you once lived... and how you dissapeared not long after the death of your parents. I suspected you were taken in by some not so good people, and it seems I was correct. But, I for myself wanted to see how much of your personality was true."

I gulped, "I... see. Forgive me for being so bold, but." I fidgeted anxiously. "Why? Are you not here to arrest me?"

She was silent for a moment before smiling knowingly. "I came to get you back for our engagement."

"....But, I came to ki-" She slapped her hand over my mouth.

"Sh! I didn't tell anyone of that! They would never let me marry you if they knew." She whispered. "If you really wanted to kill me, you would have." She sighed. "Not to mention, I cannot see what you told me as fake, it was too genuine. You really meant what you said when you said you wanted someone to know you too... I understand that feeling, so I just knew. I may seem crazy but I don't care."

"..." I remained silent, absolutely stunned.

"Prince or Commoner, I still... wish to marry you. You are the first to see what the real me was like, and for that I am grateful." She looked into my eyes. "Please become my husband," She held her hand out to me, my fathers pocket watch in her palm.

"..." I felt tears well up in the corner of my eyes, to which she quickly moved to wipe them away. "I, accept. Charm." I smiled a soft, genuine smile.

And so, Charm and Eliot returned to the castle to be wedded. Eliot soon revealed everything his "family" had planned for her, and had everyone arrested. However, Drizell and Anastasias were allowed to have a second chance, under surveillance of course, to turn their lives around by the Princess. At first the previous king was hesitant about a commoner marrying his daughter, but he saw how she truly loved him, so he gave his blessing. Soon, Eliot wed Charm, and became a great king with the help of Charm and the previous king.

The End.