They signed the papers

It's either Noelle's freedom, or their lives.

If this wedding doesn't happen, the past 20 years would have gone to waste. All these years of searching would have been useless. They know it's unfair, they know it's selfish, they know it's not ideal, but their need to find their daughter overrides that.

"Perfect! Now, your powers will probably take a day to recharge, so give it some time", Cecelia informed them with a smirk etched on her face. It's true when they say,

Just as the queen finished her sentence, prince Nicholas entered the vast room.

"What are you doing here, Nick, we're discussing important things", the queen asked in an irritated tone.

"What? I can't meet my future mother and father in law?", he asked sarcastically with a knowing grin on his face. Iris and Michael cringed at his words, hating the fact that this is the only way they'll be able to find their daughter. Cecelia was impressed, and ushered him to come over.

"It's nice to officially meet you, I'm prince Nicholas", he spoke proudly and outstretched his hands for them to shake, and they reluctantly did one at a time. "It's a pleasure to be engaged to your daughter, she truly is a gem", he continued and they smiled at his kind words, but still has bad thoughts running through their minds.

"The Highlands are incredibly lucky that they were able to have such a treasure, too bad she was taken away from them at such a young age", Cecelia spoke with fake sadness laced in her voice, which angered Michael and Iris.

"Who are the Highlands?", Michael asked, unknowing to all the kingdoms.

"The largest Kingdom in all of Europe. The vampires rule over there. No one dares to enter their land without permission, since the vampires are one of the most powerful beings, each having their own special power. But they were too busy, too distracted on that one day, that they never noticed Noelle being taken, until it was too late."

Flashback:

Noelle, who had just turned 10 a few weeks ago, was in the Kingdom gardens near the villages. She loved the rural side of the Kingdom, it was like an escape from the towering castle that she was always in. Don't be mistaken, she loves the castle, but she also loves spending time near the villages, she felt as though it taught her to be appreciative of what she has, since it could be gone on day.

As Nathaniel and Lilah were talking to the residents in the village about 'adult stuff', she was making daisy chains by the river, watching as the children would run around and play together. She smiled up at them.

She was too engrossed in her daisy chain making to notice someone calling out to her.

"Little girl!", the unknown voice whisper-yelled. She looked up to see a tall figure wearing a mask.

That's weird, I've never seen a man wear a mask before, she said to herself.

"Yes, you, come here", he whispered again once he caught her attention. She, being the naive little girl she is, walked up to him.

"Can I h-help you, sir?", she asked shyly, turning around to see where her parents were, but they were no longer in her sight. She felt her heart drop to her stomach.

"Yes, my puppy is lost, can you help me find him?", the man spoke and she gasped.

Poor puppy, she said sadly in her mind.

"O-okay", she whispered, making the man smile cunningly.

"See, I last saw him here", he spoke, walking up to a deserted area of the Kingdom, surrounded by large oak trees. She followed him wherever he went, on the verge of tears, but she wanted to help him.

"Oh, there he is", he cheered in a fake happy voice, pointing to a van. Her eyes shot up to where he was pointing, but she didn't see the puppy.

"Where?", she questioned.

"Come closer", he told her and she cautiously stepped forward a few steps.

All of a sudden, he picked her up, throwing her over his shoulders and shoved her in the back of the van.

She let out a death-defying scream, but he shut the van door before anyone could come to her aid.

"Help! Anyone, please!", she continuously yelled as she tried prying the door open. Tears were now streaming down her face as she found it difficult to breath, hyperventilating and choking through her screams.

But it was too late.

From the far distance, Nate and Lilah could hear the screams of a child.

"What was that?", she asked worryingly.

"Probably the kids playing around", he answered while staring at his phone.

"Where's Noelle?"

"Right over-" he stopped once he turned around, only to find the spot that was occupied by Noelle, was now empty. He looked around him, hoping to catch a glimpse of his child, but to no avail.

"Noelle!", Lilah yelled while frantically running around the villages. Nathaniel did the same.

They both ran back to the castle once they had searched everywhere. They jogged into the living are, where Alexander, Sheila, Victor, Willow and the young boys were sat watching a movie.

"Noelle's gone!", Lilah revealed and they all stood up to their feet.

"What?!", Alexander yelled in confusion.

"I don't know! One second she was playing, the next she was gone!", Nathaniel continued. They all felt their heartbeat quicken at the unexpected news.

They all ran back to the villages while Alexander alerted the entire Kingdom through the huge speakers.

"Attention all residents of Highland, Noelle is missing, search everywhere you can. Keep all children inside your homes!", he spoke, and the Kingdom went silent.

All day, they were busy searching for her, but once the moon replaced the sun, they realised they were too late.

Noelle was gone.

Easton glumly walked into her room, and for the first time, he didn't see her in there drawing pictures or playing with her dolls. He saw nothing, but the unoccupied bed, and toys on the ground. He felt tears rise to his face, falling onto her bed and bringing her blanket up to his chest.

That day became a national mourning day.

The day their future queen was taken.

Back to present time:

At the Highlands, Noelle and Easton were on their way back to their room after reuniting with everybody once again. The castle was filled to the brim with joy and life now that their queen is back.

"See, that wasn't so bad was it?", Easton asked once they were cuddled up on the bed. She looked up at him and gave him a smile.

"You've brought this castle back to life, love. We could only imagine how happy everyone will be once you can finally shift back. I'm so excited to see what you look like. I've dreamt of that moment for years. I can't wait to hear your voice, and for you to lull me to sleep with it. I just can not wait to spend the rest of my life with you, doll."

She licked his face all over once he finished his short speech, causing him to laugh. It was her way of showing affection in her fox form.

He didn't say it aloud, but he couldn't wait for the day where he would finally be able to kiss her for the first time, make love to her for the first time, and treat her like the queen she is.