A/N: All of my wonderful reviewers, thank you tons and millions of tons for your reviews and encouragements! Now, the story moves on, to another point in her life (Kaden, of course, for those of you who know her!) where new happenings will take place.

For my new readers, just to let you know, these are the prequels: "Affairs in Court", which is more like a prologue to the whole trilogy, and "The King's Daughter", my newer one. If you feel a bit confused, you might want to scan through the others. Of course, I am not forcing you at all, go ahead! Read!

- Abiona Marchand 3

A dark haired lady in a red cotton dress, fitted the way she liked it, walked slowly down the hallway in the palace to her new rooms. A page passed her by, smiled, and bowed to her. She smiled back, her sapphire eyes dancing with joy and enlightenment. She walked still, down another hallway conjoining with this one, and up a flight of stairs.

She was cheerful, happy and excited, although one thing itched at the back of her mind, calling her to unhappiness. She tried to ignore it, but instead, remembered a happening from the past, not too long ago.

FLASHBACK:

She had been called one day to the King's offices, where she had been so many times before, but this time the messenger had seemed urgent and hurried. She rushed through the hallways, worried about what might be happening.

When she reached the office, His Majesty and Her Majesty were behind the desk, and they looked serious.

"What's all this about?" She said, tucking a piece of straying, black hair behind her ear.

"We need to talk," Thayet brought her over and sat her down in a plush, velvet seat. "It's about the whole 'princess' issue."

"I hope you'll understand," Jonathan butted in. "But, we're going to have to keep this confidential, about you being our daughter and all."

"It's because of your safety, darling." Thayet reassured her with a smile. "We don't want anything to happen to you."

"So, you mean, no one can know? Not even my close friends or my family - I mean, my old family?"

"No," Jon said sternly. "It would be too much of a hazard. Besides, it will come out sooner or later."

"If you're both sure about this, then I'm fine."

"Are you sure you're fine?" Thayet asked amusingly.

"Yes, Thayet, I'm fine." She said teasingly and hugged her birth mother.

"Kaden, I'm your mother, don't call me by my first name!" Thayet scolded.

"Okay, mother." Kaden said, and kissed her cheek. Her father gave her a big hug. "I love you, da."

"I love you too, sweetling. It's so good to have you back."

END FLASHBACK:

Now, as she reached her destination, she sighed heavily, and opened the door to a bright, sunlit room. The cool spring air rushed through the open window and made her snorted indignatnly, and muttered something about leaving the window open. She had been at lunch with her good friend, Ambrose, who had so happily asked her how her search for her parents was going. Kaden had to out and out lie to her friend, and tell her that there was no luck for her.

Shutting the window forcefully, she turned to slump on the bed. She was caught by surprise seeing the Shand Wolf lying on the bed delightfully. He smiled warmly at her and she jumped on the bed to say hello.

"My sweet, how have you been?" He asked her, nuzzling her hair and wrapping his srong arms around her waist. His hair had grown out more, with curls forming at the ends of the red-orange mess. His bright blue eyes sparkled with love. She looked into them with her own passion building, and couldn't resist to kiss his soft, luscious lips. He smiled when they parted, and brought his arm out from behind him to reveal a bouquet of pink and white clementius's.

"Oh, Eadulf, they're beautiful! They're my favorite, how did you know?" She exclaimed, taking the white and pink petaled flowers and getting up to get a vase on the dresser.

"Oh, I have my sources." He said mischieviously.

"Oh, you." She said and disappeared into the bathroom where she filled the vase with water and put the flowers in it. Coming out, she set the vase on the desk and returned to the bed to be with Eadulf. "Hmm," She sighed. "It's good to have nothing to do..."

"Well, actually, I was going to ask you if you wanted to do something, but I'm guessing that you-"

"No, no, I would be happy to do something with you." There was silence and when she turned Eadulf's head, she saw that look in his eyes. There often came this look in his eyes with some kind of threat or something bad. This time, there was need, anger and hurt. He had something else though, that wasn't part of the look deeper in his eyes. It was amusement.

"Are you sure?" She nodded with some adjusting to her facial expression. "Well then, this is what I had in mind," He started. Kaden drifted away in her thoughts. Eadulf was wonderful and all, but that look worried her and made her wonder about what his secrets were. She thought long and hard. He wasn't at all like her last love, and she wondered if he ever would measure up. "What do you think?" He said. She loved him, though.

"I think it's a great idea. Let's go." Well, at least she thought she did.

A/N: So, what did you think? Read and Review like crazy, please. I know, it's not that great of a start and I have no idea what is going to happen for the next few chapters, but it will eventually come to me. Love you all!