Annaliese was sitting at her desk analyzing some jewels and rocks her tutor had given her. She was supposes to analyze and tell him what she thought they were when he came back the next day. She was looking at the rock in her hand, when a knock broke through her reverie.

"Um, Come in." she called, wondering who would be here at this time. Her tutor came walking through the door. "Julian." She said surprised. Then with a smile she began "I classify this as iron pyrite. Commonly known as Fool's Gold." She looked up at him and smiled again. Julian gave a slight smile but she could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Well done, Your Highness." He said with a slight bow. Annaliese looked at him confused.

"Your Highness? It's just me." She and Julian had been friends for a long time and had long since dropped the formalities.

"It seems the Ambassador has arrived with a gift for you." She saw him force a smile but the sadness never left his eyes.

"The Ambassador? " She asked confused. "He's here already?" Julian nodded his head.

"Your mother asked for your presence in the throne room" Annaliese looked from Julian to her desk then back to Julian. She stood up and took a deep breath.

"Very well." She said with a small nod. She headed out the door with Julian right behind her. They walked in silence till they got to the throne room. She stopped and took another deep breath. Julian looked at her and smiled.

"It will be okay." He whispered. She nodded her head.

"I'm ready." Julian nodded.

"Princess Annaliese, Your Highness." He said as he bowed. Annaliese walked through the door. As she walked through the room She noticed a man, that was quite round, a page boy, Preminger, the queen's advisor, and of course, her mother. Annaliese walked to her mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Annaliese, this is Ambassador Bismark." Queen Guinevere gestured to the round man. He bowed. She curtsied slightly to him. Her attention was then drawn to the page boy. He bowed deeply to her. The queen and the Ambassador began talking. The page turned his attention to their conversation giving her a chance to really look at him. He was about Julian's height and age she guessed. He had toned skin from being outside alot. He also had piercing blue eyes. She looked at Julian and found him staring at her. Their eyes locked for a moment. She saw the uncertainty the lingered there. She then nodded to the page as if to ask Julian to start talking to him. Julian nodded and headed toward the page. She smiled as she watched Julian tap the man on the shoulder. The page jumped, swung around and stared at Julian then bowed. Julian nodded toward the far wall and gestured that the man follow him.

Julian walked with the page behind him. "Sorry if I startled you." He said as they reached the far wall. "I thought you might be getting a little bored listening to that conversation." He finished with a chuckle. The page looked back at the Queen and Ambassador, and then chuckled. "I'm Julian." He said holding out his hand.

"I'm Nat." The page replied shaking Julian's hand.

"Nice grip." Julian said massaging his hand.

"Sorry." Nat looked down at the floor.

"No problem." He looked at Nat. Nat looked back at Julian. "Where did you get that grip?"

"I work closely with some soldiers." Nat replied with a shrug.

"Cool." Julian said with a smile. "I'm the Princess's tutor." He saw the shock that quickly passed over the man's face and just as quickly it was masked.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you a little young?"

"I suppose so." Julian replied with a shrug. He glanced at Annaliese standing beside her mother.

"He's in love with the Princess?" Nat thought to himself as he looked from Julian to Annaliese. "How old are you?" He asked. He had to know. He noticed that Julian didn't even hear him. He cleared his throat bringing Julian's attention back to the conversation. "How old are you?" ha asked again

"About to be twenty-one." Nat noticed the red creeping up the other man's neck.

"How old is the Princess?"

"Nineteen." Julian saw Nat nod his head and smile. "If you don't mind, how old are you?"

"About to be twenty-two." Nat answered. Julian nodded his head. He was about to ask more but a slight movement caught his eye. He looked in the direction of the movement. Nat glanced in the same direction.

"Maybe we can talk some more later." Julian said. He saw the confusion on the other man's face. " Princess Annaliese is ready to leave." He whispered. Nat nodded and shrugged as Julian walked away. He watched as the Princess excused herself and took the tutor's arm with a bright smile.

"She's in love with her tutor?" He shook his head to try to clear it. He would have to talk to Julian some more. He walked over to Bismark. He turned toward him.

"Nat, you will be sleeping in the servant quarters." Bismark informed Nat while wearing a deep and troubled frown. Nat smiled and nodded while holding back a chuckle.

"Very well." He said with a bow. Another servant came into the room and led Nat away.

I'm sorry if this first chapter appears a little lame. Please let me know what you think.

Thank you for reading.